At a lookKnowledgeable’s Ranking
Execs
- Prime-tier efficiency
- Wonderful, versatile cameras
- Excellent battery life
- Intelligent AI options
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Costly
- Large and ponderous
- Charging nonetheless solely 45W
Our Verdict
The S24 Extremely is the last word Android smartphone, delivering a top-tier consumer expertise with no actual weaknesses. However that doesn’t imply it’s best for you, particularly at this dimension and value.
Samsung releases dozens of telephones each single 12 months however except you desire a high-end foldable, it’s the Galaxy S sequence that will get many of the consideration.
And inside that vary, the Extremely mannequin is the one Samsung actually desires you to purchase. It is a Samsung smartphone at full throttle, providing virtually each conceivable function persons are on the lookout for in a handset.
That’s definitely true of the S24 Extremely, which provides a brand new chipset, titanium construct and several other AI options to the combo, to not point out a brand new and improved dedication to software program updates.
However is that sufficient to make it definitely worth the eye-watering price ticket? For some folks, the reply might be a powerful sure. And from utilizing it as my major telephone for every week, I can perceive why.
Design & Construct
- Giant, heavy construct
- New titanium body
- Built-in S Pen
Samsung has modified the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s design in a few main methods, however you wouldn’t comprehend it from trying in the back of the telephone. Aesthetically, it’s virtually an identical to final 12 months’s S23 Extremely, which itself was a near-carbon copy of the S22 Extremely.
Whereas this can be irritating to some, I’m happy to see Samsung follow this tried-and-tested design. Offered you don’t thoughts an enormous 6.8-inch telephone, it’s nonetheless comfy to make use of.
A matt coating on the glass again helps the telephone keep away from selecting up seen fingerprint smudges and different grime. Nevertheless it nonetheless appears to be like and feels very premium, even on the muted gray mannequin I examined. Black (proven under), violet and yellow variations are additionally broadly accessible, plus blue, inexperienced and orange in the event you go direct to Samsung.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
All seven colors are prefixed with the phrase ‘titanium’, hinting on the body of the system. The Extremely is the one S24 telephone to incorporate titanium, although you could be conscious that it’s not the primary smartphone: Apple launched it on the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max in 2023 to a lot fanfare.
Titanium is heavier than the standard aluminium, however its power means you could use much less of it. That ought to permit the telephone to be lighter, however at 233g, there’s no vital distinction in comparison with the 234g S23 Extremely. Each are among the many heaviest non-foldable telephones you should purchase.
So, is the titanium value it? Not on first impressions nevertheless it ought to assist with sturdiness over time, one thing which seems to be a high precedence.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The S24 Extremely is exceptionally effectively made, with Corning’s powerful Gorilla Glass on each the back and front. Business customary Victus 2 ensures wonderful drop and scratch safety, however Gorilla Armor on the entrance is a brand new top-of-the-line model that guarantees even higher sturdiness and decreased reflections. On the time of writing, it’s unique to this telephone.
Alongside an IP68 score (waterproof as much as 1.5m, totally protected in opposition to mud), the S24 Extremely is clearly constructed to final.
Is the titanium value it? Not on first impressions
Nevertheless, I’d nonetheless advocate utilizing the S24 Extremely with a case. There isn’t one included within the field, and I used to be nonetheless nervous about it sliding off a desk or out of my pocket at occasions.
You don’t have to fret about shedding the S Pen stylus, although. It’s securely docked into the underside of the telephone, and requires a agency click on to be launched. The design of the S Pen is unchanged, nevertheless it’s nonetheless comfy to make use of and nice for issues like handwritten notes or digital signatures.
Subsequent to it is the trio of USB-C port, speaker grille and SIM tray, with clicky energy and quantity controls of their standard positions on the suitable aspect.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
It’s additionally value mentioning the vibration motor, which is the very best I’ve used on any telephone. The delicate haptic suggestions makes the whole lot from calls and notifications to alarms and even typing really feel richer and extra satisfying.
Display & Audio system
- New flat show
- Wonderful 6.8-inch 120Hz display screen
- Spectacular stereo audio system
After years of experimenting with curved screens on its top-of-the-line telephones, the S24 Extremely has a completely flat show. I didn’t have a selected drawback with the delicate curves of the S23 Extremely, however this new panel appears to be like unbelievable.
There are not any modifications to its core specs however there didn’t have to be. The 6.8-inch AMOLED show continues to be probably the greatest you’ll discover on any smartphone. Its default 1080p decision already affords wonderful element, however the Quad HD+ (3120 x 1440) setting takes readability to the following degree.
