May 12, 2024
Samsung Galaxy S24 in gray.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Tendencies

Samsung unveiled its subsequent flagship smartphone line, the Galaxy S24, throughout the January Galaxy Unpacked occasion. This new lineup contains the bottom mannequin S24, the bigger S24 Plus, and the top-tier S24 Extremely. It’s one of many first massive smartphone releases to kick issues off for the brand new 12 months.

I acquired my palms on the bottom Galaxy S24 and have been spending a while with it. Listed below are my (very optimistic) first impressions of the gadget up to now.

The scale is similar to the S23

Samsung Galaxy S24 in gray (left) next to a white S23 to show size difference.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Tendencies

One of many issues I liked concerning the Galaxy S23 from final 12 months was the scale. I’m an individual who prefers smaller telephones, and the S23 was nice as a result of it was a comparatively compact dimension in comparison with a lot of the competitors, and it was fairly comfy to carry and use for prolonged durations.

When the Galaxy S24 was introduced, I used to be a bit aggravated at the truth that Samsung had barely elevated the show dimension from 6.1 inches to six.2 inches (and the S24 Plus acquired the identical .1-inch enhance to six.7 inches from 6.6 inches). I choose extra compact units as a result of I’ve petite palms, and enormous telephones are tough for me to make use of single-handedly. So, after I noticed that the S24 was creeping up in dimension, my coronary heart sank. In any case, it’s a slippery slope — what’s to cease Samsung from barely rising it annually? Ultimately, there could also be no extra compact telephones.

Samsung Galaxy S24 held in hand.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Tendencies

Fortunately, the bump to six.2 inches is just not as unhealthy as I assumed. It’s really fairly negligible, and except you’ve gotten the 2 units side-by-side, I doubt you’ll even have the ability to inform the distinction. The Galaxy S24 seems to be a smidge taller and a fraction of a hair thinner than its predecessor, nevertheless it’s not noticeable except you look carefully. There’s additionally a slight discount in bezels, however not an excessive amount of.

The Galaxy S24 remains to be fairly small and compact, making it a great dimension for me. It’s about the identical as my iPhone 15 Professional however lighter as a result of aluminum body. It’s been comfy to make use of, which I’m grateful for.

The brand new design is sweet, but in addition very acquainted

Samsung Galaxy S24 and an S23 held in hand showing frame differences.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Tendencies

Samsung determined to refresh the look of the S24 and S24 Plus this 12 months by transferring to a flat-edged body as an alternative of the rounded curves from the S23. The flat edges are harking back to what Apple has completed because the iPhone 12 and as much as the present iPhone 15 lineup.

I just like the flat edges. It makes the S24 a bit simpler to carry and appears far more elegant and clear, for my part. However it additionally seems like a double-edged sword as a result of it’s not really something new — it’s been completed earlier than. Samsung is solely being a copycat. The Galaxy S24 principally seems like an iPhone 15, and there’s no getting round it.

Samsung Galaxy S24 in gray on top of a green iPhone 15 to show frame similarities.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Tendencies

And it looks as if Samsung isn’t the one one. From the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional leaks final week, it seems to be like Google is doing the identical factor. Flat edges are coming to the Pixel lineup, assuming these renders are true.

As a lot as I just like the flat edges, it seems like smartphone design has plateaued, a minimum of with the foremost manufacturers. It really works effectively on the S24, nevertheless it’s additionally a probably troubling signal of what all smartphones may appear to be over the approaching 12 months.

Circle to Search is unimaginable

Samsung Galaxy S24 showing Circle to Search.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Tendencies

I’m not an enormous fan of how AI appears to be taking up all the pieces all over the place, together with smartphones. However I have to admit that Circle to Search was a characteristic that intrigued me after I heard about it, and I couldn’t wait to test it out for myself.

I’m all the time scrolling by way of my social media apps, and I typically come throughout issues that catch my consideration, however I don’t know what the title is or what it’s known as. I sort one thing right into a Google search however typically I’m not even shut with the outcomes. Circle to Search is a sport changer.

I really like that this characteristic works wherever in any app, not simply once you’re shopping the net on Google Chrome. Discover one thing that pursuits you, after which faucet and maintain on the middle navigation button (or nav bar if you happen to selected gesture navigation), after which faucet, circle, or scribble on no matter you need to lookup.

The outcomes I’ve gotten up to now are fairly good, as I’ll discover hyperlinks to the place I should purchase an merchandise that I randomly discovered, or different articles for merchandise. It’s a powerful AI characteristic that I want was on all of my different telephones. Fortunately, Circle to Search is accessible on all the S24 lineup (the S24 Extremely, specifically, is nice due to the S-Pen), and it’s additionally heading to the Google Pixel 8 collection by the tip of the month.

This can be a handy characteristic that each one telephones ought to have, not simply the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8. Hopefully, it simply turns into a normal characteristic within the close to future.

There’s nonetheless much more to love

All four colors of the Samsung Galaxy S24 next to each other.
Joe Maring / Digital Tendencies

I’ve solely been utilizing the Samsung Galaxy S24 for a couple of days, however I’m having fun with my time with it. Apart from the brand new design modifications and AI-powered instruments like Circle to Search, it seems to be like a good improve from final 12 months’s Galaxy S23.

The Galaxy S24’s show is brighter than ever, which is helpful for these brilliant and sunny Southern California days. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip is snappy and quick, and despite the fact that the S24 solely has 8GB RAM in comparison with the 12GB of the S24 Plus and S24 Extremely, it’s nonetheless fairly a powerhouse for the common person — particularly those that choose small telephones. The battery life can be spectacular, although I want Samsung would bump up the charging pace for the bottom mannequin S24 like the remainder of the lineup.

I’ll be placing the S24 by way of the paces extra within the coming days for a full overview, so keep tuned!

Editors’ Suggestions






Supply Hyperlink : brabusmedia.com