The latest Unpacked event from Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S24 trio as the newest flagships. For an introduction to the new features and hardware upgrades, make sure to read through our hands-on review. Also, you can watch these videos to learn about the AI features of the new devices.
One of the highlights of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the reimagined long telephoto lens. Instead of a fixed 10x lens, it features a 5x magnification and a high resolution 50MP sensor that offers high-quality zoom between 5x and 10x. This configuration enables 8K video recording and 4K @ 120fps from the tele camera.
The Samsung Galaxy S24+ is just $300 less than the Ultra, but it offers the same RAM (12GB) and boasts a flat 6.7” LTPO display with QHD+ resolution and 1-120Hz refresh rate, just like the Ultra. Additionally, its battery capacity is only 100mAh shy of that on the Ultra. The main downside of choosing the S24+ over the Ultra is that its cameras are very similar to those on the S23+. The S24+ is still one of the best S series phones released in recent years (unless you are specifically interested in the S Pen).
The Galaxy S23, priced $200 less than the S24, is the smallest new phone Samsung offers. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage, and the display is limited to FHD+ resolution. Additionally, it only offers 25W charging, unlike the two larger models (S23+ and S23 Ultra). It’s important to note that current storage capacities are doubled due to a pre-order bonus.
Samsung promises to deliver 7 generations of OS updates and 7 years of security patches, making their devices future-proof. Even if you don’t hold onto your device for that long, you can sell it off or hand it to a relative who will still receive up-to-date software. On top of that, the current storage capacities are doubled due to a pre-order bonus.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE comes in at $560 and is comparable to the S24 in terms of memory configuration. However, it offers an FHD+ display (though it isn’t LTPO) and 25W battery charging. Its performance is limited by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset compared to the S24 and its software support is expected to be more limited as well, with just 3 OS updates and 5 years of patches total.
For those looking for a more affordable option, the Samsung Galaxy A25 offers a 6.5” FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display, an Exynos 1280 chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery. It provides a weaker camera setup compared to the Galaxy S23 FE, but this is reflected in its lower price.
The Motorola Edge+ (2023) stands out as a great deal at just $425, offering a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 6.67” 165Hz display (FHD+, Dolby Vision). It also includes 8GB of RAM and 512GB storage, as well as a 5,100mAh battery with 68W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. It boasts a 50MP main camera (1/1.55”, OIS) alongside a 12MP 2x portrait cam and a 50MP ultra wide (114°).
The Motorola Edge (2023), priced at $350, offers a 6.6” 144Hz display (FHD+) and a mid-range Dimensity 7030 chipset. Its camera setup is comparable to the Edge+, and it features a 4,400mAh battery with 68W wired and 15W wireless charging. Both the Edge and the Edge+ are great devices, but the latter provides a more advanced overall experience.
For a more budget-friendly option, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) offers a 6.6” IPS LCD (120Hz, FHD+) that works with an included stylus. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, providing 5G connectivity, and features a 5,000mAh battery capable of 20W charging. While its camera setup is fairly basic (50+8MP), it remains a solid and affordable offering from Motorola.
While the Motorola Moto G 5G (2023) is $50 less than the G Stylus, it sacrifices some features. Its display is nearly the same at 6.5” 120Hz IPS LCD (FHD+) and it uses the Dimensity 930 chipset. However, you lose the ultra wide camera, 4K video recording, and the charging speed slows to 15W. If these compromises are acceptable, it still presents a viable option for a more budget-conscious consumer.
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