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After weeks of using the Samsung Galaxy S24+, I agree with what Effi said – the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the Pixel for the global market. This year's Galaxy S24 series doesn't focus on internal specs but emphasizes software just like Google has done with the Pixel over the years. Using the Galaxy S24+ as a daily device makes me as excited as the first time I used a Google Pixel.
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Screen 6.7″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz
HDR10+, 2600 nits, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Exynos 2400 processor (4nm)
1x 3.2GHz Cortex-X4 chip
2x 2.9GHz Cortex-A720
3x 2.6GHz Cortex-A720
4x 1.95GHz Cortex-A520
Xclipse 940 Graphics Chip
RAM 12GB LPDDR5X
8GB Virtual
Internal Storage 256/512 GB UFS 4.0
Primary Camera 50 MP, f/1.8, (Wide Angle), OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, (Telephoto), OIS, 3x Optical Zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, (Ultra Wide Angle)
Selfie Camera/Internal Camera 12 Megapixel f/2.2
4900mAh battery
45W wired charging
15W wireless charging
4.5W reverse charging
SIM/Nano Telephony/5G/eSIM
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
Waterproof IP68
Scan System Screen fingerprint scanner
Sale Price RM4,899 (12/256 GB)
RM5,399 (12/512 GB)
The design of the Samsung Galaxy S24+ still looks more or less the same as the S23+. There is no giant camera bump on the back but there are three small camera bumps for each different sensor. This simple design is not dizzying because it is very elegant and looks professional. The color I used is Cobalt Violet which is purple with a little dark blue lighting.
The S24+ is easy to handle due to the thin body but it is quite slippery due to the glossy finish. Holding the device horizontally for long periods of time is also less comfortable due to the overly flat sides. But I don't really care about it because of the screen design with very thin and even bezels.
The S24+ also uses a design where all the buttons are on the left side and nothing on the right side. Each button is also nice to press and doesn't feel awkward or too hard. The USB-C port, speaker grille, microphone hole and SIM card slot are on the bottom while the top has only the microphone and antenna holes.
SCREEN
Everywhere I go, people praise Samsung for its brilliant screen quality. It doesn't matter if it's a mid-range device or a flagship, users will definitely not regret it. The same goes for the Galaxy S24+ with a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 2600 nits brightness and HDR10+ color display.
Every Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ content I stream always provides the best viewing experience as if it were a mini-sized television. The incredibly vivid colors, unmatched brightness and smooth and consistent refresh rate make it hard for me to use other Android flagships.
Although there is no Gorilla Glass Armor like the Galaxy S24 Ultra which reduces the effect of light reflection up to 75%, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 which is durable and always makes the screen look sharp is enough.
Biometrics
I think until today, only Samsung still includes ultrasonic fingerprint scanners on their flagship devices. With the optical fingerprint scanner already fast, there is nothing unique about this S24+ other than the screen will not light up brightly when unlocking the device in dark areas.
Use And Software
Like the S24 and S24 Ultra, the S24+ also runs the latest One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. If you've already used One UI 6.0 on other Samsung devices, trust me that the experience will be more or less the same. One UI 6.1 also still focuses on the customization capabilities of Material You like stock Android 14, improves user protection, and provides the best performance.
What makes this S24+ more interesting is that One UI 6.1 is matched with an Exynos 2400 chip and a generative AI feature that can be processed from within the device. This operating system has no problems with the latest Exynos, but is able to operate very smoothly and quickly. The system also has no problems with sudden interruptions or delays.
I had a hard time when One UI no longer took up to a week to learn the device's battery usage patterns. This time it only took about 3 days. Then what makes it hard for me to switch back to another Android device is the very helpful and productive Galaxy AI.
There are many built-in generative AI features, but what I really like are Chat Assistant, Call Assist, Photo Assist and Circle to Search with Google.
Chat Assistant
Can translate conversations in WhatsApp from foreign languages to English.
Can rewrite text in more formal, casual intonation, and more.
Can rewrite text with correct spelling and grammar.
Call Assist
Phone calls with foreign-speaking individuals are now unhindered.
Photo Assist
Features like Generative Fill in Photoshop at the fingertips only.
Circle to Search with Google
The search feature is like Google Lens which is easier and more efficient.
Read more about the Galaxy S24+'s software capabilities, especially the Galaxy AI feature that brings built-in and free generative AI capabilities to smartphones in this device's first look article;
INFO First Look Samsung Galaxy S24 And S24+ – Exynos Is Back
BENCH MARK
I know many were skeptical and started cursing Samsung when the S24 and S24+ were announced to use the Exynos 2400 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. Especially when the benchmark score recorded is lower than that of competing devices.
