No digicam upgrades is my largest disapointment with the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus

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Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Galaxy S24

The brand new Samsung Galaxy S24 collection is a little bit of an odd duck; a showcase for each Samsung’s progressive aspect and up to date complacency. On the one hand, Galaxy AI and 7 years of updates are altering the way in which we take into consideration smartphone software program. Conversely, the Galaxy S24’s design and inside {hardware} are nearly unchanged from the Galaxy S23 and even the S22 collection.

Nowhere is that this extra obvious than within the digicam division. The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus sport precisely the identical digicam {hardware} as not simply the non-Extremely Galaxy S23 collection, however the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus (bar a minor selfie improve). Three generations, no significant modifications to what’s presupposed to be a best-in-class flagship collection and pin-up for Android smartphones.

Galaxy S24 / S24 PlusGalaxy S23 / S23 PlusGalaxy S22 / S22 Plus

Primary

Galaxy S24 / S24 Plus

50MP
f/1.8, 1.0 μm, 24mm
1/1.56-inch sensor
OIS, Twin Pixel PDAF

Galaxy S23 / S23 Plus

50MP
f/1.8, 1.0 μm, 24mm
1/1.56-inch sensor
OIS, Twin Pixel PDAF

Galaxy S22 / S22 Plus

50MP
f/1.8, 1.0 μm, 24mm
1/1.56-inch sensor
OIS, Twin Pixel PDAF

Ultrawide

Galaxy S24 / S24 Plus

12MP
f/2.2, 1.4 μm, 13mm
1/2.55-inch sensor

Galaxy S23 / S23 Plus

12MP
f/2.2, 1.4 μm, 13mm
1/2.55-inch sensor

Galaxy S22 / S22 Plus

12MP
f/2.2, 1.4 μm, 13mm
1/2.55-inch sensor

Telephoto

Galaxy S24 / S24 Plus

10MP
3x optical zoom
f/2.4, 1.0 μm, 70mm
1/3.94-inch sensor
OIS, Twin Pixel PDAF

Galaxy S23 / S23 Plus

10MP
3x optical zoom
f/2.4, 1.0 μm, 70mm
1/3.94-inch sensor
OIS, Twin Pixel PDAF

Galaxy S22 / S22 Plus

10MP
3x optical zoom
f/2.4, 1.0 μm, 70mm
1/3.94-inch sensor
OIS, Twin Pixel PDAF

Selfie

Galaxy S24 / S24 Plus

12MP
f/2.2, 26mm, Twin Pixel PDAF

Galaxy S23 / S23 Plus

12MP
f/2.2, 26mm, Twin Pixel PDAF

Galaxy S22 / S22 Plus

10MP
f/2.2, 26mm, Twin Pixel PDAF

This isn’t to broadly bemoan the picture high quality you’ll obtain on the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. digicam doesn’t immediately turn into dangerous simply because one thing newer comes alongside and Samsung’s newest software program has nudged the needle a tad. Nevertheless, while you examine the telephones to the competitors and weigh up what to purchase, Samsung’s stagnant cameras battle to chop by way of. Pictures is a big a part of a contemporary smartphone’s attraction, in spite of everything, and it’s a selected sore spot for me that the most recent Galaxy collection doesn’t do extra to face out.

The dearth of modifications is probably extra excusable within the $800 Galaxy S24, which nonetheless boasts a 3x telephoto digicam that you just gained’t discover on equally priced rivals just like the Apple iPhone 15 and Google Pixel 8. Though it wouldn’t harm to increase this lead. Nevertheless, the $1,000 Galaxy S24 Plus has to take care of the mighty Pixel 8 Professional, Xiaomi 14 Professional, iPhone 15 Professional, and some others which have been exhausting at work innovating within the digicam division. With greater sensors, cutting-edge AI touch-ups, and highly effective zoom applied sciences, these rivals are, for essentially the most half, extra aggressive with Samsung’s Extremely than the Plus, but value much less. Whereas having the premium S24 Extremely push boundaries is nice, the extra reasonably priced fashions deserve their very own improvements and upgrades, too — particularly with the Extremely line receiving a value hike.

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

My actual drawback with the S24 and S24 Plus is that they’re very competent however removed from good. It wouldn’t take a lot to iron out the inconsistencies and make these cameras so a lot better. Typically, it nearly appears like sheer laziness that’s stopping the collection from reaching the next stage.

Take the movement points we’ve highlighted in each our Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluate and S24 Plus evaluate, ensuing from a very lengthy shutter pace to collect extra mild. Gentle is necessary, however not on the expense of sharpness, particularly when few different telephones battle to the identical diploma. Rivals just like the iPhone 15 Professional and Pixel 8 Professional proceed to make use of bigger main sensors, which maybe holds the important thing. Nevertheless, the problem with the S24 Extremely suggests that is equally a software program drawback.