As an OLED display screen, you too can count on wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it ideally suited for content material consumption. Should you watch a variety of movies in your telephone, that is the system to get.
It’s additionally an LTPO show, which means the refresh price can robotically modify from 1-120Hz relying on what you’re doing, serving to to preserve battery life. It feels as easy and fluid as ever, although a hard and fast 60Hz is your solely various to this adaptive setting. I’d have appreciated the choice to manually set it at 90- or 120Hz.
With the ‘Recreation Booster’ mode activated, contact sampling may attain 240Hz. This makes the show much more attentive to your contact, which makes an actual distinction in some cell video games.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Samsung says the S24 Extremely can attain an unbelievable peak brightness of 2600 nits, by way of an ‘Additional brightness’ toggle in Settings when you flip off auto brightness. However even with out it, I had no drawback utilizing the telephone outdoor – even on a vibrant sunny day. The decreased reflectivity of the brand new Gorilla Armor glass definitely helps right here.
With its new flat design, the S24 Extremely’s show is the very best it’s ever been. And with a good smaller digicam cut-out and a slimmer bezel, the entrance of the system is now just about all display screen.
With its new flat design, the S24 Extremely’s show is the very best it’s ever been
For the very best audio expertise, you’ll need to join earbuds or headphones. However the built-in audio system are surprisingly good.
A downward-firing grille combines with the earpiece for a stereo setup, which delivers a full-bodied sound with a pleasant hit of bass. Even at max quantity, there’s no audible distortion.
Specs & Efficiency
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset
- Very good all-round efficiency
- Not less than 256GB non-expandable storage
The Galaxy S24 Extremely is powered by what’s often known as the ‘Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy’. Basically, that is an overclocked model of Qualcomm’s newest flagship chip that’s been particularly designed for Samsung telephones.
Within the UK and most different markets, it’s the one S24 telephone to get this chip; the common and Plus fashions use Samsung’s personal Exynos 2400 for Galaxy as an alternative. However within the US, Canada, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is present in all three.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
We haven’t run benchmarks on the opposite S24 telephones but, so can’t supply direct comparisons when it comes to efficiency. However there’s no doubting that the 8 Gen 3 is an immensely succesful chipset, and alongside 12GB of RAM on all configurations, efficiency is just elegant.
My testing included a variety of internet looking, messaging and e mail, plus taking a variety of pictures and the occasional name. As anticipated, the telephone dealt with all of it with ease, even when rapidly switching between duties.
Efficiency is just elegant
The robust efficiency extends to cell gaming, the place the telephone the likes of Name of Responsibility: Cell, PUBG Cell and Asphalt 9 have been all a pleasure to play. Nevertheless, this is likely one of the few occasions the place you’ll discover the again of the telephone getting heat to the contact – on the whole, the cooling system could be very efficient.
The bottom S24 Extremely mannequin I examined has 256GB of storage, which is lots for most individuals however 512GB and 1TB variations are additionally accessible, although there’s no assist for expandable storage.
The telephone is effectively future proofed when it comes to connectivity. Alongside the standard 5G, you additionally get the newest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 requirements, plus NFC for cell funds.
Samsung Galaxy S24 benchmarks
As you possibly can see from these benchmarks, the S24 Extremely is a contender for probably the most highly effective Android telephone you should purchase. Nevertheless it does have robust competitors.
Cameras
- Nice quad rear cameras
- 5x telephoto replaces 10x
- Stable selfie digicam
Samsung has made one vital change to the digicam {hardware} on the S24 Extremely. The 10Mp 10x telephoto lens is gone, changed by a brand new 50Mp sensor that solely affords 5x optical zoom.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Whereas that is technically a downgrade, it makes much more sense in the actual world. Beforehand, transferring between 3x zoom (utilizing the 10Mp telephoto, which remains to be right here) and 10x left you counting on an inferior digital zoom, which has a noticeable decline in high quality.
Now, pictures as much as 5x can benefit from optical zoom, whereas even at 10x the standard remains to be excellent. This new setup makes me more likely to take photographs at as much as 10x. The 100x ‘House Zoom’ remains to be right here, however solely helpful if you could see textual content that’s miles away.
Samsung calls the brand new setup ‘Quad Telephoto’. Listed here are a number of the zoom photographs I took, starting from 0.6x to 100x:
The principle digicam remains to be right here, nevertheless it doesn’t take 200Mp pictures by default. As a substitute, a course of known as pixel binning (the place 16 pixels are mixed into one) produces 12.5Mp stills, however I’d advocate most individuals depart it like this. A 200Mp photograph takes up way more storage in change for under a tiny enchancment to picture high quality.
