Samsung S24 Series - It's a stunner!

If you prefer more compact flagship phones, the options available are limited, with notable choices being the iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8, and the Asus Zenfone 10. However, an anticipated upgrade has just been released: the Samsung Galaxy S24.

Samsung unveiled three phones on January 17, including the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra, which offer larger sizes and enhanced specifications compared to the smaller baseline S24 model discussed here.

The S24, like its larger counterparts, features a new One-Mass design, departing from the polished, rounded metal frame of the S23 in favor of a more squared, textured Armor Aluminum frame that Samsung claims is 10% stronger. This design not only provides better ergonomics and grip but also matches the four available finishes for all three S24 models.

The 6.2-inch screen on the S24, now larger and brighter, boasts the slimmest bezels ever seen on a Galaxy phone. This, combined with the new frame, makes the S24 the ideal baseline Galaxy S phone for media consumption.

The S24 introduces a range of AI-based functionalities, collectively labeled under the 'Galaxy AI' umbrella term by Samsung. These features include real-time translation in voice calls, generative fill for uncropped photos, and Chat Assist, which suggests alternative phrasing in various tones.

The phone is powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 'for Galaxy' or Samsung's own Exynos 2400 'for Galaxy,' both slightly overclocked versions of flagship mobile silicon. The S24 includes top-of-the-line RAM (8GB) and storage options (128GB to 512GB depending on the market).

While the S24 falls slightly short in connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E (compared to Wi-Fi 7 in the Plus and Ultra models), it still performs well in most Wi-Fi environments. The absence of UWB means the S24 lacks the advanced finding and interconnectivity features found in the other two models.

Despite being a smaller phone, the S24 boasts an improved battery capacity of 4,000mAh, potentially offering more than the S23's six hours of screen-on time per charge.

On the camera front, the S24 shares similar specs with the S23, featuring a rear triple sensor setup and a 12MP front camera. However, the S24 benefits from a 2x optical zoom without the need for an additional lens, thanks to sensor cropping. The real innovation comes from Galaxy AI, offering features like generative fill and smart edit suggestions for enhanced photo editing capabilities.

In a direct response to Google's Pixel 8 series, Samsung has committed to providing seven generations of OS and security updates for the Galaxy S24. With a starting price of $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,399, the S24 delivers impressive value for money.