Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Real Day In The Life (First Impressions & Camera Test)

After a decade of loyalty to iPhones, I decided it was time for a change. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra caught my eye with its rave reviews, and I couldn’t resist exploring the unique Android features I’ve been missing out on. So, I took the plunge and got myself the S24 Ultra, eager to see how it compares to my trusty iPhone 15 Pro. In this video, I’ll share my first impressions of the S24 Ultra as an iPhone user for the past ten years.

I’m currently away from home, having flown from Toronto to Alanya, and today, I’m heading to Istanbul. I’ll be continuing my European adventure with the S24 Ultra in hand, testing it out in real-world scenarios. Let’s start with the physical features. I chose the Titanium Black color, and I’m really happy with it. The S24 Ultra is noticeably larger than the iPhone 15 Pro, and at 232 grams, it’s heavier too. However, I appreciate the larger display, which enhances the overall experience. To protect it from accidental drops, I’ve kept it cased, which adds to its already substantial weight.

The size difference is significant, especially for someone transitioning from a smaller device like the iPhone 15 Pro. But the larger screen is a welcome trade-off for me, as I use my phone extensively for creative purposes. Speaking of creative features, there are plenty on the S24 Ultra that I’m excited to explore. I’m curious to know what you use your phone for besides communication, so let me know in the comments!

Today is flight day, and we’re off to Istanbul. Alanya has been wonderful, with its warm weather and plenty of swimming. Now, I’m ready to experience Istanbul with my friend Alex, who’s visiting for the first time. For the rest of my trip, I’ll be using the S24 Ultra exclusively to give you a real-world perspective. While I’m still new to it, I want to share my initial impressions and follow up with a more detailed review later.

One of the key differences between Apple and Android is the level of customization Android offers. With Android, you can tailor your experience, whereas Apple’s ecosystem is more restrictive but often more optimized for performance. The Google Play Store feels more consumer-friendly, offering a wider variety of apps, many of which are free. This is great for both developers and consumers, and it’s a significant advantage of the Android platform.

However, transferring media from the S24 Ultra to my Mac has been a challenge. With today’s advanced technology, simple tasks like this shouldn’t require workarounds. Before heading to the airport, I took a quick dip in the pool, savoring my last moments in Alanya. Our plan is to stay in Istanbul for eight days, then head to England for a week. This trip is a break from Canada and an opportunity to thoroughly test the S24 Ultra.

Special thanks to Best Buy for providing the S24 Ultra for this review. This video isn’t sponsored, but Best Buy has been a great supporter of my channel. They often have promotions on cell phones, so I’ll include a link in the description if you’re interested in getting the S24 Ultra—it might even be on sale!

As we pack up and head to the airport, I’m reminded of how much I enjoy having someone else drive. It gives me time to film without having to explain shots to others. Now, let’s talk about the S24 Ultra’s display. It features a stunning 6.8-inch screen with 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Everything feels incredibly smooth, from scrolling through social media to playing high-intensity games. The peak brightness of 2600 nits ensures visibility in most lighting conditions, though direct sunlight can still be a challenge.

The screen-to-body ratio is almost 90%, which is crucial for an immersive viewing experience. The phone comes in Vivid color mode by default, but I recommend switching to Natural for more accurate colors, especially if you’re a creative professional. Adjusting the screen settings to 4K resolution can significantly enhance your viewing experience.

As we board our plane, I’m using the S24 Ultra’s impressive 10x zoom to film. This feature is fantastic for capturing distant subjects with great clarity. The one-handed mode is helpful, given the phone’s large size. It’s not always convenient to use one-handed, but the mode makes it manageable.

Our flight from Alanya to Istanbul is about an hour long. For this trip, I packed light—just a backpack with my camera gear and a carry-on for my clothes. This makes a smartphone with a top-notch camera essential for me. The S24 Ultra’s camera needs to be reliable enough to substitute my full-size camera when necessary.

Upon landing in Istanbul, I’m eager to explore the city with Alex. Our Airbnb is on the European side of Istanbul, and we have a couple of hours before we can check in. So far, the S24 Ultra’s battery performance has been impressive. Despite using the phone extensively, including editing photos and keeping the brightness at max due to the sunny weather, it held up well. Compared to my iPhone 15 Pro, the S24 Ultra’s battery lasted longer under similar conditions.

My initial impressions of Android, coming from iOS, are positive. Performance and speed are comparable, but Android offers more customization options. The Android 14 operating system has evolved into a simpler, more minimalist experience over the years. The S24 Ultra’s design reflects this simplicity, yet the inclusion of the S Pen adds a layer of sophistication.

I’ve been using the S Pen to edit photos on Lightroom during brunch, and it’s a game-changer. The precision it offers is unmatched, making it easier to control edits and masking tools. Although I primarily use the S Pen for photo editing, it has many other features worth exploring in a separate video. The S Pen feels like a luxury addition to the phone, especially in an era where power adapters are no longer included.

Now, let’s test the S24 Ultra’s camera around Istanbul. The Bosporus is a perfect backdrop for showcasing the camera’s capabilities. A good smartphone camera is essential for me, as it often serves as my B camera for YouTube videos. The S24 Ultra does not disappoint. The Circle to Search feature is incredibly useful, allowing me to quickly identify and gather information about landmarks.

One drawback is the S24 Ultra’s lack of a log format for video recording. Log format provides a flat, colorless image that can be color-graded in post-production, offering more creative control. Despite this, the S24 Ultra’s video performance is impressive. Filming at Ultra HD 60 frames per second is my go-to setting, even though the device supports 8K at 30 frames per second. For my needs, 4K is more than sufficient, and 8K would be overkill in terms of storage space.

In terms of photography, the S24 Ultra excels. The Pro mode allows for manual control over settings, similar to a traditional camera. I prefer using the 12-megapixel mode for more flexibility in focal lengths. I also shoot in RAW format to enable extensive post-processing. Editing photos directly on the device with the S Pen is convenient and efficient.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the past few weeks, showcasing the S24 Ultra’s capabilities. The before-and-after comparisons highlight how much you can enhance your photos with proper editing.

As I wrap up this video, let’s talk about battery life. The S24 Ultra has a larger battery than the iPhone 15 Pro, and it shows. On a full day of use, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with two 15-minute charging sessions, the S24 Ultra held up well. The iPhone 15 Pro would have likely needed a full recharge by 5:00 PM under similar conditions.

In conclusion, my first look at the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s a powerhouse of a phone with impressive features and a sleek design. Whether you’re an Android enthusiast or an Apple user considering a switch, the S24 Ultra is worth checking out.

Special shoutout to Gadget Kings PRS, my go-to phone repair shop. If you’re ever in need of phone repairs, I highly recommend them. Check them out at Gadget Kings PRS.

That’s it for today. I’ll be enjoying the rest of my evening in Istanbul. Next week, I’ll dive deeper into the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s features. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video!