In good lighting, stills from this lens are excellent. There’s an excellent degree of element and dynamic vary is superb. As standard for Samsung, the colourful colors aren’t fairly true to life, however they do pop in a means meaning enhancing typically isn’t required. Even a dreary winter morning within the UK seemed way more inviting than it truly was so it comes all the way down to style.
Is that this the very best digicam setup of any smartphone? Virtually, however not fairly
The principle sensor is equally effectively suited to structure and panorama photographs, however I loved switching to the 12Mp ultrawide for the latter. Its 120˚ area of view permits you to seize way more within the picture, and there’s solely a slight drop-off in high quality vs the primary digicam.
Like most telephones today, the S24 Extremely is reliant on software program for the portrait mode. Nevertheless it does a fairly good job with edge detection, and with the ability to modify the extent of background blur later is a pleasant contact.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The evening mode robotically activates in low-light environments, growing the publicity time to seize extra gentle. I’m impressed with the best way it could actually brighten key areas of a picture with out introducing an excessive amount of noise or making it look synthetic.
A macro mode can be enabled while you get very near a topic. It’s a bit hit-and-miss, however definitely no worse than the photographs you get from these 2Mp macro lenses which might be typically added to telephones to bump digicam rely.
On the entrance, the 12Mp digicam can nonetheless take excellent selfies, dealing with the publicity of topics and backgrounds effectively.
Right here’s a collection of digicam samples I took:
When it comes to video, the S24 Extremely can report at as much as 8K. However the default 1080p at 30fps nonetheless delivers clear, crisp footage, whereas OIS (optical picture stabilisation) throughout the primary and each telephoto lenses means video stays easy whilst you’re transferring round.
So, is that this the very best digicam setup of any smartphone? Virtually, however not fairly. The S24 Extremely is undoubtedly probably the greatest digicam telephones you should purchase, however I’d nonetheless belief the Pixel 8 Professional to take nice level and shoot pictures extra typically. It’s definitely up there, although.
Battery Life & Charging
- 5000mAh battery
- Wonderful battery life
- Gradual 45W charging
The Galaxy S24 Extremely’s 5000mAh battery doesn’t sound like something particular, particularly with a big 6.8-inch show to energy. However battery life is one thing you received’t want to fret about.
On the times the place I used to be largely at dwelling, I used to be in a position to get virtually three full days on a single cost. That was with solely round two hours of utilization per day, nevertheless it was refreshing to not must cost the telephone each evening.
Battery life is one thing you received’t want to fret about
Nevertheless, even on these demanding days the place you’re utilizing a variety of cell knowledge, excessive brightness and site knowledge, the S24 Extremely will nonetheless comfortably final a full day. The one exception to that’s in the event you spent a number of hours enjoying video games.
For many of my testing time, I used the telephone on the default FHD+ decision and adaptive 120Hz refresh price. However even when bumping it as much as QHD+ for the PCMark battery take a look at (which simulates real-world utilization), a rating of 14 hours and 14 minutes ranks it as one of many longest-lasting telephones we’ve tried.
Nevertheless, charging stays one of the crucial disappointing issues in regards to the S24 Extremely. It’s nonetheless caught at 45W, regardless of many Android rivals providing greater than double that, and there’s no cable or energy brick included within the field.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Utilizing one I had at dwelling, it reached 30% in quarter-hour and 63% after half an hour. A full cost took round 70 minutes, which appears like an age while you’re used to true quick charging.
The telephone helps 15W Qi wi-fi charging, nevertheless it’s unusual to see no assist for the brand new Qi 2 customary. 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging remains to be right here, permitting you to cost another person’s telephone.
Software program & Apps
- One UI 6.1 over Android 14
- Intelligent Galaxy AI options
- Seven years of updates
There’s lots to speak about in relation to software program, however let’s begin with the primary query: are these new Galaxy AI options any good?
The quick reply is sure. AI doesn’t remodel the consumer expertise on the S24 Extremely, nevertheless it introduces a number of small however vital high quality of life enhancements that I’m glad to have the ability to name upon.
Circle to Search is my favorite, bringing the facility of Google Lens to any display screen in your telephone. Quite than having to make use of your digicam or take a screenshot, you possibly can simply circle one thing (along with your finger or the S Pen) and immediately seek for it on Google.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
AI additionally helps take translation to the following degree. I’m genuinely impressed with the Stay Translate function inside calls, which interprets between languages in actual time and supplies a transcript alongside it.
It really works no matter which telephone the opposite individual is utilizing, although I can’t confirm the accuracy of its translations. Simply ensure you allow it in settings first.
