Samsung started off the year with a significant phone event in 2024, introducing the latest smartphones in the Galaxy S24 series. The event, called Galaxy Unpacked, primarily focused on showcasing the new Galaxy S24 devices, which come with on-device generative AI, improved specifications, and upgraded cameras. However, there was an unexpected product announcement towards the end of the event: the Galaxy Ring, a health-tracking device from Samsung. As of now, no official launch date for the Galaxy Ring has been announced.
As is customary for Samsung’s early-year events, the spotlight was on their flagship S-series phones, which directly compete with Apple’s iPhones. These S-series phones often debut new mobile technologies that are later featured in other premium Android handsets released throughout the year.
Galaxy S24 brings AI, brighter screens and more
In 2024, generative AI has become a prominent technology that gained attention worldwide with the arrival of ChatGPT in late 2022. As a result, tech companies have been eager to incorporate it into their own products and services. Towards the end of last year, Qualcomm announced that its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip would feature on-device generative AI capabilities. The Galaxy S24 series is among the first smartphones to launch with this advanced silicon.
The Galaxy S24 series employs a combination of on-device and cloud-based generative AI, known as Galaxy AI, to deliver exciting features. Some of these features have been seen before, such as live translation and suggesting different tones for text messages. Additionally, the S24 series introduces new capabilities, like expanding photos beyond their original backgrounds. Another new feature is the ability to convert a regular-speed video into slow motion by generating frames in between the recorded frames.
The latest S24 series, particularly the top-tier model, brings conventional upgrades compared to its predecessors. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a more premium experience by featuring a titanium body instead of an aluminum frame. It enhances its camera capabilities by replacing the 10-megapixel, 10x optical zoom camera with a 50-megapixel 5x optical camera, enabling sharper long-distance photos. Additionally, the S24 Ultra only comes with 12GB of RAM, eliminating the 8GB option. The starting price for the S24 Ultra is $1,300 (£1,249, AU$2,199), which is $100 higher than the previous year’s S23 Ultra.
On the other hand, the standard S24 and S24 Plus models have not received significant upgrades. However, their screens have increased in size by 0.1 inches compared to the previous models, measuring 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively. The S24 Plus now features a Quad HD Plus resolution display, matching the S24 Ultra, resulting in a sharper picture compared to the HD Plus screen of its predecessor. The battery capacities have also slightly increased, with the S24 having a 4,000 mAh battery (up by 100 mAh) and the S24 Plus having a 4,900 mAh capacity (up by 200 mAh).
Samsung has also expanded its sustainability efforts in the S24 series, incorporating more recycled materials such as cobalt in batteries and rare earth elements in speakers. Additionally, the Galaxy S24 phones will receive Android and security updates for up to seven years, allowing owners to keep their phones up to date until 2031.
Pricing
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is available starting at $800 (£799, AU$1,399), while the S24 Plus starts at $1,000 (£999, AU$1,699). These prices remain the same as last year’s models. On the other hand, the S24 Ultra starts at $1,300, representing a $100 increase compared to the previous year’s S23 Ultra. This price bump can be attributed to the use of different materials aimed at enhancing durability.
As part of the pricing adjustments, Samsung has reduced the prices of its older phone models. The Galaxy S23 is now priced at $700, and the Galaxy S23 FE is available for $600.
Towards the end of the event, Samsung unveiled some new features for Samsung Health, focusing on improving sleep tracking and other health measurements. However, the highlight of the event was the introduction of the Galaxy Ring, a device expected to be equipped with various sensors to monitor health throughout the day.
Samsung provided limited information about the Galaxy Ring, withholding details such as pricing and release date. As a result, it is challenging to make direct comparisons with competing products like the Oura Ring. However, it is anticipated that Samsung will reveal more information about the Galaxy Ring in the near future.
