The Galaxy S24 Ultra mystery: Apple-influenced Samsung not letting the Galaxy Note design die

The Galaxy S24 Ultra mystery: Apple-influenced Samsung not letting the Galaxy Note design die،

I'm not a big fan of Samsung's decision to mimic Apple's iPhone design strategy over the past few years.

While I appreciate some consistency when it comes to the phone lineup, I think Apple has gone a little too far with the current iPhone design, which feels more iterative than necessary. Respectively, Samsung has been doing more or less the same thing since the launch of the Galaxy S22 series… But at the same time, there's something satisfying about seeing how a single design can mature over time. For example, although it looks largely identical to the iPhone 12 series, the iPhone 15 series is quite different. And this is due to subtle changes that most people may not even realize exist.

Now I'm feeling the same vibe about the upcoming Galaxy S24 series of flagships, with a focus on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I have to say… I think I'm more of a fan than a hater. But it’s like… 65/35. I don’t know… something like that.

Samsung pulls an Apple with the design of the new Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I don't hate it

Leaked hands-on images of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, sporting a brushed titanium frame and an almost 100% flat display.

Judging by all the leaks and rumors, the Galaxy S24 Ultra expected to adopt a new brushed titanium frame, similar to that of the iPhone 15 Pro

As you can see in the leaked renders, Samsung is betting on “professional” looking colors, which are very reminiscent of the color scheme of the iPhone 14 Pro series – the matte gray finish is supposed to be “golden” according to tipster Ice Universe.

Another subtle but noticeable change in the design of the Galaxy S24 Ultra is that it gets Samsung's flattest premium flagship display in a very long time – you can see subtle curves on the edge of the glass, but the S24 Ultra's actual display area now looks 100% flat .

Another subtle but long-awaited design change that I love to see is symmetrical bezels on Samsung's premium flagship for the first time (the vanilla Galaxy S22 models received this upgrade a while ago ).

Adopting Apple's “design refinement” strategy has taught Samsung (and its fans) to be patient like iPhone users.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra's leaked color selection is pretty much the same as last year's iPhone 14 Pro, with a new Hero color: purple.

Although it's hard to get excited about the design of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which looks largely identical to that of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which practically looks like the S22 Ultra, I have to say that the subtle changes Samsung is going for seem very intentional, and (as I said in the intro) it makes me consider – them as a maturity process… It's almost as if Samsung has mastered Apple's push-pull strategy of adding (obvious) upgrades one by one instead of doing a complete overhaul like the company is doing. did before. So it's really no surprise that it creates a feeling of satisfaction when you finally get JUST the design you've “always wanted” since day one.

Again, to draw a parallel with the iPhone, if you have ever held an iPhone 12 Pro, you would know that holding the iPhone 15 Pro feels incredibly different (in a good way). However, this is clearly a paradox, since the iPhone 15 Pro practically resembles that of iPhone 12 Pro. But that's how Apple's “refinement” strategy works.

It's almost like watching your child grow up: they learn to use a spoon, then they learn to tie their shoes, then they learn to ignore you, because they're on the phone.

All Apple style excuses aside, Samsung isn't trying hard enough with the Galaxy S24 Ultra's design

The Galaxy S24 series could have adopted the same side button/bezel design as the cheaper Galaxy A55, which looks more modern now.

So, yes, adopting Apple's “design refinement” strategy has taught Samsung (and Samsung fans) how to be patient when it comes to upgrades. But some people just aren't patient (you can find most of them on Tech Twitter).

They want to see a new Galaxy/iPhone that makes them want to buy and use it. You know, like the Galaxy S6 Edge and iPhone X from a billion years ago. And if you want a personal example, like the Pixel 6 Pro – the latest (non-foldable) phone that I was really excited to use.

So, what about this more “enthusiastic” group of smartphone users (to which I belong)? Well, looking at the Galaxy S24 Ultra From this angle, the perspective changes a bit, raising some questions like the ones below:

Why not spice things up a bit by adding the same button/bezel design to the model that we saw in the leaked Galaxy A55 renders. Galaxy S24,Samsung? Of course, it's not a complete redesign, but it could have made the flagship phones look newer and a little more…bold.

One special thing about the design of the Galaxy S24 Ultra (if this turns out to be true) bothers me a little and that is the fact that even if Samsung switches to a titanium frame, the Galaxy S24 Ultra it is not expected to become lighter; let's hope that's wrong, because the 20g that Apple shaved off the iPhone 15 Pro Max makes it much more comfortable to hold than the Galaxy S23 Ultra

It's an idea I won't get tired of repeating, and it's the idea that the S-Pen slot and the S Pen need to go; I guess smartphone styluses were intriguing a decade ago, but it's almost 2024 now, and I think Steve Jobs was right about that: few people will miss the S Pen, which takes up valuable space in the computer. Galaxy S24 Ultra (this could also make the phone wider than necessary)

Is it time to try an under-display selfie camera, Samsung? I know this has to be a very carefully calculated decision, as ditching the standard selfie camera in favor of a UD solution would definitely result in a drop in quality, but someone has to make the ultimate all-screen phone eventually, right? It won’t be Apple – at least not anytime soon…

The Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to retain the dead “Note” design: will Samsung ever ditch the impractical rectangle in favor of something more ergonomic?

Rendering of Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) vs Galaxy S23 Ultra (right). We see a slightly wider but shorter S24 Ultra, perhaps harder to use one-handed. Image courtesy of Ice Universe.

Despite “killing” the Galaxy Note a few years ago, the Galaxy S24 Ultra looks a lot like what the Galaxy Note 24 Ultra would have looked like, which begs the question: “Will Samsung ever give up the design of the square Galaxy? Note disguised as Galaxy S?

In the end, I think I like it Galaxy S24 Ultra design a little more than the S23 Ultra despite the subtle changes to the design. But as I write above, I recognize that the only reason I like the look of the Galaxy S24 Ultra That's because it appears to resolve a few small design annoyances with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and seeing that issue resolved is satisfying. But that doesn't mean I'm a fan of the Galaxy Ultra's design as a whole.

Let us not forget that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is still Samsung's “discontinued” flagship “Galaxy Note” but really retained in the form of the premium S series flagship.

And one thing has been and will be true about the Galaxy S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra, and the new S24 Ultra, and that's that the Note's boxy design isn't for me. Don't get me wrong, there's something appealing about an all-screen rectangle, and I often pick up the Galaxy S23 Ultra and just look at the screen because it's so attractive… But from a practical point of view, square doesn't just go well with a phone this big.

If I had to rank the best in terms of functional design, I'd say the Pixel 8 Pro comes out on top as the most comfortable flagship to hold and use with one hand, then the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and finally the Galaxy. S23 Ultra. Aesthetics are subjective, but in case you're wondering, I'd once again choose the Porcelain Pixel 8 Pro over the other two.

But what do you think? Is Samsung doing enough to ensure that Galaxy S24 Ultra an attractive offer? Let us not forget that the Galaxy S24 Ultra probably not intended for people who already own a recent flagship like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. But what about people using the Galaxy S22 Ultra, S21 Ultra, or something older? Are you tempted to upgrade?