There isn’t any uncertainty in our minds that the S24 Ultra is the last word Galaxy – that’s, if we exclude the Fold from the dialog in order to not complicate issues. But does everybody want the last word Galaxy? Perhaps the extra strange Plus is all of the Galaxy you’d ever have any use for, and spending the premium for an Ultra is not totally warranted. With that in thoughts, we set off to learn how the 2 stack up, hopefully saving you some cash within the course of – or, alternatively, convincing you to go Ultra.
Table of Contents:
For starters, you’ll be able to examine the whole specs sheets or straight proceed with our editor’s evaluation within the textual content additional down beneath.
Size comparability
A fast take a look at the numbers exhibits a considerably vital distinction in measurement and weight – the Ultra is almost 40g heavier than the already not-particularly-light Plus. The Plus can also be noticeably extra compact, being nearly a full millimeter thinner and 3 mil much less vast – the height distinction might not be as tangible, however the different metrics have an instantaneous influence on usability. So in case you’re after not less than some semblance of pocketability, the Plus has an apparent benefit.
Samsung is intentionally differentiating the Ultra from the remainder of the lineup when it comes to design and construct too. Although there are some widespread stylistic cues, the S24 Ultra and the S24 Plus take totally different paths, bodily. The Ultra is clearly a Note descendant with a blocky physique and sharp corners, which suggests enterprise. On the opposite hand, the Plus maintains a barely extra fluid form within the corners and has extra of an on a regular basis vibe.
There’s a distinction in supplies, too, with the Ultra introducing titanium to the Galaxy universe, mixed with Corning’s newest Gorilla Armor glass on either side, whereas the Plus is utilizing the extra mundane Armor aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2. That would possible imply that the Ultra can be extra sturdy in the long term, although it is not just like the Plus is strictly fragile. Either approach, you would be getting an IP68-rated telephone.
One of the key adjustments on this yr’s Ultra is the glass overlaying the show, and it is a two-fold growth. On the one hand, it is now flat, versus the curved-edge S23 Ultra. That implies that each the S24 Ultra and the S24 Plus have flat panels on the entrance, in order that’s not going to be a deciding issue in case you have sturdy emotions on the topic. The different facet is that the Ultra’s glass is much less reflective, with opinions on the matter various between ‘okay, so what?’ and ‘that is the best factor ever’.
Display comparability
When it involves show high quality, there’s type of a significant growth on the Plus too – 1440p decision returns to the large-sized ‘common’ mannequin after three generations of 1080p Pluses. Additionally, the 2024 Plus can also be getting an LTPO panel with what is outwardly the identical stage of adaptive refresh charge conduct because the Ultra. The 0.1-inch bigger diagonal on the Ultra is then the one “vital” distinction in show specs. Well, that and the glass reflectivity we talked about above.
In our testing, the 2 telephones posted comparable outcomes for brightness – round 1,450nits with adaptive brightness enabled and vivid gentle shining into their ambient gentle sensors.
The HDR capabilities are equivalent – Dolby Vision is lacking from the image, however HDR10 and HDR10+ are coated. FullHD streaming of DRM-protected content material can also be doable due to the Widevine L1 help. Android 14’s Ultra HDR customary for displaying photographs on-line and in gallery apps additionally works on each telephones.
The S24 Ultra’s acquired a few peculiarities with its show which will or might not be an issue for you. One of them was the Ultra’s comparatively muted default coloration rendition, even within the Vivid coloration mode, although that has since been addressed with a firmware replace and the inclusion of a Vividness slider (which the Plus has additionally gotten, for good measure).
The different factor is the graininess that may be noticed at low brightness ranges – how irked you might be by this may possible fluctuate relying on how typically you utilize your telephone in darkish environments. This imperfection is seemingly not current on the Plus – so, in not less than this a method, the Plus’ show is best? This feels flawed to jot down, however it might seem like the case. Then once more, the reflectivity argument does convey some steadiness into this class.
Battery life
In the matter of endurance, the 2 telephones will possible provide you with comparable mileage in trivial duties like watching movies or shopping the online. In our testing, the Ultra was markedly higher in gaming, although, and its name time was additionally longer.
An asterisk that must be identified right here is that the Ultra makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in all its regional varieties, whereas the Plus exists with both that very same Snapdragon, or the Exynos 2400 chipset.
