5 Biggest Upgrades Of The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
An In-depth Review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 specifications
The much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup is just around the corner. There's already a plethora of information about the potential upgrades that the lastest Samsung flagship model, the S24 Ultra, is likely to boast. Among the notable changes expected, five are particularly striking. Let's check them further below.
1. A Shift in the Optical Zoom Range
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to change its optical zoom range significantly. Instead of upgrading from the consistent 10x zoom offered since the S21 Ultra, it's anticipated to 'downgrade' to a 5x module. While this may seem like a step back, the new module aims to address issues such as low-light performance and portrait shots that were not as effective with the 10x zoom.
The new 5x zoom module will be paired with an upgraded 50-megapixel sensor, potentially improving image quality despite the decreased zoom range. This move mirrors devices like the Pixel 8 Pro which demonstrates commendable low-light performance and portrait mode capabilities with a similar setup. The shift to a 5x 50-megapixel module will also enable a 5x portrait mode and significantly improve low-light performance.
Although this means some detail might be lost at longer ranges like 25x or higher, the trade-off could be worth it for many users who will likely appreciate features like better night mode and 5x portrait mode. Ultimately, while the zoom range may not be as extensive as its predecessor, the changes in the S24 Ultra could lead to a more versatile camera system.
2. Shine Brighter with a Massive Brightness Boost
Continuing our deep dive into the highly anticipated upgrades of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, brightness is the second major change that has caught our attention. And not just any minor tweak. We're talking about a substantial increase that will make your viewing experience even more enjoyable.
According to Ice Universe, a renowned industry insider, the S24 Ultra will boast a whopping peak brightness of up to 2500 nits. This marks a 42% increase from the S23 Ultra's 1750 nits of peak brightness. But here's the best part: this impressive brightness level isn't exclusive to the Ultra variant. The standard S24 and the S24 Plus are also expected to achieve this incredible peak brightness.
Now, if you're wondering what peak brightness means, it's essentially the maximum brightness a display can achieve when displaying High Dynamic Range (HDR) content. This doesn't necessarily translate to outdoor brightness, which is typically lower.Take the S23 Ultra, for instance. Its peak brightness was 750 nits in HDR, but its outdoor brightness was only around 1200 nits.
So, what does this mean for outdoor brightness? With the S24 Ultra boasting a peak brightness of 2500 nits, we can also expect a much higher outdoor brightness, likely around 2000 nits. This would put it on par with Apple's offerings. However, knowing Samsung's penchant for pushing the boundaries, it wouldn't be surprising if they decide to take it even further, maybe around 2200 nits or so. Surprisingly, while Apple tends to dim its 2000-nit display after about four minutes, Samsung currently doesn't do that. So, the S24 Ultra may be able to sustain its high brightness for more extended periods than Apple devices can.
3. A Leap Forward with the Snapdragon Chip
We expect the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to progress significantly in its processor department. Following the S23 lineup's successful use of the Snapdragon chip across all markets, we anticipate the S24 Ultra to feature the same chipset. This decision led to improved battery life and overall performance in the previous model, despite some internal controversy over the Snapdragon's superior GPU performance compared to Samsung's in-house Exynos chips.
However, rumors suggest a potential return to Exynos chips with the Exynos 2400 for the S24 lineup. While some users might worry about a repeat of overheating issues, weaker performance, and reduced battery life compared to the Snapdragon Agent 3, leaked benchmarks suggest that the Exynos 2400 performs very close to the Agent 3's level. The performance gap is closer than ever before, and further improvements could be seen in the final product.
Interestingly, GPU benchmarks showed the Exynos 2400 performing faster in OpenCL benchmarks, while the Snapdragon Agent 3 was quicker in Vulkan benchmarks. This suggests a competitive edge for both chipsets in different areas. Finally, a leaker suggests that only the S24 and S24 Plus will feature the Exynos, while the S24 Ultra will continue with the Snapdragon chip. If true, this news will likely please power users seeking that extra performance boost from the Snapdragon Agent 3 chip.
4. Design Tweaks and Titanium Frame
While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will bring major upgrades in camera, processor, and display, it's also worth noting the design changes this flagship model is rumored to feature. These tweaks seem minor but could significantly impact the overall user experience.Firstly, the S24 and S24 Plus are expected to feature a flat frame design. This design is quite similar to the iPhone 12, 13, and 14 series, marking a departure from the more rounded frame of the S23 models. This change could provide more grip but may also impact comfort. However, when it comes to the S24 Ultra, the frame will reportedly remain rounded. What's different this time is the material used. It will be made out of titanium, akin to Apple's frame on the iPhone 15 Pros. Although this switch to titanium reduces the weight by only 1g, the real purpose is to add durability and keep pace with Apple's offerings.
Another design change on the S24 Ultra lies in the display itself. The smartphone might feature a flat display, a significant departure from the curved displays we've seen on previous Ultra models. Over the past few years, Samsung has been making their Ultra displays less and less curved, so it was only a matter of time before we saw a flat display. Although the side bezels still have a slight curve, the display is flat. This might be a bit disappointing for those who loved the curved displays on the S7 Edge or the Note 10 Plus. However, with a flat display, the bezels look more uniform, which is a win in aesthetics.
In addition, the S24 Ultra is also getting some tweaks in its dimensions. It's reportedly getting shorter by about 1.1mm, wider by about 0.9mm, and thinner by 0.3mm. The increased width might raise concerns about comfort, given that the S23 Ultra was already quite wide. The standard S24 is said to feature a larger 6.2-inch display compared to the S23's 6.1 inches, making it taller by 0.7mm. The S24 Plus, on the other hand, gets a 6.7-inch display (up from 6.6 inches), making it taller by 0.7mm, narrower by 0.3mm, and thinner by 0.1mm.
5. New Color Options
Finally, we can expect some new color options for the S24 series. According to a reliable tipster, these would be black, gray, violet, and yellow for all models. There might also be online exclusive colors like orange, light blue, and green.
CONCLUSION
Samsung is pulling out all the stops with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. With many upgrades and improvements, it promises to redefine smartphone experiences. With just a few months left until the S24 series launch, we're excited to see how these updates will translate into real-world usage.