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Samsung's Galaxy S24 series introduces Galaxy AI as its flagship feature, promising to transform how we interact with our smartphones. After extensive testing in Czech Republic, we found these AI capabilities genuinely useful rather than gimmicky, though the overall package delivers an evolutionary rather than revolutionary upgrade.
Galaxy AI: The Main Attraction
Galaxy AI represents Samsung's biggest software push in years. The standout feature is Circle to Search, which lets you circle any content on screen to perform a Google search. During our testing in Prague, we found it particularly useful for identifying landmarks, translating Czech text in photos, and finding products we spotted while browsing.
Live Translate works impressively during phone calls, providing real-time translation in 13 languages. For international business users or tourists visiting Czech Republic, this feature alone might justify the upgrade. The translation quality impressed us in testing with Czech, German, and English conversations.
Note Assist summarizes lengthy notes and generates action items, while Transcript Assist converts voice recordings into text with speaker identification. Chat Assist helps compose messages and adjust tone. These features work well, though they require internet connectivity for full functionality.
The AI-powered photo editing tools let you move objects, remove distractions, and even extend images beyond their original frame. Results vary depending on image complexity, but for simple edits, the output is remarkably convincing.
Design and Display
Samsung refined the Galaxy S24's design with flatter sides and a slightly smaller footprint than its predecessor. The aluminum frame feels solid, though it lacks the premium weight of the S24 Ultra's titanium construction. At 167 grams, it strikes a good balance between durability and comfort.
The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers excellent visuals with 2340 x 1080 resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Peak brightness reaches 2600 nits, making outdoor visibility in bright Czech summers a non-issue. Vision Booster technology automatically adjusts contrast and brightness based on ambient light.
Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects both front and back, providing improved drop and scratch resistance. IP68 water and dust resistance means the phone handles Prague's occasional rain without concern.
Camera Performance
The Galaxy S24 features a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. While the hardware hasn't changed dramatically from the S23, software improvements deliver noticeably better results.
Daytime photography produces sharp, vibrant images with Samsung's signature color science. Some users might prefer the more natural tones of competitors, but Samsung's processing creates immediately appealing results that look great on social media.
Night photography benefits from improved noise reduction. The phone now captures more detail in shadows while maintaining highlight control. Compared to the iPhone 15, Samsung tends to produce brighter night shots with more aggressive processing, while Apple opts for a more natural but sometimes darker look.
The 12MP front camera handles selfies and video calls competently. Portrait mode produces pleasant background blur, though edge detection can occasionally struggle with complex hairstyles or glasses.
| Display | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2340x1080, 120Hz |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Global variant) |
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Telephoto | 10MP, 3x optical zoom, f/2.4 |
| Ultra Wide | 12MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Battery | 4000 mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless charging |
| Software | Android 14, One UI 6.1, 7 years of updates |
| Price in CZ | From 22,990 CZK (128GB) |
Performance and Battery
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset powers the global variant of the Galaxy S24, delivering excellent performance across all tasks. Apps launch instantly, multitasking is smooth, and gaming runs without issues. Thermal management has improved, with the phone staying cooler during extended gaming sessions compared to its predecessor.
Samsung commits to seven years of Android updates and security patches, matching Google's Pixel lineup and exceeding most competitors. This long-term support significantly improves the phone's value proposition for users who keep devices for several years.
The 4000mAh battery provides adequate but not exceptional battery life. In our testing, the phone consistently lasted a full day with moderate use, but heavy users should expect to charge by early evening. Samsung's conservative 25W wired charging means a full charge takes over an hour.
Advantages
- Galaxy AI features are genuinely useful
- Excellent display with high brightness
- Seven years of software support
- Improved thermal management
- Competitive Czech market pricing
Disadvantages
- Battery life could be better
- Slow charging compared to competitors
- Limited camera hardware upgrades
- Some AI features require internet
Verdict and Buying Advice
The Samsung Galaxy S24 delivers a polished smartphone experience enhanced by genuinely useful AI features. While the hardware improvements are incremental, the software additions and seven-year update commitment make this a compelling choice for Android users in Czech Republic.
At 22,990 CZK for the base model, the Galaxy S24 prices competitively against the iPhone 15 while offering features Apple's base model lacks. Users heavily invested in Samsung's ecosystem will appreciate seamless integration with Galaxy tablets, watches, and earbuds.
For S22 or earlier users, the Galaxy S24 represents a meaningful upgrade. S23 owners might want to wait another generation unless Galaxy AI features are particularly appealing. Czech retailers including Samsung's official store, Alza, and mall.cz frequently offer trade-in promotions that can reduce the effective purchase price.
