Samsung launched its new generation of high-end smartphones with the Galaxy S24 series, which replaced the Galaxy S23 series devices. This time, the manufacturer is relying on artificial intelligence to stand out from the crowd. As every year, the question of the differences between old and new models comes to the fore. Is it worth investing in the Galaxy S24 when you already have a Galaxy S23? For a new smartphone, does it make more sense to buy a cheaper Galaxy S23 or a full-priced Galaxy S24? Our first look at the Galaxy S24 and our extensive testing of the Galaxy S23 are a good starting point for answering these questions, and our comparison allows us to see even more clearly.
Technical data sheets for S24 and S23
Let’s start with the technical specifications of the Galaxy S24 and S23 before going deeper in the rest of the article.
| Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S23 | |
|---|---|---|
| chipset | Samsung Exynos2400 | Snapdragon 8 Generation 2 |
| Screen | 6.2 inches AMOLED FHD+ 1-120Hz LTPO 2600 nits maximum |
6.1 inches AMOLED FHD+ 48-120Hz LTPO 1750 nits maximum |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| data store | 8GB LPDDR5X | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Battery | 4000mAh 25W wired fast charging 15W fast wireless charging |
3900mAh 25W wired fast charging 15W fast wireless charging |
| Photograph | 50 MP main sensor 12 MP ultra wide angle 10 MP telephoto lens (3X optical zoom) |
50 MP main sensor 12 MP ultra wide angle 10 MP telephoto lens (3X optical zoom) |
| selfie | 12MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.2 |
| biometrics | Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under the screen | Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under the screen |
| water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| to store | 128, 256GB | 128, 256GB |
| BONE | Android 14 + One UI 6.1 | Android 13 (upgrade to One UI 6.1 and Android 14 available) |
| Dimensions | 147×70.6×7.6mm 167g |
146.3×70.9×7.6mm 168g |
| Micro SD | NO | NO |
Design: Galaxy S24 is less compact
While the competition is increasingly focused on larger devices, the base model of the Galaxy S series remains an interesting compact premium option. The Galaxy S24 maintains controlled dimensions but has still grown slightly. It measures 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm compared to the previous model’s 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm. It is still made of aluminum casing and glass back panel, and its weight has remained almost unchanged. Its weight is 167 grams, while the Galaxy S23 is 168 grams.
If the Galaxy S24 Ultra qualifies for Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Armor technology to protect its display, the standard Galaxy S24 will stick with Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Armor technology. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 This already protects the Galaxy S23. The water and dust resistance certification is also the same (IP68), and in both cases the ultrasonic fingerprint reader is positioned under the screen. Connectivity is also similar with the integration of the USB Type-C 3.2 port.
The design of the Galaxy S24 is very close to the design of the Galaxy S23. we note slightly flatter and thinner slices on the latest model. The corners of the Galaxy S24 remain rounded, but the angles are more pronounced than the Galaxy S23. The borders around the screen are slightly thinner. The integration of the three photo sensors on the back does not change, but Samsung has lowered the position of the LED Flash on the Galaxy S24. This is now located between the first and second optic, whereas on the Galaxy S23 it was next to the first module. The front camera is still located in a hole in the middle of the screen.
Galaxy S24 is available in black, silver, cream and indigo color options. Galaxy S23 is offered in black, cream, lavender and green color options. The S23 was already one of the best performers on the market, with a repairability index of 8.2/10; Samsung managed to do even better with the Galaxy S24, which scored 8.5/10.
Screen: A brighter screen
The height of the Galaxy S24 is that it can offer a larger screen. Reaches the diagonal 6.2 inchesWhen the Galaxy S23 panel is 6.1 inches. For the rest, we do not see any major changes. Samsung still entrusts the screen to Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO technology. Refresh rate: Variable between 1 and 120 Hz There is a significant difference with the Galaxy S23, which cannot go below 48 Hz for the Galaxy S24.
The definition on both models is 1080 x 2340 pixels: the resolution of the Galaxy S23 is slightly higher than that of the Galaxy S24, since the screen surface is smaller. Samsung, on the other hand, announced higher maximum brightness on the Galaxy S24. 2,600 nits. Galaxy S23, on the other hand, is limited to 1,750 nits. This improvement especially serves to highlight the effects of HDR10+, which is supported by both devices. Evrim is ultimately screen shy.
