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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Samsung more than any other company has pushed foldable phones into the mainstream, with its latest models – the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – being among the best and most polished foldables yet. But next year, the company might change its focus to a new type of phone – one that rolls.
This is according to South Korean site The Elec (via NotebookCheck), which claims that Samsung is working on a phone with a 12.4-inch rollable screen, and that this handset may apparently be launched in the second half of 2025.
The site additionally claims that it will have an under-display camera, so you get an uninterrupted display. That much at least is very believable, since Samsung has already equipped some of its phones with under-display cameras.
So, will we truly get a tablet-sized rollable phone from Samsung next year? It’s certainly possible. The technology for this already exists anyway, as we’ve seen rollable concept phones in the past. This is also a logical next step after foldable phones, which Samsung has arguably come close to perfecting at this point.
The tri-fold Huawei Mate XT (Image credit: Huawei) Plus, Huawei recently launched a tri-fold phone, which is a design Samsung doesn’t yet offer, and which allows for a much larger screen than a conventional foldable phone, in this case one of 10.2 inches. Since Samsung wasn’t first to offer that design, it could make sense for the company to instead look to be the first with a commercially available rollable phone, packing an even larger screen.
On the other hand, we haven’t heard much about Samsung’s possible rollable phone yet, and the second half of 2025 is still a long way off, so we wouldn’t yet count on seeing it then, if at all.
If such a device does launch, though, it may well do so alongside the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which we’d still expect Samsung to launch, since the company has found success with foldables.
In the meantime, we’re expecting the Samsung Galaxy S25 line to launch in or around January, so those are the next major Samsung phones to look forward to.
At first glance, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the iPhone 16 Pro are incompatible, just like the theories of General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory in physics. These two might seem incomparable, but there’s something hidden, just like a hidden variable in the collapse of the wave function.
In the end, everything should lead us to a unified theory that should apply to all situations and everywhere in the universe, and that applies to cell phones, too. We’re sure someone, somewhere, will be considering whether to buy a flip phone or play it safe and buy the upcoming Apple Pro.
So, today we will try to unify these two entities in a cohesive theory—we mean comparison. The iPhone 16 Series landed on September 9, so we have every ingredient to cook this sub-atomic comparison. Let’s get to it!
The world is holding its breath, waiting for the moment when Apple will finally announce a foldable phone, but until then, iPhones are bound to stay as they are now, rectangular slabs of glass and metal. The Apple “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9 didn’t bring any significant changes to the iPhone Pro design, with some minor exceptions. There’s a new Camera Control button onboard, which is really a Touch ID-inspired pressure sensitive sapphire crystal coated button. It also supports touch gestures but more on that in the Camera section.
Other than that, the iPhone 16 Pro looks and feels like its predecessor, it has a tad larger screen at 6.3 inches but thanks to the thinner bezels it has more or less the same dimensions as the previous model. There’s a new hardened glass on top of that 1-nit minimum brightness screen, and it’s next-gen Ceramic Shield glass that Apple says is two times more resistant than the one found in previous iPhones. There are some new hues available with the new iPhone 16 Pro model as well.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, with minor tweaks and changes here and there. The dimensions are almost identical to its predecessor, but we have a redesigned hinge for better stability, and a slightly less prominent hinge.
There’s a conceptual difference between these two, you can fold the Galaxy Z Flip in half and it becomes a different device. But you already knew this. In its unfolded state, the Z Flip 6 is somewhat close to the iPhone 16 Pro experience-wise.
As far as colors are concerned, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is available in a wide range of hues
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 available colors:
（Image from Samsung）
Blue
Mint
Silver Shadow
Crafter Black (Samsung.com exclusive)
Peach (Samsung.com exclusive)
White (Samsung.com exclusive)
Display Differences
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features the same size for its main and cover screens as its predecessor, 6.7 inches and 3.9 inches, respectively. Those, of course, are AMOLED, and the main screen is capable of going up to 120Hz refresh rate and sports FHD+ resolution. The Z Flip 6 was able to output around 1,200 nits of brightness in our display test, and the minimum brightness figure was even more impressive at 0.7 nits. The color accuracy is not the best in the business, though, with an average deltaE of 2.76.
The iPhone 16 Pro comes equipped with a larger 6.3-inch display, with ProMotion 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rate, and the same resolution from its predecessor. Apple didn’t mention anything regarding the screen brightness figures for the iPhone 16 Pro, so we have to wait and test it in our lab, but we suspect it’s the same as last year. The last gen iPhone 15 Pro can shine with up to around 1,100 nits (real life brightness), so it’s not far off the Z Flip 6. What’s new is the 1-nit minimum brightness that Apple cited during the official event, so we should try to replicated this in the lab as well. In terms of biometrics, the status quo remains unchanged; the iPhone 16 Pro relies on FaceID, while the Galaxy Z Flip 6 uses the same side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner as the previous Z Flip model.
Performance and Software
Due to the specific launch cycle these two models have, their beating hearts, the chipsets inside, are a generation apart. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset onboard, while the iPhone 16 Pro comes with the newest Apple silicon, the A18 Pro chip. We have the benchmark scores of the Z Flip 6, and they are quite impressive – 2251 and 7131 in single and multicore Geekbench 6 respectively.
This result is very close to the iPhone 15 Pro, but Apple said the new A18 Pro chip is 15% faster than A17 Pro, so the iPhone will continue to be the smartphone to beat, when it comes to synthetic benchmarks. The thermal design has also been redesigned in the new model, giving it 20% improvement in heat management and better performance under sustained heavy loads. Speaking of heavy loads and benchmarks, we will add the results once we run all the tests on the newly announced iPhone 16 Pro.
In terms of RAM, due to the different ecosystems and the way Android and iOS handle apps and optimize them prior to putting them on their respective stores, differences in RAM don’t always translate into a difference in performance. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has more RAM on paper, 12GB, while the iPhone 16 Pro features the same 8GB RAM capacity as its predecessor. Both of these phones support the newest and fastest Wi-Fi 7 standard. The software situation is an interesting one. We know that Samsung already has Galaxy AI to help people get onboard with the new reality, but Apple seems to be missing the party. On September 9 Apple announced a lot of new and interesting Apple Intelligence features, such as comprehensive writing tools, contextual search in photos and in videos, mail and notification summaries, something called “Visual Intelligence” (which looks very similar to Google Lens), as well as some Siri upgrades, but they will start to arrive in October and only in Beta shape and form. Software updates used to be Apple’s forte in the past, but ever since Google decided to offer seven long years of software support, things have changed. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 comes with seven years of major OS updates, while the iPhone 16 Pro offers “only” five.
Camera Three is more than two, even in quantum physics
（Image from Samsung） （Image from Apple）
The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a triple camera system and some cool upgrades to it as well. The main camera is the same as the one found on the iPhone 15 Pro, though. It’s a 48MP, f/1.6 camera which Apple now calls Fusion Camera. The ultrawide camera has been upgraded, though. It now features a 48MP sensor with 0.7 microns pixel size or 1.4 microns when pixel binned under an f/2.4 lens, and you now have the ability to capture 48MP, 24MP and 12MP shots, and also macro shots.
The iPhone 16 Pro also moves to a tetraprism telephoto camera, taken from the Pro Max mode, and it offers 5x optical zoom, so there’s no camera differences between this year’s Pro and Pro Max models. This telephoto camera, consequently, is the biggest differentiator when it comes to comparing the phone to the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features a dual camera system on the back, consisting of one upgraded 50MP main sensor, and one additional 12MP sensor for the ultrawide camera, and no dedicated telephoto onboard.
The other big advantage for the iPhone 16 Pro in this battle is the new Camera Control button. It’s a capacitive, pressure sensitive button that can do a lot of things. A single click opens the camera app, you can light press it to bring up a menu, and you can swipe your finger to control settings such as zoom range, exposure and even apply post effects and styles.