Elsewhere, Transcript Help makes audio recordings way more helpful, permitting you to create summaries, translate into certainly one of 35 languages and export to Samsung Notes, the place a spread of Word Help instruments may also help with computerized formatting.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Picture enhancing additionally will get a giant enhance. The S24 telephones get Pixel 8-style talents to take away, transfer and resize objects, plus fill within the lacking elements of a picture while you straighten it with out cropping in. Not the whole lot works completely, however when it does, it’s mightily spectacular.
I actually just like the video slow-mo function too, which lets you play any video taken with the telephone in gradual movement just by holding on the display screen whereas it’s enjoying. Saving a replica is slightly trickier as you could faucet the pencil icon after which modify the velocity.
Not one of the AI options are groundbreaking, however they mix to make an actual distinction day-to-day.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The massive concern is that Samsung is simply guaranteeing free use of those options till the tip of 2025 (in accordance with its phrases and situations), after which you could have to pay for AI. Hopefully Samsung decides in opposition to this nevertheless it’s potential.
That’d be an actual disgrace, particularly now the S24 Extremely might be supported with seven main OS updates and 7 years of software program updates. This class-leading promise matches Google’s Pixel 8 and eight Professional and means the telephone might be supported till no less than 2031.
Not one of the AI options are groundbreaking, however they mix to make an actual distinction day-to-day
As for the remainder of the software program expertise, it’s largely extra of the identical. Samsung’s One UI 6.1 pores and skin (working on the S24 Extremely at launch) is kind of totally different to the model of Android 14 you’ll discover on Pixel telephones, however I truly choose it.
Fast settings and notifications are effectively thought out and supply in depth customisation, whereas all of Samsung’s personal apps are designed to profit from the big show. I simply want a number of the ones I didn’t need to use might be uninstalled.
The S24 Extremely additionally has a pair extra software program tips up its sleeve. One is full assist for the S Pen stylus, together with the flexibility to create notes from the lock display screen and convert them into textual content by way of Samsung Notes.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The opposite is Samsung DeX, which turns the telephone right into a desktop-style interface when linked to a suitable monitor. It’s not fairly as useful as Home windows 11, however might substitute a laptop computer for some folks.
Worth & Availability
As anticipated, the Galaxy S24 Extremely doesn’t come low cost. It begins at £1,249/$1,299.99 for the 256GB mannequin I examined, however 512GB (£1,349/$1,419.99) and 1TB (£1,549/$1,659.99) variations are additionally accessible.
It’s accessible to pre-order direct from Samsung UK and Samsung US, but additionally by way of quite a lot of third-party retailers and carriers. Most are providing double the storage for a similar value in the event you purchase one earlier than the 31 January launch date.
See the complete vary of choices our separate article on the place to pre-order. Listed here are the very best contract offers within the UK and US proper now:
When shopping for outright, the S24 Extremely is likely one of the costliest non-foldable telephones you should purchase. The iPhone 15 Professional Max (from £1,199/$1,199) is the obvious various, whereas the Asus ROG Cellphone 8 Professional (from £1,099/$1,199.99) is equally costly.
However lots of the finest smartphones you should purchase are considerably extra inexpensive. That features the common S24 and S24+, however loads of options are unique to the Extremely.
Must you purchase the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely?
The Galaxy S24 Extremely would possibly look lots just like the S23 Extremely, nevertheless it’s a major improve in additional methods than one.
Quite than being gimmicks, the brand new Galaxy AI options truly make it simpler to speak or get issues accomplished. Alongside a brand new dedication to seven years of updates, the entire software program expertise is the very best it’s ever been on a Samsung telephone.
{Hardware} is top-drawer too, with excellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 efficiency, 5 excellent cameras and a beautiful show. S Pen assist and nice battery life are the icing on the cake, even when charging remains to be frustratingly slowly.
The S24 Extremely is probably the most full handset you should purchase, so that you received’t be disenchanted in the event you can afford to take action.
Specs
- 6.8-inch, 120Hz, WQHD+, LTPO AMOLED show
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset
- 12GB RAM
- 256/512GB/1TB storage
- 5000mAh battery
- 45W wired charging
- 15W wi-fi charging
- 200Mp f/1.7 major digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 120˚ ultrawide digicam
- 50Mp f/3.4 5x optical telephoto digicam
- 10Mp f/2.4 3x optical telephoto digicam
- 12Mp f/2.2 entrance dealing with digicam
- 5G
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 5.3
- IP68
- Gorilla Glass Armor (entrance), Gorilla Glass (again), titanium body
- S Pen (built-in)
- 162.3 x 79 x 8.6mm
- 233g
- Android 14 with One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI
- Seven years of software program updates
