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We tech YouTubers are really labouring the point with the S24 Ultra, aren’t we?
Let me reveal why.
There are two reasons, actually, and neither should come as a surprise. Firstly, for whatever reason, flagship Samsung smartphones always draw in a crowd – particularly the ’S’ series. As content creators, we need views to build profitable businesses and to continue making free content – the S24 Ultra is what I’d call a ‘content monster’.
Secondly, the content we create about the S24 Ultra – whether it be a simple review of the device alone or a comparison with a competing product – always sets the comments section on fire. Fights between iOS and Android gangs break out, the creator is challenged relentlessly about their opinions, and it all gets a bit ugly.
Content platforms love ugly comment sections – it’s what drives views and dwell time, and it keeps people coming back for more. Put simply, everyone wins – including those who seem to extract a form of masochistic pleasure from arguing about a mobile telephone’s operating system.
So, with that in mind, here are ten reasons the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best smartphone I’ve ever used.
1. It was super-affordable at launch (for upgraders)
The S24 Ultra is still a very expensive smartphone – I’m not denying that. However, it is a flagship, and we are firmly in the realm of paying well beyond £1,000 for such a device these days.
What I love about Samsung is the sheer number of carrots they place for you to upgrade – particularly during the pre-order phase. Trade-in values are among the best I’ve seen, and the amount of coupon and deal stacking you can do is ridiculous.
For instance, my Eight or Sixteen podcast co-host, Rob, managed to get his S24 Ultra for £562.88 after trading in his S23 Ultra. But it didn’t end there – he also picked up a Galaxy Watch6, an additional sport band, an anti-reflective screen protector, and an official vegan leather case. For free.
That’s a good deal, whichever way you swing it.
2. The display is a belter
Let’s start with my standard caveat: the following opinion is not based on technical facts. I have not compared the S24 Ultra’s display against those of every other current flagship smartphone, nor have I dived deeply into the specifications of any of them.
This is for one simple reason: I just think the S24 Ultra’s display looks utterly fabulous.
I haven’t experienced the ‘washed-out colours’ others have, and the fact that the S24 Ultra’s display is squared off, barely bezelled, and is the least reflective smartphone screen I’ve ever used, makes it a winner in my eyes.
Other opinions are available.
3. It looks and feels impressive
We can argue until we’re blue in the face about who introduced titanium first, but there’s not much I care about less. What I do care about is how these new flagship smartphones feel to own from an aesthetic perspective.
When you spend this much money on a smartphone (assuming you didn’t ‘do a Rob’ during the pre-order phase) you should absolutely feel as though you’ve got your money’s worth, every single time you look at the thing.
The S24 Ultra delivers that feeling in spades. It’s a strikingly pretty, purposeful device which is dominated – quite rightly – by that immersive display. It always looks impressive – particularly in orange.
I just wish mine was a bit more orangererery.
4. It has the S Pen
I’ve made my feelings known about the S Pen multiple times. I still think it’s a bit gimmicky, but my reasoning for this is always brutally dismissed by the S Pen Massiv.
These are, refreshingly, a lovely bunch of Samsung fans who are never backwards in coming forward with their reasons as to why the S Pen is the best thing since sliced bread.
They use it to write notes, navigate One UI, touch up photos, take photos remotely, and do all sorts of other weird and wonderful things I’ve completely forgotten about.
I’m genuinely happy for them and I’m jealous that I can’t find a way to make the S Pen stick in my own life. But it’s there, regardless, and it’s something most other flagship smartphones don’t have.
5. Galaxy AI IS useful (for me)
Circle to Search and the ability to remove reflections from windows on photos are examples of Galaxy AI tools I’ve found very useful. I’m yet to find a consistent use for anything else AI-related packed into the S24 Ultra, though.
The only exception to that rule is, possibly, the 10X camera zoom, which has swapped optics for AI trickery to achieve as good an image as possible. It works very well indeed.
Artificial intelligence is often jaw-dropping, but it’s only occasionally useful in the long-term. If you don’t find anything useful within Galaxy AI’s toolkit, that’s fine. But if you do, it’s a notable differentiator.
6. I love the camera system
The S24 Ultra has a shutter speed which is, mercifully, more reliable than that of the S23 Ultra. It also produces Pixel-like photos at times which are right up my alley.
There’s a 5X zoom, too, which is now the standard for flagships, as far as I’m concerned. Even the video performance is on par with what the iPhone 15 Pro Max can do – and that’s really saying something.
This is the most subjective element of the S24 Ultra on my list, but it’s also one of my favourite aspects of the device – and that’s a big surprise.
7. I’m a fan of One UI
Don’t you worry – I remember the Samsung mobile operating systems of old. They were, to put it mildly, horrible.
Those days are long gone, thankfully. One UI feels as polished as iOS, and it’s a joy to use. There are some downsides, including some rather poor widget implementation, and an almost-brilliant lock screen which curiously lacks the automatic masking we enjoy on iOS.
Certain third-party apps still deliver a poorer experience on Android compared to iOS, but that isn’t Samsung’s fault. I have no idea why developers favour Apple in this regard.
Those minor niggles aside, I’m a big fan of One UI. It’s fun, yet confidence-inspiring, and far more customisable than Apple’s offering. More importantly, it befits the brilliance of the hardware by which it is powered.
8. The battery life is EPIC
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: we do not talk enough about the battery performance of devices running Android 13.
In my experience, the S24 Ultra smashes the iPhone 15 Pro Max when it comes to battery stamina. This is principally because of the stand-by time which is comically good. Honestly – this thing barely uses any battery when left unattended.
I don’t do proper battery testing (for that, you need only look as far as Lover of Tech) – I just go on feel. And the S24 Ultra never feels like it’s going to unexpectedly let me down in that department.
9. There’s just something about it
Certain pieces of tech just have ‘something’ about them. I can’t explain what it is, but it’s what encourages me to constantly pick them up, admire their form, and bask in the glory of being in a position to use them.
The Apple Watch Ultra has whatever that thing is. Every pair of Bowers & Wilkins headphones I’ve tested has it, too. As does the BMW iX1 I’ve just ordered. And how could I forget the Sony ZV-E1 camera which has transformed my approach to shooting YouTube videos?
They all get under my skin for reasons I can’t explain, and the S24 Ultra has done the exact same thing.
10. It’s a content MONSTER
I won’t labour the point here again, because I’ve already explained it in the intro, but the aforementioned ‘something’ that all Samsung ’S’ devices possess always seeps into the consciousness of the tech community.
Although never guaranteed, if you’re an established tech content creator and you publish something – anything – about the S24 Ultra, it will probably draw in one of your biggest crowds.
In a land of relatively bland smartphones, that is both desperately needed and very impressive on Samsung’s part.
So, WHY am I not switching?
The iPhone is still my main device because I can copy and paste to it from my Mac (and vice-versa) and because I love my Apple Watch Ultra. That’s why I can’t switch.
However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is still the best smartphone I’ve ever used, and I have a feeling it’s going to remain that way for quite a while.
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