Expert review of the Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24
- Thanks to Galaxy AI, this smartphone is very smart and user-friendly.
- The Samsung S24 is suitable for the most demanding apps and 3D games.
- With the 3 cameras on the back, you can take razor-sharp photos in all conditions.
- It charges more slowly than other smartphones from this price range.
- The screen isn't sharp enough for movies and 3D games.
First impression of the Samsung Galaxy S24
What stands out right away is the small size of the Samsung S24. This smartphone easily fits in my pocket. In addition, I can control the device with 1 hand. The S24 has a flat screen and the edges are straight. As a result, I can hold the device comfortably. I also notice that the Samsung S24 is much lighter than most other smartphones. There's no charger in the box, only a USB-C to USB-C cable. So you have to order a fast charger separately or use your own charger.
Galaxy AI make usage easier
The Samsung S24 is the first smartphone with Galaxy AI. In my opinion, this smart technology makes the S24 very user-friendly. With Circle to Search*, I can circle something on my screen. It doesn't matter which app I'm using. The S24 then uses that image as a search on Google. That way, I can see where I can buy the painting from my favorite coffee place in a matter of seconds. In addition, Galaxy AI summarizes my notes and long (news) articles for me. I don't like reading, so that's a win.
*Circle to Search is a collaboration between Samsung and Google.
Razor-sharp photos in different situations
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In night photos, you can see many colors and details like reflections in the water
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Night mode also works very well with the wide-angle lens
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The telephoto lens handles bright light well in night photos
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Photos in daylight are also sharp, of course
The Samsung S24 takes razor-sharp photos in all conditions. I can take sharp and colorful photos with all of these lenses, both in daylight and in the dark. I do notice that I have to keep the Samsung S24 still for a few seconds when I take a night photo. A small movement easily makes my photos less sharp. I'm impressed by the night photos where I had a steady hand. Despite the rain and fog, these photos are sharp, bright, and colorful.
Galaxy AI photo editing usually works well
Thanks to Galaxy AI, I can edit my photos in ways I couldn't before. I can remove objects from the background. Galaxy AI then fills in the gap in the photo itself. In most cases, I don't see that there was ever another object in that spot. With thinner objects like a plant with twigs, the S24 has more difficulty with this. This works well for people and larger objects.
Fast smartphone, screen not suitable for games
I notice that the Samsung S24 works very quickly. All apps open right away. Because I often switch between different apps, this is very nice. The S24 also has no problems with the most demanding apps and 3D games. The smartphone responds right away when I move, jump, or shoot in a 3D game. The screen shows a lot of details. But during 3D games and series, I do miss a higher resolution like that of the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra. This screen is good enough for social media and news apps.
Varying battery life, charging could be faster
The battery life depends a lot on my usage. On a working day, I only send an occasional message and the battery easily lasts until the end of the day. This isn't the case with more intensive use. For example, I lost 15% of battery when I took photos for half an hour. With a Samsung 25W charger, I can charge the device to about 50 to 60% within 30 minutes. Compared to many other smartphones in this price range, this isn't fast.
Conclusion
Looking for a fast, high-end smartphone you can easily control with 1 hand? The Samsung S24 is a suitable device for you. This smartphone is comfortable to hold, easily fits in your pocket, and takes razor-sharp photos. The new Galaxy AI function makes the Samsung S24 very user-friendly but it does occasionally make mistakes. The battery doesn't charge as fast than that of other smartphones, and the small screen doesn't show all details. This makes the S24 less suitable of you like watching videos or movies or often play 3D games.
