Forget bulky phone days. The Galaxy S24 defies the stereotype of a flagship needing a giant screen to be powerful. This pocketable powerhouse packs serious specs into a comfortable, one-handed design. We’re talking top-of-the-line performance, a gorgeous display, and impressive battery life, all without sacrificing portability.
As the smallest member of the S24 lineup alongside the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S24 defies expectations. Despite its compact dimensions, this phone delivers robust performance and incorporates the sophisticated AI capabilities Samsung champions. Is the Galaxy S24 the perfect marriage of convenience and capability? Let’s dive in and find out in our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S24 review.
Read: PlayStation 5 Slim price and launch date in South Africa
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S24 adopts a rounded design, akin to its slightly larger counterpart, the S24 Plus. This design differs notably from the squared-off aesthetic of the S24 Ultra, with the rounded corners of the S24 and S24 Plus providing a more comfortable grip.
Measuring 147 x 71 x 78 millimetres and weighing 168 grams, the Galaxy S24 is compact and lightweight, fitting comfortably in hand or pocket. In an industry that often favours larger dimensions, the S24 stands out as a smaller option. It’s notably smaller and lighter than the Galaxy S24 Plus. Similarly sized but heavier alternatives include the Pixel 8 and the Apple iPhone 15.
The Galaxy S24 features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering robust protection against scratches and shattering on both the front and back. While the S24 Ultra boasts a Gorilla Armor panel for added toughness and reduced reflectivity, the Pixel 8 utilizes first-gen Gorilla Glass Victus, and the iPhone 15 incorporates Apple’s Ceramic Shield.
Encased in an Armor Aluminium frame, the S24 and S24+ lack the titanium frame of the S24 Ultra but maintain an elegant integration with the glass panels. On the right edge, a volume rocker and power button provide tactile feedback, while the bottom houses a SIM tray, a USB C port (3.2 Gen 1), and a speaker.
Like its counterparts, the standard Galaxy S24 boasts an IP68 rating, making it dust resistant and capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. This IP rating has become a standard feature among premium phones, also present in the iPhone 15 and Pixel 8.
On the rear, a three-camera array is complemented by a front-facing camera centred at the top of the screen. While the rear camera lenses protrude slightly, there’s no significant camera bump akin to the iPhone 15 or Pixel 8.
Biometric security is provided by an under-display fingerprint sensor, offering quick and accurate authentication. Facial recognition is also available but may not be as secure.
While the Galaxy S24 doesn’t have an overly interesting or different design language, every part of it just works. It feels premium, while still being compact and easy to use. The camera design is minimalist and much different than some other counterparts, which tends to make the camera bump a focal point of the design. This restrained decision by Samsung makes the Galaxy S24 feel more grown-up, which makes sense since the company has been refining its look for several years now.
Display
Although the displays of the Galaxy S24 and its predecessor share similarities, this year brings a significant upgrade. Samsung has transitioned to using an LTPO AMOLED panel, known for its enhanced power efficiency, particularly with the always-on display feature. With LTPO technology, the refresh rate can now drop as low as 1Hz when idle, a notable improvement compared to the S23, which could only reach 24Hz when not in use.
In addition to this, there are other notable differences in the display of the Galaxy S24. Samsung has increased the screen size slightly, from 6.1 inches to 6.2 inches, resulting in a slightly taller and narrower chassis and slimmer bezels. Despite initial concerns about potential differences, my experience with the S24 over the past week has shown these changes to be negligible.
The 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED display supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and boasts a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, a significant improvement over the S23’s 1,750 nits. While the resolution remains at 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a slightly lower pixel density of 416 pixels per inch (ppi) compared to the S23, the difference is hardly noticeable.
I found the display of the S24 to be vibrant and luminous, even when using the Natural display mode. Colours are vivid, blacks are deep, and text appears sharp and clear. The impressive peak brightness of 2,600 nits surpasses even that of the iPhone 15 Pro, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Smooth scrolling and transitions are facilitated by the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.
Despite the slightly lower pixel density compared to its predecessor, the display of the S24 remains impressive, especially considering its inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate, even in the base model. It’s a feature that Apple could take note of.
Software
Samsung’s One UI has evolved significantly since its inception. While it may lack the minimalist appeal of stock Android, the added functionalities have been honed to offer genuine utility. The interface is intuitive, though newcomers might require a brief adjustment period. Notably, Samsung pledges seven years of software upgrades for the S24, ensuring longevity up to Android 21, assuming users refrain from upgrading during this period.
Among the standout software features of the S24 lineup is Galaxy AI, a suite of AI-powered tools that range from practical to whimsical. In this review, we’ll delve into these features, as the overall user experience mirrors previous Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (review here).
An invaluable addition to Galaxy AI is Circle to Search, allowing users to perform quick searches by tapping, circling, or scribbling anywhere on the screen. Unlike Google Lens, this feature functions seamlessly across all apps, enhancing user convenience significantly.
Circle to Search proves itself indispensable for spontaneous inquiries while using the phone. The feature’s accuracy is commendable, offering immediate access to information on intriguing subjects. Its utility becomes apparent in moments of curiosity, eliminating the need for manual Google searches.
Another standout Galaxy AI feature is the Generative Edit tool, capable of removing unwanted elements from photos, resizing, straightening, and filling gaps with AI-generated content. The results are impressive, with seamless edits that defy detection unless closely examined.