Audio Quality and Haptics
Apple has redesigned the audio system inside its iPhone 16 Pro models, and we now have some very cool new features onboard. There are four studio-grade microphones able to capture high-quality recordings and thanks to Apple Intelligence do some interesting stuff, such as apply different Audio Mix styles, remove background noise, focus on the voice of the person in a video, and also overdub sounds over recordings in the Voice Memo app.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6, on the other hand, sports a stereo setup where the earpiece doubles as a secondary loudspeaker, and there are no upgrades to the audio quality or loudness, compared to the previous model. The same goes for the haptic motor. They are decent but nothing to write home about. There’s no fancy-shmancy AI-driven audio magic at the moment, but it might come, as we live in the world of software updatable features. Neither of these two phones is expected to have a 3.5mm audio jack.
Battery Life and Charging Upgrades
There’s a battery upgrade on the iPhone 16 Pro, and even though Apple didn’t cite any numbers during the “It’s Glowtime” event, we know that the battery is roughly 100mAh bigger than the one found on the last generation. The Galaxy Z Flip 6, on the other hand, features a substantial upgrade compared to its predecessor; we now have a 4,000mAh battery inside Samsung’s latest flip phone, and that’s a 300mAh bump compared to the Z Flip 5.
This increase in capacity has indeed translated into longer battery life for the Z Flip 6, compared to its predecessor, and we’re talking about hours. We still don’t know how will the iPhone 16 tackle our battery test, but there’s some solid challenge from the Z Flip 6. We expect all the efficiency upgrades as well as the potential bump up in capacity to result in about an hour on top of the battery life we’re familiar with from the latest iPhone Pro models, but we’ll have to run some tests to verify that.
Sadly, there was no word on faster wired charging during the Apple “It’s Glowtime” event, so the iPhone 16 Pro retains the same 27W wired charging speeds we know and lament from the previous model. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 also retains the 25W wired and 10W wireless charging speeds from the previous generation, so we suspect he charging test will be pretty close between these two.
Summary
It’s very early to tell whether one of these two will be a better choice, all things considered. The only thing that makes these two comparable is the price, which is very close indeed. The question is, do you want a flip phone for that kind of money, or do you want to play it safe and get an iPhone Pro. On the one hand, the iPhone 16 Pro has a better camera setup and a faster chipset. To flip things once more, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a phone you can fold in half, and it has two screens, providing a completely different user experience.
I’ve been the reputed ‘iPhone ambassador’ in my group for as long as I can remember, fiercely defending it in every debate about Android vs. iOS. But then came the flip phones, and suddenly, I found myself on the other side. Who doesn’t love the idea of grabbing eyeballs every time you whip out your phone?
But as fancy as they may sound, flip phones have long been associated with the prettiest trophy in our homes- one that boosts the aesthetics of your house, but doesn’t come in handy on a day-to-day basis. However, Samsung has changed this notion.
Samsung first introduced its Galaxy Z Flip in 2020, marking a new era in the smartphone world, and they’ve only been refining it ever since. Fast forward to now, and I got my hands on the latest Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is making waves in both tech and fashion circles. To put it simply: flipping sides has never felt so good. At first glance, the phone screams retro fun—hello, 90s vibes! But beyond the cool factor of it flipping shut, there’s a lot more to love, especially if you’re all about style and functionality. The compact, glossy design screams elegance, and that satisfying snap when it folds shut is just the beginning of what makes this phone a game-changer.
Before I dive deeper, I have to admit—I’m no tech expert. This is purely based on your average customer’s experience. My main focus when buying a phone is always the camera. However, after playing around with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, I can confidently say that along with its stellar 50MP dual cameras and clever design, this phone has a lot more to offer than just a pretty face. And it tempts you to unfold new features, every single day.
My first foray into the world of flip phones was with the Z Flip 4 back in 2022, and while I was impressed, I was also nervous—would the hinge last? Would the screen get damaged? This time around, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, feels even more polished and refined. One of my initial concerns was the fold—would you see or feel the crease where the screen bends? While it’s there, it’s much less noticeable than before, and it fades into the background when you’re immersed in using the phone. The phone definitely has the world of creators and fashion fanatics in a chokehold, including me.
Design & Display
Samsung has truly elevated the design this time. The sleek aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 make it feel luxurious, and the new colour options like Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender add a touch of elegance. Compact enough to fit in any pocket or purse, it opens up to reveal a stunning 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from scrolling to streaming incredibly smooth, with vibrant colours that pop off the screen.
The Flex Mode is where the Z Flip 6 really shines. Half-open, it’s perfect for hands-free selfies, video calls, or binge-watching your favourite show on the go. Plus, the 3.4-inch cover display gives you quick access to notifications, messages, and w
Performance & Features Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, making it a powerhouse. Whether you’re multitasking, switching between apps, or editing a bunch of videos in a go, like me, it handles everything without a buffer. Boasting a 3,700mAh battery, which might appear modest compared to other flagship models, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 delivers around 10 hours of continuous use and extends up to 17 hours with more mindful usage. Plus, when it’s time to recharge, the 25W fast charging has your back, ensuring you’re up and running quickly. The brand has introduced a game-changer integrated vapor chamber cooling system in Z Flip 6 for the first time. It effectively keeps the phone cool, even under heavy usage. While I did notice a slight warmth during intense gaming sessions, it never reached uncomfortable levels.
Sketch to Image The Fold 6 I’m testing introduces a cool feature called ‘Sketch to Image. ’ Simply draw a rough sketch on a photo or a blank note, and the phone’s generative AI will magically transform it into a detailed image. Whether you’re looking to add a new furry friend to your solo kitty’s life or just want to see your doodles come to life, this AI tool is both fascinating and addictive.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Final Thoughts
The price is (not) right The price is a major consideration. While the Z Flip 6 boasts cutting-edge technology and elegant design, it comes with a premium price tag. It’s a luxury device that offers a glimpse into the future of mobile technology, but whether it’s worth the investment depends on how much you value its unique features and stylish design.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a beautifully crafted device with several standout features, particularly for those who appreciate innovative tech and a high-fashion touch. The cost and battery life are notable factors, but if you’re looking for a blend of style and high-tech functionality, it’s definitely worth considering.
Despite its modest appearance, the Galaxy S24 Plus feels every inch a flagship phone. It boasts a better display, slightly better battery life, and more RAM than its standard-sized sibling, while Samsung’s suite of hit-and-miss AI features – which are available in equal measure across the Galaxy S24 range – narrow the gap between the Plus and the more expensive S24 Ultra. You don’t get the latter’s titanium frame and superior camera credentials here, but the Galaxy S24 Plus offers a comparable smartphone experience at a more accessible price.
-Design feels distinctly less premium than the Ultra
Two-minute review
Despite offering Galaxy Ultra sizing at a more accessible price, Samsung’s Galaxy Plus phones have seldom, if ever, proven better value for money than its all-singing, all-dancing Ultra devices. This year, though, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a much more enticing proposition: its display is objectively better than the one you’ll find on the standard-sized Samsung Galaxy S24, and it doesn’t lose out when it comes to the myriad AI features that Samsung is touting as the key selling point of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Specifically, the Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from QHD+ display technology – a feature previously reserved for the Galaxy S23 Ultra – and a bespoke Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset (or Samsung’s own Exynos 2400, depending on your region) that places AI at the forefront of the mobile experience. The former upgrade is far from game-changing – it essentially means the Plus’s 6.7-inch screen is sharper and more detailed than the S24’s FHD+ equivalent – but it’s enough to better differentiate the Plus from its cheaper sibling. The AI features, by contrast, bring a parity to the Galaxy S24 range that we haven’t seen, well, ever; it’s one of the best AI phones.
