We’ve had our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S24+ review units for quite a while now. And while we think that Samsung AI is the headline feature of the Galaxy S24 series, the hardware of the Ultra and Plus models has impressed us equally. Both devices received a rare five stars out of five from TechStomper, so we’re comparing Galaxy 24 Ultra and Galaxy 24+ to help decide which device is for you.
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In terms of visual and build quality, innovation, and bang for your buck, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ are both worthy investments. And this makes picking the right model a trickier proposition than usual.
So, here is TechStomper’s comparison of the two best smartphones to cross our desk so far in 2024.
Galaxy S24 Series Visual Design
Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and S24 Plus feature a ‘friendly box’ overall design. On both devices, a flat front and rear feature an abrupt interface with a brushed metal frame.
This aluminium frame of Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus features four rounded corners at each edge but are otherwise straight. Our Marble Grey review model features a pale grey frosted glass rear that is punctuated only for three large, matching lenses, and a solitary Samsung logo etched in gloss.
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Our Marble Grey review Samsung Galaxy S24+ is a gorgeous device. The sparse and minimal detail is inherently elegant, while the meeting of pale grey, brushed silver and the screen present a pleasant visual balance to the device.
Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wears a macro design iterates on the 2023 model. The boxy design offers straight edges and neat lines along the top, bottom, front and back. Like S23 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has rounded edges along the sides.
The brushed titanium frame meets the huge display and the frosted glass rear with a pleasing tight interface. The machining and attention to detail on how the materials meet are incredible to behold.
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Our Titanium Grey review model Galaxy S24 Ultra is muted, but far from boring. The rear frosted glass matches the surrounding metal body, with the aforementioned tight machining framing the backpiece beautifully.
Flagship Power
Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Plus boast the Exynos 2400 chipset in Europe and in its home markets. The chipset is a beast, and will effortlessly handle any non-AI task or application you might use.
The two phones also showcases incredibly smooth UI and menu transitions, along with other visual effects, as part of the One UI 6.1, which is based on Android 14, maintaining flawless performance throughout. Samsung has also introduced their AI platform, and the chipset is responsible for a great deal of the advanced processing on the device.
Handling the most intensive AAA 3D games is a breeze for both devices. The chipset also allows you to prioritise gaming, allocating all necessary resources and bandwidth to ensure fluid and uninterrupted gameplay.
Premium Build Quality
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ both boasts impeccable build quality. The devices boast precise engineering, substantial feel, and high-quality materials that offer a satisfying tactile experience.
Galaxy S24 Plus is slim at less than 8mm thick, but thanks to its form factor, brushed aluminium frame, and lightly frosted rear, it is easy to hold and manipulate in one hand. The slimline frame and 197-gram weight giving it a reassuring density.
The slim bezels and gently curved edges around Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 6.8-inch display enhance one-handed usability, despite the large screen size.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its lightly frosted rear glass and titanium frame, is designed for ease of handling. Despite its large screen, the device remains comfortable and manageable, even for adults with smaller hands.
Weighing 233 grams, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is slightly heavier compared to other devices with similarly large displays.
Zoom Zoom
Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ features ProVisual Engine, a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools that can be used to set up the perfect shot, then edit post capture.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus houses three lenses – a 50MP wide, a 10MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide.
Galaxy S24 Plus boasts a 3x optical zoom lens for capturing highly detailed shots from a moderate distance. The AI can use the 3x optical zoom along with the 50MP main sensor to produce outstanding hybrid zoom images up to 10x zoom.
Meanwhile, Samung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts four lenses, with the primary ones being a 200-megapixel wide and a 110-megapixel telephoto pair. Combined, they capture stunning detail with a huge dynamic range in all lighting situations
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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 50MP 5x optical zoom lens that delivers robust imaging performance, although it doesn’t quite match the excellence of the primary lenses.
Additionally, the device employs a 110MP 3x zoom lens and a 50MP 5x optical zoom lens, combined with sophisticated AI imaging, to achieve highly detailed captures up to 10x hybrid zoom and beyond.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series AI Editing
Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ feature an Edit Suggestion that suggests suitable tweaks for each photo. By enabling Samsung Galaxy AI Generative Edit in settings, you can fill in parts of an image background using the tech.
