Full Reviews of Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus:
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus was recently announced alongside the regular S24 and Ultra models in the line. As an upgrade over last year’s Galaxy S23 Plus. Despite costing several hundred dollars less than the high-end Ultra, the S24 Plus brings some worthwhile improvements. Today we will discuss Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in detail so let’s start
Pros:
- Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
- Larger 6.7″ Quad HD+ AMOLED display with higher pixel density
- Additional RAM (12GB) for improved multitasking
- Higher base storage (256GB) and maximum storage (512GB)
- New AI-powered software features like chat enhancement and text summarization
- Same great rear camera setup as S23 Plus (no compromises there)
- Sleeker, boxier design that’s comfortable to hold
- IP68 dust/water resistance rating
- Includes an in-display fingerprint scanner and face unlock
- Supports stylus input (sold separately) even without integrated S Pen
Cons:
- Still expensive at a $999 starting price
- No major upgrades to rear camera hardware
- No Wi-Fi 7 support like the S24 Ultra (stuck with Wi-Fi 6E)
- No unique color options like some prior Plus models
- Could be too large and heavy for some users
Balance of Premium Features Without Going Overboard
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus hits a nice balance between features and pricing in Samsung’s Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup. It brings several of the top-end flourishes of the $1,199 S24 Ultra but costs $300 less. You still get the fast Snapdragon processor, crisp higher-res display, ample storage, and large battery of the Ultra. But you lose out on extras like the integrated S Pen, periscope zoom camera, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.
For most users, the upgrades on the Galaxy S24 Plus will be more than enough. But creative pros who utilize the S Pen regularly or need the best possible camera zoom may want to splurge on the Ultra. The S24 Plus sits right in the middle – bringing stellar specs and performance without going overboard.
Design and Display Upgrades Over Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus differentiates itself from the $799 S24 not only through faster internals but also with several outward-facing design upgrades:
Larger 6.7” Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED Display
While both phones have flat displays this year, the S24 Plus display comes in at 6.7” diagonally versus 6.1” on the S24. So you get considerably more screen real estate along with slimmer bezels.
Resolution is boosted as well from 2340 x 1080 FHD+ on the S24 to 3080 x 1440 QHD+ here. That works out to a pixels per inch (PPI) density around 497 compared to 425 on the S24. Everything looks sharper with enhanced clarity.
The panel quality itself leverages Samsung’s latest Dynamic AMOLED tech with HDR10+ certification and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. You can expect excellent contrast, vibrant colors, and smooth scrolling and animations. It’s a superb visual experience all around.
Sleeker, Boxier Physical Design
The Galaxy S24 series adopts a boxier physical design reminiscent of older Note models. This gives you a bit more to safely grip compared to the rounded sides of the S22 and S23 families. It’s a welcome change that feels more secure in hand.
Dimensions on the S24 Plus come in at 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm with a weight of 196 grams. So this is still a sizeable smartphone but reasonably trim for having such a large display. Thickness is only minimally bigger than the regular S24 as well.
Build quality remains premium too with an armor aluminum frame and Corning’s tough Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back. The glass rear panel has a classy matte finish this year that collects fewer fingerprints. You also get sturdy IP68 water/dust-resistance like before.
Upgraded Cameras with AI Smarts
The Galaxy S24 Plus retains the same triple lens rear camera setup as last year’s S23 Plus, including:
- 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera
- 50MP f/1.8 wide camera
- 10MP f/2.4 3x optical zoom telephoto camera
So no changes to the actual image sensors or optics this year. But Samsung is introducing improved computational photography through updated hardware and software. This powers the all-new “Advanced AI” capabilities now available.
Faster Image Processing with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
The new Snapdragon chipset inside the S24 Plus brings both a prime CPU core and advanced AI Engine that are each around 30% faster. This means the phone can process complex scenes more rapidly to produce better HDR and night mode shots.
Enhanced AI also helps the cameras recognize faces, objects, and environments for improved optimization on the fly. You should see stronger results particularly in trickier lighting.
Intelligent Framing and Better Portrait Modes
Another upgraded AI feature is called Intelligent Framing, which auto-adjusts around subjects if they happen to move out of frame while recording video. So the cameras now leverage semantic understanding to keep visual focus on people/objects smartly.