The Plus that we have examined has the Exynos, which might clarify the distinction in gaming endurance and name occasions (the 2 chipsets have a similar-grade CPU however a special modem and GPU). If you might be coming from a area the place the Snapdragon Plus Plus is obtainable, the 2 will most likely have comparable battery life.
Charging pace
Galaxies do not cost significantly quick, and that applies to each of the massive S24s as nicely. On paper they help 45W charging, however the charging curves that Samsung’s picked make for comparatively pedestrian outcomes. The Plus scores a slim victory right here, but it surely’s hardly a significant distinction.
Beyond wired charging, each the S24 Ultra and the S24 Plus help 15W Qi/PMA wi-fi charging and 4.5W reverse charging.
Speaker take a look at
The two telephones have comparable speaker setups – one speaker fires out of the underside of the handset, and one other one on the prime finish outputs sound ahead by a slit. That second one additionally serves because the earpiece.
Both the Ultra and the Plus earned ‘Very Good’ scores for loudness in our speaker take a look at. To our ears, the Ultra has the higher hand in sound high quality although, having the ability to pump out some extra noticeable low-end frequencies, with out sacrificing readability throughout the board.
You can examine how the 2 telephones sound in managed acoustic circumstances with the samples beneath. Just be sure you have your headphones on and the quantity is at max stage.
Performance
The steadiness of powers within the Performance part can also be prone to fluctuate between areas – the locations that get a Snapdragon model of the Plus should not be seeing a lot of a distinction between the 2 handsets’ benchmark scores. Not that no matter variations there are between the efficiency of the Exynos and the Snapdragon might be readily felt, however that is not the purpose.
Both telephones characteristic 12GB of RAM in all configurations, and the bottom storage is 256GB, so there is no apparent benefit for both one. The Ultra does have a 1TB storage possibility, whereas the Plus maxes out at 512GB, so possibly that could possibly be a deciding issue in case you’re that kind of utmost energy consumer.
If you are that individual, you will additionally most likely be after the Ultra’s S Pen – it provides one other layer of productiveness that merely having a big display would not fairly match. Jotting down notes, ‘signing’ paperwork, or simply having a wi-fi distant to your telephone’s digicam at all times there with you – the Plus has no fast reply to that.
It’s value mentioning right here that the S24 technology is promised as much as 7 years of OS updates and software program help – that applies to each telephones although, so you do not have to pay further for the Ultra to learn from it. Also, each the Ultra and the Plus get the newest in AI-assisted software program options that Google and Samsung have provide you with.
In our testing – as established, with totally different chipsets on the 2 telephones – the Plus matched the Ultra in CPU efficiency however was just a little bit behind in graphics benchmarks. Again, that can possible not be the case in case you’re in North America, the place the Plus comes with the identical chipset because the Ultra.
Camera comparability
Alongside the S Pen, the distinction in digicam capabilities is the opposite space that can resolve whether or not you will need to get the Ultra otherwise you’ll be okay with the Plus. The Ultra has the correct high-end setup, with two telephotos, autofocusing ultrawide, and a bigger sensor most important unit.
The Plus, however, makes do with a single zoom digicam, fixed-focus ultrawide, and a large-ish sensor main. The most important distinction is that the Plus will solely zoom as much as 3x, whereas the Ultra covers the 3x stage, however also can do 5x and likewise 10x with some caveats.
Photo high quality
In daylight, the worldwide picture properties are very comparable between the 2 telephones, and you will be getting vibrant photographs with a large dynamic vary. Differences emerge at 1:1 viewing, the place the Plus reveals extra laid-back processing, leading to a considerably delicate look to element and a bit extra graininess.
The Ultra arguably strikes a greater steadiness with sharpening and noise discount and delivers cleaner photographs with out wanting synthetic.
With all cameras and in any respect matching zoom ranges, the Ultra has an edge in sharpness and element – generally the distinction is smaller, generally extra vital. For informal snaps, the Plus will serve you nicely, however in order for you extra of a cameraphone expertise and one of the best photographs from a Galaxy, it should be the Ultra.
Galaxy S24 Ultra daylight samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 3x
Galaxy S24+ daylight samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 3x
not solely is the Ultra higher than the Plus at their comparable zoom ranges, however the Ultra has a 5x telephoto digicam that provides it additional attain, which the Plus cannot match. It’s additionally nice for close-ups.