Performance: Galaxy S24 returns to Exynos
In the past, Samsung smartphones launched in Europe were equipped with in-house Exynos chips. An exception was made for the Galaxy S23 series, which leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. The South Korean manufacturer decided to split the pear into two for the new generation mobile phones: Galaxy S24 and S24+, Exynos 2400Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, benefits from Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Early benchmarks suggest the Exynos 2400 is closer to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 than older Samsung chips would be to its competitors from Qualcomm. In any case, the Galaxy S24’s Exynos 2400 model with 4nm technology outperforms the Galaxy S23’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in a similar 4nm space.
Samsung isn’t changing its strategy when it comes to memory options, with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB (UFS 3.1) or 256GB (UFS 4.0) storage depending on the chosen configuration. In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy S24 is limited to WiFi 6E with the Exynos 2400 SoC like the Galaxy S23. It’s disappointing to know that the Galaxy S24 Ultra benefits from compatibility with the new Wi-Fi 7 standard, which will be useful in a few years. Bluetooth 5.3 is available on both the S24 and S23.
Autonomy: battery capacity increases
Samsung has a slightly larger capacity battery, 4000mAh, on Galaxy S24. That’s a 100mAh increase compared to the Galaxy S23’s 3,900mAh battery. Does this increase actually translate into an improvement in autonomy? Yes, according to Samsung, which announced that the Galaxy S24 has a higher endurance time of 4 hours compared to the Galaxy S23 in standard usage. Here is the detail provided by the brand on this subject:
- Galaxy S24: up to 25 hours
- Galaxy S23: Until 8pm.
Autonomy in Internet use (WiFi)
- Galaxy S24: up to 25 hours
- Galaxy S23: Until 8pm.
- Galaxy S24: up to 29 hours
- Galaxy S23: Until 22:00.
- Galaxy S24: up to 78 hours
- Galaxy S23: up to 71 hours
Wired charging power is 25W on both terminals. Samsung continues to be generous regarding charging speed. The same goes for induction charging, which is limited to 15W on both models.
Camera: a few new features
Samsung did not change the optics of the photo sensors. If we read the specifications provided by the manufacturer, we can even believe that the photo configuration has not changed even an inch. In the Galaxy S24, as in the Galaxy S23, we have:
- 50 MP wide-angle main sensor, f/1.8 aperture and 23 mm focal length
- 12 MP ultra wide-angle module, f/2.2 aperture and 13 mm focal length
- 10 MP, f/2.4 aperture and telephoto lens with up to 3x optical zoom up to 69mm focal length
- 12 MP front camera, f/2.2 aperture and 25 mm focal length
However, the Galaxy S24 manages to perform well with its increased sensor size and photosites that can capture more light. Samsung also says it is collaborating with publishers of the largest social networks to have their apps integrate the S24’s photo and video functions. Camera integrated Instagram, TikTok and even Snapchat particularly worried.
Software: What if the biggest difference was here?
As we can see, the hardware differences between the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23 are minimal. One of the most important developments is undoubtedly in the software dimension. Samsung is already aligning itself with Google Pixels and now promises: 7 years of Android updates and security patches, compared to 5 so far. So in theory, the Galaxy S24 will enjoy software support for three years after the discontinuation of the Galaxy S23 (a two-year extension plus twelve months between the launch of one and the other). to an extension.
The big area that Samsung focuses on in the Galaxy S24 series is Galaxy AI, a new experience based on artificial intelligence. This promises to save time and provide daily comfort through many useful little features:
- Translating a web page in Samsung browser
- Bulleted summary of a news article in Samsung browser
- Ability to retype messages (e.g. politely) with the Samsung keyboard
- Real-time speech translation via Native Phone app
- “Circle to search”, a function that allows you to circle an item on the screen to initiate a search with Google Lens
- Transcription of meetings
To learn more about this, we invite you to read our dedicated article on Galaxy AI. Note that Samsung plans to roll out these AI-based features on the Galaxy S23 and other new premium models in the coming months, so these exclusives for the S24 will be short-lived.
Value for money: Samsung reviews its prices
Aware that the Galaxy S24 is only a slightly improved Galaxy S23 (especially if an update brings AI functions to the S23), Samsung has activated the price lever to make its new model attractive. Galaxy S24 launches on: 899 euros The version with 128 GB storage and 256 GB internal memory is sold for 969 Euros. At launch, the Galaxy S23 was priced at 959 and 1,019 euros respectively for the same storage options. This price drop is good news, but within a year the price of the Galaxy S23 has also dropped and it is now possible to buy it at a much lower price. If you manage to find it for a few hundred euros cheaper, the Galaxy S23 provides a more attractive value for money if you do not plan to keep your mobile phone for many years.
