Why I Switched to the S24 Ultra
I was an iPhone user for nearly a decade before making the jump to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The main reason? The camera zoom. I photograph my kids’ soccer games, and phone cameras just couldn’t cut it from the sidelines. The S24 Ultra’s 5x optical zoom changed that.
I’ve been using it as my daily driver for about two months now. Here’s my honest take on living with Samsung’s flagship.
The Display Is Genuinely Stunning
Let’s start with what Samsung does better than anyone: screens. The 6.8-inch display on this thing is probably the best I’ve ever seen on a phone. Bright enough to use in direct sunlight, dark enough at night that it doesn’t blind me in bed.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel buttery smooth. Going back to my wife’s older iPhone feels noticeably choppy now. First world problems, I know.
My one gripe is the size. This is a big phone. Coming from an iPhone 13, I had to adjust how I hold it, and one-handed use is basically impossible unless you have basketball player hands.
Camera Impressions
This is why I bought it, so let’s dig in.
The good: That 5x optical zoom is legitimate. I can get usable photos from 30 yards away at my kids’ games. The main sensor takes excellent shots in good lighting, and the AI processing generally makes smart choices without going overboard.
The surprising: Night mode is better than I expected. Low-light shots that would’ve been grainy messes on my old phone come out sharp and well-exposed.
The disappointing: Portrait mode is hit or miss. Edge detection sometimes struggles with hair and glasses. And the 100x “Space Zoom” is a gimmick - anything past 30x is a blurry mess.
The camera app has approximately eight thousand options, which is either great or overwhelming depending on your tolerance for menus.
Performance and Battery
I haven’t found anything that makes this phone stutter. Gaming, video editing, having forty Chrome tabs open - it handles everything without complaint. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 earns its keep.
Battery life is solid but not exceptional. I usually end the day around 20-30% with moderate use. Heavy days (lots of camera use, GPS navigation) require a top-up in the afternoon. It’s fine, but my wife’s iPhone seems to last longer.
Fast charging is genuinely fast. 45W gets you from empty to 65% in half an hour.
The S Pen
I forgot this phone came with a stylus until I accidentally pressed the button while pulling it out. Honestly? I rarely use it. Taking notes on my phone isn’t natural for me, and I’m not artistic enough to sketch.
That said, when I need to sign a document or mark up a screenshot, it’s nice to have. Just don’t buy this phone specifically for the stylus unless you know you’ll use it.
Software and AI Features
Samsung’s One UI has come a long way. It’s not as clean as stock Android, but it’s miles better than the TouchWiz days. Most of the AI features (live translation, object removal in photos, text summaries) work reasonably well, though I find myself using them less than expected.
The promised 7 years of updates is a big deal. My phone should still be getting security patches in 2031, which is reassuring given the price.
What I Wish Was Different
- Size and weight. It’s heavy. My pinky hurts after long phone sessions.
- Price. Starting at $1,300 is steep, even for a flagship.
- Samsung bloatware. Less than before, but still present. I don’t need three different app stores.
- Glass back. It’s pretty but I’m paranoid about dropping it. Case went on immediately.
Should You Buy It?
If you want the best Android camera phone available, particularly for zoom photography, this is it. The display is fantastic, performance is top-tier, and the build quality feels premium.
If you’re coming from iPhone and have never used Android, expect a learning curve. The customization options are great but can be overwhelming.
If you have last year’s S23 Ultra, the upgrade is pretty minor. Save your money.
For everyone else on Android phones that are 2+ years old, this is a noticeable step up in virtually every category. Whether it’s worth the premium over something like the regular S24 or a Pixel depends on how much you value the camera zoom and display quality.
Prices fluctuate regularly. Check current deals before buying.