Galaxy AI also introduces generative AI wallpapers, akin to the Google Pixel 8 series. While the results vary from captivating to peculiar, the resolution occasionally falls short of perfection, exhibiting minor pixelation in some instances.
Further Galaxy AI functionalities include Live Translate, facilitating real-time voice and text translations, and Interpreter, enabling in-person conversations by translating voices in real-time through the S24.
In conclusion, Samsung’s commitment to innovation is evident in the Galaxy S24’s software enhancements, particularly with the introduction of Galaxy AI. These features not only augment user experience but also showcase Samsung’s prowess in harnessing AI for practical and entertaining purposes.
Camera(s)
While the Galaxy S24 Ultra reigns as Samsung’s top camera phone, the Galaxy S24 certainly holds its own. Samsung’s diligent efforts in refining image processing are evident, with photos captured on the S24 appearing more natural and vibrant compared to those from its predecessor, the Galaxy S23, or even my iPhone 15.
A notable enhancement in the S24 is the inclusion of a genuine zoom lens, offering a practical 3x optical zoom that brings subjects closer with improved clarity. Despite the inherent limitations of the smaller sensor, resulting in occasional noise and blur, the optical zoom surpasses the digital zoom capabilities of competitors like the Pixel 8 and iPhone 15.
While the iPhone 15 may occasionally outshine the S24 in certain scenarios, and the Pixel 8 excels in low-light conditions, the S24 boasts greater versatility. Samsung’s diverse camera modes, such as Food mode and dual-camera video recording, add a fun and practical dimension to photography. Personally, I find that my culinary creations appear more appetizing when captured with the Galaxy S24, and the dual-camera video feature is perfect for capturing candid moments with my child.
Samsung integrates a plethora of AI-powered features into the camera interface and the Samsung Gallery app. Although it’s slightly cumbersome to have multiple photo apps, including Google Photos, Samsung’s Magic Editor in the Gallery offers impressive capabilities.
Magic Editor enables users to resize and relocate objects within photos, erase backgrounds, and seamlessly replace them with new scenes using AI. Additionally, a tool is available to fill blank spaces in images resulting from rotation. In practical use, these features prove surprisingly useful, such as removing obstructive elements from sports field photos. The generative AI produces natural-looking results without overly artificial alterations.
While appreciating these AI-powered editing tools, it’s essential to maintain a balance to prevent the creation of overly manipulated images. Notably, the Galaxy S24 marks AI-edited images with a watermark, ensuring transparency in the editing process.
Hardware and Performance
Despite its smaller stature, the Galaxy S24 boasts the same potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor found in its larger counterpart, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. In fact, Samsung has even overclocked this processor slightly compared to its counterparts in competing devices like the OnePlus 12, ensuring superior performance to any other Android handset and non-Pro models of the iPhone 15.
This robust processing power enables a multitude of tasks. Whether it’s playing demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile at maximum settings and maintaining a steady 60 frames per second, editing photos in Adobe Lightroom with real-time adjustments, or multitasking with Samsung DeX and multiple open windows on a monitor, the Galaxy S24 handles everything with ease.
The only noticeable delay I encountered was when utilizing the new Galaxy AI features. Activating Circle to Search by holding down the home button resulted in a brief lag, initially causing uncertainty about its functionality due to impatience.
While the Galaxy S24 Ultra technically outpaces the Galaxy S24, likely attributed to its additional RAM, with the S24 boasting 8GB and the S24 Ultra equipped with 12GB, the disparity is subtle in real-world usage. Only upon close comparison did I observe slightly faster task completion with the S24 Ultra. Nevertheless, the Galaxy S24 effortlessly juggles multiple apps and performs admirably even in demanding gaming scenarios, leaving no room for performance-related grievances.
Battery
Equipped with a 4,000mAh battery, the Galaxy S24 boasts a slight increase from its predecessor’s 3,900mAh cell. However, don’t underestimate its battery capacity in comparison to larger models; thanks to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it delivers commendable longevity.
In my week-long usage of the Galaxy S24, a single charge typically lasts me well over a day, depending on my activities. My usage primarily revolves around social media scrolling, email management, messaging, video streaming, reading, and extensive photography. Even after a day of moderate to heavy usage, I consistently have at least 20–30% battery remaining, often providing enough power to carry me into the next day before needing a recharge.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy S24 supports only up to 25W charging speeds, similar to Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup. It would have been preferable for the S24 to match the faster charging capabilities of its larger counterparts, the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra, which support up to 45W fast charging. Notably, Samsung does not include a charging adapter in the package, although a USB-C cable is provided.
Conclusion
Despite being the smallest in the S24 lineup, the Galaxy S24 packs a punch, offering top-tier features for those uninterested in the larger S24 Plus and S24 Ultra. Galaxy AI stands out as a key feature, with Circle to Search and generative photo editing tools proving particularly useful. The refined image processing software enhances photo quality, striking a balance between vibrancy and realism.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip, the S24 delivers excellent battery life despite its 4,000mAh capacity, paired with swift performance running Android 14 and One UI 6.1.
While not essential for S23 owners, the S24 presents a compelling upgrade for those with older models, especially considering its starting price of R16,000, making it the standout choice in the S24 lineup for those prioritizing price-to-performance ratio.
