Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 the rare small phone that doesn’t feel like a compromise—or just an expensive nostalgia play? Short answer: it’s the best compact Android you can actually buy in India right now.
Quick Summary Box
What it is: A 6.2-inch, premium compact flagship with serious long-term support.
Who it’s for: One-handers, corporate travelers, camera-casuals who value reliability, and anyone bored of giant slabs.
Immediate caveats: 25W charging is meh; base model misses UWB/Wi-Fi 7; Exynos in India.
Key Specs at a Glance
· Display: 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO 1–120Hz, 2600-nit peak.
· Chip (India): Exynos 2400.
· RAM/Storage: 8GB with 128/256GB (India).
· Cameras: 50MP wide + 10MP 3x tele + 12MP ultra-wide; 12MP selfie.
· Battery/Charging: 4000mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless, reverse wireless.
· Durability: IP68; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on S24 (Gorilla Armor is Ultra only).
· Software: Android 14 (launch) with One UI 6.1; promised 7 years OS & security.
Design & Build
It’s minimalist, squared off, and genuinely compact at 147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm, 167 g—you can actually reach the top corners without finger yoga. Armor Aluminum frame, flat glass, tight tolerances. IP68 means rain and sink-oops aren’t panic moments. The S24 feels like a “small pro” phone, not a compromised lite.
Display & Multimedia
The 6.2" LTPO panel does 1–120Hz with up to 2600 nits peak—readable in Delhi noon sun, smooth enough for 120-fps shooters, and color-true for Netflix HDR. Stereo speakers are loud; no headphone jack (obviously). If you binge HDR, this screen holds its own with anything sub-7 inches.
Persona mapping:
· Gamer: stable 120Hz, reduced flicker; touch response is snappy.
· Movie watcher: high brightness + HDR10+ give actual pop outdoors.
Performance & Software
India gets Exynos 2400—and yes, that raised eyebrows. In practice, One UI is quick, thermals are improved over older Exynos generations, and day-to-day smoothness is flagship-grade. The real win is policy: 7 years of OS + security updates, which trumps most Android rivals and kills upgrade anxiety.
Cameras
The formula is proven: 50MP main, 10MP 3× OIS tele, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP selfie. Daylight shots are crisp with Samsung’s familiar punch; portraits at 3× look expensive; low-light is solid with Nightography tweaks, though the 3× can soften after dark. Video stabilization is reliable, and AI editing (erase, move, fill) is sometimes spooky-good.
Personas:
· Camera-first parent: fast shutter, dependable skin tones in auto.
· Traveler: 3× tele is clutch for architecture and menus from across the table.
Battery & Charging
4000mAh is enough for a full workday with mixed use. The catch is 25W wired (and 15W wireless). It’s not “coffee to 80%” fast like some Chinese rivals; think more “lunchtime top-ups.” Reverse wireless saves your Buds in a pinch.
Connectivity & Extras
Dual SIM (incl. eSIM), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, stereo speakers, good haptics. No UWB on the base S24; no Wi-Fi 7, which some 2024/25 flagships flaunt.
Brand Claims vs Reality
· “Galaxy AI” = actually useful tools: Circle to Search, Live Translate, generative photo edits, note summaries. Free through end of 2025 (then TBD). Reality: handy, but not a reason alone to upgrade.
· “ProVisual Engine/Nightography” = cleaner low light, better zoom stitching; tele still dips in very dark scenes.
· “Years of updates” = the real killer feature: 7 years OS + security. That’s Pixel-level longevity—on a compact Samsung.
Comparison Mentions
· vs iPhone 15: S24 display gets brighter outdoors and is smoother at 120Hz; Apple wins on sustained video battery life and ProRes tools.
· vs Pixel 8: Google’s camera still nails skin tones; Samsung wins on telephoto reach and raw performance headroom.
· vs Galaxy S24+: bigger battery, QHD+ panel, UWB—but not one-hand friendly.
Price & Availability (India)
₹64,999 (8/128) on Samsung India; higher tiers step up accordingly. Street deals vary; check storage before you buy.
Alternatives
· Google Pixel 8: class-leading stills, clean Android; slower charging, smaller battery.
· iPhone 15: great video and ecosystem; 60Hz display is the buzzkill.
· Galaxy S24+: same brain, bigger screen/battery, UWB; not compact.
FAQ
Q: Does Galaxy S24 support wireless charging?
Yes—15W Qi wireless and reverse wireless PowerShare.
Q: Is it waterproof?
Rated IP68 (dust/water; 1.5 m for 30 min.
Q: Exynos in India—should I worry?
For most users: no. UI is smooth, gaming is fine with realistic settings, and the 7-year support dwarfs spec anxiety. Power gamers may prefer plus/Ultra in Snapdragon markets, but for India, S24 is balanced.
Final Take
If you’ve been craving a small Android that still feels flagship, this is it. The Galaxy S24’s mix of size, screen, cameras, and 7-year runway makes it an easy long-term pick—just temper expectations on charging speeds and understand you’re buying the Exynos tune in India.