But this time I can really say because I have felt it myself, the benchmark score is just a number. Real world usage is amazing. How can you say the Pixel 6, 7 and 8 are smooth despite using weak Tensor chips like the competition – that's the experience of using the S24+.
AnTuTu 3D
Samsung Exynos 2400 – 1,643,090
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy – 1,768,765
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – 2,075,821
MediaTek Dimensity 9300 – 1,852,552
Apple A17 Pro – 1,523,961
Geekbench 6
Samsung Exynos 2400 – 1539/6510
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy – 2278/7016
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – 2181/6631
MediaTek Dimensity 9300 – 2071/5032
Apple A17 Pro – 2873/7228
3DMark – Wild Life Extreme
Samsung Exynos 2400 – 2813 / 16.85FPS
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy – 4657 / 27.89 FPS
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – 5045 / 30.22 FPS
MediaTek Dimensity 9300 – 4067 / 24.35 FPS
Apple A17 Pro – 3695 / 22.1 FPS
3DMark – Solar Bay
Samsung Exynos 2400 – 6152 / 23.39 FPS
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy – 8564 / 32.56 FPS
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – 8528 / 32.43 FPS
MediaTek Dimensity 9300 – 6929 / 26.35 FPS
Apple A17 Pro – 6333 / 24.1 FPS
Playing for the first time with this device is not a problem. It still supports Ray Tracing to play first with the best graphics, the device has no problem running many applications simultaneously, processing AI tasks is also very fast and most importantly – the device does not heat up so much that it cannot be held.
CAMERA
If the phone is already focused on AI, does the camera also focus on AI like the Pixel 8 Pro? The answer is no. Samsung still maintains their color profile which has high color saturation, deep contrast and sharp colors. Only this time there is a slight skin softening effect probably due to Exynos' new image processing.
The main camera capability is very good and satisfactory. The portrait mode is also surprising, while the ultra-wide-angle quality is still able to preserve details well. The zoom capability cannot match the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ due to the limited sensor capabilities. What's a little disappointing is the night mode which isn't that great compared to competitors in the class and around the same price.
Auto mode, in dimly lit shops.
Portrait mode indoors vs outdoors – baby moves
Ultra-wide angle, evening around 3PM
Outdoors, cloudy,
Auto night, around 11.30 PM.
Close range auto mode.
Indoors, outdoor light, 3x zoom.
Inside the shop, there is less light but there is outside light.
10x zoom.
VIDEOS
Video capabilities must be satisfactory. 8K video can be recorded well at night compared to taking pictures. My favorite feature is record regular video and edit later with AI for realistic slow motion effects.
AI-edited 8K and slow-motion videos – cropped and processed.
TELEPHONY AND GPS
Throughout the use of this device with the Maxis plan, the 5G connection has always been fast and stable. WiFi connection is also smooth by also supporting VoWiFi. For GPS, the device is able to lock in a location quickly and turn-by-turn directions on Google Maps and Waze operate as expected.
BATTERY
It's been years since I used a Samsung device with an Exynos chip. But what I remember is Exynos if the device doesn't heat up, the battery definitely won't last. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ surprised me when it was used to extremes with a QHD+ screen, Always-on Display active, more than an hour of playback, active streaming of music and videos and social media applications open frequently – the device had no problem recording SOT up to 7 hours.
While in FHD+ screen settings with roughly the same usage I can get around 8 hours of SOT. This means, lighter usage is able to achieve 9-10 hours of SOT durability. 45W charging is actually quite slow with competitors mostly already towards 100W and above. But for a Samsung device with Exynos, battery life like this is already worthy of praise.
AUDIO
Samsung and Dolby Atmos have been apart for years. The S24+ speakers provide a listening experience like any flagship device in the same price class. It is loud, balanced, tasty and has good clarity. The Galaxy S series speaker should be the benchmark for other flagship Android devices.
CONCLUSION
It's really hard for me to recommend people buy the Samsung Galaxy S24+ because I already know there will be another flagship device arriving in the near future with roughly the same price but more powerful specs. It became even more difficult when I myself fell in love with this device. After trying to switch back to other flagship Android devices, I found that no Android device can match this S24+.
First it's worth it because the starting price is RM4899 and with 7 years of updates it means you only spend around RM58 a month. Third-party AI software requires a free subscription to be used on this device. The camera is still great despite not working with a camera manufacturer. Then the exceptional performance and battery life, the competitor's device should offer another surprise if it wants to sell at a price of RM4899 and above.
Pro
Very beautiful and amazing screen.
Exynos 2400's surprising performance.
Battery life is beyond expectations.
Robust software with 7 years of updates.
Interesting generative AI features are free to use.
Cons
Charging is only 45W.
Zoom support is not satisfactory.
Free AI feature until the end of 2025 only.
Relatively high starting price.