I used the Galaxy S24 Ultra for a month, and there’s a problem

I get to make use of a number of telephones over the course of a 12 months, and once I’m carried out with the evaluate cycle, I transfer my SIM into the units I like essentially the most. Previously, that was restricted to OnePlus or Google; OxygenOS delivered the whole lot I needed in an Android interface, and though the cameras weren’t the very best, the fluidity of the software program and the customizability meant I inevitably went again to a OnePlus telephone.

Equally, Pixels had their shortcomings — principally across the {hardware} — however Google’s distinctive software program options mixed with excellent cameras made utilizing a Pixel a delight. Lately, I discovered myself utilizing Samsung telephones increasingly more; I referred to as the Galaxy S23 Extremely considered one of my favourite telephones final 12 months, and I used that system for over three months at a stretch.

So once I bought my arms on the Galaxy S24 Extremely, I assumed it could be simply as thrilling to make use of as its predecessor — however I used to be incorrect. The telephone turned out to be an excessive amount of just like the Galaxy S23 Extremely; though it has a titanium chassis, it’s the identical weight, and that instantly took the sheen off the system. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Professional Max is 19g lighter than its predecessor, and the distinction is immediately noticeable — it’s considerably simpler to carry and use, and I assumed Samsung would have related positive factors on supply. 

In reality, I did not discover any main variations between the Galaxy S24 Extremely and its predecessor in every day use. I examined sufficient telephones to know that we’re previous the purpose the place we get generational positive factors year-on-year, however even by the standard iterative replace cycle, the Galaxy S24 Extremely does not push the needle in a significant approach.

Apart from a brighter AMOLED panel and up to date inside {hardware}, Samsung did not make any tangible adjustments. The cameras are the identical as final 12 months, however to its credit score, Samsung tweaked the algorithms to ship higher pictures, and that is clearly evident in low-light conditions and when utilizing the telephoto lenses.

However even then, the Galaxy S24 Extremely is not the very best digital camera telephone you should purchase as we speak — removed from it. In reality, going from Honor’s Magic 6 Professional to the Galaxy S24 Extremely felt like a downgrade. This 12 months’s flagships have raised the bar considerably, with Chinese language manufacturers specifically delivering stellar cameras throughout the board.

The Xiaomi 14 Extremely, Honor Magic 6 Professional, OPPO Discover X7 Extremely, and Vivo X100 Professional all have higher digital camera packages than the Galaxy S24 Extremely, they usually ship versatile lenses that take magnificent pictures and movies in nearly any scenario. Samsung, in the meantime, positioned AI as the important thing differentiator with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, and as somebody who’s ambivalent about generative AI, I simply did not care about all the brand new additions.

I needed Samsung to roll out thrilling upgrades over the Galaxy S23 Extremely, however the model as an alternative selected to play it secure and delivered a telephone that does not stand out in any significant approach. It is no surprise, then, that I made a decision to change to the Xiaomi 14 Extremely as quickly because it confirmed up.

Whereas different manufacturers push the boundaries of digital camera tech yearly, Samsung coasts alongside and stays related due to its distinctive market positioning. Samsung is the largest Android producer by a substantial margin, and the Galaxy S24 Extremely is the one flagship alternative in North America apart from the Pixel 8 Professional.

Samsung’s largest Chinese language rivals do not have a foothold within the U.S., so the model does not want to fret about its dominance within the area. That scenario is not prone to change anytime quickly, and subsequently, Samsung actually does not must innovate or ship greater than the naked minimal of upgrades.

The Galaxy S24 Extremely is not a foul telephone by any measure; it simply does not supply any materials upgrades over its predecessor, and that finally makes it boring. As somebody who makes use of over 75 telephones a 12 months, I get to be extremely choosy in regards to the units I select as my every day driver. And in 2024, the Galaxy S24 Extremely simply does not measure up. It’s a nice alternative in case you’re on an older system and need to improve — it is not the telephone for me.