The Galaxy S24 stays extra versatile than its rivals, however the S24 Plus is falling behind market innovators.

Equally, the telephone’s Evening Mode is actually highly effective, however strive taking a low-light snap in a rush, and the outcomes are much more combined. Particularly with transferring topics. The noise versus blur trade-off nonetheless feels very actual, and the frankly tiny 1/3.94-inch 3x telephoto actually doesn’t maintain up notably nicely in low mild, both. Even a modest improve to the identical 1/3.52-inch telephoto because the Extremely could be one thing.

Galaxy S24 – 3x zoom, 100% cropPixel 8 Professional – 3x zoom, 100% cropGalaxy S24 – 5x zoom, 100% cropPixel 8 Professional – 5x zoom, 100% crop

Talking of zoom cameras, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus provide restricted zoom capabilities. In comparison with the Pixel 8 Professional’s 5x digicam, there’s no query that Google’s telephone takes higher photos at lengthy vary. A lot of my Samsung samples got here out a swampy mess. However even at 3x, the place we’d anticipate the S24’s optical zoom to win out, the distinction isn’t evening and day between the 2. The Pixel’s progressive picture fusion expertise makes the distinction, giving the telephone larger flexibility total.

In comparison with the perfect within the enterprise, it is clear the Galaxy line might do extra to face out.

However it’s not simply the dearth of long-range upgrades that holds the collection again. Selfies, as an example, look nice lots of the time, and the Galaxy S24 is definitely one of many higher flagships by way of publicity and HDR management. Nevertheless, too most of the portraits I took skewed pores and skin tones into crimson hues that spotlight blemishes you merely don’t see on different telephones.

I nonetheless can’t get on board with Samsung’s overreliance on heavy shade and sharpness processing that lends some photographs, notably portraits, a cartoonish pop. In comparison with the extra putting profiles you’ll see from manufacturers like OPPO and Sony, Samsung’s shade science seems caught within the final decade.

Galaxy S24 selfieDiscover X7 Extremely selfieGalaxy S24 portrait cropDiscover X6 Professional portrait crop

Likewise, portrait photos and hit-and-miss. Samsung depends on the 3x telephoto sensor for default portraits to take advantage of the flattering 70mm focal size, however the tiny sensor once more struggles to extract a excessive stage of element in something however good lighting. You may fall again to 1x or 2x for barely higher noise ranges, however then you definately’re capturing with a much less flattering 24mm lens. Consistency is once more the Galaxy S24’s Achilles’ heel and makes the telephone look miles off the tempo in comparison with the market innovators.

What I’d like from the Galaxy S25 cameras

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

I don’t anticipate an absolute bleeding edge digicam setup in Samsung’s extra reasonably priced fashions, so I’m not holding out on a revolution in digicam tech with subsequent 12 months’s Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. Nevertheless, closing the hole on the Extremely is a should if the broader Galaxy S collection is to retain a repute as a images powerhouse.

If I have been Samsung, I’d overhaul the ultrawide and zoom cameras. Bigger sensors could be the perfect place to start out, even when it means marginally bigger digicam bumps on these telephones. OPPO’s Discover X6 Professional and Discover X7 Extremely provide a blueprint for fulfillment, utilizing equally massive sensors and specs throughout the digicam array, making certain a lot larger consistency in picture high quality throughout the lenses.

Closing the hole on the Extremely is a should if the broader Galaxy S collection is to retain a repute as a images powerhouse.

The Galaxy S24 doesn’t want three or 4 gargantuan sensors such as you see in these super-expensive telephones. Simply three sensors bigger than 1/2 inches could be a strong begin for a greater steadiness of element, low-light, and shade seize capabilities throughout its triple digicam array.

Tremendous long-distance capturing nonetheless isn’t mandatory right here; medium-range zoom and a concentrate on portrait focal lengths are simply nice at this value level. Nevertheless, Samsung could possibly be extra adventurous in its {hardware} and software program to attain higher outcomes. Excessive-resolution sensor crops (equivalent to Google’s Tremendous Res Zoom) present decent-looking lossless zoom from optical zoom components. Samsung might use related strategies for lossless 2x, 3x, and 6x zoom just by upgrading its 3x telephoto digicam to the next decision sensor.

Sadly, early rumors recommend the Galaxy S25 digicam array may stay the identical because it’s been for the reason that S22 collection. I can solely hope they’re improper.

See value at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S24

Seven-year replace dedication
Neat AI options
Strong battery life

See value at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Brilliant, sharp 1440p show
Glorious replace dedication
Helpful Galaxy AI options

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