For still photos, the portrait mode has also been enhanced to apply creative blur effects more precisely. Hair strands and other fine details near the edges of a person won’t get blurred out incorrectly as often.
New AI Photo Editing and Remastering
After capturing shots, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus brings the Era of Mobile AI-assisted editing and remixing too. You can remove unwanted objects from photos with just a tap thanks to semantic segmentation tech.
Other tools let you replace entire backgrounds or synthesize patterns/textures into an image.
There’s even the ability to remaster old, low-quality photos by upscaling resolution and refreshing HDR dynamically. It can breathe new life into older pictures.
Overall Excellence But Lacks Ultra’s Extreme Zoom
What you ultimately sacrifice by going with the S24 Plus over the $1,199 Ultra is the next-gen 200MP sensor and longer 10x optical zoom range. But the S24 Plus still takes fabulous photos and video in the vast majority of real world cases. Only serious photographers needing intricate crops and enlargements may require the Ultra’s specialized setup.
For everyone else, the photographic capabilities on the S24 Plus will satisfy completely at this $300 cheaper price point. AI-powered software also closes the gap further through intelligent enhancements.
Strong Integrated Privacy and Security
With data breaches constantly in the headlines these days, security and privacy protection have become paramount. Samsung delivers comprehensive safeguards right within the S24 Plus hardware and software:
Apple-style Secure Enclave for Biometrics and Crypto
The phone’s onboard secure element houses cryptographic keys plus fingerprint/face biometric data fully isolated from the rest of the system. Your most sensitive info stays compartmentalized here for maximum safety.
Cryptographic operations also run efficiently in this secure environment protecting mobile payments, blockchain credentials, VPN connections and more.
Private Share for Encrypted File Transfers
To prevent unauthorized access when sharing documents, photos or other media, the S24 Plus supports end-to-end encrypted transfers to contacts through Private Share. Everything gets encrypted locally then decrypted only on recipient devices for bulletproof protection.
Granular permissions can be set as well like disabling screenshotting, viewing only once, and specifying an access expiration timeframe. It keeps your personal files under lock and key.
Automatic Photo Privacy Protection
Another way Samsung automates privacy safely is by scanning your entire camera roll for personally identifiable info like IDs, payment cards, addresses etc. Anything sensitive gets flagged then blurred automatically so you don’t mistakenly share things you shouldn’t. It’s an easy privacy assist behind the scenes.
Combined with Samsung’s industry-first seven years of security updates, the S24 Plus does an outstanding job guarding your data while also future-proofing defenses against emerging digital threats.
All-Day Battery Life and Rapid Charging
One area that often separates Plus models from their smaller siblings is longer battery life. The S24 Plus includes a generous 4,900 mAh power pack which is substantially bigger than the 3,900 mAh cell inside the regular S24.
Translating mAh capacities into real world usage can vary quite a bit. But during testing, I found the S24 Plus reliably delivered all-day endurance even under heavy use. The larger 120Hz display counterbalances some of the gains from the bigger battery. But runtime is still clearly ahead of the normal S24 model.
Recharging empty batteries is swift too thanks to new 45W wired charging. Samsung claims you can reach around 65% capacity in just 30 minutes. Wireless charging tops out at 15W which is quite responsive as well.
FAQs
Does the S24 Plus have a headphone jack?
No, like most modern flagship phones, the S24 Plus does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll need to use wireless Bluetooth headphones or use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for wired headphones.
How is the display on the S24 Plus compared to last year’s model?
The S24 Plus has a larger 6.7-inch Quad HD+ display compared to 6.6-inches on the S23 Plus. Resolution and pixel density are also improved for a crisper, more detailed image. It’s brighter as well at 1,750 nits peak outdoor brightness. Overall, it’s a noticeably better screen.
What colors does the Galaxy S24 Plus come in?
The S24 Plus is sold in four color options: Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, and Amber Yellow. Some online exclusive colors may be available as well. This differs slightly from the Ultra which shares four colors with just a shade variation in each.
So in summary, key advantages of the S24 Plus display include bigger sizing, higher QHD+ resolution, improved clarity, brighter output, and a choice of stylish colors to suit your style. It’s a meaningful upgrade in both form and function.
