When comparing the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the question that arises is whether the upgrades in the S24 Ultra justify making the leap from the S23 Ultra. Both phones sit at the top of Samsung’s Galaxy lineup, designed for power users who demand the best in terms of performance, camera technology, and build quality. In this analysis, we’ll take an in-depth look at both models across key areas such as design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software, and other features to help you decide if it’s worth upgrading.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Galaxy S24 Ultra is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Samsung has made subtle but impactful improvements in the construction of the S24 Ultra. The S23 Ultra sports an aluminum frame, while the S24 Ultra introduces a titanium frame, offering enhanced durability and a lighter build. The switch to titanium makes the S24 Ultra feel more premium and robust while being slightly lighter, improving handling and daily usage.
Both models feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, ensuring scratch resistance and drop protection. They also share IP68 water and dust resistance, making them durable against most environmental hazards. Overall, if you prioritize durability and handling, the lighter and more robust design of the S24 Ultra gives it an edge.
Display: Incremental Refinements
Samsung’s displays have long been considered the best in the industry, and both the S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra maintain this reputation. They both feature a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. These specifications ensure a buttery-smooth experience, whether you’re gaming, watching videos, or simply scrolling through social media.
One area where the S24 Ultra improves is in brightness. While the S23 Ultra already offers excellent 1750 nits of peak brightness, the S24 Ultra reportedly increases that to an astonishing 2500 nits, making it easier to use in direct sunlight. This upgrade is particularly relevant for users who spend a lot of time outdoors and need a bright, clear display in any lighting condition.
Performance: The Power of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
One of the most significant differences between the two models is the processor. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra upgrades to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This new chip promises up to a 30% performance boost, particularly in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and AI-driven features.
The Gen 3 chip is more efficient, providing faster processing while consuming less power, which enhances both performance and battery life. Additionally, the AI capabilities in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 allow for more advanced computational photography, improved voice recognition, and real-time language translation, among other smart features. If you use your phone for heavy multitasking, high-end gaming, or rely on AI features, the S24 Ultra will provide a noticeable improvement in responsiveness and speed.
Camera System: Revolutionary Changes
The camera system is where the Galaxy S24 Ultra takes a clear lead over its predecessor. The S23 Ultra has an impressive 200MP main camera, but the S24 Ultra builds on this with improved AI-powered image processing and enhancements to both the zoom lenses and low-light capabilities.
Primary Camera
The S23 Ultra already set a high standard with its 200MP sensor, but the S24 Ultra takes it further with better optical image stabilization (OIS), which significantly reduces shake and improves image sharpness, especially in low-light environments. The AI-driven enhancements also mean the S24 Ultra delivers better color accuracy, dynamic range, and faster autofocus.
Zoom Capabilities
One of the biggest upgrades in the S24 Ultra is the replacement of the 10x periscope zoom lens with a 5x telephoto lens equipped with a 50MP sensor. This change allows for much sharper zoomed-in images at mid-range levels, while still offering Super Resolution Zoom up to 100x for capturing distant objects. While some users may miss the native 10x zoom of the S23 Ultra, the improved sensor in the S24 Ultra compensates by delivering crisper and more detailed zoom shots.
Low-Light Performance
Both phones excel in low-light conditions, but the S24 Ultra, thanks to AI-powered Night Mode and the upgraded ISP (Image Signal Processor), takes low-light photography to new heights. The S24 Ultra can capture more light, resulting in brighter images with less noise and better color accuracy, even in extremely dark environments. If night photography or videography is important to you, the S24 Ultra offers a compelling reason to upgrade.
Battery Life and Charging: Improved Efficiency
The battery in both phones remains the same at 5000mAh, but the efficiency improvements in the S24 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor result in slightly better battery life. Samsung promises that the S24 Ultra can comfortably last over a day with typical usage, even with high-performance tasks like gaming or 8K video recording. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is more power-efficient, particularly when handling background tasks and optimizing app usage, ensuring that the phone can last longer on a single charge.
In terms of charging, both models support 45W fast charging, but Samsung’s charging speeds still lag behind some competitors, like Xiaomi, which offers up to 120W. However, both phones feature wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, useful for charging accessories like wireless earbuds.
Software Experience: One UI and Android 14
The software experience on both devices is built around Samsung’s One UI on top of Android. The Galaxy S23 Ultra launched with One UI 5.1 and Android 13, while the S24 Ultra comes with One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14. While both versions of One UI offer a customizable and feature-rich experience, One UI 6.1 introduces several improvements.
The Modes and Routines feature has been enhanced, allowing for greater automation and customization based on your location, time of day, or activity. AI integration is more pronounced in One UI 6.1, with features like smart image editing, AI-generated suggestions, and on-device translation that make day-to-day tasks easier.
Samsung promises four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates for both models, so if you’re currently using the S23 Ultra, you’re still covered for several more years of software support.
S-Pen: A Continued Productivity Powerhouse
The S-Pen remains a staple feature of the Ultra series, and both the S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra come with a built-in stylus. There haven’t been any significant changes to the S-Pen between the two models, but it remains an essential tool for users who value note-taking, sketching, or precision input. The S-Pen offers features like air gestures, handwriting-to-text conversion, and the ability to control your camera remotely, making it a versatile tool for productivity and creativity alike.
