The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is poised to reignite the smartphone battle according to the latest hands-on impressions. This new flagship phone from Samsung features impressive hardware upgrades, fun new software additions, and most notably, powerful on-device AI capabilities.

The S24 Ultra sports a sleek new titanium frame that's stronger yet lighter than aluminum. The display is now flat for added durability and has even bezels all around. It's brighter than ever at a blazing 2600 nits and has new scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Armor. Under the hood, it packs the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip customized for even better performance in a Samsung phone. Combined with a larger vapor chamber, it should stay cool under pressure. Samsung quotes 15% better battery life over the S23 Ultra.

One UI 6.1 brings refreshed aesthetics with dynamic widgets, fluid animations, and a redesigned quick settings panel. Fun new software experiences include live wallpapers, music visualizers, and one-tap camera modes. Samsung has committed to faster and longer software support recently, bringing it up to par with other Android manufacturers.

This is the first phone with enough computational power to run large AI models directly on the device. That enables seamless new AI features without needing an internet connection. Highlights include real-time video interpolation for instant slo-mo, automated audio meeting transcripts, and an AI-powered camera with enhanced photography. The most futuristic feature is real-time translation during phone calls and chats. It's not perfect yet, but provides a glimpse into the possibilities.

With strong fundamentals and ambitious AI expansion, the Galaxy S24 Ultra pushes the envelope for smartphones. Even if you don't plan on getting one, it's setting new standards for the competition. Stay tuned for our full review after more testing of the cameras, performance, and next-gen AI capabilities. But it's clear Samsung is bringing the heat in the ongoing battle for smartphone supremacy.