Hot on the heels of CES 2024’s AI-dominated showcase, Samsung held its biannual Unpacked event in San Jose, California, not with dazzling reimagined hardware but with a revolutionary software platform: Galaxy AI.
This suite of intelligent features takes center stage in the brand-new Galaxy S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra, turning these smartphones into more than just sleek devices with excellent cameras — they’re AI powerhouses.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the new gadgets from Samsung Unpacked? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! We’ll break down all the key announcements from the show so you can stay informed and score the most savings if you want to snag one for yourself.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Price and release date
The latest S24 range offers three models: the base Galaxy S24, which starts at $799.99, the Galaxy S24+ at $999.99 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra at $1,299.99. Samsung said it will offer seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates to the lineup. The phones hit stores on Jan. 31.
If you want to swap your dusty, scratched-up phone for a shiny new Galaxy S24, consider trading in your existing phone. Depending on your trade-in and chosen model, you can upgrade to the S24 for free. So, if you’re eyeing a new phone, this is the golden opportunity to grab one at a bargain — especially with an exclusive $50 credit if you buy from Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24+
The entry-level S24 is the best option for most buyers, especially if you’re in the market for a phone under $1,000. The S24 and S24+ are a hair larger (by 0.1 inches) than their predecessors, with the S24 sporting a 6.2-inch display and the larger S24+ flaunting a 6.7-inch screen perfect for streaming video. Other improvements include a brighter screen, a more powerful chip (plus AI features we’ll break down later on), a higher-resolution selfie camera and, thankfully, a longer battery life.
This year’s color options include marble gray, amber yellow, onyx black and cobalt violet, so you’ll surely find a color that matches your personal style.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
While the S24 and S24+ seem nearly identical to last year’s models, the Galaxy S24 Ultra feels much more premium thanks to its new titanium frame, which we expect will improve the phone’s overall durability. Our team of testers can’t wait to get their hands on this latest model and run it through its paces.
Compared to the S24 and S24+, the S24 Ultra has an even larger, more immersive, sharper display and improved camera setup. Samsung switched the Ultra’s 10-megapixel camera from a 10x optical zoom lens to a 50-megapixel 5x optical zoom lens as well. However, for concertgoers and parents wanting to capture their all-star on the field, don’t fret — you can still zoom all the way to 100x.
Color options include titanium black, titanium gray, titanium violet and titanium yellow. As you’d expect, the S24 Ultra has Samsung’s integrated S Pen stylus for improved productivity.
The perks of AI
Samsung packed its new smartphones with new software features that will be useful for your day-to-day life. For instance, if you see a landmark but don’t know what it is, you can snap a photo, draw a circle around the object and AI will populate results on Google so you can figure out exactly what you’re looking at. You can do the same with an item that you want to buy.
AI will also come in handy for editing photos. Some examples Samsung showcased were the ability to edit out reflections, move and resize objects in pictures and adjust the horizon levels of your images so they won’t be as crooked.
We’re most excited for integrated translation features — meaning Samsung’s smartphones can translate your speech in real time to the language of the person you’re speaking to or vice versa. You can also translate text conversations from your messaging apps into another language or use AI to adjust the tone of your message to sound more casual or professional.
Samsung Ring
Samsung concluded its Unpacked event with a bit of a curveball and announced a new product dubbed the Galaxy Ring. The health and wellness device will compete with Oura and Evie’s smart rings.
Outside of saying it will bring “Samsung Health’s cutting-edge innovations to a brand-new form factor,” the tech giant didn’t expand much further or announce its price or release date.
The takeaway
Without a doubt, the “meat and potatoes” of Samsung’s Unpacked event were the new smartphones and their exciting new AI features that will surely make Samsung’s new flagship series the hot Android phones to buy this year after they launch on Jan. 31.
Remember, the early bird catches the worm. During preorders, you can snag double the storage space for free on Samsung’s website and at carriers like AT&T and Verizon. That means more space for photos, videos and apps.
You’ll also be eligible to receive an additional $50 Samsung credit with your preorder if you purchase from Samsung using our exclusive link below. This particular offer is only good through Jan. 30, so don’t wait too long to add to cart!
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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