Samsung goes all out on AI at 'Galaxy Unpacked 2024'

The gold standard for Android phones, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series for 2024 has been launched at the SAP Centre in San Jose, California. As has been clear for some time, the focus is not so much on the hardware - which of course, sees improvements, but on AI which Samsung sees as the biggest game changer of our times. The company also hopes its Galaxy products, collectively now to be known as Galaxy AI, will be at the centre of the empowerment AI is envisaged to generate. 

Getting straight to the AI, even before the actual devices were introduced, the audience at this global event (also streamed online) was given a demonstration of two-way live translation on calls. Verbally and via text, the speech will be seamlessly translated from one language to another. Translation also shows up under text typed as messages. Users can even choose different tones for the conversations. Another conversation-related use of AI is with Android Auto which will make it possible to do things with single taps and stay connected to communicate without endangering safety. The AI will also summarise notes in real-time.

Patterning with Google

Samsung intends to work with partners to bring a ‘mobile intelligence’ experience to users. With Google, Samsung plans to go beyond the live transcript and Android Auto features by going within apps and using ‘Circle to Search’ with the press of a button. Circling anything on the screen will trigger Google Search, returning to the original with a swipe. Generative AI will also let users ask more complex questions for a circled object such as ‘Why are these boots so popular?’. Circle to Search can also be used on video. This is a feature that will debut on all three S24 devices. Some features will even trickle down to selected existing Galaxy devices. For Google, Samsung will be the first Google Cloud partner to deploy Gemini Pro and Imagen 2 on Vertex AI via the cloud to their smartphone devices. As part of the partnership, Samsung is also one of the first customers to test Gemini Ultra, Google’s largest model for highly complex tasks. The S24 series will also use Gemini Nano, an on-device LLM delivered as part of the Android 14 operating system, the most efficient model of Gemini for on-device tasks. 

The three phones in the series follow the same format as before, the S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra. These phones follow roughly the same design language as before but with some squaring off of edges and corners to make the phones more flat and boxy, in the style of Apple’s iPhone.

Camera enhancements

As expected, it’s the S24 Ultra that will have the more advanced camera system of the three.

But the whole Galaxy S24 series uses what Samsung calls the ProVisual Engine9,  a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools that enhance image capturing and give some options. More stable images and better ‘Nightography’ is promised. Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Quad Tele System, with a new 5x optical zoom lens, works with the 50MP sensor to enable zoom levels from 2x, 3x, and 5x to 10x10 magnification thanks to Adaptive Pixel Sensor. Images are also claimed to show crystal clear results at 100x with enhanced digital zoom. 

The S24 series will work with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC with top-notch hardware. Visuals are more vibrant and captivating on the brightest Galaxy display ever reaching 2,600nit peak brightness and delivering improved outdoor visibility with Vision Booster. On the display, Corning Gorilla Armor on the Ultra is optically enhanced and is said to demonstrate superior durability against damage caused by everyday scratches. Galaxy S24 is also the first Galaxy S series to be designed with recycled steel and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).

Pre-bookings for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series smartphones have begun. The Galaxy S24 comes with 8GB RAM and 256 or 512GB storage and costs ₹79,999 and ₹89,999 available in Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, Onyx Black. The S24 Plus available with 12GB RAM and 256 or 512GB storage costs ₹99,999 and ₹109,999 in Cobalt Violet, Onyx Black. 

The S24 Ultra comes with 12GB RAM and 256, 512, and 1TB storage and costs ₹129,999, ₹139,999 and ₹159,999. Colours available are Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Black. Sapphire Blue and Jade Green colourways are available if booking from the Samsung site. 

Bank cashback and upgrade offers are available at the moment.