Galaxy AI is the umbrella term for Samsung’s suite of AI-powered features, which range from real-time text and call translation to generative photo editing. In truth, I suspect that only a handful of these tools will be genuinely useful long-term – namely Circle to Search and Live Translate – but I’m glad that Samsung opted to distribute its suite of Galaxy AI features across the Galaxy S24 line equally. If nothing else, it gives Galaxy S24 Ultra owners one less feature to boast about.
On the physical upgrade front, the Galaxy S24 Plus sports marginally narrower bezels and a slightly flatter design than its predecessor, though its stronger Armor Aluminum frame is the most noticeable change. The phone’s 4,900mAh battery is a touch larger, too; however this doesn’t equate to much real-world battery life improvement over the Galaxy S23 Plus (presumably due to the newer phone’s more demanding software). Still, the Galaxy S24 Plus is objectively the battery-life king of the Galaxy S24 line.
If you’re after the best camera phone around, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the way to go, but the new Plus model boasts some decent, if not groundbreaking, photography hardware nonetheless. The phone retains its predecessor’s 50MP wide lens (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom), and 12MP selfie camera (f/2.2), though the aforementioned addition of Galaxy AI has thrown some neat new AI-powered editing capabilities into the mix.
All told, then, Samsung’s latest second-tier flagship is an objectively better phone than last year’s S23 Plus, and it should make prospective Galaxy S24 Ultra buyers think twice about what they really value in a smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Design
Slightly flatter edges and narrower bezels
New Armor Aluminum frame
For the second year running, Samsung’s newest Galaxy Plus model places an emphasis on meaningful internal upgrades over a dramatic aesthetic redesign; but that’s not to say the Galaxy S24 Plus looks identical to its predecessor.
Measuring 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm and weighing 196g, this year’s Plus phone has slightly narrower bezels, slightly flatter edges (think theiPhone 15 ProandGalaxy Z Fold 5) and a more durable Armor Aluminum frame than the Galaxy S23 Plus. Personally, I’m all for the changes – the S23 Plus’s mirrored frame was a garish fingerprint magnet – although you’d be hard pressed to distinguish the Galaxy S24 Plus from its predecessor when viewing the two phones at a glance.
The Galaxy S24 Plus is still stuck with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, which wouldn’t be a problem if the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Armor wasn’t so much more effective at reducing scratches. Annoyingly, my Galaxy S24 Plus review unit has picked up a fair few screen blemishes while bouncing around in my pocket and work bag, so I’d suggest picking up a compatible screen protector (if not a full-blown protective case) if you do purchase this phone.
As for theSamsung Galaxy S24 colors, the Galaxy S24 Plus ships in Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue and Jade Green, with the latter three colors exclusive to the Samsung store. I was handed the Cobalt Violet color for this review, which shows off the phone’s matte finish and rear glass texture pretty nicely, though it’s no secret that the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s titanium color options are much more premium-looking.
Design score: 3 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Display
QHD+ display for the first time in a Plus model
Enhanced outdoor visibility
New 2,600-nit peak brightness
For the first time, the display on Samsung’s latest Galaxy Plus model is objectively superior to the display used by its standard sibling. Specifically, the Galaxy S24 Plus uses a 6.65-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with QHD+ technology that delivers improved sharpness and detail compared to the screen on the smaller Galaxy S24. Previously, QHD+ displays have been reserved for Samsung’s Ultra phones, and although the differences here aren’t all that noticeable, it’s good to see Samsung giving the Galaxy S24 Plus the best screen possible.
The other display upgrades are shared between the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. Both phones get a new peak brightness of 2,600 nits, as well as improved outdoor visibility thanks to Samsung’s Vision Booster feature. Their refresh rates have also been improved – you’ll now get 1-120Hz instead of 48-120Hz.
The usual color, anti-distortion and wide-angle viewing benefits of AMOLED display technology are present and correct on the Galaxy S24 Plus, too, and all of the above features combine to deliver the biggest, boldest and brightest Galaxy S Plus display yet.
Display score: 5 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Performance
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the US, Exynos 2400 elsewhere
Larger vapor chamber and ray tracing support
Phenomenal speakers
Much to the chagrin of Samsung fans the world over, Samsung has again split the chipset offering for its latest Galaxy phones – though the situation isn’t as bad as it was for the Galaxy S22 line, where the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 outperformed the Exynos 2200 by some margin.
Specifically, the chipset powering your Galaxy S24 Plus depends on the region in which you buy the phone. Those in the US get a bespoke version of Qualcomm’s newly released Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while those in Europe and other regions get Samsung’s new Exynos 2400. As I’m based in London I reviewed the Exynos-equipped version of the Galaxy S24 Plus, and I can safely say that I never once felt that my phone was equipped with a second-rate chipset.
If you’re interested in benchmarks, my Exynos-equipped Galaxy S24 Plus achieved a single-core Geekbench 6 score of 2002, a multi-core score of 6732, and a machine-learning Geekbench ML score of 423. For comparison, our Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-equipped version of the S24 Plus – which we tested in the US using the same Geekbench programs – achieved a single-core score of 2272, a multi-core score of 7083, and a machine-learning score of 694 (using Geekbench ML). All tests were conducted with the phones in Standard mode rather than Light mode, which prioritizes battery life and cooling efficiency over processing speed.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Battery
4,900mAh battery is a slight upgrade
45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging
The Galaxy S24 Plus has a 4,900mAh battery, which is a 200mAh increase over the S23 Plus’s 4,700mAh power pack. Unfortunately, that size increase doesn’t result in much (if any) tangible battery life improvement, but the Galaxy S24 Plus is still a phenomenally long-lasting phone, and one that trumps the standard Galaxy S24 by some margin in this respect.
During testing, my Exynos-equipped Galaxy S24 Plus lasted well over a day and a half with moderate use, even with the always-on display enabled. In the US, our Snapdragon-equipped Galaxy S24 Plus registered 16 hours of battery life in two separate rundown tests (one with Adaptive mode enabled, the other with Standard mode enabled). So, regardless of which Galaxy S24 Plus model you choose, you won’t be left wanting for battery life.
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The Galaxy S24 Plus is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it’s still a mightily expensive phone.
4 / 5
Design
The phone’s slim bezels and flatter sides look great, but the lack of Gorilla Armor glass is dissapointing.
3 / 5
Display
The Galaxy S24 Plus’ display is big, bright, outdoor-friendly and as good as the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s.
5 / 5
Software
Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are welcome addition, but they don’t do enough to mitigate OneUI’s dizzying complexity.
3 / 5
Cameras
The Galaxy S24 Plus’ camera array is objectively solid, but some hardware upgrades are long overdue.
3 / 5
Performance
Despite the region-based chipset discrepancy, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a phenomenally powerful phone.
5 / 5
Battery
The phone’s class-leading battery life and speedy charging make it a battery champion.
5 / 5
Buy it if…
You want Ultra-level specs for a cut price The Galaxy S24 Plus is $200 / £250 / AU$500 cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, yet you still get an equally-powerful chipset, the same amount of RAM, the same charging capabilities, the same peak brightness, the same variable refresh rate, and even better battery life.
You’re a fan of big phones If you’re after a big-screened Samsung phone that won’t weigh down your pocket, the Galaxy S24 Plus is as portable as 6.7-inch phones come.
You want class-leading battery life The Galaxy S24 Plus ranks among the best Android phones for battery life; if endurance is your primary concern, this is the phone to go for.
Relatively expensive but no titanium frame like S24 Ultra
AI features only guaranteed to be free through 2025
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus The Galaxy S24 Plus is ideal for anyone who wants a big, powerful Samsung phone but doesn’t want to overspend on the increasingly expensive Galaxy S Ultra series.
The Galaxy S24 family has landed with super-long update support and Galaxy AI in tow. The Galaxy S24 Ultra might get the lion’s share of attention in Samsung’s marketing, but you would do well to remember Samsung’s oft-forgotten middle child before buying a new smartphone. It has much more screen real estate than the baby S24, but it’s not as heavy or expensive as the monstrous S24 Ultra, offering a competent middle ground. Sure, it’s missing some Ultra-tier features like the S Pen and dual telephoto camera lenses, but the Galaxy S24 Plus has a lot to offer the right buyer.
