Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S24+

Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$622.00

Versus A$1,841.10 new

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Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$639.00

Versus A$873.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus, both released in January 2024, represent Samsung's core flagship smartphone offerings. While they share a common design language and many advanced features, key distinctions lie in their physical size, display resolution, battery capacity, and memory configurations. Both devices run on the Android operating system, offering a consistent software experience with Samsung's One UI and integrated Galaxy AI features.

Scores

Durability

Both the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus were launched in early 2024, ensuring a long support window for software updates. Samsung has committed to providing seven years of operating system and security updates for these models, which extends their practical lifespan significantly.

  • Software Longevity: Users can expect extended software support, with both devices receiving major Android updates and security patches for seven years from their release. This commitment helps maintain device security and access to new features over a prolonged period.
  • Physical Durability: Both models feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, offering protection against drops and scratches. They also come with an Armor Aluminum frame and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S24 has demonstrated a high repairability score, with components like the battery designed for easier replacement thanks to pull tabs. The S24 Plus is expected to offer a similar level of repairability, contributing to a longer potential service life.

Release year

2024

2024

Operating system

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of both the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus is driven by the same generation of advanced processors, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience across various tasks.

  • Processing Power: Both devices handle demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphic-intensive games with ease. Users can expect quick app loading times and fluid navigation through the interface.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, while the S24 Plus features a more generous 12GB of RAM. This difference means the S24 Plus may offer a slight advantage in managing a large number of open applications simultaneously without slowdowns. Storage options for the S24 include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, while the S24 Plus starts at 256GB and goes up to 512GB.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 is equipped with a 4000 mAh battery, supporting 25W wired charging. The S24 Plus features a larger 4900 mAh battery and supports faster 45W wired charging, allowing it to reach a higher charge percentage in less time. This larger capacity generally translates to longer usage times for the S24 Plus, with some reports indicating it can last well over a day with moderate use.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

Both the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus offer impressive display quality, featuring Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology for vibrant visuals.

  • Display Technology and Brightness: Both models utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with HDR10+ support, providing rich colors and deep blacks. They share a high peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The primary difference lies in size and resolution. The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch display with FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), offering clear and sharp images for everyday viewing. The S24 Plus, however, boasts a larger 6.7-inch display with a higher QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a noticeably sharper image with more detail, particularly beneficial for viewing high-resolution content or detailed text.
  • Refresh Rate: Both devices feature an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz. This dynamic adjustment ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations while also optimizing power consumption by lowering the refresh rate when static content is displayed.

Resolution

1080x2340

1440x3120

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus are identical, offering a versatile setup for various photography and videography needs.

  • Rear Camera System: Both phones are equipped with a triple-camera array on the rear. This includes a 50MP wide-angle main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. This configuration allows for detailed everyday photos, expansive landscape shots, and clear zoomed-in images.
  • Photography Performance: The main 50MP camera performs well in a wide range of situations, delivering detailed and natural-looking images. Both devices offer strong performance in various lighting conditions, with improvements in image processing. While capable, some users note that the camera performance, particularly in zoom quality, might not match the most premium camera-focused flagships.
  • Video and Audio: Both models support 8K video recording at up to 30 frames per second, along with 4K recording at 30/60fps. The front-facing camera is a 12MP sensor, suitable for high-quality selfies and video calls. Both devices feature stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, providing an immersive audio experience for media consumption.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements differentiate the user experience between the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus.

  • Connectivity: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S24 supports Wi-Fi 6E, while the S24 Plus offers the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, potentially providing faster and more stable wireless connections in compatible environments. Both also include Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting accessories.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy S24 is the more compact option, measuring 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and weighing 168 grams. The S24 Plus is larger and heavier at 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and 196 grams. This size difference impacts one-handed usability and pocketability, with the S24 being more manageable for smaller hands.
  • Biometrics and Ports: Both phones feature an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. They both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.

Weight

167 oz

200 oz

Screen size (in)

6.2

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus offer a compelling choice within the flagship smartphone segment, catering to slightly different user preferences. Common praise for both devices often highlights their vibrant displays, robust performance for daily tasks and gaming, and the extended software support commitment from Samsung. The integrated Galaxy AI features are also frequently noted for enhancing productivity and creative capabilities.

Some users have expressed minor concerns regarding the camera system, noting that while capable, it may not always stand out against the absolute top-tier camera phones, particularly in advanced zoom scenarios. Additionally, some initial user reports on forums like Reddit mentioned perceived differences in display brightness compared to previous generations, though adaptive brightness settings are designed to reach peak levels in bright conditions.

Users prioritizing a more compact device that is easier for one-handed use and pocketability may prefer the Galaxy S24. Its smaller form factor and slightly lighter weight make it a comfortable daily companion. Conversely, users who value a larger, higher-resolution display for media consumption, gaming, or productivity, along with extended battery life and faster charging, will find the Galaxy S24 Plus better suited to their needs. The additional RAM in the Plus model also offers a slight edge for heavy multitaskers. Both devices represent a solid investment, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be an eco-friendly alternative for those looking to make an informed and sustainable choice.

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