Category: Samsung

Verdict

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.

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Pros

• +Big, bright, outdoor-friendly QHD+ display
• +Same Galaxy AI features as the S24 Ultra
• +Class-leading battery life

Cons

• -Cameras remain unchanged
• -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.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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.

What we like

Bright, sharp 1440p display

Excellent update commitment

All-day battery life

Solid cameras

Handy Galaxy AI features

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What we don’t like

Galaxy AI barely works without the cloud

Camera still struggles with motion

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.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: At a glance

• 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.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus specs

	Samsung Galaxy S24	Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Display	6.2-inch AMOLED, FHD+ resolution (2,340 x 1,080) 120Hz display refresh rate (1Hz-120Hz) HDR10+	6.7-inch AMOLED, QHD+ resolution (3,120 x 1,440) 120Hz display refresh rate (1Hz-120Hz) HDR10+
Processor	US: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Global: Samsung Exynos 2400	US: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Global: Samsung Exynos 2400
RAM	8GB LPDDR5X	12GB LPDDR5X
Storage	128GB or 256GB	256GB or 512GB
Battery and charging	4,000mAh 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging 5W reverse wireless charging No charger in box	4,900mAh 45W wired charging 15W wireless charging 5W reverse wireless charging No charger in box
Cameras	Rear: – 50MP main f/1.8, OIS- 12MP ultrawide 1.4 μm, f/2.2, 120-degree FoV 1/2.55-inch sensor- 10MP telephoto 3x optical zoom 1.12 μm, f/2.4, 36-degree FoV 1/3.52-inch sensor OISFront: – 12MP f/2.2, 80-degree FoV, AF	Rear: – 50MP main f/1.8, OIS- 12MP ultrawide 1.4 μm, f/2.2, 120-degree FoV 1/2.55-inch sensor- 10MP telephoto 3x optical zoom 1.12 μm, f/2.4, 36-degree FoV 1/3.52-inch sensor OISFront: – 12MP f/2.2, 80-degree FoV, AF
Video	Rear: 8K at 24/30fps (main lens only) 4K at 30/60fps (all lenses)Front: 4K at 30/60fps	Rear: 8K at 24/30fps (main lens only) 4K at 30/60fps (all lenses)Front: 4K at 30/60fps
Audio	Stereo speakers Triple mics No 3.5mm port	Stereo speakers Triple mics No 3.5mm port
Connectivity	5G (mmWave + Sub6) Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC support USB 3.2 Gen 1	5G (mmWave + Sub6) Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC support USB 3.2 Gen 1 UWB
Security	Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor 7 years of security updates	Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor 7 years of security updates
IP rating	IP68	IP68
Software	Android 14 One UI 6.1	Android 14 One UI 6.1
S Pen support	No	No
Materials	Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back Aluminum frame	Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back Aluminum frame
Dimensions and weight	147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6mm 168g	158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm 197g
Colors	Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow	Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus?

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.

Get ready for October

(Image from Galaxy S23 FE）

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. 

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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.

>>>EB-BS926ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 5G

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.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

1. iPhone 15 Pro

The best phone for most people

Specifications

Release date:September 2023

Weight:187g

Dimensions:146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm

OS:iOS 17

Screen size:6.1-inch

Resolution:1179 x 2556

CPU:Apple A17 Pro

RAM:8GB

Storage:128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Battery:3,274mAh

Rear camera:48MP (wide) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 12MP (telephoto) + 10MP (periscope telephoto)

Front camera:12MP

Reasons to buy

+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.

>>>EB-BF741ABE Battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

2.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra     

The best camera phone

Specifications

Release date:January 2024

Weight:232g

Dimensions:162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm

OS:Android 14

Screen size:6.8-inch

Resolution:1440 x 3120

CPU:Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

RAM:12GB

Storage:128GB/256GB/512GB

Battery:5000mAh

Rear camera:200MP + 50MP + 10MP

Front camera:12MP

Reasons to buy

+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.

3. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

The best compact phone

Specifications

Release date:July 2024

Weight:187g

Dimensions (folded):85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm

Dimensions (unfolded):165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm

OS:Android 14

Screen size:6.7-inch

Resolution:1080 x 2640

CPU:Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

RAM:12GB

Storage:256GB/512GB

Battery:4000mAh

Rear camera:50MP + 12MP

Front camera:10MP

Reasons to buy

+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.

4. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

A brilliant Android alternative

Specifications

Release date: August 2024

Weight:221g

Dimensions:162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm

OS:Android 14

Screen size:6.8-inches

Resolution:1344 x 2992

CPU:Google Tensor G4

RAM:16GB

Storage:128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Battery:3,200 mAh / 4,323 mAh

Rear camera:48MP Main + 12MP Ultra Wide + 12MP 2x Telephoto

Front camera:12MP 3x Telephoto

Reasons to buy

+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.