AI can autonomously fill in the borders of crooked shots, suggest adjustments in tone or white balance, or centre shots on the intended subject.
Samsung’s AI can also ‘Remaster’ any image in the Gallery, clearing up noise and recreating details lost in lower-resolution images. More advanced features even allow for repositioning objects or subjects within the image.
AI also has the capability to enhance videos. One notable feature is Instant Slow-Mo, which generates additional frames to slow down rapid movements in scenes. While Instant Slow-Mo performs best in well-lit settings with the subject close to the camera, it can still yield impressive outcomes from nearly any video you have in your Gallery.
It’s important to mention that whenever a Galaxy S24 series device uses generative AI to modify an image, a watermark is added to both the image and its metadata. This serves as a permanent indication that the image has been digitally altered.
AI Translation on Device
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ offers two real-time translation services: Live Translate for phone use and Interpreter for in-person communication. Prior to translation, users must download the appropriate language pack for any of the 13 supported languages.
In exchange for downloading a 400MB language pack, both services offer AI-powered translations on the device itself. This approach is more secure and private than transmitting data to the cloud for translation.
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This also means you can get the full translation services with no WiFi or mobile data. Cloud-powered AI is something that created some confusion and disappointment when Google introduced AI on their Google Pixel 8 series of devices.
Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+’s ability to limit AI processing to the device itself avoids those conversations, but also shows how powerful S24 series devices are in terms of NLP. It should be noted that the AI might default to using the cloud for data processing. To limit this to ‘device only’, you will need to adjust the settings in the AI Assistant section of your phone’s menu.
Samsung AI offers two-way, real-time voice translation for phone calls through Live Translate, accessible in the Call Assist menu. It performs admirably on both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+, maintaining pace even on a less-than-ideal connection.
Text Translator
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ both offer Live Translate for text. This works on messages, documents, or webpages. And the feature works nearly flawlessly for brief exchanges or straightforward ideas on both devices.
The Samsung AI Interpreter offers a split-screen translation of spoken words, enabling individuals facing each other to read the text transcription of the conversation.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ both feature an AI voice that can read the translations aloud. It’s worth noting, however, that reading the translation is usually faster than listening to it.
The screen can be inverted on one side, facilitating face-to-face communication. This is a lovely touch, common to both devices.
Samsung AI currently offers 13 languages, with a total of 18 including global variants. Mexican, American and Castilian Spanish are supported, for example.
Samsung Keyboard Assistant
Chat Assist can be used with Samsung Keyboard across numerous apps on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ to perfect conversational tones and produce notes within various conversations.
Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ do a great job at making sure the messages are in the correct tone, as well as strong-arming your punctuation and spelling.
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The notes are well-structured, capturing the essential details in their summaries. The language may be concise and context-dependent, yet it consistently highlights the critical points.
Samsung Keyboard’s translation AI is capable of translating messages, emails, and more in real-time across 13 languages. Its performance is comparable to that of the Interpreter and Live Translate features. While simple messages are translated with near perfection, more complex and lengthy sentences may result in less smooth translations.
Samsung Secretary
One of the low-key game changers in Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus devices is Text Call. An AI voice of your choosing answers the call and informs the caller that they’ll be speaking to you via a Text-to-Speech convertor. Your caller’s speech is converted to text for you to read, then you can reply via text, which is read to your caller by the AI voice.
Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ feature Notes Assist, a robust feature for creating AI-generated summaries. The standalone notes may be concise and context-specific, similar to the Samsung Keyboard feature, but you can also incorporate templates to standardise the style and the type of information desired. Your notes are accessible in text form or through an audio readout.
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Summaries can be generated from various text formats, as well as webpages through the Samsung Internet app.
Going Full Circle
Google’s ‘Circle to Search’ is available natively on both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+. With a long press on the home button, you can circle, highlight, scribble on, or tap anything on your Galaxy’s screen to find out more, or buy whatever you are aiming at.
