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You’ll use a lot of phones over the course of a year, and once your review cycle is complete, move your SIM to the device you like the most. Previously, it was limited to OnePlus or Google. OxygenOS offered everything I wanted in an Android interface, and although the camera wasn’t the best, the fluidity and customizability of the software inevitably brought me back to OnePlus smartphones.
hard wired
In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda delves into all things hardware, including phones, storage servers, routers, and more.
Similarly, while the Pixel had its shortcomings, mostly hardware-related, Google’s unique software features combined with a great camera made it a joy to use. In recent years, I’ve found myself using Samsung phones more and more. I called the Galaxy S23 Ultra one of my favorite phones last year, and I’ve had the device for over three months at a stretch.
So when I got my hands on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I thought it would be just as exciting to use as its predecessor, but I was wrong. This phone turns out to be too similar to the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Despite having a titanium chassis, the weight is the same, which quickly makes the device lose its luster. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 19g lighter than its predecessor, and the difference is immediately noticeable. It’s very comfortable to hold and use, and I thought Samsung would offer similar benefits.
In fact, in everyday use, there wasn’t much difference between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and its predecessor. I’ve tested enough phones to know that we’re past the stage where generations increase year over year, but even with normal iterative update cycles, the Galaxy S24 Ultra pushes the limits in a meaningful way. Not pushing up.
Other than a brighter AMOLED panel and updated internal hardware, Samsung hasn’t made any specific changes. The camera is the same as last year’s, but to its credit, Samsung has tweaked the algorithms to deliver better shots. This is obvious in low light or when using a telephoto lens.
But still, the Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t the best camera phone you can buy right now. In fact, Honor’s transition from his Magic 6 Pro to the Galaxy S24 Ultra felt like a downgrade. This year’s flagship products have significantly raised the bar, with Chinese brands in particular offering excellent cameras across the board.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Honor Magic 6 Pro, OPPO Find X7 Ultra, and Vivo X100 Pro all have better camera packages than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with versatile lenses that allow you to take great photos and videos in almost any situation. We provide Samsung, on the other hand, has positioned AI as a key differentiator for his Galaxy S24 Ultra, and as someone who is ambivalent about generative AI, I wasn’t interested in all of the new features.
I was hoping Samsung would roll out a more exciting upgrade than the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but the brand instead chose to play it safe and deliver a phone that stands out in a meaningful way. Therefore, it is no wonder that as soon as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra appeared, I decided to switch to it.
While other brands push the boundaries of camera technology year after year, Samsung continues to stay on track and stay where it is due to its unique market positioning. Samsung is his largest Android manufacturer by a considerable margin, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is his only flagship product in North America other than his Pixel 8 Pro.
Samsung’s biggest Chinese rivals don’t have a presence in the U.S., so Samsung doesn’t have to worry about its dominance in the region. This situation is unlikely to change anytime soon, so Samsung doesn’t really need to innovate or offer anything more than minimal upgrades.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t a bad phone by any stretch of the imagination. It just doesn’t offer any significant upgrades over its predecessor and ends up becoming boring. As someone who uses over 75 cell phones a year, I’m very particular about the device I choose as my daily driver. And in 2024, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will no longer be compatible. This is a great option if you have an older device and want to upgrade. It’s not a phone call to me.
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