Samsung held its annual Galaxy Unpacked event on January 18th to unveil the highly anticipated Galaxy S24 series smartphones. Headlining the event was the reveal of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24 Plus, and standard S24 models.
Overview of Key S24 Features and Specs
The new S24 lineup introduces several groundbreaking technologies to Samsung’s flagship series, most notably a huge leap forward in on-device AI capabilities.
Powered by a collaboration between Samsung and Google Cloud called Galaxy AI, the S24 models are the first smartphones to feature client-based generative AI. This allows the phones to generate brand new content like photos, videos, and textprompts using on-device machine learning models.
Other key features of the Galaxy S24 line include:
- New Exynos 2400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets offering improved CPU and graphics performance
- Upgraded camera systems with new 200MP primary sensor and 10x optical zoom
- Enhanced durability with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 3
- Up to 1TB of internal storage
- 7 years of Android OS upgrades
The S24 Ultra stands out as the premium model with a giant 6.8″ QHD+ display. Meanwhile, the S24 Plus has a 6.6” screen and the regular S24 is more compact at 6.3”. All models are equipped with dynamic AMOLED panels capable of very high peak brightness levels over 1700 nits.
Galaxy AI Brings Generative AI to Smartphones
Easily the most talked about aspect of the Galaxy S24 launch is Samsung’s new Galaxy AI platform developed in partnership with Google Cloud.
Galaxy AI taps into multiple on-device generative AI models to empower users to create brand new content or enhance existing files. For example, you can point the camera at a scenic view and let the AI generate an entire video based on what it sees.
Key Galaxy AI features include:
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AI Photo Enhancer: Instantly remaster and upscale images
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AI Video Generator: Generate short video clips from a photo
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AI Text Generator: Create unique text excerpts and stories
To enable these new AI capabilities, Samsung equipped the S24 series with a dedicated AI processor designed specifically for neural network computations.
Paired with Google’s advanced generative AI models like Imagen, Parti, and Phenaki running locally on the devices, Galaxy AI lays the foundation for the next evolution of smartphone photography, videography, and productivity.
Hands-On Impressions
In the day leading up to launch, select media were given early access to Galaxy S24 units for some brief hands-on testing.
Initial impressions were very positive, with many praising the new AI-powered capabilities. Reviewers noted performance gains thanks to the upgraded chipsets, with markedly faster load times and multitasking speeds.
The revamped camera systems also shine in real-world usage based on hands-on photo samples. ZDNet in particular called out excellent low light photography and powerful zoom capabilities unlocked by the new sensors and optics.
Meanwhile, early testing shows the on-device AI models generate surprisingly high quality outputs nearly instantly. The AI Photo Enhancer was able to boost detail and lighting in dim photos automatically with a single tap.
Samsung Bets Heavily on AI with S24 Launch
With the Galaxy S24 reveal, Samsung is betting heavily on AI and machine learning to push the smartphone envelope. The company is taking a radically different approach from Apple’s strategy which relies more on specialized hardware like the A17 Bionic with limited on-device ML capabilities.
Samsung mobile CEO Harkyn Kim called Galaxy AI “the beginning of a new era of mobile AI” and stated that generative AI will “fundamentally change how we create and interact with our devices.”
Industry analysts seem to agree that AI and ML will be a driving force in the smartphone space going forward. According to Gartner, over 75% of mobile AI demand will be processed on-device by 2025, playing directly into Samsung’s strengths.
Premium Pricing for Next-Gen Specs
With massive upgrades across the board, the Galaxy S24 series doesn’t come cheap. Pricing starts at $799 for the base S24 model and goes all the way up to an eye-watering $1199 for the 1TB S24 Ultra.
Here’s a full breakdown of Galaxy S24 pricing across storage tiers and models:
| Model | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S24 | $799 | $849 | $999 | N/A |
| S24 Plus | $999 | $1049 | $1199 | N/A |
| S24 Ultra | $1199 | $1249 | $1399 | $1599 |
Carrier promotions and trade-in offers may help soften the blow, but there’s no doubt Samsung is edging into ultra-premium territory with the S24 series.
Concerns Over Long-Term AI Revenue
While Galaxy AI generated plenty of excitement initially, some concerns have surfaced around Samsung’s long term strategy.
Namely, rumors indicate users may have to pay for AI features after an initial free period. One report claims Galaxy AI access could cost $4.99 per month after two years.
Samsung has not officially confirmed any pricing details. But the company does plan to leverage AI and ML features to boost revenues over the lifetime of S24 devices.
If this subscription-based model comes to fruition, consumers may push back given the already steep upfront costs of S24 models. Striking the right balance between providing value and driving ARPU (average revenue per user) will be critical for Samsung.
Outlook for Record S24 Sales
Despite the lofty pricing, early S24 sales indicators look very strong. All three models quickly topped Amazon’s best sellers list in multiple markets.
Samsung is anticipating double digit sales growth year-over-year. Market research firm Omdia forecasts over 50 million S24 shipments globally in 2024.
If realized, this would safely beat the S23 series which moved just under 40 million units as of last quarter.
Key Takeaways
With the Galaxy S24 reveal, Samsung has delivered its most substantial smartphone upgrade in years. By aggressively adopting cutting-edge AI and ML, the company hopes to outpace rivals Apple and Google in next-gen mobile experiences.
But questions remain around the long-term AI monetization strategy. And Samsung faces an uphill battle convincing consumers to shell out ultra-premium dollars during a potential economic downturn.
Regardless, the Galaxy S24 series shakes up the mobile landscape in exciting ways. 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for AI-driven innovation across the entire consumer tech sector. So buckle up for plenty of intriguing developments still to come!
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
