Seeking to improve to Samsung’s latest Android smartphone? You’ll be able to select from the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, or Galaxy S24 Ultra. These handsets share most of the identical specs but in addition have a couple of particular options that make each stand out. So which Galaxy S24 mannequin must you purchase? We break all of it down that can assist you select.
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What’s New in All 3 Telephones
The Galaxy S24 lineup does not add dramatically new {hardware} options over final yr’s Galaxy S23 range. Let’s begin with the specs all three telephones share. They’re all powered by the identical Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. The AMOLED show on ’em helps a 120-Hz screen refresh rate, every with the aptitude to decrease that all the way down to 1 Hz to avoid wasting battery life if not a lot is going on on the display screen. These screens can all additionally hit as much as 2,600 nits in peak brightness, making them a few of the brightest smartphone shows round.
These smartphones have the standard slate of options like an IP68 water resistance score, 5G connectivity, and wi-fi charging. (The rising Qi2 wireless charging tech just isn’t supported on the brand new Galaxies, however the present Qi customary is.) Samsung is promising seven years of working system upgrades and safety updates, matching Google’s Pixel 8 series. There are additionally a handful of recent sensible software program AI options accessible throughout all three handsets, and we talk about them in greater detail right here. OK, now let’s go over how they’re completely different.
The Galaxy S24 is finest suited to lovers of smaller telephones. Technically, it is a tad greater than final yr’s S23 with its 6.2-inch display screen, however the cellphone’s dimensions aren’t all that completely different. Samsung shaved down the bezels on the display screen to make this potential. The S24 is the one mannequin that begins with 8 GB of RAM—the remainder have extra—which is lots sufficient for many smartphone duties. It nonetheless solely comes with 128 GB of inside storage, purchase you possibly can improve that to 256 GB. Since it is the smallest, it has the bottom battery capability at 4,000 mAh, which could depart you struggling to get by way of a full day should you’re a heavy person. It is protected by extra-tough Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back and front and has an aluminum body which makes it sturdy.
The Galaxy S24 and S24+ are extra alike than the Galaxy S24 Extremely, so every little thing above rings true, besides the S24+ has a bigger 6.7-inch show. Get this should you do not look after the Extremely however nonetheless need the massive display screen. An even bigger measurement additionally means an even bigger battery, so it has a 4,900-mAh cell. This one begins with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of inside storage, which is upgradeable to 512 GB. The cameras are the identical as the usual S24: a 50-megapixel major digital camera is joined by a 12-megapixel ultrawide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto providing 3X optical zoom. There is a 12-megapixel selfie digital camera on the entrance.
The 6.8-inch Galaxy S24 Extremely is the largest of the lot, and it ditches aluminum for titanium, which is a extra sturdy materials. The titanium skeleton is meant to make it extra light-weight too, however you will not discover a lot weight financial savings right here over final yr’s S23 Extremely. Additionally distinctive is the quilt glass, which is constructed from Corning’s new Gorilla Armor, which the corporate says is its most scratch-resistant materials up to now. We’ll see. There is a 5,000-mAh battery cell to match its measurement. It is nonetheless the one mannequin out of the lineup that comes with a built-in S Pen stylus, which is accessible from the underside fringe of the cellphone. Just like the S24+, it has 12 GB of RAM and begins with 256 GB of storage, however you possibly can improve the storage to 1 TB should you want that a lot area. As for the cameras, it shares an analogous 12-megapixel ultrawide and 3X optical zoom digital camera, however the main sensor is a 200-megapixel digital camera, and there is an extra 50-megapixel 5X optical zoom digital camera. This was a 10X zoom digital camera on its predecessor, so that you’re dropping out on the S23’s superior zoom functionality right here, however 5X zoom is probably going extra helpful than 10X zoom in most conditions.
There are different nice telephones. Telephones are unnecessarily costly today, and Samsung is pushing costs towards the excessive finish. You needn’t spend wherever close to $800 to get a fantastic smartphone. Take a look at our Best Android Phones and Best Cheap Phones guides for extra suggestions at costs which can be a lot simpler to abdomen.
Do you have to improve? When you’ve got the Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S22, there isn’t any purpose to improve. You people with a Galaxy S21 are probably high-quality too, except you are having points along with your battery or your screeen and may’t get it mounted. In case your S21 remains to be making you largely joyful, save your money and wait one other yr (or two). Anybody with an older Samsung cellphone ought to really feel welcome to improve; simply know that these will not be your solely choices. Samsung telephones additionally routinely go on sale, so should you’re not in a rush, it is price ready for the subsequent massive vacation sale occasion to see how low costs drop for the S24 vary.
The place to Purchase the Galaxy S24 Collection Unlocked
We right here at WIRED at all times suggest you purchase your smartphone unlocked. It makes it simpler to change between carriers, not like telephones which can be bought locked to a specific service’s community. Taking a locked cellphone to a brand new service requires contacting your service (or visiting their retail retailer) and leaping by way of a couple of hoops to make the gadget usable elsewhere. Going unlocked additionally makes it simpler to make use of data-only SIM playing cards when touring. There’s typically quite a bit much less bloatware put in on the telephones whenever you purchase one unlocked, and unlocked telephones usually obtain software program updates extra rapidly than locked ones.
Preorders are reside for the S24 vary, and so they formally ship on January 31. Samsung is providing a free storage improve, so for instance, you will get the 512-GB model of the Galaxy S24+ for a similar value as the bottom 256-GB mannequin. You can too rise up to $750 in prompt credit score should you commerce in an eligible gadget in good situation. Samsung can also be providing 20 % off Samsung Care+ With Theft and Loss, which is its unintentional safety subscription service that gives limitless repairs, theft and loss protection, and same-day substitute and setup of a brand new gadget. It prices $12 monthly proper now (it is often $15).
If you happen to purchase from Amazon, you possibly can benefit from the identical storage improve promotion—simply select the storage measurement you need and you will see the lower cost mirrored. You additionally get a free $50 Amazon present card (which it’s important to redeem your self, so be sure you save the code). There’s an choice to bundle Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earbuds as nicely for $150 further; these earbuds have solely dipped as little as $160 earlier than, in order that’s a strong promotional value should you want new wireless earbuds and wish to keep within the Samsung ecosystem.
Finest Purchase additionally has the identical storage improve promotion, so be sure you benefit from it. It can save you as much as $600 on the S24, or as much as $750 for the S24+ and S24 Ultra should you commerce in an eligible gadget. Finest Purchase is providing a $50 present card and an Xbox Recreation Cross Final 1-month membership with each buy of the S24. That goes as much as a $100 present card with the S24+ and a $150 for the Extremely.
Wi-fi Service Offers for the Galaxy S24 Collection
If you happen to favor to only get your smartphone by way of your service, here is what the massive three are providing.
- Verizon is providing as much as $800 off the Galaxy S24, or as much as $1,000 off the Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra should you add a brand new line with a choose limitless plan and commerce in an eligible mannequin. The financial savings come within the type of invoice credit over 30 months. The storage improve promotion can also be accessible, and you may also rise up to $350 in promotional credit score over 36 months should you add a Galaxy Watch to your order.
- AT&T is matching Verizon with almost the identical trade-in promotion for the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra, utilized over 36 months in invoice credit. You are additionally aware of the identical storage improve promotion.
- T-Cell is providing as much as $1,000 off all three Galaxy S24 devices supplied you are on a particular limitless plan and are buying and selling in an eligible gadget. You can too simply add one other cellphone line to your plan with out buying and selling in a tool to participate in the identical promotion.