Intro

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.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Design and Size

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.

>>>GS35E Battery for Google Pixel 8

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.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

For

• Phenomenal cameras
• Titanium frame
• Supremely powerful

Against

• Big and heavy
• Terrible menus
• Extremely expensive

Samsung Galaxy S24

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.

Before we dive in that particular conundrum, allow us to present you with the spec lists for the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra>>>EB-BS926ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 5G

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.

Galaxy S24	Galaxy S24 Ultra
Dimensions:	147 x 70.6 x 7.6mm	162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm
Weight:	167g	232g
Frame:	Enhanced Armor Aluminum	Titanium
Display:	6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2,600-nit peak brightness	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2,600-nit peak brightness
Resolution:	2,340 x 1,080	3,088 × 1,440
Refresh rate:	1Hz-120Hz variable	1Hz-120Hz variable
Chipset:	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / Exynos 2400	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Rear cameras:	50MP, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto (3x)	200MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x)
Front camera:	12MP	12MP
RAM:	8GB	12GB
Storage:	128GB, 256GB	256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery:	4,000mAh	5,000mAh
Charging:	25W wired, 15W wireless	45W wired, 15W wireless

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.

Verdict 

Pros

• +Durable design
• +Excellent low light camera performance
• +Speedy performance
• +New Galaxy AI features

Cons

• -Costs $100 more
• -Battery life could be better

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.

>>>EB-BF741ABE Battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review: Specifications

Price	$1,099
Colors	Silver Shadow, Yellow, Blue, Mint, Crafted Black, White, Peach
Inner display	6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED (2640 x 1080) , 1-120 Hz
Outer display	3.4-inch AMOLED (720 x 748), 60 Hz
Rear camera	50MP main (f/2.2), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
Front camera	10MP (f/2.2)
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM	12GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB
Battery	4,000 mAh
Wired charging	25W
Wireless charging	10-15W
Dimensions	6.5 x 2.83 x 0.27 inches (open), 3.35 x 2.83 x 0.58 inches (closed)
Weight	6.59 ounces / 187 grams

>>>EB-BF742ABE Battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 : Design

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.

 

 

    The custom-built Galaxy Z Flip6 smartphone will be provided to nearly 17,000 athletes competing at Paris 2024, enhancing their Games-time experience like never before.

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Samsung Electronics, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, today revealed the Olympic Edition of its newly announced Galaxy Z Flip6, exclusively designed and customized for all athletes competing at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. The Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition continues Samsung’s over three-decade-long legacy of providing its cutting-edge technology and mobile innovations in support of the Games and represents a series of firsts.

The new Olympic Edition for Paris 2024 is the first-ever Olympic Edition to feature Galaxy AI. Designed to elevate the athletes’ Games-time experience from the moment they arrive in Paris, it is the first to come pre-loaded with a full suite of exclusive services and useful apps. In addition, it marks the first time Samsung’s newest product is being made available to athletes before its official market launch. The Galaxy Z Flip6 will also take center stage at the Olympic Games as the first Olympic Edition to play an integral role on the podium.

It boasts the new Galaxy Z Flip6’s compact and versatile design, in a striking yellow colorway adorned with the Olympic rings and Paralympic agitos in gold. To dress up the phone, Samsung partnered with the Parisian Men’s Luxury Maison, Berluti, who designed the Team France’s official outfits for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, to create an exclusive Flipsuit Case that will accompany each device. Made from Venezia leather, each Flipsuit Case has a unique patina featuring a vibrant color mix inspired by the Olympic rings, celebrating the Olympic spirit and values of excellence and unity.

“Samsung has pushed the boundaries of mobile technology in support of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and its athletes for nearly three decades,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are honored to deliver our newest Galaxy innovation to the inspiring athletes of Paris 2024 — and give them the opportunity to experience the powerful and intelligent Galaxy Z Flip6 firsthand, even before its official market launch. We are excited to see how our technology opens up athletes’ Games-time experience like never before — from creating meaningful connections, to sharing and capturing lifelong memories while in Paris and beyond.”

