Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 SM-S921UZKAXAA Review
The Samsung Galaxy S24 offers useful AI features in a familiar package, but its middling hardware makes it a tough sell against sharper competition at this price.
The 30-Second Version
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a mid-range phone wearing a flagship name tag. Buy it for the AI software if you're a Samsung die-hard, but look elsewhere for better hardware at this price.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a solid phone that's trying to be two things at once: a flagship AI showcase and a mid-range value pick. The one thing to know? It's a decent all-rounder, but it's not the best at anything. For around $600, you get a capable Android phone with Samsung's latest software tricks, but you're making some clear compromises on hardware to hit that price. It's the phone you buy if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem and want the latest AI features without paying for the Ultra model.
Performance
Performance lands in the 69th percentile in our database, which is fine for everyday tasks but not a standout. It's powered by an unspecified processor paired with 8GB of RAM, and honestly, that's a bit of a letdown for a phone with 'Galaxy S' in the name. It'll handle social media and email just fine, but don't expect it to blaze through intensive games or heavy multitasking. The 'Fastest Processor' claim in the marketing copy feels like a stretch when you look at the actual competition.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid Samsung software with useful Galaxy AI features like Live Translate and Note Assist. 99th
- Good display quality for the price, scoring in the 67th percentile. 99th
- Unlocked and works on all major carriers, which is always a plus. 98th
- Respectable social proof score, meaning people generally like it. 98th
Cons
- The base 128GB storage is stingy in 2024, especially with no microSD card slot mentioned.
- Battery and camera performance are below average, sitting in the 39th and 37th percentiles.
- The unspecified processor is a red flag; you're paying for software, not raw power.
- Connectivity is surprisingly weak at the 34th percentile, which is odd for a modern phone.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.2 |
| Display Type | OLED |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 2600 nits |
| HDR | Yes |
Performance
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Processor Model | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| CPU Speed | 3.4 |
| RAM | 8 MB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
Camera
| Main Camera | 50 |
| Camera Count | 3 |
| Ultrawide | 12 |
| Telephoto | 10 |
| Front Camera | 12 |
| Optical Zoom | 3x |
| Video | 8K |
Battery & Charging
| Battery | 4000 Wh |
| Wired Charging | 25 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Fast Charging | Adaptive Fast Charging |
| Connector | USB-C |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB-C |
| SIM | Nano SIM |
Design & Build
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Fingerprint | Yes |
| Face Recognition | Yes |
| OS | Android 14 |
| Headphone Jack | No |
Value & Pricing
At $619, the value is okay, but not amazing. You're paying a premium for Samsung's brand and AI software. If those specific features are must-haves, it's worth considering. If you just want a good Android phone, there's better hardware for the same money.
Price History
vs Competition
This is where it gets tricky. The Google Pixel 10 will almost certainly beat it on pure camera performance and cleaner software for a similar price. The OnePlus 15 is likely to offer much faster charging and a smoother experience. And if you're not tied to Android, an unlocked iPhone 15 can be found for close to this price and will have better long-term support and resale value. The S24's main advantage is its deep integration with the Samsung ecosystem.
| Spec | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 SM-S921UZKAXAA | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKEXAA | Motorola Motorola G Stylus PB6V0014US | Google Google Pixel 10 GA10091-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Apple CPO Apple iPhone 16 A3083 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.2 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Display Type | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Tensor | 8 Elite Gen 5 | Apple A18 Pro |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 512 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 50 | 200 | 50 | 48 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | 12 | 12 | 32 | 10 | 32 | 12 |
| Battery Capacity Mah | 4000 | 5000 | 5000 | 5015 | 7300 | 3582 |
| Charging Wattage | 25 | 60 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | true | true | true | - | - | true |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | IP68 |
| Operating System | Android 14 | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | iPadOS 18 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the storage expandable?
Nope. The listing doesn't mention a microSD card slot, so you're stuck with the 128GB you buy. For most people, that's not enough.
Q: How many years of software updates will it get?
Samsung typically promises four major Android updates and five years of security patches for its S-series. That's a strong point.
Q: Is it good for gaming?
Not really. Our data puts its gaming score in the 24th percentile. It's fine for casual games, but don't expect high-frame-rate performance in demanding titles.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a mobile gamer, a photography enthusiast, or just want the best battery life, this isn't it. Go get a Google Pixel for the camera, a OnePlus for speed, or an iPhone for longevity.
Verdict
We can't give it a full-throated recommendation. The Galaxy S24 is a competent phone for Samsung loyalists who crave the latest AI features and don't mind mid-tier hardware. For everyone else, the competition is simply stronger. Look at a Google Pixel or a OnePlus first, unless you live inside Samsung's world of apps and services.