The Samsung Galaxy S24 series features some of the top Android smartphones available today. If you want a small and compact flagship, get the Galaxy S24; if you want a big-screen flagship at a fair price, get the Galaxy S24+; and if you want the best, get the Galaxy S24 Ultra. However, no smartphone (or, in this case, a smartphone series) is perfect, and the Galaxy S24 is no different. If you're on the fence regarding the Galaxy S24, here are four reasons to reconsider.
Snapdragon vs. Exynos: Different chipsets in different regions
Samsung significantly shifted to its flagship portfolio with the Galaxy S23 series, introducing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 variation to the devices worldwide. Unlike past Samsung Galaxy S-series launches, which restricted Snapdragon variants for places such as North America and Korea, Exynos-powered flagships were released in India, Europe, and Australia.
However, with the release of the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung reverted to its old strategy, with the Qualcomm-powered S24 series arriving in North America and Korea first, followed by the Exynos 2400-powered S24 smartphones in other areas. This isn't a significant issue because both models have the same functionality, but historically, Snapdragon-powered phones have performed far better than Exynos variants.
For example, our sister site XDA-Developers rated the Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S22 Ultra "way better" than the Exynos model. Similar concerns are now being reported in the S24 series (via NanoReview), with the Exynos 2400 trailing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in peak performance, connectivity, and battery life. This results in an inconsistent user experience for those trying to purchase this device, and it's time for Samsung to stick with Exynos or Snapdragon for all worldwide markets.
Marginal upgrades from the last generation
You don't need a Galaxy S24 series smartphone, especially if you already have an S23 series device. The Galaxy S24 offers only minor advancements over the previous generation, giving it a pass if you're not looking to upgrade. The S24 series has the same design, battery capacity, charging rates, and camera arrangement as the base and models, with the Ultra only receiving a tiny increase from a 10MP 10x lens to a 50MP 5x lens.
The general experience is similar in both series. If you already own an S23 series phone, there's no need to upgrade - and there's one more big reason described below. On the other hand, if you don't mind buying a year-old gadget, I recommend the Galaxy S23 series, which is still available at a reduced price.
Galaxy S23 Series Just Got Smarter with New AI Features
When Samsung announced the Galaxy S24 series, there was a lot of buzz (and marketing) about the new "Galaxy AI" features. These new AI capabilities include a redesigned AI-powered photo editor, a live translator that works during phone calls, Circle to Search, and more. However, over a month after the Galaxy S24 series debuted, Samsung rolled out most of these capabilities to all of its 2023 products, including the S23 series, Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and more. This makes the Galaxy S24 even less tempting, as there are few unique features left. Furthermore, as previously said, you can have a similar experience by purchasing an older-generation smartphone.
Less value for money
If you want the best bang for your buck, the Samsung Galaxy S24 series is best avoided. Flagship smartphones from other brands, such as the OnePlus 12, provide better value, particularly with a $200 discount. You still get a large AMOLED display, the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, faster charging with a comparable battery, and only a tiny change to the camera arrangement. If you want the best value for your money, you should probably forego the Samsung flagship.
Samsung Galaxy S24 is still worth considering
Despite the criticism, the Galaxy S24 still has characteristics that make it worth purchasing. For example, the S24 series includes some of the industry's brightest display panels. Furthermore, Samsung offers the longest software support on the newest flagship series, and with its competent hardware, it can easily withstand the entire seven years of support.