Released earlier this year, the S24 Ultra continues to impress with its balance of cutting-edge tech and refined design. Unlike the Samsung Z Fold 6, which I’ve previously described as a device where refinement meets complacency — a lazy, iterative design from a company that once revolutionised the foldable category — the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a different story. It isn’t trying to redefine a new category of device, nor does it need to. The S24 Ultra stands as the pinnacle of what a candybar-style smartphone can be. In terms of hardware, it’s as close to perfect as any company could hope to make, representing peak Samsung in all the best ways.
Design: Minimalism Refined
There’s a certain confidence to the S24 Ultra’s design, a sense that Samsung knows exactly what it’s doing at this point. The phone feels substantial but not cumbersome, and though the aesthetics haven’t drastically changed from its predecessor, that’s hardly a bad thing. The slightly curved edges feel luxurious, the matte finish resists fingerprints, and the clean lines create a device that’s both professional and modern.
What I appreciate most is that this isn’t a design trying to impress with gimmicks; instead, it’s about refinement. Every curve, every material choice feels deliberate, a testament to Samsung’s understanding of what makes a phone feel premium. In a South African context, where durability and longevity are essential, the IP68 water and dust resistance is a welcome addition. Whether you’re navigating Cape Town’s rainy streets or dealing with the dusty roads of the Karoo, the S24 Ultra feels resilient enough to handle it all.
Display: Still Untouchable
Samsung’s displays have long set the standard, and the 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen on the S24 Ultra continues that tradition. With a 1440p resolution and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, the display remains a joy to use. What sets this screen apart, especially in South Africa, is the sheer brightness—peaking at 2,500 nits, is that it easily combats the harsh African sunlight.
This is the kind of screen you want for everything — whether it’s reading under direct sunlight, gaming late into the night, or binge-watching your favourite shows. Sure, the brightness can be a battery hog, but the trade-off is worth it. Every pixel feels alive, offering colors and contrast that very few competitors can match.
Performance: Power at Every Turn
Samsung packed the Galaxy S24 Ultra with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and it shows. Whether you’re scrolling through multiple apps, editing videos on the fly, or streaming high-quality content, the phone doesn’t even break a sweat. In South Africa, where 5G adoption is still growing but 4G remains the norm for most, the phone feels future-proof. It handles network transitions seamlessly, keeping speeds blazing fast, especially when you’re connected to the growing 5G networks in major cities.
Where the phone truly shines, though, is in handling intensive tasks. I tested it with everything from gaming to photo editing, and it never stumbled. This is a device made for power users, for people who expect their phone to keep up with every demand they throw at it.
Camera: A Photographer’s Dream
Samsung’s been leading the smartphone camera race for a while now, and the S24 Ultra extends that lead, however, Chinese brands are catching up quickly and are eager to take the top spot. The S24 Ultra’s 200MP main sensor continues to capture stunning detail, regardless of lighting conditions, however, not many people will notice the difference between the 200MP sensor and the 108MP sensor from devices past.
The zoom capabilities remain a highlight. With 10x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom, the S24 Ultra can capture distant subjects with surprising clarity. Samsung’s AI enhancements work well here, reducing noise and maintaining detail even when you’re pushing the zoom to its limits.
The only real hiccup is with night mode, which, while vastly improved, can still introduce some noise or over-processing in very dark settings. It’s a minor issue, but one that becomes apparent if you’re shooting a lot after sunset.
Battery Life: The Necessary Compromise
With a 5,000mAh battery, the S24 Ultra can last a full day of moderate use without issue. However, heavy use — especially if you’re running the screen at full brightness or spending a lot of time on 5G — will see the battery drain faster than you’d like. Loadshedding in South Africa makes battery life an even more critical factor, and while the S24 Ultra doesn’t necessarily set new standards in longevity, its 45W fast charging speed certainly helps. You can get several hours of usage from just a short charge, making it easier to stay powered throughout unpredictable power cuts.
Long-Term Value: Built to Last
After months of use, it’s clear that Samsung has delivered a phone built to last. The Gorilla Glass Victus 3 covering the front and back has withstood drops and scratches, and the overall build remains as solid as it was on day one. Regular software updates, including security patches, ensure that the S24 Ultra will stay relevant for years, which is critical in South Africa, where premium devices are a significant investment.
Samsung’s commitment to software support, with seven years of Android updates, means the S24 Ultra is future-proofed in ways that most Android devices simply aren’t.
Verdict: A Device to Define 2024
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is peak candybar-style smartphone design. It doesn’t introduce radical new features, but that’s not its mission. It refines and perfects what Samsung already does better than anyone else. It’s a device built for power users, for photographers, for anyone who demands the best from their smartphone.
While the Z Fold 6 feels like a case of diminishing returns — where refinement veers into complacency — the S24 Ultra is the opposite. It’s a phone that doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel because it’s already perfected it. This is peak Samsung, and if you’re in the market for one of the best smartphones of 2024, look no further.
