The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is a testament to Samsung's commitment to refining and enhancing its flagship devices. With a focus on battery life, performance, and user experience, the S24 Plus stands out in a crowded market. This review delves into the key aspects of the Galaxy S24 Plus, highlighting its design, AI features, battery performance, and camera capabilities.
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy S24 Plus retains the sleek, squared-off aluminum design with rounded corners from its predecessor, the S23 Plus. The device is slightly taller to accommodate a larger 6.7-inch display, offering a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. This makes it easy to view under various lighting conditions, whether outdoors or in dimly lit environments. The flat sides and matte finish of the aluminum frame provide a premium feel and better grip, enhancing the overall user experience.
The design changes, though subtle, contribute to a more polished and refined look. The device is available in multiple colors, including Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Amber Yellow, and Cobalt Violet, with additional exclusive colors available on Samsung's website. The build quality is robust, featuring Gorilla Glass 2 for screen protection and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
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Display Quality
The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display with a resolution upgrade to QHD+ (3120 x 1440 pixels). This significant jump from the previous FHD+ resolution enhances text sharpness and overall visual clarity. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate that can scale down to 1Hz, optimizing power consumption when the screen is idle.
The increased peak brightness of 2,600 nits ensures excellent visibility in bright sunlight, while the display's ability to dim significantly makes it ideal for low-light environments. The color accuracy and contrast are top-notch, making it a pleasure to use for media consumption, gaming, and everyday tasks.
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Performance and Battery Life
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy S24 Plus delivers exceptional performance. Apps open instantly, multitasking is seamless, and gaming experiences are smooth and immersive. The device handles graphically intensive games like "Call of Duty: Mobile" with ease, maintaining high frame rates without overheating.
The battery life is one of the standout features of the S24 Plus. With a 4,900mAh battery, the device easily lasts through a full day of heavy use and can stretch to two days with moderate use. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, combined with the adaptive refresh rate, contributes to this impressive battery performance. Fast charging capabilities (up to 45W) and wireless charging support add to the convenience.
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Camera Capabilities
The camera setup on the Galaxy S24 Plus remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. While the hardware is the same, Samsung has introduced a new color tuning solution to deliver more accurate and natural color tones.
In good lighting conditions, the camera performs admirably, producing sharp and vibrant images. However, it struggles with moving subjects, often resulting in blurry photos. The telephoto lens is useful for closer shots, but anything beyond 3x zoom relies on digital zoom, which degrades image quality.
The AI-powered editing tools, such as Generative Edit and Edit Suggestions, offer additional functionality for photo enhancement, though they can sometimes produce mixed results.
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AI Features and Software
Samsung's Galaxy AI is a significant focus for the S24 Plus, offering features like Circle to Search, real-time translation, and advanced photo editing tools. Circle to Search allows users to search for anything on the screen by circling it with their finger, providing a seamless way to find information quickly.
The real-time translation feature is impressive, enabling live translations during phone calls and face-to-face conversations. However, the AI-powered keyboard features, such as Chat Assist, are less reliable and often produce awkward results.
The device runs on Android 14 with Samsung's One UI 6.1, which includes several enhancements like a redesigned Quick Settings panel and improved always-on display options. Samsung promises seven years of software updates, ensuring long-term support and security.
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Conclusion
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is a well-rounded device that excels in several key areas, including battery life, display quality, and overall performance. While the camera system is competent, it falls short compared to competitors like the Pixel 8 Pro. The AI features show promise but are not yet compelling enough to be a primary selling point.
For those looking for a premium smartphone with excellent battery life, a stunning display, and robust performance, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a strong contender. However, if camera quality is a top priority, other options may be more suitable.
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