Galaxy S24 Ultra, first impressions: as unusual as it is boring

Samsung presented – earlier than expected – what its flagships will be for 2024; Galaxy S24, which will appear within the next year in three different versions, joined by a new product that we do not stop seeing throughout 2023, and everything indicates that this year we will continue to see it very closely: artificial intelligence. IN Hypertext We were able to test three models before their official launch. However, the main character is Galaxy S24 Ultra.

This is because even though it shares the same artificial intelligence features as its smaller brothers (which Samsung called Galaxy AI), Other characteristics are very different. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a larger screen, better cameras with higher resolutions, a larger battery, and a slightly more powerful processor than the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. In other words: this is the greatest example of what Samsung can do in the field of mobile telephony.

But, as I said, the big news is artificial intelligence. In fact, upon first contact with the Galaxy S24 Ultra Samsung only mentioned artificial intelligence features. He only briefly summarized the news of the equipment in order to quickly give in to everything connected with it. A communication strategy that makes it clear from the first moment what the strength of this model is in a very narrow high-end range. But, Is this really enough? Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra represent a generational leap over its predecessor? Or is it nothing more than a handful of features that will be forgotten?

Galaxy S24 Ultra: technical data sheet

AI is a star

Samsung called its feature set powered by artificial intelligence Galaxy AI; Although the truth is that not all features are developed by Samsung itself. The company confirmed that some of them are from Google, although they did not specify which ones, but in any case, all of them are worth mentioning. And while some of them are intended only for a small number of users (like professionals), others can be especially useful for everyday use.

One of the most striking features is ability to translate messages in real time; something that even works in third-party apps through the API that Samsung provides to developers. However, it is currently only available on a small number of apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger.

Its operation is very simple: you just need to select the language you want to translate into on your keyboard and write a message. The AI ​​will take care of the rest; rather than just translating our text – that is, we can write in Spanish so that the AI ​​translates it into English, for example. You can also automatically change the language of messages we receive.; everything is from the chat window and very intuitive.

Regarding translation, Samsung Also allows you to transfer audio calls in real time through your phone app. Galaxy S24 Ultra. In this case, through a special button that appears on the call screen, although it is also possible to assign a translation to a contact and automatically activate the translator when we call him.

Another artificial intelligence feature, which in this case was developed jointly with Google, is Circle to search. This notably allows the user to search for something that appears on the screen directly in Google using Google Lens technology. To do this, you just need to hold down the start button and circle the monument that appears in the video, photo of the object, or anything else. Google will detect the image and search for information about it. Not only can it be useful in many cases, but it also works very well even with very general images – like a waterfall.

Additionally, there are other AI features that are more performance oriented, such as the ability to decipher the recording — and translate if necessary — or create summaries in the notes app and convert handwritten notes (using the S-Pen, for example) into text.

Some of these tools, such as the Search Circle, can be quite useful. Others, however, They don’t have much artificial intelligence, despite the message Samsung is trying to convey. For example, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s message translation feature is simply a text translation tool similar to what Google Translate has offered for years. This feature also requires developers to include it in their messaging apps, making it much more difficult to extend.

Other Galaxy S24 Ultra features such as the ability to transcribe voice notes, They are intended for a very specific audience.; like journalists. Not to mention, these are features we’re unlikely to actively use; It’s not every day that we need a translator for calls or, for example, for a notes app to summarize our notes.

Conservative chambers with some exceptions

To the few artificial intelligence features mentioned above (and, we repeat, they are also available on the rest of the Galaxy S24 family of smartphones), we must add many others have focused on image capture and editing. But let’s talk about the camera itself first.

Samsung also remains very conservative in this regard. The Galaxy S24 Ultra retains the same configuration as its predecessor, with the exception of one of the telephoto lenses, which increases the resolution. We find, therefore, Main sensor 200 megapixelsWith; camera 12MP ultra-wide camera and then two telephoto lenses

On the one hand, there is an additional 10-megapixel camera, which allows you to take pictures with 3x optical zoom. On the other hand, there is a 50-megapixel sensor with f/3.4 aperture, capable of taking photos with 5x optical zoom and hybrid zoom up to 10x. By the way, you can now take photos in night mode with 5x zoom.

The main novelty of the Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras, as I already said, depends on AI. Or rather a new engine Provisual enginewhich works both when capturing images and when editing them.

For example: the aforementioned 10x zoom on the 50MP sensor is possible thanks to a combination of physical lenses (which are magnified up to 5x) with the aforementioned AI enhancements. Of course: this is a somewhat strange strategy, considering that the Galaxy S23 Ultra had a telephoto lens capable of taking pictures. to scale 10x magnification 100% optical. We’re guessing the combination of the new 50MP sensor and AI features They will be able to improve results compared to their predecessor.although we’ll have to check to what extent.

Likewise, it will also be necessary to test what impact the AI-powered ProVisual Engine has on processing images captured by different cameras. Snapdragon 8 3rd generation.

When it comes to photo editing, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s AI engine allows you to use modes like Generative Edit Using generative artificial intelligence, fill in the empty edges that appear in an image when its size changes or a subject or object moves; which we can also do with this function. Samsung has also added a tool called Momentary slow Mor allowing additional frames to be generated to reduce the speed of the video, even if it is not recorded in slow motion.

Galaxy S24 Ultra is boring

Regarding equipment, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s new features are fairly subtle. The frames are now made of titanium, which inherently provides a little more stability. The screen remains the same in size and resolution, but now has fewer bezels and can increase brightness to 2,600 nits. It’s also completely flat, which finally eliminates the tiresome double curvature we’ve seen in previous generations. Lastly, it has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 which, in addition to better performance, offers greater efficiency.

However, all these improvements They’re boring. The Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t offer anything truly new or revolutionary over its predecessor, with the exception of four AI features that, except in very specific cases, you’ll probably only use in the first few weeks just to browse.

This doesn’t mean it’s a bad product. Actually, This is probably one of the best things we’ll see in 2024. The screen is still great, the cameras are promising, and the combination of performance and battery life is likely to impress. But like I said, it’s a boring phone.