Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra is shaping up to be the leading smartphone of 2024 when it launches early next year. Now we know how the flagship handset stacks up against its powerful predecessor.
Recent leaked images compare the current top-of-the-line Galaxy handset—the Galaxy S23 Ultra—with its highly anticipated replacement. The broad formula for Samsung’s largest-screened smartphone remains the same, but the evolution of the Ultra line is clear to see.
The first change can be seen in the storage space for the S-Pen. Samsung is introducing a new S-Pen stylus with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While it should work with other Galaxy devices, including a storage compartment in the body reinforces the notion that the Galaxy S and the S-Pen are designed to work together.
The top of the new S-Pen barrel is less rounded than before, meaning the pen will now sit flush with the edges of the Galaxy S24, reducing unwanted ejections.
Then, there is the speaker grille. The Galaxy S23 Ultra saw the lower speaker tucked away behind six small holes in the case; the Galaxy S24 Ultra has moved towards a single bar cutout. This looks to be a cosmetic decision rather than practical (the S24 Ultra is expected to continue achieving the IP68 rating of the S23 Ultra). I’m curious to see if this aesthetic continues throughout the new handset.
Finally, you have the volume button. It’s often overlooked,2 but the external switches and buttons on any smartphone contribute massively to the tactile feel of the phone. Buttons in awkward places or with poor physical feedback can impact its perception. So it’s worth noting Samsung has moved the volume rockers and made the rocker a touch wider and thicker.
What you can’t see directly is Samsung’s move to a titanium chassis, dropping the overall weight of the handset and increasing its strength. While Apple blazed this trail with the iPhone 15 Pro, given the time it takes to design and certify a new handset, Samsung will have decided long before Apple’s reveal to move to titanium.
The Galaxy S24 family, including the S24 Ultra and S-Pen, will launch in early 2024 at a “Galaxy Unpacked” event that is widely expected to take place on January 17th.