What is it?The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is the mid-tier option in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 lineup, featuring a 6.7-inch OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and a triple camera array.
Where can you buy it?The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is available unlocked directly from Samsung, but it’s also at all major carriers and retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.
How did we test it?I tested the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus for two weeks. The review unit was supplied by Samsung.
Is it worth it?The Galaxy S24 Plus is ideal for someone who wants a big, powerful Samsung phone withoutoverspending on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
What I like about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
There’s a flat panel of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, a flat aluminum frame between them, and three camera cutouts on the back. The phone is almost all display from the front — the OLED takes up 92% of the footprint, with a narrow, symmetrical bezel running all the way around. It is the flat slab smartphone, distilled to its most essential elements.
If you choose to fondle the S24 Plus caseless, you’ll be impressed with the build quality. The frame is extremely rigid, and the buttons are clicky and wobble-free. The iPhone-y flat edges don’t feel much different than the Galaxy S23’s rounded shape. Samsung did round off the edge where the frame meets the back, making it more comfortable to hold.
The Galaxy S24 Plus is the flat slab smartphone, distilled to its most essential elements. But the build quality is sublime.
The centerpiece of the Galaxy S24 Plus is the 6.7-inch OLED screen, which has been upgraded this year from 1,080p to 1,440 x 3,120. That’s the same resolution as the S24 Ultra, and the panel itself is only a tenth of an inch smaller. It’s still a 120Hz display with a great peak brightness of 2,600 nits, so it’s still a little off Samsung’s top dog in the specs race, but even phones with half as much luminance are pretty readable in direct sunlight, so you can bet this one is, too. The S24 Plus gives you an option if you want a larger screen than the baby S24’s (6.2-inch) but without going all the way to the S24 Ultra.
The Galaxy S24 Plus runs Android 14 out of the box with One UI 6.1 on top, and while we always like to see the latest version of Android, that’s not what makes this phone’s software special. Samsung and Google have been going back and forth as they strive to offer the longest Android software support, and Samsung has set a new milestone. All members of the Galaxy S24 family get a whopping seven years of OS and security updates. That means the Galaxy S24 Plus could be running Android 21 in 2031, putting it in line with the Pixel 8 series as the best update policy in the game. So far, our Galaxy S24 Plus has picked up its share of security patches, but we’re still waiting on One UI 6.1.1, which will add Galaxy AI wrinkles like the Portrait Studio.
Whether or not the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will still be fast enough to run the show in seven years is uncertain. As it currently stands, this phone is ludicrously fast. Apps open immediately, multitasking is a breeze, and games render at the highest quality. Samsung phones have great speed in short bursts, but they (Galaxy S24 Plus included) tend to heat up quickly.
If you’re playing a high-end game for longer than a few minutes, you’ll lose some of your performance from thermal throttling. The graph above shows the worst-case scenario, keeping the SoC cranked to the max for 20 minutes. In some of these tests, the chip drops 30-40%. Luckily, Samsung’s overclocked version of Qualcomm’s 2024 flagship chip — dubbed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy — has speed to spare. Even when it gets warm, the phone can handle the basics.
Of course, the elephant in the room on performance is that not everyone will get to enjoy the power of Snapdragon. In various global markets, including the UK and across Europe, the Galaxy S24 Plus is instead powered by the Exynos 2400. Thankfully, our testing has shown that unlike the darker years of the Snapdragon vs Exynos battle, Samsung’s own silicon actually holds up pretty well this time. Check out our Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400 deep dive or watch the video below for all the nerdy data.
The battery life is not objectively amazing, but it’s improved from 2023’s Samsung flagships. I consider that a victory with the increase in display resolution from 1080p to 1440p. The battery growing from 4,700mAh on the S23 Plus to 4,900mAh on the S24 Plus helps there. You shouldn’t have any trouble making it through a day with the Galaxy S24 Plus. With a mix of browsing, messaging, games, and video, the S24 Plus has lasted roughly a day and a half with 7-8 hours of screen time during my testing. Two full days without a recharge was also possible, but only with careful battery management. That gives you some leeway as the battery loses capacity over the years, but you’ll probably need at least one battery swap if you use this device for the full seven years.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus camera review
The Galaxy S24 Plus camera setup has not seen any updates this year, so we’re still working with a 50MP primary, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide, just like the Galaxy S23 Plus. On the front, there’s a 12MP selfie camera. The Galaxy S24 Ultra adds a 5x telephoto lens, which is 50MP and can sensor crop for even more reach, as well as a 200MP primary camera. The base Galaxy S24 has the same camera setup as the S24 Plus.
Most of the photos I took with the S24 Plus looked great. The phone evens out highlights and shadows reasonably well, and there’s very little noise. But if you didn’t like Samsung’s photo processing before AI came to town, you won’t like it now. The camera leans toward longer exposures with higher brightness and more vibrant colors. The resulting photos really pop (especially if you use Samsung’s new Ultra HDR option), but they can look a bit unnatural. The longer exposures make motion harder to capture, too. In fact, Samsung’s issues with moving targets is yet again a general issue, just like it was with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
You want Ultra-level specs for a cut priceThe Galaxy S24 Plus is $200 / £250 / AU$500 cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, yet you still get an equally-powerful chipset, the same amount of RAM, the same charging capabilities, the same peak brightness, the same variable refresh rate, and even better battery life.You’re a fan of big phonesIf you’re after a big-screened Samsung phone that won’t weigh down your pocket, the Galaxy S24 Plus is as portable as 6.7-inch phones come.You want class-leading battery lifeThe Galaxy S24 Plus ranks among the best Android phones for battery life; if endurance is your primary concern, this is the phone to go for.
Just a few days ago we heard that the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE could be launching in October, and we’ve now had another indication that this mid-ranger is going to be making an appearance sooner rather than later.
According to 91mobiles, the Galaxy S24 FE has made its way through the certification process at the Buearu of Indian Standards (BIS), which is a compulsory step for gadgets before they go on sale to consumers in that country.
The product number used in the BIS filing is the same as we saw used on a support page on Samsung’s own site. It would seem that all the preparations are being put in place for the launch of this cheaper version of the Samsung Galaxy S24.
If you’re new to the FE (Fan Edition) series, it’s the label Samsung uses for more affordable versions of its flagships. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE was launched in October 2023, so we’re getting close to the point where a successor is due.
We’ve already heard plenty in the way of rumors when it comes to the Galaxy S24 FE. It’s apparently going to get a bigger battery and a brighter display compared to the Galaxy S23 FE model, which would be two worthwhile upgrades.
However, there has also been talk that the camera setup on the new phone is going to be exactly the same as it is on the current model – so don’t expect much improvement in terms of the photo and video capture capabilities.
An October 2024 launch is something that’s been mentioned before, and would fit in with last year’s schedule. We didn’t actually get a Samsung Galaxy S22 FE – perhaps because the Galaxy S21 FE arrived rather late in January 2022.
We’ve even seen leaked renders showing off the look of the Galaxy S24 FE, and it looks as though there are going to be several colors to choose from.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE could get a charging downgrade
This time, GizmoChina has spotted that the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has been certified by TUV Rheinland, revealing in the process that it will apparently support 25W wired charging and 9W wireless charging.
Now, 25W is the same charging speed as you’ll get from the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, so it’s a shame that seemingly hasn’t been upgraded. But it’s not a surprise either, since even the standard Samsung Galaxy S24 only charges at 25W.
What is a surprise is the 9W wireless charging, because both the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S24 support 15W wireless charging. So this would be a downgrade.