Circle to Search is impressively implemented on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Plus. The feature is amarvel of object recognition and a parlour trick that will excite your friends. Circle to Search also proves its mettle while on holidays or while window shopping.
Next-Gen AMOLED
Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ feature Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, with maximum brightnesses of 2,600nits. Both devices sport 1440p resolutions at aspect ratios of 19.5:9. The displays of both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ feature an anti-glare coating that, when combined with the searing brightness, makes Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra more than usable, even in direct sunlight.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7″ display that offers a higher dots-per-inch, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra gives you a larger area to view your documents, and videos. The extra real estate of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra also gives more room to get the best from the enhanced functionality of the S-Pen stylus.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra versus Galaxy S24+ Stamina and Charging
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a slightly larger battery than Galaxy S24+. Galaxy S24 Ultra squeezes a 5,000mAh power unit inside while Galaxy S24+ comes with a 4,900mAh battery.
This is offset by the larger display on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and both devices have similar run times. For a moderate user, like myself, both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ could make it to bed-time on day two before needing a charge.
On days when the devices were being run hard, both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ had the endurance to last the workday. For power users, Galaxy S24 series’ workday stamina will prove invaluable.
Both devices use the PD3.0 standard with wired speeds of up to 45W with compatible chargers. It’s worth noting that neither device come with charger, so that PD3.0 compatibility will come in handy. Both Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ charge from 0% to 100% in around 65 to 70 minutes, with a 0-65% charge in around 30 minutes.
Pricing
Priced from €1,159 SIM-free from Samsung, Galaxy S24 Plus represents excellent value, given the hardware and how its AI companion is so competently embedded in its daily life. Galaxy S24+ is aimed at those who want a larger screen than Galaxy S24, but would prefer to drive a harder bargain than the Ultra model.
It’s worth noting that Samsung Galaxy S24+ runs the same powerful chipset as Ultra. Galaxy S24+ also has the same RAM, and (almost) all of the AI functionality of its bigger sibling. The middle sibling offers a great deal of the more expensive device’s charms for a more affordable price.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra versus Galaxy S24+ Plus Specifications
| Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | |
| Chipset: | Samsung Exynos 2400 (reviewed) CPU – 10-core: 1×3.2GHz Cortex-X4, 2×2.9GHz Cortex-A720, 3×2.6GHz Cortex-A720, 4×1.95GHz Cortex-A520 GPU – Xclipse 940 (reviewed) | Samsung Exynos 2400 (reviewed) CPU – 10-core: 1×3.2GHz Cortex-X4, 2×2.9GHz Cortex-A720, 3×2.6GHz Cortex-A720, 4×1.95GHz Cortex-A520 GPU – Xclipse 940 (reviewed) |
| RAM: | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage: | 256GB (reviewed), 512GB | 256GB (reviewed), 512GB, 1TB |
| Display: | 6.7″, 1,440 x 3,120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ | 6.8″, 1,440 x 3,120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Camera: | – 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS – 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94″, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom – 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″ Video: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, HDR10+, Super Steady video, gyro-EIS | – 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS – 110 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom – 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom – 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video Video: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, HDR10+, Super Steady video, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie Cam: | Photo: 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR10+, Dual Video | Photo: 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR10+, Dual Video |
| OS: | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Battery: | Li-Po 4,900 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Charging: | – 45W wired, PD3.0, 0-65% in c. 30 mins. – 15W wireless | – 45W wired, PD3.0, 0-65% in c. 30 mins. – 15W wireless |
| Connectivity: | – Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e – Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE | – Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 – Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions: | 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm |
| Weight: | 197 grams | 233 g |
| Colours: | Marble Grey, Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue and Onyx Black | Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange |
Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra Pricing and Availability
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is available SIM-free in Ireland from €1,159 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB ROM model. Galaxy S24+ is available in the US from €999 sim-free and in the UK from £999 sim-free.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is available SIM-free in Ireland from €1,469. And Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in the US from US from $1,299 sim-free and in the UK from £1,349 sim-free.
