The Galaxy S24 Ultra has new features worth experiencing but you may want to know if each feature is value for your money.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Series is official and people around the world can now pre-order among three models and their respective storage configurations. But if you’re an owner of Galaxy S23 Ultra, is upgrading to Galaxy S24 Ultra worth the cost?
In this article, we provided insights into the matter to help you make an informed decision. The ultimate choice is on you though. Before we begin, you should know that these two top-tier Galaxy S smartphones are expected to have the same software later on.
Disclaimer: This article only serves as a guide for individuals who are planning to upgrade. The worth of doing so will depend on how you use your current Galaxy S23 Ultra. The things mentioned are just for insightful purposes.
Display
Let’s start with the first allure that every phone has: the display. The Galaxy S23 Ultra sports a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 1440p resolution or 2K and 120Hz refresh rate. If you expected that the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a better one, you’re in for a bit of disappointment.
The current flagship model has the same panel, display resolution, and refresh rate. So, any difference between the screens of these two are difficult to spot in real-life, unless you want to stare at each pixel on either phone.
What may influence you is screen versus the build. When you hold the Galaxy S24 Ultra, consider factors like:
- Ergonomics: It usually means the weight, height, width, and edges of the phone.
- Comfort: Particular when operating with one hand or with the S Pen.
- Smudge: Check if the screen is a magnet of fingerprints, oil, and dirt.
- Durability: Feel the screen and see if it may break easier than what you have. It’s also a good thing to check the overall body as the latest device has titanium on it.
Performance
The Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra differ in processors. While both are powered by Qualcomm’s creations, the former has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU and the latter has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 model. The SD8 Gen3 is definitely a winner for it has numerous improvements, including in camera and AI.
However, day-to-day efficiency between these two is hardly noticeable in the real world. Both can load apps and games without issues, with extensive games running smoothly at high frame rates and graphics.
Want some technical details? Check the ones below:
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Features | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Features | |
| Artificial Intelligence | AI Engine | AI Engine + Generative AI |
| Gaming | Ray Tracing | Ray Tracing 1.5X + Global Illumination |
| Imaging | 200MP single camera; 8K 30FPS or 4K 120FPS | 200MP single camera; 8K 30FPS or 4K 120FPS |
| Performance | 35% faster, 40% more power efficient than predecessor | 30% faster, 20% more power efficient than predecessor |
| 5G | 10Gbps peak download, 3.5Gbps peak upload | 10Gbps peak download, 3.5Gbps peak upload |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi gen 4, 5, 6, 7; peak speed 5.8Gbps | Wi-Fi gen 4, 5, 6, 7; peak speed 5.8Gbps |
In terms of memory and storage, both Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra have the same variants in 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, and 12GB/1TB.
Camera
This is the tricky part because the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a surprise. One of its rear cameras seemed buffed, from 10 to 50MP. This is the periscope telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom.
Although the megapixel is buffed, the maximum optical zoom is nerfed from 10x to 5x. The saving grace here is the ProVisual Engine for the Galaxy S24 devices. This engine is a suite of AI-powered tools, per Samsung, which may mean it’s software-based.
If you get a chance to play with a Galaxy S24 Ultra, try out the rear cameras and compare this phone’s zooming power to your Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Galaxy AI
The Galaxy AI features numerous mobile tools powered by AI for Galaxy S24 devices. Some of these are Dedicated ISP Block for noise reduction, Generative Edit to fill image backgrounds with Generative AI, and Interpreter for live translation via split-screen view.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra gets this package out of the box but your Galaxy S23 Ultra will likely get it in a future patch. Why? Because Galaxy S23 Ultra is just a year old and it still has three more years of OneUI upgrades and four years of security updates.
Remember, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has AI functions that may be able to run much of the Galaxy AI features.
Price Point
As always, price is a big reason whether you should upgrade or not. The base price of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is ₱68,990 and it comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB ROM. That’s a lot lower than the base price of Galaxy S24 Ultra of ₱84,990.
Of course, there are benefits if you get the latest generation during the pre-order period. The price tag of ₱84,990 for Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with 12GB RAM and 512GB ROM, instead of 12GB/256GB.
You can slash that price if you go for a trade-in. Up to ₱58,000 can be saved by trading your Galaxy S23 Ultra to Galaxy S24 Ultra. An old Galaxy S23 device is eligible for up to 50% off when trading-in for the Galaxy S24 Series.
The pre-order exclusives are only valid until February 6, 2024.
Check out the specs of the Galaxy S24 Series below.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a premium flagship smartphone with incredible power and capabilities. But upgrading from last-gen isn’t imminent if it’s still working normally and you’re happy with its photography. Perhaps you can wait for the Galaxy S25 to get major improvements.
So, will you upgrade to the latest Galaxy S24 Ultra this year?
