Galaxy S24 review

Design and Build: A Light, Pocket-Sized Phone — Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is built to fit easily in a pocket or hand. It weighs just 168 grams, making it noticeably light. The phone has flat aluminum sides and a flat back, which gives it a clean, modern look. Many people say it resembles the iPhone 15 in shape and feel. This is not a bad thing; it simply means the design is familiar and comfortable to hold. The phone is one of the few high-end Android devices that most people can use with one hand.

The construction feels solid. Samsung used Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, and the frame is aluminum. It also has an IP68 rating, so it can survive a dip in water. The choice of colors is not very exciting, but the build quality is hard to fault. The phone looks very similar to last year’s Galaxy S23, with only small changes like slightly slimmer bezels. If you want a compact and light phone that feels premium, this design delivers.

Display: A Bright, Smooth 6.2-Inch Screen — Samsung Galaxy S24

The Galaxy S24 has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. This is a touch larger than the 6.1-inch screen on its predecessor, thanks to thinner bezels. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations feel smooth. The panel is bright and colorful, which is typical for high-end Samsung phones. It is a strong screen for watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games.

One small change is that the screen size increased without making the phone body much bigger. This is a nice design trick. The display quality itself has not changed drastically from the Galaxy S23, but it remains excellent. The 120Hz refresh rate helps everything feel fast and responsive. Whether you are reading text or looking at photos, the screen looks sharp and vivid. It is one of the best parts of this phone.

Performance: All the Power of a Flagship in a Small Body — Samsung Galaxy S24

Inside the Galaxy S24, you get a top-tier processor. Depending on the region, it is either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Exynos 2400. Both chips deliver very fast performance for everything from everyday apps to heavy gaming. The phone runs Android with 8GB of RAM. It handles games, multitasking, and demanding apps without hesitation. In fact, people have noted that this small phone offers power close to the larger Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The software experience is mixed. Samsung includes useful new Galaxy AI tools, such as Circle to Search and real-time translation. These features can be handy in daily life. However, the overall software can feel overcomplicated with too many settings and apps. The phone also promises seven years of Android updates and security patches, which is a major benefit for long-term use. Battery life is useful for a phone this size, thanks to a 4,000mAh battery. Charging is limited to 25W wired and 15W wireless, which is slower than some rivals.

The cameras are the same triple setup as last year: a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto. They take strong photos, but there are no big hardware upgrades. To see more great options, check out our full list of phone reviews. You can also browse more models in our phone directory.

Cameras: Familiar Hardware with AI Help — Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 uses the same triple camera setup as its predecessor: a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. While the hardware hasn't changed, the phone relies on new Galaxy AI tools to improve photos. For example, you can use AI to edit images by removing objects or adjusting the composition after you've taken the shot. The camera also benefits from the phone's fast processor, which helps with low-light shots and keeps the camera app snappy.

However, the camera system isn't as advanced as some competitors at this price. The zoom is better than the iPhone 15, and there are plenty of shooting modes to play with, but the overall image quality doesn't feel like a big step forward. If you're upgrading from an older phone, you'll notice the improvement, but if you already have a Galaxy S23, the camera experience will feel very familiar.

Battery and Charging: All-Day Life, Slower Charging — Samsung Galaxy S24

The Galaxy S24 packs a 4,000mAh battery, which is a small increase over the previous model. In everyday use, this battery easily lasts a full day with moderate use, including web browsing, social media, and some video streaming. The phone supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. While these speeds are fine for overnight charging, they are slower than many competitors that offer faster wired charging. The phone also supports reverse wireless charging, so you can top up your earbuds or a friend's phone in a pinch.

Overall, the battery life is solid for a compact phone, but the charging speed is a bit behind the curve. If you're someone who needs a quick top-up during the day, you might find the 25W charging a little slow compared to other phones in this price range.

Is the Galaxy S24 right for you? — Samsung Galaxy S24

Samsung Galaxy S24 Review: Compact Top-Tier Performance with Seven-Year Software Support

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a small phone that packs a big punch. It has the same processor as the larger Galaxy S24 Ultra, which means it can handle games, multitasking, and demanding apps without breaking a sweat. The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is bright and smooth, with a 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling feel fluid. The design is compact and light at 168g, making it easy to use with one hand. The phone also has an IP68 water-resistance rating, so it can survive a dip in water.

The biggest selling point is the promise of seven years of software updates. This means your phone will stay secure and get new features for much longer than most Android phones. The Galaxy AI tools, like Circle to Search and real-time translation, are useful additions that make the phone feel smarter. However, the software can feel cluttered with too many pre-installed apps and settings. The cameras are decent but not groundbreaking, and the charging speed is slower than some rivals.

If you want a compact, powerful Android phone that will last for years, the Galaxy S24 is a great choice. It's priced the same as before at $799, and it's worth considering if you're due for an upgrade. You can use our phone finder to compare it with other models, or check out a side-by-side comparison with the Galaxy S24 FE.