Storage and RAM Options
In terms of storage, both phones come with options starting at 256GB, with the highest configuration offering 1TB of internal storage. However, Samsung has removed microSD support from both models, so users who need expandable storage will need to choose their storage capacity carefully. Both models offer 8GB or 12GB of RAM, depending on the variant, but the improved efficiency in memory management with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 means the S24 Ultra may handle multitasking more efficiently.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Samsung has continued its focus on sustainability with the S24 Ultra by incorporating more recycled materials in the production of its components. Both models come without a charger in the box, as part of Samsung’s eco-friendly packaging initiatives. If environmental concerns are important to you, the S24 Ultra represents a slightly more sustainable option due to its increased use of recycled materials and energy-efficient design.
Pricing and Value for Money
The pricing for both the S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra reflects their status as premium flagship devices. At launch, the S23 Ultra started at around $1199 for the 256GB variant, while the S24 Ultra has a similar starting price. Given the incremental improvements, users on a budget might find it difficult to justify the upgrade, especially if they already own the S23 Ultra.
However, for users coming from an older device or those who rely heavily on their smartphone for photography, videography, or productivity, the improvements in camera performance, processor efficiency, and display brightness might make the upgrade to the S24 Ultra worthwhile.
Conclusion: Should You Upgrade?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra brings significant improvements in several key areas: camera technology, processor performance, and display brightness. For users of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the upgrade may not be essential unless they are heavy users of mobile photography, frequently work outdoors where a brighter display is crucial, or want the absolute latest in mobile processing power.
If you’re coming from an older device like the Galaxy S21 Ultra or earlier, the S24 Ultra offers enough improvements to make the upgrade highly recommended. However, if you already own the S23 Ultra, you might find that waiting another generation or two will provide a more substantial leap in performance and features.
In the end, the decision comes down to continuation of your decision comes down to your specific needs and priorities.
For photography enthusiasts, the Galaxy S24 Ultra presents a considerable upgrade with its refined zoom capabilities and AI-powered improvements, especially in low-light performance and computational photography. The introduction of a 50MP sensor for mid-range zoom photography, in particular, makes it stand out for users who prioritize capturing detailed and vibrant images, even when zooming in. Moreover, the enhanced AI-driven image processing in the S24 Ultra offers superior results compared to the S23 Ultra, making it a great choice for those who use their phone as their primary camera.
On the performance front, the leap from Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is notable. For users who engage in resource-intensive tasks, like high-end mobile gaming, video editing, or multi-tasking across several demanding apps, the S24 Ultra’s improved chipset will be a welcome upgrade. The 30% performance boost and increased energy efficiency will also appeal to power users looking for faster speeds, smoother operations, and better battery management. That said, the S23 Ultra is still a beast when it comes to performance and remains more than capable of handling most tasks effortlessly.
For those who use their phones outdoors or frequently rely on high brightness levels, the S24 Ultra’s increased peak brightness of 2500 nits represents a significant upgrade. This improvement ensures better readability in bright sunlight and adds to the overall visual experience. If you’re often outside or in bright environments, this enhancement could be a compelling reason to upgrade.
When it comes to battery life, the improvements in efficiency with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor will provide slightly better longevity compared to the S23 Ultra, although both devices share the same 5000mAh battery. The efficiency gains in the S24 Ultra make it a more appealing option for users who push their phone’s limits throughout the day without constant charging. However, for typical daily usage, the difference in battery life between the two models might not be noticeable enough to justify an upgrade based solely on that aspect.
For productivity-focused users, the continued inclusion of the S-Pen makes both models excellent choices. The S-Pen in the S24 Ultra remains largely unchanged from the S23 Ultra, which means users of the S23 Ultra won’t feel the need to upgrade unless they are specifically looking for performance gains elsewhere. Both devices offer a wide range of S-Pen features, including note-taking, annotations, and controlling the camera remotely, making them fantastic tools for professionals, students, and creators.
Finally, in terms of value for money, the S23 Ultra might represent better value for those who already own it or for those considering purchasing it at a discount, as prices are likely to drop with the release of the S24 Ultra. If you don’t require the absolute latest advancements, the S23 Ultra still offers excellent performance, a phenomenal camera system, and high-quality design at a potentially lower price point.
Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
If you are a current Galaxy S23 Ultra user, the decision to upgrade to the Galaxy S24 Ultra depends largely on how much you value the specific improvements in the S24 Ultra. The lighter titanium frame, enhanced brightness, camera system advancements, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor are all significant, but not groundbreaking enough to make the S23 Ultra feel obsolete. If you’re satisfied with the performance, camera, and overall experience of your S23 Ultra, it’s perfectly reasonable to wait for a more substantial generational leap in the future.
However, for users who rely on their phone for photography, high-performance tasks, or who want the absolute latest tech in their hands, the S24 Ultra provides enough new features and improvements to justify an upgrade. The enhanced low-light photography, zoom capabilities, and AI-driven optimizations will make a tangible difference to those who frequently push their phone’s camera to its limits.
For those upgrading from an older device, especially models prior to the S23 Ultra, the S24 Ultra is a no-brainer. It represents the pinnacle of what Samsung currently offers in terms of design, performance, and photography. Whether you’re coming from a Galaxy S21 Ultra, a Note series phone, or even a non-Samsung device, the leap to the S24 Ultra will be a massive upgrade across the board.