Wireless or reverse wireless? Now, it’s possible that the 9W speed is actually for reverse wireless charging (which allows you to use the phone to charge other devices), especially as its FCC certification mentioned that. But 9W reverse wireless charging would make even less sense, as that would be faster than the 4.5W offered by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. So that doesn’t seem very likely.
Of the two, we’d think a wireless charging speed downgrade is more likely than a reverse wireless charging speed upgrade, but either choice would seem odd.
Of course, it’s also possible that this detail is wrong. Though that’s strange too, since certification agencies like TUV Rheinland are typically working with official information.
Still, we might find out what the phone’s actual charging speeds are fairly soon, as leaks suggest the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE could land in October.
What to expect
（Image from Galaxy S24）
The photos included in the filing don’t really tell us much about the phone, but the associated documents give its dimensions as 162 mm x 77.3 mm – for comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 measures 147 mm x 70.6 mm.
It looks as though the Exynos 2400 processor is going to be powering the phone, and there will be support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and 5G, as you would expect. Reverse wireless charging tech, up to 9W, is also mentioned in the documentation.
Based on leaked renders we’ve already seen, it looks as though this handset is going to follow the design cues of the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus, although the build won’t be quite as premium (and it’ll cost less as a result).
Given that support documents for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE have already started popping up on Samsung’s websites, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer for the official unveiling – and we’ll of course keep you informed.
Keen to upgrade? Discover all of the top handsets in New Zealand and how they stack up
It might seem easy to pick out the best phones in New Zealand, but depending on your budget, your lifestyle and your personal preferences, you might want to do a bit of looking around for the perfect handset – especially when it comes to heavy-hitter brands like Apple, Google and Samsung.
There are so many options to choose from – so we’ve done the hard work for you. Below you’ll find our expert picks for the best smartphones in New Zealand. We’ve looked at a broad criteria of things, including price, performance, display, cameras and more, so chances are high that you’ll find what you’re looking for in this guide.
+Beautiful titanium design +Finally, USB-C connectivity +All new A17 Pro chip
Reasons to avoid
-Niche camera upgrades -No change to battery longevity or charging -3x telephoto zoom no longer Apple’s best
If you prefer the palm-friendly size of Apple’s 6.1-inch iPhones to its supersized Max devices, or the even bigger Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, then the iPhone 15 Pro is the best phone money can buy right now. The 15 Pro Max may have a slightly superior 5x periscope zoom lens, but in every other department, the iPhone 15 Pro can be thought of as exactly the same phone for a more digestible price.
For starters, this is an undeniably beautiful handset. The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a gorgeous titanium design that can withstand unwelcome drops more effectively than its predecessor, and the addition of a USB-C port makes this a more versatile device, too (in terms of both charging and compatibility).
The iPhone 15 Pro’s stunning 6.1-inch Super XDR OLED screen (with ProMotion) is unchanged from the (also excellent) iPhone 14 Pro, but this time, everything is underpinned by Apple’s all-new A17 Pro chipset, which delivers console-level gaming performance and supreme multi-tasking capabilities.
On the back, you’re getting a 48MP quad-pixel main camera lens, alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens and 12MP telephoto lens that’s capable of 3x optical zoom. As mentioned, that last figure is bettered by the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the iPhone 15 Pro’s overall camera setup still ranks among the best on the market – everyday users will find more than enough photographic power here.
+Better performance and battery life than ever before +Great cameras improve the photo quality over last year +Titanium frame and durable Gorilla Armor glass
Reasons to avoid
-Big and heavy – titanium didn’t help with that -Many new and great features are hidden beneath terrible menus -AI features are often useless and cause performance delays
Samsung has stuck to a tried-and-tested design formula with the Galaxy S24 Ultra it seems: it looks nigh-on identical to both its S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra predecessors. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end, because Samsung’s latest is a far more powerful – and far smarter – beast entirely, so much so it is realistically the best phone you can buy right now if you’re not an iOS loyalist.
To start, the S24 Ultra has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at its core, and this already impressive processor gets a further boost thanks to a collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm for the former’s new device. The result, which Samsung calls the ‘Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy’, is a processor that can comfortably run multiple apps and games at once, without so much of a stutter. This new processor is also the brains behind Samsung’s on-device Galaxy AI capabilities.
Truth be told, the screen and battery of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are pretty much identical to the model it replaces, but perhaps most importantly, the camera has received a small but significant upgrade. While the insane 200MP wide sensor makes a comeback, you’ll now find a new 50MP 5x zoom periscope camera (which replaces the S23 Ultra’s 10MP 10x telephoto lens). While the physical zoom capabilities have effectively been reduced, you’ll be able to pick out far greater detail in the images you take and, for our money, we’d take a more detailed photo over one that employs far too much zoom.
Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t a cheap phone, and you will have to dig deep if you want to own one.
+Durable design and more refined build +Powerful performance and productive features +Galaxy AI is pretty good, and getting better
Reasons to avoid
-Lacks innovative cover-display capabilities -Battery life is below average and charging is slow -IP48 protection does not mean it’s dust resistant
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 continues to improve upon Samsung’s brilliant work in the foldable screens department – and although improvements upon last year’s Z Flip 5 aren’t massive, it does have a more durable design and a powerful swathe of features. For its clamshell folding factor, we’ll happily call it the best compact phone you can currently buy in New Zealand.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 oozes style, with a slightly different two-tone design approach to previous models that sees the camera lenses surrounded by colour rings. The screen on the back is brilliant to interact with, although the full phone experience is reserved for the unfolded screen. For the back screen, though, Samsung’s new live translation feature (which shows what you’re saying in a translated language on the back screen for the person you’re conversing with) is an absolute win.
Though the Z Flip 6 is a frontrunner in the foldable space on price and performance, those two points don’t ring as true when you put the Z Flip 6 against non-foldables at similar price points. With this in mind, if you’re going to get the Z Flip 6, you best be married to the folding form factor. Its cameras aren’t bad either – including 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP selfie lenses – but you’ll want to gravitate to another phone if snaps are super important to you.
Additionally it’s only IP48 resistance rated (meaning it’s not resistant to dust) and battery life is below average.
+Exquisite design and excellent build +High-quality cameras +Always-on display +New Dynamic Island
Reasons to avoid
-Still just 3x optical zoom -Premium price
Google’s latest high-end phone takes what we love about the Pixel series and supercharges it. With a new rounded design (including a camera bar that separates it from every other phone on the market) and a huge amount of RAM, the Pixel is better than ever this year. Just note that this year the larger model is called the Pixel 9 Pro XL, whereas it was previously called the Pixel Pro.
Google’s Pixel phones are celebrated for their brilliant and easy-to-use operating systems which are backed entirely by the Google Suite of apps. Underpinning the device is the Tensor G4 chip, the latest SoC built by Google and Samsung exclusively for the Pixel range, with a screen size bump over last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. Google’s camera hardware and software is also extremely impressive (including 50MP wide, 48MP telephoto, 48MP ultrawide and 42MP selfie lenses) and is well worth considering if you’re after beautiful, easy-to-take snaps. There’s also 37W fast charging for the first time, a significant bump from 30W fast charging on the previous Pro model.
The device also comes with the best of Google’s AI smarts, but you will have to put a lot of trust into Google if you want to use them. The Gemini Nano model runs on-device as a new virtual assistant, with a new Google Studio for generating AI images, and most notably a new tool that organises your screenshots and allows you to search for the text and image contents inside of them.
There are, however, performance limitations with the Tensor G4 chip when you put it in competition with similarly expensive phones powered by Snapdragon silicon. It’s still a great phone, but you may notice more lag if you put it in competition with the Samsung Galaxy S24+ or S24 Ultra.
What is the best phone in New Zealand in 2024? While there’s no ‘best’ phone among the phones listed above, there might just be a brilliant pick for you to consider. When it comes to being a one of the best all-rounders, the iPhone 15 Pro takes the top spot, but if you’re after a similarly powerful alternative, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is well worth considering (especially for its camera performance).
