I used the Galaxy S24 Extremely for a month, and there is a downside

I get to make use of quite a lot of telephones over the course of a 12 months, and once I’m achieved with the evaluation cycle, I transfer my SIM into the units I like essentially the most. Up to now, that was restricted to OnePlus or Google; OxygenOS delivered all the pieces I wished in an Android interface, and despite the fact that the cameras weren’t one of the best, the fluidity of the software program and the customizability meant I inevitably went again to a OnePlus telephone.

Equally, Pixels had their shortcomings — principally across the {hardware} — however Google’s distinctive software program options mixed with excellent cameras made utilizing a Pixel a delight. Lately, I discovered myself utilizing Samsung telephones increasingly; I known as the Galaxy S23 Extremely one among my favourite telephones final 12 months, and I used that system for over three months at a stretch.

So once I received my fingers on the Galaxy S24 Extremely, I assumed it might be simply as thrilling to make use of as its predecessor — however I used to be unsuitable. The telephone turned out to be an excessive amount of just like the Galaxy S23 Extremely; despite the fact that it has a titanium chassis, it’s the identical weight, and that instantly took the sheen off the system. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Professional Max is 19g lighter than its predecessor, and the distinction is immediately noticeable — it’s considerably simpler to carry and use, and I assumed Samsung would have comparable features on supply. 

In reality, I did not discover any main variations between the Galaxy S24 Extremely and its predecessor in day by day use. I examined sufficient telephones to know that we’re previous the purpose the place we get generational features year-on-year, however even by the standard iterative replace cycle, the Galaxy S24 Extremely does not push the needle in a significant method.

Aside from a brighter AMOLED panel and up to date inner {hardware}, Samsung did not make any tangible adjustments. The cameras are the identical as final 12 months, however to its credit score, Samsung tweaked the algorithms to ship higher photographs, and that is clearly evident in low-light conditions and when utilizing the telephoto lenses.

However even then, the Galaxy S24 Extremely is not one of the best digicam telephone you should purchase in the present day — removed from it. In reality, going from Honor’s Magic 6 Professional to the Galaxy S24 Extremely felt like a downgrade. This 12 months’s flagships have raised the bar considerably, with Chinese language manufacturers specifically delivering stellar cameras throughout the board.

The Xiaomi 14 Extremely, Honor Magic 6 Professional, OPPO Discover X7 Extremely, and Vivo X100 Professional all have higher digicam packages than the Galaxy S24 Extremely, and so they ship versatile lenses that take magnificent photographs and movies in nearly any state of affairs. Samsung, in the meantime, positioned AI as the important thing differentiator with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, and as somebody who’s ambivalent about generative AI, I simply did not care about all the brand new additions.

I wished Samsung to roll out thrilling upgrades over the Galaxy S23 Extremely, however the model as a substitute selected to play it protected and delivered a telephone that does not stand out in any significant method. It is no marvel, then, that I made a decision to change to the Xiaomi 14 Extremely as quickly because it confirmed up.

Whereas different manufacturers push the boundaries of digicam tech yearly, Samsung coasts alongside and stays related due to its distinctive market positioning. Samsung is the most important Android producer by a substantial margin, and the Galaxy S24 Extremely is the one flagship alternative in North America apart from the Pixel 8 Professional.

Samsung’s largest Chinese language rivals haven’t got a foothold within the U.S., so the model does not want to fret about its dominance within the area. That state of affairs is not more likely to change anytime quickly, and due to this fact, Samsung actually does not should innovate or ship greater than the naked minimal of upgrades.

The Galaxy S24 Extremely is not a foul telephone by any measure; it simply does not supply any materials upgrades over its predecessor, and that finally makes it boring. As somebody who makes use of over 75 telephones a 12 months, I get to be extremely choosy in regards to the units I select as my day by day driver. And in 2024, the Galaxy S24 Extremely simply does not measure up. It’s a nice alternative for those who’re on an older system and wish to improve — it is not the telephone for me.