Samsung's latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, shares many similarities with its predecessors. It boasts a large screen, impressive zoom capabilities for photography, and includes the convenient S Pen stylus. However, Samsung missed an opportunity to truly differentiate its $1, 300 device by incorporating Galaxy AI, a suite of features that range from real-time call translation to object manipulation in photos. While Galaxy AI is available on all new Galaxy S24 models and will eventually come to the Galaxy S23 series, additional exclusive features could have been introduced to the Ultra version to justify its higher price tag. The Ultra's distinct features, like the S Pen, could have been enhanced with unique Galaxy AI capabilities, providing added value for the $1, 300 investment. This is particularly relevant now that the $1, 000 Galaxy S24 Plus offers similar attributes, with a slightly larger screen and battery. Galaxy AI encompasses various generative AI-powered tools for communication, productivity, and photography/videography, making it a fitting addition to the photography-oriented Galaxy S24 Ultra. Samsung's aim was likely to create a consistent experience across the entire Galaxy S24 lineup.

However, the potential for customized software features tailored to each device's form factor excites me the most. Samsung's EVP and Head of R&D expressed a desire to optimize the experience for specific devices rather than simply extending the same features. I believe the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its S Pen functionality, presents an opportunity for Samsung to explore unique drawing tools that combine user sketches with AI-generated artwork or patterns. Furthermore, given the Ultra's focus on photography, Samsung could introduce exclusive image and video editing features, akin to Google's Pixel 8 Pro's Video Boost. This particular feature, available only on Google's flagship device, utilizes cloud processing to effortlessly enhance videos with demanding edits, such as significantly brightening dim footage. However, as it stands, the primary factors that differentiate the Galaxy S24 Ultra from its counterparts remain the additional telephoto lens enabling 100x digital zoom, the embedded S Pen, and the larger 6. 8-inch display – features present regardless of Galaxy AI. The future trajectory of Galaxy AI remains unclear, and it's possible that Samsung may introduce paid features beyond 2025, as hinted on the Galaxy S24 Ultra's product page. Nonetheless, according to Choi, this version of Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24 is only the beginning. I hope that Samsung will continue to find ways to make the Galaxy S24 Ultra truly stand out among its competitors.