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL makes for a brilliant third option too, if you want Android hardware and an Apple-like software experience. If the price is your biggest concern, you should absolutely consider the Samsung Galaxy A55, or the standard iPhone 15 if you’re a fan of iOS.
With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google is reinventing the flagship. The new ultra-premium flagship delivers sensible upgrades and positions the Pixel as a proper and even better alternative to the iPhones and Galaxies of the world.
One of those rivals is none other than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is Samsung’s best conventional smartphone released in 2024 so far. The S Pen-clad flagship is one of the most versatile phones of the year, and could definitely give the Pixel 9 Pro XL a run for the money.
From a design perspective, we get an aluminum and mostly flat design with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is the clear design choice these days. From a visual standpoint, it follows the signature Pixel design style.
There’s a redesigned camera strip at the back, a bold moving away from the distinct 3D Visor look of previous Pixels. The rear back panel is a classy matte one, while the frame has that glossy look going for it. We dig that, it looks quite mature and classy.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra employs a mostly flat titanium frame, which still features an ever-so-slight curvature for enhanced ergonomics. It’s Samsung’s largest traditional phone released thus far in 2024, with a completely flat 6.8-inch screen up front. Of course, just like previous Galaxy devices, this one comes along with the S Pen tucked into its silo right out of the box.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is lighter than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it’s slightly wider and taller. This essentially means that while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is technically the heavier phone, it’s slightly more single-hand friendly, as it is narrower.
Both phones match each other’s endurance against the elements with an IP68 water and dust resistance. This means you can dunk each phone for up to half an hour in up to 1.5m of water, and they’ll live to tell the tale.
Colors-wise, the Pixel 9 Pro XL arrives in Obsidian, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Hazel colors (black, white, pink, and green).
At the same time, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange.
Display Differences
Although the displays of the two phones will differ slightly in terms of overall size, they aren’t that much different.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 6.8-inchSuper Actua screen with a dynamic refresh rate of 1 to 120Hz. It’s a high-end QHD+OLED screen that can hit 3,000 nits of peak brightness, building upon the 2,400 nits that the Pixel 8 Pro could achieve. That’s spectacular and beats the Galaxy S24 Ultra in this one key area.
At the same time, the Galaxy S24 Ultra also comes with a 6.8-inch screen, also a QHD+ one with smooth 1-120Hz refresh rate. Samsung is also participating in the brightness wars, so its latest flagship can hit upwards of 2,500 nits of peak brightness in the right ambient conditions. However, that’s not enough to beat the new top Pixel.
As per our display benchmarking test, the Pixel 9 Pro XL crushes the Galaxy S24 Ultra in terms of peak brightness: we measured 2052 nits on the Google phone, while the Galaxy could only hit 1280 nits, which is a massive difference. However, the Galaxy has that anti-reflective coating over the display, which kind of evens things out.
However, the minimum brightness is lower on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL can’t really match it.
Display Measurements:
Screen measurements
Color charts
Maximum brightnessHigher is better
Minimum brightness(nits)Lower is better
Color temperature(Kelvins)
Gamma
Delta E rgbcmyLower is better
Delta E grayscaleLower is better
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
2052 (Excellent)
1.9 (Good)
6731 (Excellent)
2.26
1.39 (Excellent)
4.98 (Average)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
1280 (Excellent)
1.1 (Good)
6543 (Excellent)
1.93
2.86 (Good)
6.45 (Average)
Regarding biometrics, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Galaxy S24 Ultra both come with a fast and accurate ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. That’s a major upgrade over the previous fingerprint iterations with older Pixels, which all had optical scanners (slow and not very accurate).
Performance and Software
Just like previous Tensor chips, this one is betting heavily on on-device AI and machine-learning, shifting the focus away from raw performance. AI is all the rage with the Tensor G4, delivering a specialized environment for all things artificial intelligence.
And indeed, all Pixel 9 devices arrive with Gemini Nano with multi-modality, which is exclusively run on the Tensor G4. Google says this one is the most capable on-device AI model, which is capable of not only understanding text and speech, but also images and audio.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, comes along with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which is pretty much one of the top choices in 2024 as far as raw performance comes. Aside from besting our synthetic benchmark tests, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is one of the more efficient chips out there despite being based on a 4nm manufacturing process.
As per our synthetic benchmark tests, it’s the Galaxy S24 Ultra that decidedly takes the throne. Both in the CPU and GPU-centric tests, it’s the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside the Galaxy phone that’s much faster. However, the Tensor G4 isn’t that far off in the Geekbench single-core test, but the Google chip steps off on the wrong foot in the gaming tests.
There’s a massive amount of 16GB of RAM on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, more than enough to accommodate all on-device AI necessities. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes along with 12GB of RAM, which is plenty-ish, but might not be quite future-proof given the massive hardware requirements of AI that will only grow in the coming years.
Storage-wise, the Pixel 9 Pro XL arrives with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Both Samsung and Google now have a top-of-the-line seven-year software update policy in place. This means that the Pixel 9 Pro XL will be supported until 2031, which is just as long as the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Surprisingly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn’t come with Android 15 out of the box. The next software update is coming this year, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL arrives with Android 14 out of the box. The same applies to the Galaxy S24 Ultra which comes along with One UI 6.1 (based on Android 14), but Samsung will probably release One UI 7 based on Android 15 not long after Google officially pushes the software out.
Camera
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with a 50MP primary camera that features an aperture of f/1.68 and a substantial sensor size of 1/1.31″.
Both the ultra-wide and 5X telephoto are 48MP cameras with fairly large apertures, measuring f/2.8 and f/1.7. Despite lacking dedicated cameras for those specific zooms, the Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts optical-quality zoom at both 2X and 10X, thanks to sensor-cropping and hybrid zoom.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a plethora of AI and software features on board: Pro controls, Add Me, Macro Focus, Night Sight, Astrophotography, Portrait Mode, Face Unblur, Long Exposure, Action Pan, Real Tone, Panorama, Top Shot, and Frequent Faces. Both devices also support the AI-powered Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, Zoom Enhance, and Portrait Light.
In the case of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, we got the same camera as the one on the S23 Ultra… but with a twist. Instead of a 10MP periscope camera with 10X optical zoom, we got a 50MP telephoto with 5.0X optical zoom. This turned out to be an upgrade, as the device still hit the same 100X Space Zoom levels, but delivered arguably better zoom quality, which is key in such scenarios.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with a 5,060mAh battery, which is just a negligible upgrade over the previous model’s 5,000mAh battery. Paired with the efficient Tensor G4, the next top Pixel phone should deliver excellent battery life, more likely than not better than the Pixel 8 Pro. Or, at least, we hope so!
The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a 5,000mAh battery which delivers superb battery life in concert with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It fares pretty well in our custom battery tests, setting high standards for all other flagships to follow in 2024.
Summary
The Pixel 9 Pro XL shapes to be the phone to get if you’re into AI in 2024, with sensible upgrades and notable improvements in most key areas that matter. With a fresher design, decent performance, a pretty great camera, and the best AI suite in late 2024, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly one of the best phones of 2024 so far.
At the same time, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is undoubtedly the best alternative and easily one of the best phones released in 2024. It usually aces just about any category you can think of.
Which one is better? Objectively speaking, it’s the Galaxy S24 Ultra that’s the better all-around phone that brings more versatility to the table. That’s better bang for the buck, and that’s what matter at the end of the day.
Weight: 232g Dimensions: 162.3 x 79 x 8.6mm Screen size: 6.8-inch Resolution: 1440 x 3120 Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM: 12GB Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB Battery: 5,000mAh Rear camera: 200MP+50MP+12MP+10MP Front camera: 12MP
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best Android phone of 2024, offering a titanium frame and stellar cameras that are a cut above almost anything else on the market right now.
