Samsung Galaxy S24 Series (S24, S24+, S24 Ultra) Review

Samsung Galaxy S24 Series (S24, S24+, S24 Ultra)

Highly Recommended

26 sources analyzed

9/10

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series, particularly the S24 Ultra, remains an excellent purchase in 2026 due to its top-tier display technology and the unique inclusion of the S Pen which was phased out in later models. With Samsung's 7-year update promise, these devices are only partway through their functional life, offering flagship performance and build quality at a much more attractive price point than the latest S26 series. While charging speeds are slower than some modern competitors and the base model has average battery life, the overall package of AI features, camera versatility, and software longevity is hard to beat. It is best suited for users who want a premium, durable flagship experience without paying the 'new release' premium, as it still competes effectively with 2026 hardware.

Pros

The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the Ultra model remains a market leader in 2026, featuring a peak brightness of 2,600 nits and a pioneering anti-reflective layer that significantly improves outdoor visibility compared to competitors. Its QHD+ resolution and 1-120Hz LTPO technology ensure that visuals are incredibly sharp while maintaining power efficiency during static tasks.
Samsung's industry-leading commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates ensures this device remains modern and secure until 2031, providing a much longer lifecycle than most mid-range or budget alternatives. This long-term support makes the S24 series an exceptional value proposition for users who prefer to keep their devices for several years rather than upgrading annually.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset continues to deliver flagship-grade performance with GeekBench 6 multi-core scores around 6,669, which is more than sufficient for high-end gaming and intensive multitasking in 2026. Even the Exynos 2400 variant found in some regions for the base models holds up well, providing a smooth One UI experience without the significant thermal throttling seen in older generations.
The S24 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera system anchored by a 200MP main sensor and 100x Space Zoom, which remains highly competitive for long-range photography and high-detail captures. The inclusion of advanced AI editing tools allows users to easily remove reflections, move objects, or expand backgrounds, keeping the creative experience on par with newer 2025 and 2026 flagships.
The S24 Ultra retains the integrated S Pen, a feature that was reportedly removed or made optional in subsequent S25 and S26 Ultra iterations, making it a unique productivity powerhouse for note-taking and precision editing. This hardware inclusion, combined with the premium titanium frame, offers a level of utility and durability that is increasingly rare in the current smartphone market.

Cons

Charging speeds remain a bottleneck compared to Chinese rivals, with the base S24 limited to 25W and the Plus/Ultra models capped at 45W wired charging. In an era where competitors offer 80W to 120W solutions that can fully charge a phone in under 30 minutes, the S24 series feels sluggish, often requiring over an hour for a full cycle.
The base Galaxy S24 model, particularly the Exynos 2400 variant, has faced criticism for mediocre battery endurance when compared to its larger siblings. Users who opt for the smaller form factor may find themselves reaching for a charger by early evening if they engage in high-brightness outdoor use or 5G data-heavy tasks.
The lack of expandable microSD storage across the entire lineup forces users to pay significant premiums for higher internal storage tiers at the time of purchase. For power users recording 8K video or 200MP photos, the base 128GB or 256GB configurations can become a storage management burden over the device's long 7-year supported lifespan.

Common Issues Reported

Thermal management issues have been reported by multiple users when using the device under direct sunlight, which triggers aggressive screen dimming to protect internal components, making the display difficult to see in hot outdoor environments.Some users on the Exynos-based S24 and S24+ models have documented temporary UI stuttering and increased heat generation immediately following major Android OS updates, though these typically stabilize after a few days of system optimization.A subset of users has noted that the base S24's camera processing can occasionally over-sharpen images or struggle with moving subjects in low light, leading to a preference for the more robust sensor array found in the Ultra model.

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Analyzed May 30, 2026, 01:20 PM

AInalyzer is an AI tool and might make mistakes.

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Series (S24, S24+, S24 Ultra) Review