Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S24 series, and it’s packed with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), camera technology, performance, and sustainability. Here are the most important things to know about the S24 series, including retail prices and availability.
1. There are three S24 models and up to 1TB of storage
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series consists of three models, arranged here from smallest to biggest: S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra.
The S24 Ultra is available with 256GB, 512GB, or a whopping 1TB of memory storage. The S24+ offers 256GB or 512GB, while the entry-level S24 has 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB.
It remains to be seen whether all of these storage sizes will be available in South Africa.
As far as RAM goes, the S24 gets 8GB while the other two, Plus and Ultra, get 12GB.
2. The S24 turns you into a cunning multi-linguist
By using artificial intelligence (AI), the S24’s Live Translate and Interpreter can bridge language barriers with real-time voice and text translations. Holidaying in France and can’t speak the language? You can still call up that bistro and make a booking, while the restaurant manager speaks French and you speak English.
Among the S24’s features you will also find Chat Assist, which can help you to craft the right tone in messages and apps. It can adopt an informal tone when chatting with friends, or be formal when communicating with a client or manager. AI Keyboard can even translates messages on the fly.
3. You can now search visually
Everything has gone visual, so why shouldn’t search? Circle to Search with Google lets the user discover information from anything on the screen by using intuitive gestures.
Seen a handbag that your favourite influenza wears on Instagram? Circle it with your finger or the S-Pen, and Google retrieves the info or show it to you on the page of an online store.
4. It has killer cameras and AI editing
Samsung’s S-series has always employed excellent cameras and related software. The S24 is no exception.
The Ultra promises to capture incredible images at any distance with the Quad Tele System (with 200MP wide-angle camera) and Space Zoom. Enhanced “Nightography” delivers bright photos and videos even in low light, and AI editing tools make post-processing easy.
With Generative Edit, you can bring your photos to life with AI-powered enhancements, Samsung says. However, the image will get a watermark to indicate it was made using AI.
The tables below provides more detail on the camera specifications.
5. It’s fast, cool, and bright
The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, optimised for efficient AI processing and powerful performance. The other two use the Samsung Exynos 2400 chip, which might be ever so slightly slower than the Snapdragon.
Samsung emphasises the smooth visuals of the new S24 range, thanks to 1~120Hz adaptive refresh rates, and invites consumers to dive into immersive gaming with advanced thermal control and ray tracing technology. If you didn’t know, ray tracing is a technique that makes light in video games behave like it does in real life, according to Wired. To experience this in a game, the latter must be compatible, like Diablo Immortal.
Resolution and brightness
As for screen resolution, the S24 Ultra and S24+ use QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (3120 x 1440), while the S24 uses FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2340 x 1080).
If you have ever strained your eyes to read messages in bright sunlight, you’d welcome the brightest Galaxy display ever. According to Samsung, the S24 range boasts peak brightness of 2600nits (all models) and Vision Booster, ensuring vibrant visuals in any lighting condition.
6. It has a body to die for
The Galaxy S24 series combines sleek design with enhanced durability. Slimmer bezels offer a larger canvas for viewing, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s flatter display optimizes both viewing and productivity. Screen sizes (in inches) are 6.2 for the S24, 6.7 for the S24 Plus, and 6.8 for the S24 Ultra.
Corning Gorilla Glass with improved scratch resistance and reduced reflection adds another layer of protection. Speaking of which, the S24 Ultra lives inside a titanium frame (just like Sia), while the S24 and S24+ rock reinforced aluminium.
Battery capacity is 4000mAh for the S24, 4900mAh for the S24+, and 5000mAh in the S24 Ultra. All models offer around 30 hours of video playback before the battery runs out.
7. It’s serious about privacy and security.
Samsung claims that its Knox technology safeguards user data with end-to-end security. This “empowers you to control how your information is used for AI features.”
The company added that Passkeys provide secure access to websites and apps across devices, while Enhanced Data Protection encrypts backups and syncs on Samsung Cloud.
8. You’ll love it for a long time
The Galaxy S24 series incorporates recycled materials in various components, including cobalt, rare earth elements, steel, and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), to show Samsung’s “commitment to sustainability.”
The box is made from recycled paper, and seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates extend the lifespan of the device.
9. You only have to sell one kidney
On Takealot, the S24 Ultra’s prices start at R29 499 (256GB), the S24+ at R24 499 (256GB), and the S24 with 256GB is advertised for R20 499. This seems like better value for money than Samsung’s flip/fold phones.
Over at MTN, S24 contract prices are as follows. They include 4GB and 50 minutes per month:
- S24 256GB 5G for R819 x 36 months
- S24+ 256GB 5G for R909 x 36 months
- S24 Ultra 256GB 5G for R1 089 x 36 months
Vodacom charges slightly more and offer a 512GB S24 Ultra besides the 256GB versions.
- S24 256GB 5G from R899 x 36 months or for R20 999
- S24+ 256GB 5G from R999 x 36 months or for R23 999
- S24 Ultra 256GB 5G from R1 199 x 36 months or for R29 999
- S24 Ultra 512GB 5G from R1 349 x 36 months or for R34 999
Pre-order and get rewarded
Samsung South Africa says pre-orders for the Galaxy S24 series begin January 31st, with the official local launch on the 14th of February (Valentine’s Day). However, Takealot.co.za says it will already ship phones on 7 February. We have asked for confirmation and will update this article accordingly.
Trade-in options and discounted Samsung Care Plus cover will be available. Early birds can make use of offers like these:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE bolt-on at R99 x 36 months
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 LTE 40mm or 44mm bolt-on at R69 x 36 months
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic 43mm or 47mm bolt-on at R139 x 36 months