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Enhancing the Athletes’ Experience at Paris 2024 with Devices Powered by Galaxy AI

  Samsung’s decision to provide its latest addition to the Galaxy portfolio to Paris 2024 athletes before its official market launch stems from the crucial role Galaxy AI technology plays in accelerating a new era of communication, productivity, and creativity on a smartphone. The Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition includes a range of useful innovations to help athletes open up new experiences throughout the Games, including the following Galaxy AI communication features that will help athletes from around the world connect with ease while in Paris:

• Live translation of calls1 – translates phone calls directly on the device in real-time into 16 different languages, making it easy for athletes to call the Olympic hotlines and local contacts in their native language, using Samsung native and select third-party apps.
• Interpreter2 – instantly translates live conversations, allowing athletes to chat with other athletes and volunteers and receive a live translation of what they’re saying on screen – while still speaking face-to-face, thanks to the phone’s unique dual screen.
• Composer3 – helps to draft emails and social media posts in apps by using simple keywords. For social media app specifically, it even analyzes the tone of past content, making it easier for athletes to express their excitement at some of the competition’s most thrilling or poignant moments.

Athletes can also use Galaxy AI on the Olympic Edition phone to help prepare for competition, enhance their creativity, and capture lifelong memories at Paris 2024, with features including:

• Instant Slow-mo4 – allows athletes to record, share and analyze their performances in slow motion, making it easier for them to refine their technique.
• Photo Assist5 – enables athletes to get the perfect shot every time, by resizing, repositioning or even removing unwanted objects within photos.

Built-in Services and Apps Making the Olympic and Paralympic Experience Fun and Easys.

 To make it easier for athletes to use the phone while in Paris and beyond, each Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition will come with an eSIM of 100GB 5G data in partnership with Orange, and two years of Samsung’s international warranty. Additionally, to keep track of the latest Games-time schedules and travel around the Olympic venues with ease, several official International Olympic Committee (IOC) apps such as Athlete 365,6 Olympic Shop, Paris 2024, Transport Accred App, and IOC hotline will be pre-loaded.

Via Samsung Wallet,7 it also will come pre-loaded with an in-app pass for free beverages in vending machines located throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Village in partnership with fellow Worldwide Partner, The Coca-Cola Company, and an unlimited complimentary public transport access card, in partnership with Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), so they can enjoy touring the city of Paris and its region.

To bring some fun and personalization to the athlete experience, each Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition will feature a suite of interactive, Paris 2024-themed apps, as well. These include PinQuest and Galaxy Experience for collecting and exchanging real and digital pins during Games-time, Olympic Go!, the official Olympic Game, and Galaxy Skateboard, a new game featuring the Phryges, the Paris 2024 mascots.

Sharing Moments of Victory from the Podium Firsthand

Standing atop the Olympic and Paralympic podium during the medal ceremony and realizing a lifelong dream is one of the most emotional and memorable moments an athlete can experience. Traditionally photographed by accredited media only because athletes have been prohibited from bringing personal belongings — including their mobile phones — to the ceremony, the view has always been captured from a distance and not through an athlete’s own lens.

For the first time in Olympic and Paralympic Games history, Samsung will provide the Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition for use on the podium at Paris 2024, so athletes can create their own memories and emotions via a new, victory selfie. Samsung’s customized technology will map and sort the athletes’ selfies by sport and upload them to Athlete365 in real-time, which will allow athletes to save and share their iconic moments with family and fans.

The Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition will be displayed at Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung showcases, including the one at Champs-Elysees 125, starting July 12. In collaboration with the IOC and International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games
Samsung has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner since the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998. For over 25 years, athletes and fans have trusted Samsung’s transformative mobile technology to share the Olympic spirit globally and continue to shape the digital future of the Olympic Games for Paris 2024 and beyond. The company’s commitment to the Olympic Movement soon faces its fourth decade of partnership and extends through Los Angeles 2028. Samsung’s purposeful innovations in the wireless communications and computing equipment category, including equipment that features artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality and 5G will change the way the world experiences the Olympic Games.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Paralympic Games
Samsung is a Worldwide Partner of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in the wireless communications and computing equipment category. Starting from Paralympic Winter Games Torino 2006, the company has proudly supported the Paralympic Movement and enabled athletes and fans around the world to share the excitement and inspiration of the Games through Samsung’s transformative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment to the Paralympic Games will extend through to Los Angeles 2028 and be celebrated through innovative mobile and computing experiences powered by purposeful innovations in the wireless communications and computing equipment category, including equipment that features artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality and 5G.

If you have a new Galaxy S24, this is where to get started

So you’ve got yourself a new Samsung phone and don’t know where to get started with it. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the best phones of the year, but whether you’re picking the Ultra or the Galaxy S24 or Galaxy S24 Plus, there’s a whole world of features wrapped up in this sophisticated bundle.

Samsung offers a massive amount of customization on its devices, some powered by Samsung’s One UI and some from the Android platform that it sits on. There are so many options you could spend forever digging through them. To get you started, here are five things that demand your attention right away.