Weight: 167g Dimensions: 147 x 70.6 x 7.6mm Screen size: 6.2 inches Resolution: 1080 x 2340 Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (US, Aus) / Exynos 2400 (UK) Memory: 8GB RAM (LPDDR5X) Storage: 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0) Battery: 4,000mAh Rear camera: 50MP+12MP+10MP Front camera: 12MP
Galaxy AI features are no longer exclusive to the Galaxy S24, but the newer phone does still offer superior power and longevity over the Galaxy 23.
For
Great screen
Superb update commitment
Compact powerhouse
Against
Overstuffed user experience
Galaxy AI features are no longer exclusive
Minor upgrades over S23
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra are members of the same 2024 flagship smartphone family, but they look and feel surprisingly different. So which of these two phones is the best for you?
Having posted our reviews and spent a fair amount of time with both phones, we think we’re in a pretty good position to help you decide. While we have a definitive answer for which phone is objectively the better of the two, we also have a few noteworthy caveats to consider depending on your specific tastes and needs.
While one phone clearly outperforms the other by all key metrics, there are a couple of trade-offs to consider before you hit that ‘Buy’ button. Indeed, we would go so far as to suggest that the best phone here isn’t in fact the best for most people.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: specs comparison
Here’s an overview of how the Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra match up, spec for spec. As you can see, there are a surprising number of contrasting elements to consider.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: design and display
The Galaxy Ultra line has been on its own separate design path for some time now, and this year’s model is no different. The Galaxy S24 is a smaller device with rounded corners, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is huge and pointed. The Ultra is a good 15mm taller, 8mm wider, and 1mm thicker. It also weighs 65g more, which is a big difference.
This means that only the Galaxy S24 can be used one-handed. The Galaxy S24 Ultra demands all of your attention and both of your hands, as befits its power-user focus.
Both of these phones look quite a lot like their predecessors, albeit with some notable tweaks. The Galaxy S24 this year loses the curved rim for a flatter aluminum finish, making it look rather like the iPhone 15. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, meanwhile, switches to a new, more premium titanium alloy material for its frame, but otherwise essentially retains the look of previous Ultra phones. That means a flat top and bottom edge, but subtly rounded sides.
Besides having a tougher frame, the Galaxy S24 Ultra also features Gorilla Armor glass, which is more scratch-resistant than the Galaxy S24’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Both phones are IP68 rated though, which means they’re equally dust and water-resistant.
The Galaxy S24 benefits from reduced screen bezel sizes, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra has lost any sense of curvature and has completely flattened out its display.
On the color front, the Samsung Galaxy S24 comes in Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra leans into its new rugged material with Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange options.
One other major design difference, of course, is the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s bundled-in S Pen stylus. It continues to be a powerful tool for both productivity and artistic output, and it’s something you don’t get with the Galaxy S24.
What with the huge size difference, it should come as no surprise to learn that the Galaxy S24 Ultra display is much bigger than its sibling’s, though that gap has narrowed slightly. The Galaxy S24 screen has increased a little to 6.2-inches (up from 6.1-inches), while the Galaxy S24 Ultra screen has held fast at 6.8-inches.
There’s a considerable resolution disparity here, with the Galaxy S24 going with FHD+ and the Ultra model maxing out at QHD+. The smaller size of the Galaxy S24 screen helps negate that advantage, though.
Both screens can get to 2,600 nits in peak scenarios, which is extremely bright. The Galaxy S24 display has also closed the gap on the Galaxy S24 Ultra in offering LTPO panel technology, meaning it can scale between a 1 and 120Hz refresh rate as necessary, making it more energy-efficient.
Ultimately, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has what could be the best display of any phone on the market. It comfortably wins this round against its (still impressive) little brother on size and sharpness alone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S24 : cameras
There’s really no contest when it comes to camera quality, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra beating the Galaxy S24 in almost every single department. The Ultra has four cameras to the S24’s three, for a start, with an extra 50MP 5x telephoto providing far greater zoom flexibility.
With the Galaxy S24, you’re getting a 1/1.56″ 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto.
As for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’re getting a significantly larger and sharper 1/1.3″ 200MP main sensor, a similar-looking 12MP ultra-wide camera, a larger 10MP 3x telephoto, and an all-new 50MP 5x periscope telephoto.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: performance and software
We found both of these models to be extremely rapid, even beating the mighty iPhone 15 Pro Max in many respects. In both cases you can run high-end games at maximum graphical settings with rock solid 60 frames-per-second frame rates, run multiple windows in Samsung DeX, and watch your photo edits happen in real-time in Adobe Lightroom.
However, if you’re anywhere else in the world, the Galaxy S24 Ultra holds a clear performance advantage. This is because Samsung has opted to supply its own Exynos 2400 processor for the so-called international model of the Galaxy S24. It has stuck with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the international model.
As numerous benchmark tests have shown, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a clear performance advantage over the Exynos 2400, particularly when it comes to the GPU. You won’t notice this performance difference in general use, as both of these phones are way faster than they need to be.
On the one hand, the Ultra technically has the greater performance headroom. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s chip is having to push around more pixels on that QHD+ display, which will at least partially nullify that GPU advantage on the International model.
You get more and greater storage options with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which comes in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants. With the Galaxy S24, there’s just the 128GB and 256GB options in most regions. Australia also has access to a 512GB model, which would have been a nice option to have had elsewhere.
While there are hardware differences, these two phones run practically identical software in One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14. That includes access to Samsung’s all-new AI features, which are a constant across both phones. Once you locate these options, you’ll find that they’re a mix of the magical (AI call translation) and the somewhat disappointing (Voice Recorder transcripts), but it’s good that there’s parity between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24 at least.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: battery life
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery, which is way bigger than the Galaxy S24’s 4,000mAh cell. Of course, the bigger phone also features a larger, sharper display, so some of that extra capacity is accounted for.
Even so, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has the better stamina of the two. You’ll struggle to find a smartphone that lasts as long on a single charge as Samsung’s flagship. It outlasted both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and last year’s Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by a couple of hours in our 5G web browsing test.
That’s not to say that the Galaxy S24 has poor battery life. It’s more than capable of lasting a full day of fairly intensive usage, which is a great result for such a compact phone. But the Galaxy S24 Ultra could well see you through a second day as well.
Samsung’s larger, more expensive phone also charges a little faster. With 45W wired charging support, it’ll get to 65% in around 30 minutes. In the case of the Galaxy S24, with its 25W charging support, it’ll get to 50% in the same time. Neither is the fastest within their weight class, and you’ll need to supply your own charging brick for both.
On the plus side, both phones support 15W wireless charging, as well as 4.5W reverse wireless charging, which is always a welcome provision.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: verdict
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the company’s all-singing, all-dancing everything-phone, and a power-user’s dream. If money’s no object and you demand the very best, it’s already in the conversation for the best phone on the market, let alone the best Samsung phone.
Its camera system is the most comprehensive around, with the clincher being its phenomenal zoom capabilities. Meanwhile, there is no phone with a better display than the Ultra’s. Performance is unimpeachable wherever you are in the world, and its battery life is also among the best.
The Galaxy S24 is objectively an inferior phone. However, we’d still suggest that it’s a better buy for most people. It’s compact yet powerful, has a more than capable camera system, a fabulous display, and solid battery life. While we’re starting to have some real issues with Samsung’s congested software, in a straight comparison these two phones have identical UIs and access to the same novel AI features.
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if you’re after the all-singing, all dancing everything-phone with the very best specs. This one is for the power user who spends large chunks of their day on their phone, consuming swathes of media when they’re not getting things done.
Go for the Galaxy S24 if you’re after something significantly smaller and cheaper. It’s ideal for the more casual phone user looking for a compact and classy phone that won’t stretch the pocket in any sense.
Samsung adds new Galaxy AI features, a larger battery, and a faster processor to offset the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s higher cost, but the flip phone sSamsung ruled the flip-style phone space for years with its Z Flip devices.
