Samsung launched its Galaxy S24 smartphone series for sale in the UAE on Wednesday as it seeks to attract new customers and regain its leading position in the highly competitive market.
The new flagship series, unveiled on January 17 at the Unpacked event in San Jose, California, is leaning on generative artificial intelligence to build momentum for not just the world's second biggest mobile phone manufacturer, but also for the entire smartphone industry, which has been slowing down over the past couple of years.
The Galaxy S24 series offers seven generations of operating system upgrades and seven years of security updates, Samsung said.
Pre-orders for the devices started right after Unpacked.
“We are inspired by UAE’s ambitious vision … which seeks to leverage AI to improve lives while providing the supporting infrastructure essential to become a test bed for AI,” Fadi Abu Shamat, head of mobile eXperience division at Samsung Gulf, said.
“With enhanced camera capabilities, AI-powered productivity tools and a powerful chipset, users can unleash their creativity and performance in exciting new ways.”
The National takes a look at the key details of the Galaxy S24 line-up.
How many Galaxy S24 devices were launched?
For the fifth straight year, three devices were launched – the entry-level Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+ and the top-end Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Are there any redesigns?
Yes and no. The Galaxy S24 Ultra basically retains the looks of its predecessor – flat top and bottom, slightly curved edges, the S Pen and an overall solid build, which Samsung is known for.
As for the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, Samsung decided to hit the refresh button with a new flat-edged design, which is similar to Apple's current iPhone designs. Smaller bezels too.
What are its memory specs?
The Galaxy S24 comes in only 128GB and 256GB, with 8GB of RAM, losing the 512GB option, while the Galaxy S24+ retains its 256GB and 512GB versions, with 12GB of RAM.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra, meanwhile, doesn't have a 128GB option, and comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, all with 12GB of RAM. The 256GB Ultra model has also been upgraded from its predecessor, which only had 8GB of RAM.
How much are they in the UAE?
Prices in the UAE are as follows, ranging from lower to higher storage options:
Galaxy S24: Dh3,199 and Dh3,499
Galaxy S24+: Dh3,899 and Dh4,399
Galaxy S24 Ultra: Dh5,099, Dh5,599 and Dh6,599
While the price tags of the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ remain similar to their predecessors, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's have been increased by Dh150.
What about their cameras?
The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ have a triple-lens camera, with a 50-megapixel main sensor, 10MP telephoto and 12MP ultra-wide lenses.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a quad-lens camera bannered by a 200MP lens, plus two telephoto lenses with resolutions of 50MP and 10MP, respectively, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens.
Interestingly, while one of the Galaxy S24 Ultra's telephoto lenses was bumped up to 50MP, Samsung decided to halve its optical zoom to 5x.
While it looks like a downgrade at first glance, it really isn't: the bigger 50MP sensor compensates for the lower zoom, which should result in better images.
Apart from that, they are practically the same camera specs as last year's S23 series.
As for the front camera on all three devices, you'll get a 12MP snapper – similar to last year's line-up as well.
How big are their screens?
The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ were given a little upgrade in this area, as their displays are now 0.1 inch bigger at 6.2 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra retains a 6.8-inch screen.
All three devices feature a Dynamic Amoled 2X display, but the Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra have QHD+, which is basically four times the resolution of a standard high-definition screen, while the Galaxy S24 uses FHD+, which is a step above standard HD.
All of them also feature a “super smooth” 120Hz refresh rate.
Again – these are all practically unchanged from their S23 counterparts.
What are the colour options?
For the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, you can choose from marble grey, onyx black, cobalt violet and amber yellow.
Those match the Galaxy S24 Ultra's titanium options – titanium grey, titanium black, titanium violet and titanium yellow.
To be clear – only the Ultra model use a titanium frame.
The National viewed all the colours, and the violet and yellow options stood out – probably because black and grey have been shoo-in hues for as long as we can remember mobile phones.
How big are their batteries?
Again, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's battery is kept at 5000mAh. In our review of the Galaxy S23 Ultra last year, we were able to stretch that until night-time the following day.
But the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ received some upgrades: their batteries are now up at 4000mAh and 4900mAh, respectively, up from 3900mAh and 4700mAh.
For all three devices, fast charging and Wireless PowerShare – which lets you use the Galaxy S24 to charge other phones – are available.
However, things diverge on how fast they can charge: the Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra can zoom up at 65 per cent in half an hour using a 45W adapter and a 5A USB-C cable (5-amp cables let current flow through faster), while the base Galaxy S24 can only do up to 50 per cent with the same charging gear.
How durable are they?
All three Galaxy S24 devices remain IP68-rated, meaning they are dust and water-resistant – you can submerge them as deep as 1.5 metres in freshwater for 30 minutes.
The emphasis is on freshwater: mobile devices are not meant to be dunked in chlorine-filled swimming pools and saltwater, because the elements will corrode their components and probably brick them.
But even if it's freshwater, make sure you rinse off any residue and dry the device as much as you can afterwards to help the drying process.
How is Samsung positioned globally?
The global smartphone market grew 8 per cent annually in the fourth quarter of last year, reaching 319.5 million units, indicating signs of “stabilisation and recovery”, Singapore-based researcher Canalys said in its latest report released on Wednesday.
Total shipments for the full year of 2023 amounted to 1.14 billion units, marking a 4 per cent annual decline. Apple, iPhone's manufacturer, claimed the top position for the first time with a 20 per cent market share and 229.2 million shipments in 2023.
Samsung followed closely, shipping 225.4 million units and capturing a market share of almost 20 per cent.
What is Galaxy AI?
Galaxy AI is Samsung's newest platform that uses generative artificial intelligence to help users through their daily tasks and help them with other activities.
Basically, it can do things such as helping translate or transcribe calls or texts, in a number of different languages, or use images to search and buy items on the web.
A fun function is using it to manipulate images on Galaxy S24 devices, for example resizing or removing certain elements in a photo.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17
European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th
PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Key findings
- Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
- Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase.
- People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”.
- Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better.
- But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
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Results
2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili
3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
HAJJAN
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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More coverage from the Future Forum
Fixtures (all in UAE time)
Friday
Everton v Burnley 11pm
Saturday
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 3.30pm
West Ham United v Southampton 6pm
Wolves v Fulham 6pm
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace 8.30pm
Newcastle United v Liverpool 10.45pm
Sunday
Chelsea v Watford 5pm
Huddersfield v Manchester United 5pm
Arsenal v Brighton 7.30pm
Monday
Manchester City v Leicester City 11pm
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Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
Awar Qalb
Director: Jamal Salem
Starring: Abdulla Zaid, Joma Ali, Neven Madi and Khadija Sleiman
Two stars
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Salem Rashid, Mohammed Al Attas, Alhassan Saleh
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Barman, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
SQUADS
UAE
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice-captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Nepal
Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Pradeep Airee, Binod Bhandari, Avinash Bohara, Sundeep Jora, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Basant Regmi, Pawan Sarraf, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