Once you’ve set up your Samsung Galaxy S24 phone, this is what you should be paying attention to.

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Turn your power button into a power button

Press and hold the power button on your Samsung phone and it won’t turn the phone off. Instead, it’s set to launch Bixby. That’s right, Samsung’s obsolete voice assistant still lurks in your phone, while restarting your phone is more difficult than it needs to be.

Head into the Settings, then Advanced features where you’ll find the side button controls. Here you can change the press and hold option to the power off menu instead of triggering Bixby. You can also select what you want a double press to do, but I’d leave is as the camera, for quick access whenever you want to take a photo.

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Switch to gesture navigation – it’s not 2018

Samsung loves its three-button controls. It loves them so much, then even when all other Android brands had established a consistent order for those buttons, Samsung still did it backwards. By default your Galaxy S24 has those three button controls for navigation, which is shocking in this day and age. 

Android is now built around fluid gesture navigation, so switch your Samsung so you’re not left in the dark ages. Head into Settings and then Display controls and you’ll find the options for the navigation bar. Switch this to gestures and join the future.

Supercharge your lock screen

If you want to make the most of your lock screen, just tap on the clock that’s on it. That will spring open the widgets, loaded with information for you to glance it. It will include music, alarms, routines you have for the lock screen as well as the voice recorder, by default. But tap “settings” at the bottom and you can customize what’s shown.

That will give you the option of weather, your schedule, SmartThings (Samsung’s smart home app) and Digital Wellbeing, so you can glance at your screen time. You can choose what you are shown and what you aren’t, but it’s a great way to get quickly to information, and quickly access those features.

Get your Galaxy AI ducks in order

Galaxy AI is the headline feature for Samsung’s S24 family and you won’t be surprised to hear that you’ll need to sign into your Samsung account to access those features. For anything that involves the keyboard, you’ll have to use Samsung’s keyboard, while the photo features reside in Samsung’s Gallery app. For the calling feature, you’ll have to use Samsung’s Phone app.

So if you want to use the AI features, make sure you sign into your Samsung account. If you’re happy not to use them (you can use Google’s AI in Photos on a limited basis), then you have a little more freedom around your device. If you want to use Galaxy AI, you’ll have to use the Samsung app associated with those features.

Install Gboard for smoother typing

If you don’t think you need Galaxy AI in the keyboard (or don’t need it all the time), then Gboard is a much faster keyboard offering a better experience – and it’s a first-class swap to make. Just download Gboard from Google Play and it will walk you through the installation and making it the default keyboard.

However, in Settings, General management, Keyboard list and default, you’ll find all your keyboard controls. At the bottom of this list you’ll see the option for “keyboard button on navigation bar”. Make sure this is turned on and then you’ll have the option to instantly switch keyboards with a tap. That means you can write in Gboard, but instantly swap to Samsung Keyboard if you want to access Galaxy AI.

There’s another step, however. Once you’ve swapped back to Samsung Keyboard it becomes the default again, but there’s another hack. In Samsung Keyboard you’ll see the voice input button on the toolbar. Press and hold on this and you get the option for “input method”. Once you’ve selected that, you’ll be able to switch keyboards back and forth all you like.

So there you have it. Those are the five things I think you should do when you get a Samsung Galaxy S24.

Undoubtedly, Samsung is considered the biggest name in the Android world. If you are thinking of buying a new phone, it is, however coherent that you might consider buying Samsung’s best mobile . In addition, it can be easy to say that you purchase a Samsung Galaxy or Note series. However, Samsung has a potent lineup with various prices starting from as low as $200 to phones as high as $1,300. 

More so, Some of Samsung’s entry-level and mid-range lineups are similar in designs and specifications, making the selection process quite confusing, which is the primary purpose of this article. We have broken down some of the best budgets for Samsung phones from the mid-range, high-range, and even entry-level options.

Part 1: Best High-end Samsung Phones

In this section, we’ll give you Samsung top models that are High-end for you to choose from:

1.Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

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S22 Ultra is the most expensive Samsung phone and Samsung’s best camera phone. This is the best Samsung phone if you want to upgrade to a flagship with all the whistles and bells. Although the Galaxy S22 Ultra does not have ‘Note’ included in its name, we know that it is the best and the last of its kind. As of writing this article, the Galaxy S22 ultra is a beauty with an S Pen stylus, a Note-like shape, and a slot to house it.

