I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as my main phone for more than eight months—and it’s been through a lot.
From software updates to accidental drops, rain splashes, and even a broken S Pen, this phone has seen some action. After all that, how’s it performing? Well, some things still impress me… while others? Not so much. Here’s the honest take.”
If you want the most powerful Android phone money can buy, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is it. Yes, it’s expensive—but you’re getting top-tier performance, a stunning display, and one of the best cameras on any smartphone. It even beats rivals like the Google Pixel 8 Pro in raw speed.
That said, it’s not flawless. Samsung still clutters the phone with unnecessary apps, and oddly, it misses out on Qi2 wireless charging—a feature we’ll likely see in next year’s model.
Verdict? If you want the best of the best right now and don’t mind paying for it, the S24 Ultra won’t disappoint. Just be ready for a few small annoyances.
Storage & Performance:
TheSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 512GB of storage is a massive upgrade from my old phone—and even after months of use, I’ve only filled about 312GB. I don’t take tons of photos, but there’s still plenty of space for 8K videos, slow-motion clips, notes, and articles. Most of what’s eating up storage? Podcast edits—I rip clips from YouTube, download them, and tweak them right on the phone.
That’s where the processing power and 12GB of RAM really shine. My go-to editing apps (LumaFusion and Motion Ninja) run smoothly—as long as I keep them open. But if I switch to another app and come back? Things can get a little laggy or stuttery. Not a dealbreaker, but something I’ve noticed.
Software Features Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t just powerful hardware—it’s packed with helpful AI tools that feel like having a tiny assistant in your pocket. Need to summarize a long article? Just circle it with the S Pen. Want to remove shadows or reflections from a photo? The AI editor handles it in seconds. Even live phone calls get real-time translation, which is borderline magic when you need it.
That said, Samsung’s One UI software still feels a bit cluttered. There are duplicate apps (looking at you, Samsung Messages vs. Google Messages), and some features are buried in menus. But once you turn off the bloat you don’t need, the experience is smooth—and the AI tricks genuinely save time.
Battery Life:
Let’s be real—the battery on this phone just doesn’t cut it. Even with power-saving mode turned on, I’m only squeezing out 5 to 5.5 hours of actual use. Doesn’t matter if I’m just reading, watching YouTube, or navigating with GPS—it drains way too fast. If I unplug at 6 AM, I’m scrambling for a charger by 4 PM. Not great for a “premium” phone, especially when you’re out all day.
Samsung packed this thing with power, but they clearly skimped on endurance. If you’re a heavy user, keep a charger (or a power bank) close by.
Fingerprint Magnet & Frustrating Brightness
Let’s talk about the display—because it’s not all sunshine (literally). This screen picks up fingerprints like it’s their job. One quick scroll, and suddenly it looks like I’ve been eating fried chicken while texting.
The bigger headache? Brightness struggles. Even on a cloudy day (around 1000 lux), cranking it to max sometimes isn’t enough—I still find myself squinting. For a phone this expensive, you’d expect it to nail the basics, like being readable outdoors.
Performance Hiccups:
TheSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra packs serious power, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Even during basic tasks like browsing or messaging, the back gets noticeably warm—not “burn your fingers” hot, but enough to make you wonder why. And for a phone with 12GB of RAM, it’s frustrating when apps stutter or reload unexpectedly.
The weirdest glitch? Sometimes my Secure Folder apps open without even unlocking first—which, uh, defeats the whole “secure” part. For a flagship phone, these little hiccups add up to a less-than-perfect experience.
Software and Camera Performance:
Let’s be honest—Google Gemini still feels like a work in progress. It gets the job done, but not as smoothly as you’d expect from a premium device. Same goes for the text-to-speech feature—it does the basics, but the robotic tone could use a serious upgrade.
As for the cameras? The zoom is incredible, no doubt. But in low light, shots often come out grainy or soft, and there’s a noticeable lag when launching the camera app. For a phone this expensive, you’d hope for snappier performance and better night shots.
Built Like a Tank:
Let’s give credit where it’s due—the S24 Ultra is ridiculously tough. Thanks to its Armor Aluminum 2 frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, mine still looks brand new after months of abuse. I’ve dropped it (more times than I’d like to admit) on tile, concrete, you name it—and thanks to my trusty case, not a single scratch or crack.
Samsung clearly didn’t cut corners on durability. If you’re clumsy like me, this phone’s rugged build might just save your wallet.
Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra Worth the Price in UAE? Let’s Break It Down
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is expensive – we’re talking AED 4,775 ($1,300) for the 256GB model. But here’s the good news: Samsung actually makes it surprisingly manageable to own one.
First, storage upgrades won’t break the bank. Bumping up to 512GB costs just AED 440 ($120) extra, and even the 1TB version sits at a reasonable AED 6,100 ($1,660) – way better than some competitors (cough Apple cough).
Final Thought
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a beast of a phone—tough as nails, blazing fast, and packed with premium features. That titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2? They make it feel nearly indestructible. But let’s be real: it’s missing some key upgrades that would make it truly unbeatable.
No microSD slot hurts for expandable storage, the battery life could be stronger, and while the cameras are great, they’re not class-leading in low light. Plus, with all that Snapdragon power under the hood, it’s surprising there aren’t more demanding apps to really push its limits.