Obviously, all the usual upgrades are in tow with this charming little flippable, like its new 50MP main camera, more durable design, and more functional FlexWindow display. These hardware changes are good, but they’re supplemented by the same Galaxy AI features I found helpful in saving me time with the Galaxy S24 Ultra — plus a few new AI capabilities. If that’s not enough, there’s a much bigger emphasis on personalizing the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 comes in four different colors
At first glance, it doesn’t look like much has changed with the design of the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which sports a familiar trim and aesthetic as last year’s Galaxy Z Flip 5. The phone remains incredibly compact when closed, and its Armor aluminum frame gives the Flip a solid feel in the hand.
However, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is not as ergonomic as I’d like because of its flatter edges. The only visible difference with the design this time around is how the outlines of the camera lenses are accented by the same paint job as the phone, giving the phone a much more pleasing contrast.
Speaking of trims, I really like the pastel-like colors Samsung’s using for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 — like my blue colored review unit. It’s better made, too, with a matte finish that prevents smudges and fingerprints from dirtying up the Z Flip 6.
Samsung did increase the Flip 6’s durability with a new dual rail hinge design, giving the phone a more responsive feel whenever I close it. More importantly, however, the crease in the middle of the phone is much more subdued. In fact, I’d argue it’s less noticeable than the Razr Plus 2024’s crease.
On another note, I’m delighted by the dose of personalization that’s added to the Flip 6 when it’s paired with the new FlipSuit cases that combine interactive lock screens to the FlexWindow. There are even a couple of new ones I checked out with built-in LEDs that light up the back of the phone, which takes power via the phone’s wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Cameras
I’m very excited for the cameras in the Galaxy Z Flip 6. That’s because the phone now features an upgraded 50MP main camera paired with a 12MP ultrawide lens. The former is a huge step up from the Z Flip 5’s 12MP camera, but it’s made better because of how the Galaxy Z Flip 6 leverages pixel binning to offer a reasonable 2x zoom with optical-like quality. This is the smarter way of approaching the cameras, seeing that it effectively offers the range in most triple camera setups, but with a more compact dual camera arrangement instead.
There’s also a new camcorder mode, just like on the Razr Plus 2024, that gives a nostalgic feel when the phone’s folded in the halfway position — complete with zoom controls at your fingertips. Another new feature is the intelligent way the Galaxy Z Flip 6 can frame my shots with AI zoom. No matter who I’m shooting, whether it’s just myself or a group of people, the AI zoom will automatically frame the shot correctly.
Similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S flagships, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 benefits from a rich camera app that’s filled with all the modes you’d want in a phone and a few extras — like hyperlapse, dual recording, and portrait video. There’s even a pro video mode with full manual controls, which few camera apps offer. I also love how the FlewWindow can be turned on to act as a preview screen, making it perfect for vlogging and self recordings.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is undoubtedly a phone for creators with its rich set of features and tools, but ultimately its camera performance will show me if it’s worthy of being a best camera phone contender.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Performance
Powered by the same chip in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 flagship devices, the Z Flip 6 leans on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for all of its muscle power. I’m instantly attuned to the fluid actions of navigating around the software, since just about every movement is met with tight responses. Furthermore, it extends to other aspects of the experience, including my regular routines running apps and switching between them.
Benchmark results reveal what I suspected initially: the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a powerhouse in the flip-phone space. GeekBench single and multicore scores for the Z Flip 6 have it registering scores of 2,091 and 7,022 respectively, which are incrementally better than the previous Z Flip 5.
Z Flip 6
Z Flip 5
CPU
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Geekbench 5 (single core/multicore)
2,091 / 7,022
1,354 / 4,288
3DMark Wild Life Unlimited (fps)
113.4
79.1
Adobe Premiere Rush (Mins:Secs)
0:46
0:42
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Software and AI
Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 runs on top of Android 14 on the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The aesthetics look familiar for anyone who’s used a recent Galaxy phone, but this year’s flip phone comes out of the box with the same suite of Galaxy AI features first introduced by the S24 series earlier this year.
These include things such as Instant Slow-Mo, Generative Edit, Note Assist, Transcript Assist, and much more. They function the same way as they do on the S24, with some being more useful in saving me time with my day-to-day activities. It also comes with Circle to Search and Google Gemini, although you can’t run Circle to Search on the FlexWindow display — but Gemini works like a charm on the smaller screen.
I’m still a little annoyed that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 doesn’t natively let me run full apps on the FlexWindow display. Instead, I’m forced to go through the same work around as before with the Flip 5 by downloading the Good Lock app through Samsung’s Galaxy Store. After that’s all taken care of, I’m able to access even greater utility with the outer screen — much like how the Razr Plus 2024 does it natively.
Samsung introduces a few new AI features with its latest foldable phones, as well as new optimizations that make them work more effectively with the external displays on those devices. Here’s all of them that I got to check out on the Flip 6:
Photo Assist: Through the Gallery App, Photo Assist lets me take selfies and photos I’ve taken of myself and transform them into drawings, sketches, and 3D models with the help of generative AI.
Photo Ambient: In addition to the AI-generated wallpapers I can create, there’s also another option called Photo Ambient specifically for the lockscreen wallpaper. It works best when I use photos of landscapes I’ve captured with the camera, which Photo Ambient will use to change its look in real-time based on the weather and time. For example, I’ve seen it transform into a warmer color tone right for bedtime.
Auto Zoom: This AI-feature takes the hassle of framing a shot by automatically zooming in the camera app when it detects people. It dynamically adjusts to zoom appropriately to include everyone, but I still sometimes manually adjust it to get the composition I want — even if it means having more dead space in the frame.
Interpreter Mode: Functionally it’s the same here as it is with the Galaxy S24 by allowing for real-time translation between two people speaking. But the difference here is how much more practical it becomes when it’s used in conjunction with the FlexWindow display by allowing both parties to see the translation on their respective displays when the Flip 6’s folded halfway.
Suggested Replies: This Galaxy AI feature is exclusive only to the Z Flip 6 and offers AI-generated message replies that appear on the FlexWindow display. But forever what reason, I haven’t been able to properly test it out after following instructions of how to set it up. I’ll revisit this as soon as I get it to work.
For a flip-style phone, the Z Flip 6 is pretty adept at multitasking — with upwards of three apps running simultaneously. However, I wish more apps were optimized for Flex Mode apart from the native offerings and some Google apps. Take for example Google Photos, which I initially suspected would shift photos and video to the top half of the screen in Flex Mode, but it doesn’t.
Beyond all of the AI features, the one thing I’m curious to find out is if more apps have been optimized to work in Flex Mode, like the hands-free experience of putting the phone down and shooting selfies. And of course, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 also benefits from the same seven years of software and security updates as the Galaxy S24.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Battery
Samsung is able to cram in a larger 4,000 mAh battery into the Z Flip 6, up from 3,700 mAh in the Z Flip 5, all while keeping the same svelte profile as before. Along with the power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 easily carries me through a full working day with a single charge.
Galaxy Z Flip 6
Galaxy Z Flip 5
Battery size
4,000 mAh
3,700 mAh
Battery life (Hrs:Mins)
11:01
9:53
Charging speed
25W wired, 15W wireless
25W wired, 15W wireless
Charge % after 30 minutes
55%
52%
conclusion
I genuinely like the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It’s a charming flip phone with more utility than the average slate, while still offering one of the best-in-class cameras among foldables. There are also the handful of new Galaxy AI features that add a dash of extra convenience into the mix. The sixth-generation Flip is a fairly minor update featuring a few small refinements to the design and a big boost in battery life to help keep it on a par with regular premium phones. The flattened sides and coloured accents give it a more modern feel. The internal screen is one of the very best on the market, rivalling the colour, smoothness and brightness of a quality flat phone display. Two-day battery life means it should make it to the end of even the heaviest of usage days, while an improved main camera and some fun new AI tricks are welcome additions.