Specification:

• Screen size: 6.8-inch
• Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
• RAM: 8GB / 12GB
• OS: Android 12
• Resolution: 1440 x 3088
• Dimensions: 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9mm
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200
• Weight: 228g
• Front camera: 40MP
• Rear camera: 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Release date: February 2022

Pros

• Spectacular Phone Display
• Great Battery life
• The best camera system in the market with great zooming capability.
• Built-in S Pen is faster
• The +Super display is very bright
• The +Cameras offer better performance in low light

Cons

• The internal volume is eaten and much weight.
• MicroSD slot is unavailable
• The battery life can be better
• It is costly
• The RAM is lesser than the previous model

2.Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

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Specifications

• Screen size: 6.8-inch
• Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
• RAM: 12GB / 16GB
• OS: Android 11
• Resolution: 1440 x 3200
• Front camera: 40MP
• Rear camera: 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP
• Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
• CPU: Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100
• Weight: 227g
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Release date: January 2021

Pros

• Exquisite design with IP68 rating for water and dust resistance
• Clear and Loud stereo speakers
• An excellent UI software having varieties of useful customizability and features
• Advanced connectivity features such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6E
• Long Battery life
• Four years of software updates are available
• Wireless and reverse wireless charging is available
• Best display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate

Cons

• Lots of notifications and ads in One UI application
• It is very expensive
• No headphone jack and microSD card slot

Part 2: Best Mid-range Samsung Phones

In this section, we’ll give you the best mid-range Samsung phone that is you can choose from:

1.Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

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The Galaxy S20 FE is onebest mid-priced Samsung phones available with a design like the Galaxy S20 but few differences. The bottom bezel underlining is thicker, and the display does not have those curved side edges. It has both the 4G and 5G versions, but the 5G is unavailable in some countries. 

Specification

• Screen Size: 6.50-inch
• Resolution: 1080 x 2400
• Processor: Samsung Exynos 990
• OS: Android 10
• Front Camera: 32MP
• Rear Camera: 12MP + 12MP + 8MP
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery: 4500mAh
• Release Date: 23rd September 2020

Pros

• The design is elegant and slim
• Performance is reliable
• Fluid and smooth120Hz display
• Software is excellent
• A stereo speaker is available

Cons

• It has a regressive 15W fast charging
• It comes with a plastic back

2.Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

This is one of the best mid-range Samsung phones available in the market. This version of Samsung Galaxy has a Snapdragon 750 5G chip and is equipped with a Super AMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and 5G connectivity.

Specification

• Body: 159.9×75.1×8.4mm
• Display: 6.50 inches
• Processor: Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 570).
• Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
• MicroSDXC: Shared SIM slot.
• OS/Software: Android 11, One UI 3.1.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 64 MP, 12 MP, 5 MP, 5 MP
• Front camera: 32 MP
• Battery: 4500mAh.
• Release Date: 2021, March 17

Pros

• The body is IP67-rated with a beautiful design.
• 120Hz refresh rate with Great AMOLED screen
• Battery life is Impressive.
• The stereo speaker is Balanced and loud enough.
• The camera experience is great for photos and videos.

Cons

• Priced is almost the same with flagship-grade chipsets
• Uninspiring GPU performance.

Part 3: Best Cheap Samsung Phones

In this section, we’ll give you Samsung affordable phones that are you can choose from:

1. Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

This is one of the best cheap Samsung phones targeted at people that do not have enough money to purchase the flagship device. It is the perfect buy to acquire a good-looking phone with an excellent design and 5G support.

Specifications

• Display: 6.5-inch Full HD+
• Processor: MediaTek MT6853
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64/128GB
• Cameras: 48, 8, 5, and 2MP
• Front camera: 13MP
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Software: Android 11
• Released date: 2021, January 22

Pros

• Beautiful design and impressive performance
• Gorilla Glass 5 is Durable
• Long battery life
• It is affordable
• Worth the price
• Software upgrade policy is excellent

Cons

• Display in low-resolution
• Mediocre speaker
• Easy scratch at the back panel

2. Samsung Galaxy A13

This is a Samsung low-budget phone and one of the best ways to get 5G phones for a lower price. However, an upgrade carried out on the device made it go low from its standard. Due to the changes, the ultrawide camera is gone but stuck with the macro camera around for a year. 

Specifications

• Display: 6.5-inch, HD+
• Processor: MediaTek
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB
• Cameras: 50, 2, and 2MP
• Front camera: 5MP
• Battery: 5,000mAh
• Software: Android 11
• Release Date: 2021, December 03

Pros

• Long battery life
• Worth the price
• Security update for four years

Cons

• Aside from the 90Hz refresh rate, the display is not nice
• Build quality is questionable
• Some of the rear cameras are not useful

Conclusion

This article broke down the best Samsung phones you can buy, starting from the highest to the smallest Samsung phone, depending on your budget.