With the hotly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra now officially launched, tech pundits race evaluating hardware, cameras, and software seeking to crown the next Android flagship king.
Respected outlet GSMArena adds its perspective via an in-depth YouTube video review tackling all the phone’s capabilities. Let’s digest insights to determine if the S24 Ultra ascends as the unambiguous cream of the Android crop.
S24 Ultra Design and Display Analysis
Regarding sheer physical beauty and visual splendor, GSMArena decidedly deems the Galaxy S24 Ultra a masterwork evolution that refines past generation strengths.
Continued premium metal and glass craftsmanship delivers an ultra-premium in-hand feel many cheaper Androids can’t match. Victus+ Gorilla Glass armoring ensures resilience as well against life’s dings.
Some criticize familiar design recycling past S Series hits lacking fresh identity. However the extra slick Sand color refresh modernizes just enough while retaining iconic S Series DNA.
Display Dazzles with 6.8-Inch 120Hz AMOLED Elegance
But the real feast manifests when powering on the S24 Ultra’s dazzling 6.8-inch LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X display.
Vibrant colors, silky smooth 120Hz variable refresh rate animation, 1500+ nit peak brightness, and absolute inky black contrast leave little room critiquing what’s arguably the most gorgeous mobile screen available.
Examining the Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera Setup
The Galaxy S Series built its smartphone camera supremacy reputation over years…can the S24 Ultra uphold lofty imaging expectations?
On the hardware front, a huge new 200MP main wide angle sensor joins the holdover 12MP ultrawide and twin 10MP telephoto lenses.
Results impress overall with incredible resolved detail in optimal lighting conditions that blow past resolutions away.
Low Light Camera Performance Lacks
However, GSMArena does note cameras struggle in dimmer night environments compared to the best from Apple, Google, and others. Furthermore, some lament ditching the S23 Ultra’s dedicated 10x optical telephoto for a 3x/10x hybrid zoom replacing it.
So in summary − excellent everyday shooters but not category leading given $1200+ cost.
Blazing Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Speed with Caveats
The Galaxy S24 Ultra takes no prisoners unleashing Qualcomm’s ferocious Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 silicon paired with ample 12GB RAM resulting in Android’s highest benchmark score yet.
Real world usage flies as well with instant app launching, adrenaline-pumping gaming frame rates beyond 100fps, and Snapdragon-optimized power efficiencies keeping thermal throttling at bay.
That said, some regions get stuck with Exynos variants threatening experiences. And Gen 3 looms later this year regardless so advanced future-proofing remains questionable.
Battery Life Fails Impressing
With such giant 6.8-inch screens and bleeding edge performance, boosting battery capacities proves essential maintaining usability away from power outlets.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s very average 5000mAh battery underwhelms in testing − even regressing slightly from its S23 predecessor’s longevity.
While adequate for lighter users, frequent travelers or mobile gamers should anticipate frequently reaching for USB-C charging to avoid premature power downs.
One UI Software Shines Bright
Transitioning to analyzing user experiences, GSMArena happily reports One UI 5.1 on the S24 Ultra refracts Android 13 excellence translating Google’s latest and greatest into an elegant Samsung vision.
Beyond pure aesthetic beauty unique to Samsung devices, One UI goes further customizing Android to match user workflow preferences through deeper settings flexibility.
If not the leanest interface given Samsung bloatware additions, One UI arguably out-classes Pixel Android on the dimensionality front.
Is Upgrading From the S23 Ultra Worthwhile?
Given the iterative enhancements uncovered across most areas, GSMArena suggests S23 Ultra owners can safely skip upgrading after just one year. However, older generation Galaxy flagships should see enough fresh innovations making the S24 Ultra a solid step up.
Of course wallet freedom enables going all-in on any tech lust. But pragmatically, only serious mobile photographers, gamers and early adopters stand gaining significantly from the S24 Ultra other than smug geek gratification.
The average users awaits holding out until the S25 or S26 era when more radical changes come due.
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