Everything you need to know about Samsung’s Galaxy S24 line-up
Three new phones are available. ANYRON COPEMAN reports
The year has only just begun, but Samsung already has a contender for the biggest smartphone launch of the year. The Galaxy S24 series of flagship phones are here, and there are three handsets to choose from: the regular S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra. All of them get access to a range of new AI functionality, though several other features are exclusive to the Ultra. Here’s everything you need to know about the new phones, including release date, pricing and all the key specifications and features.
RELEASE DATE
Each model is available to buy now.
PRICE Galaxy S24 128GB: £799 256GB: £859
Galaxy S24+
256GB: £999 512GB: £1,099
Galaxy S24 Ultra
256GB: £1,249 512GB: £1,349 1TB: £1,549
SPECS AND FEATURES
The S24 series was extensively leaked ahead of time, and most of the rumours turned out to be true. But there’s still a lot to talk about, so let’s start with what the S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra have in common. It mostly relates to software, with all three phones running Samsung’s One UI 6.1 skin out of the box. While based on Android 14, it adds features such as a redesigned quick panel, extra personalization options and lots of Samsung’s own apps.
Samsung has also improved its software support, promising to deliver seven major OS updates and seven years of security updates. That matches what Google offers for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and is the joint-best of any Android phone maker.
However, the most exciting upgrades are a range of new AI features (see page 8). Artificial intelligence will let you translate calls in real time, search for something just by circling it and create and translate transcripts of conversations with up to 20 people.
You can also use AI to edit photos, adjust the tone of an important message or deliver smart responses while in the car using Android Auto, among others. It’s great to see that al the AI features are available on all three phones.
One hardware feature that’s consistent across all three phones is an IP68 rating. This states that it can survive submersion in up to 1.5m of water for up to 30 minutes and is fully protected against dust and other dirt.
But that’s about where the similarities end, at least when it comes to key specs. Let’s go through each of the phones one by one, starting with the regular Galaxy S24.
GALAXY S24
The chipset powering the regular S24 will vary depending on where you’re based. In most global markets, it runs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, an overclocked version of the most capable phone chip Qualcomm makes. But in the UK, Samsung’s own Exynos 2400 for Galaxy. It’s not clear how much of a difference there is between the two.
All models of the S24 combine it with 8GB of RAM, alongside 128-, 256or 512GB of internal storage.
Its display is a 6.2-inch, FHD+ AMOLED panel. While the 120Hz refresh rate remains, it now supports LTPO tech to automatically adjust all the way down to 1Hz, helping to preserve battery life.
A 4,000mAh cell is on the small side by modern phone standards, especially when combined with the relatively slow 25-watt charging (no charger in the box). Samsung says you can get up to 50 percent charge in 30 minutes, while there is support for Qi wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
A triple rear camera is comprised of 50Mp main, 12Mp ultrawide (with 120-degree field of view) and 10Mp 3x telephoto. On the front, a 12Mp selfie camera can also be used for face unlock, but there is an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner.
GALAXY S24+
The S24+ has a lot in common with its regular sibling, but there are a few notable upgrades.
Of course, the most obvious one is its sheer size. The screen is a 6.7-inch AMOLED here, but also a higher QHD+ resolution. Its LTPO panel still enables the dynamic 1- to 120Hz refresh rate.
There’s also more RAM, with 12GB on both models. And storage options are limited to 256- or 512GB.
To help compensate for that larger screen, there’s a 4,900mAh battery
here. It can be charged at up to 45W using a wired charger, but it’s not included in the box. Slower Qi wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are still included.
Cameras are identical to the regular S24, with 50Mp main, 12Mp ultrawide, and 10Mp 3x telephoto and 12Mp selfie lenses. And you can choose between face unlock or the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner.
It also still runs the Exynos 2400 chipset in the UK, but Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in many other markets.
GALAXY S24 ULTRA
The top-of-the-line S24 Ultra is a significant upgrade compared to both the regular S24 and S24+. We run through the changes in our in-depth review on page 11, but here’s a taster of what you can expect.
The big change this year is a titanium build, as opposed to aluminium on the cheaper models. It matches what you’ll find on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and should further improve durability.
Protection for the display is just as impressive, with Corning’s toughest Gorilla Armor present here. It should make the phone even more resistant to scratches and drops.
Cameras are also different, though it’s not a clear upgrade compared to the S23 Ultra. It technically has a quad telephoto set-up, with a new 50Mp 5x lens joining the existing 10Mp 3x lens.
Alongside the 2x option and 10x hybrid zoom, it means there are four high quality zoom stages to choose from. But the dedicated 10Mp 10x optical telephoto is no more. The other lenses are unchanged, so you still get 200Mp main, 12Mp ultrawide and 12Mp front-facing cameras.
As you were probably expecting, the S Pen stylus remains exclusive to the S24 Ultra. It docks into the bottom left corner of the phone, and can be used for a range of tasks – including the new Circle to Search AI feature.
If you’re based in the UK or another market with Exynos 2400 models, this is also the only S24 phone with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. There’s 12GB of RAM across all three models, but the 256- and 512GB storage options are joined by a 1TB version here.
Battery capacity here is still 5,000mAh, while charging hasn’t been improved from 45 watts.
Qi wireless and reverse wireless charging are still supported.
The Ultra is also the only model to offer 1TB of storage, though it’ll cost significantly more than the starting price.