The era of the AI smartphone has officially begun.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has ushered in the AI era with its Galaxy S24 series. This lineup, including the S24, S24+, and the flagship S24 Ultra we’re reviewing, features Galaxy AI, Samsung’s new on-device generative AI tool. The phones are now available for purchase in the UAE, starting this Wednesday.

Amid a global slowdown in smartphone sales and Samsung losing its top spot to Apple, this innovation could be just what the market needs to rekindle interest.

While The National has already covered the device’s specifications and pricing, it’s time to see how the Samsung Galaxy 24 Ultra performs in real-world use.

Design: What’s New with the Samsung Galaxy 24 Ultra?

Not much has changed in terms of design. Samsung has maintained a consistent look for three years, helping the device stand out with its unique identity.

SPECIFICATIONS: SAMSUNG GALAXY S24 ULTRA

• Display: 6.8″ quad-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120 x 1440, 505ppi, HDR10+, 120Hz
• Processor: 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 64-bit octa-core
• Memory: 12GB RAM
• Storage: 256/512GB / 1TB
• Platform: Android 14, One UI 6.1
• Main Camera: Quad setup with 200MP wide f/1.7, 50MP periscope telephoto f/3.4 (5x optical/10x optical zoom), 10MP telephoto f/2.4 (3x optical zoom), 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2; 100x Space Zoom; auto HDR, expert RAW
• Video: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, Full-HD@30/60/240fps, Full-HD super slo-mo@960fps
• Front Camera: 12MP f/2.2
• Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare
• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
• I/O: USB-C; built-in Galaxy S Pen
• Durability: IP68, water-resistant up to 1.5m for 30 minutes; dust-resistant
• SIM: Nano + nano/nano + eSIM / dual eSIM (varies by market)
• Colors: Titanium black, titanium grey, titanium violet, titanium yellow
• In the Box: Galaxy S24 Ultra, USB-C-to-C cable
• Price: Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,599 for 512GB, Dh6,599 for 1TB

The Galaxy S24 Ultra retains its 6.8-inch display and the convenient S Pen slot. A significant update is the new titanium frame, which is more durable and slightly lighter than the aluminum frame of its predecessor. The bezels are thinner, and the display is less curved, enhancing its already sleek appearance.

Performance: Faster and More Efficient

The S24 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3 chip, which delivers up to a 40% increase in performance and a 25% boost in graphics processing. This ensures smooth operation and efficient performance. The device also features an enlarged vapor chamber for better heat management, and it performed admirably in gaming tests like Call of Duty Mobile, balancing graphics and battery life effectively.

Introducing Galaxy AI

Samsung’s Galaxy AI is a standout feature of the S24 series. It leverages the Gauss machine learning platform to offer on-device generative AI capabilities. Key features include:

• Live Translation: Real-time translations in 13 languages (initially).
• Interpreter Mode: Offline conversation translation.
• Chat Assist: Optimizes conversational tones.
• Notes Assist: Creates templates.
• Transcript Assist: Transcribes, summarizes, and translates voice recordings.

During driving, Android Auto summarizes messages and can provide arrival estimates.

Unique Features:

• Circle to Search: Allows users to search for information by drawing a circle around an image. For example, you can circle a pair of shoes in a photo to find more details about them.
• Photo Manipulation: Galaxy AI enables advanced photo edits like repositioning people or removing obstructions. While it performs well, some improvements are still needed, such as better shadow integration and content generation.

Final Thoughts on Galaxy AI

The AI features are highly practical, especially for productivity and overcoming language barriers. The on-device functionality ensures user privacy and security, eliminating the need for third-party apps.

Camera: Less Can Be More

The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera setup includes a 200MP main sensor, along with 50MP and 10MP telephoto lenses, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The front camera remains at 12MP, continuing the trend of powerful imaging capabilities.