Galaxy S24 Ultra daylight samples: 5x
One space the place there will be no sacrifices is selfies – whereas there are minor variations between the outcomes we acquired on the 2 telephones (probably attributable to the totally different ISPs due to the Snapdragon/Exynos scenario), you’ll be able to depend on glorious selfies both approach.
Selfie samples: Galaxy S24 Ultra • Galaxy S24 Plus
Low-light efficiency, in as few phrases as doable, is nice to excellent on the Plus and glorious on the Ultra. The Plus will preserve you happy with its most important digicam, however the Ultra nonetheless has an edge there, and it is a comparable story with the ultrawides. On the opposite hand, the 3x telephoto of the Ultra is a notably higher performer at midnight.
Galaxy S24 Ultra low-light samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 3x
Galaxy S24+ low-light samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 3x
And, as soon as once more, the Ultra can merely get you nearer to the motion than the Plus. Or, in our case, to that random little bit of a reasonably lit facade at night time.
Galaxy S24 Ultra low-light samples: 5x
Video high quality
Both telephones can seize video at as much as 4K60 with all of their cameras. You also can do 8K30 on the primary cameras, and the Ultra can also be able to 8K30 on the 5x telephoto. Another Ultra-only possibility is 4K120 on the primary digicam in Pro Video mode. Stabilization is out there in all modes and does a terrific job on each telephones.
Oddly sufficient, in daylight, our Plus captures barely sharper 4K30 video with all three of its rear cameras – it is not a dramatic distinction, but it surely’s additionally not the distinction you’d count on to see.
The Ultra inevitably scores factors for attain as it will possibly do properly detailed 5x recording and fairly respectable 10x as nicely. Colors are typically pleasing on each telephones, whereas the Plus has a barely extra contrasty look general.
Galaxy S24 Ultra daylight video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x
Galaxy S24+ daylight video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x
In low gentle, we might be inclined to say that the Ultra has a minor edge on the primary digicam and the ultrawide, but it surely’s hardly vital sufficient to be a deciding issue. The telephotos’ footage is not nice on both telephone.
Galaxy S24 Ultra low-light video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x
Galaxy S24+ low-light video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 3x
Verdict
We did not for one second doubt that the Galaxy S24 Ultra would ‘win’ this comparability, however establishing that it was the superior telephone was by no means the objective. We have been aiming to show that the Plus is an efficient sufficient premium Galaxy for most individuals, and solely those that know that they need the Ultra ought to get the Ultra.
Indeed, the Plus comes with a lot of the newest advantages of a top-tier Samsung telephone. It’s acquired a 1440p show that is as adaptive as on the Ultra, it costs about as quick as its larger brother, and has stable battery life (if not fairly pretty much as good because the Ultra’s). All the AI smarts are on board too and there might be 7 years of updates.
The Plus can also be a succesful cameraphone that you just’d be completely pleased with if you do not have an Ultra to check in opposition to and if you do not know for a undeniable fact that your digicam pursuits are predominantly past 3x zoom. Also, whilst you do get pleasure from a big display, you do not have the pockets for the heavier and blockier Ultra – do get the Plus then. And there’s at all times the financial argument – going Plus will prevent some cash, and it is not an insignificant quantity.
However, the Ultra carries that identify for a motive, and because the final telephone within the lineup, it delivers some further goodies. The 5x telephoto digicam will broaden your attain, but in addition get you nicer closeups. And even the place the 2 telephones share zoom ranges, the Ultra’s picture high quality is constantly higher (although it is not fairly so for video).
It’s not simply the digicam, although. The Ultra has longer battery life and a much less reflective show, plus its harder construct may very well assist it make use of all these promised 7 years of updates. And, after all, there’s the S Pen, which may render this entire dialogue irrelevant, if you realize you could find utility in it.
Ultimately, it is comparatively easy. Most individuals might be pleased with the S24 Plus. But some individuals ought to get the S24 Ultra.
- The harder construct.
- The much less reflective show.
- The longer battery life.
- The S Pen stylus.
- Superior photographs throughout the board.
- Zoom motion past 3x, whether or not it is stills or video.
Get the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for:
- The lower cost.
- The extra compact physique.
- The entire ‘mainstream’ high-end Samsung expertise.
Get the Samsung Galaxy S24+ for:
