The Oddball in the Middle
Nowadays, phones just keep getting bigger. If you want the best features, you almost have to get a phone that’s a bit too large.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the only phone in the S24 series to get a 5x optical zoom. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the same 5x optical zoom sensor, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro does as well.
However, Apple offers two models, the Pro and Pro Max, that are virtually identical in terms of features, with the only difference being the size.
I personally use the iPhone 15 Pro. I stick with it for a very simple reason – my sweet spot for phone size is around the 6 to 6.2-inch mark. I like a device that I can reach every corner of the screen with my thumb without having to stretch, like I have to with the larger models.
In contrast to the iPhone, Samsung has the S24+ sandwiched in between the S24 Ultra and the regular S24. It has a smaller screen and battery than the Ultra, along with a few less features, but not enough to significantly differentiate it from the S24.
Effectively, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max are nearly identical in every way except their size, while the S24+ and Ultra are not.
Sales figures for the S24+ tell the story. It seems people are either buying the smaller phone or going all out for the bigger one, leaving the middle child out in the cold.
When you look at overall sales figures for the Galaxy S series, the “plus” models consistently lag behind. In 2023, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ made up just 18% of sales (across the S23 series), according to Android Authority.
So far this year, the S24+ is following a similar trajectory, capturing 21% of overall S24 sales in January and February 2024, according to Counterpoint Research.
Perhaps Samsung should take a page out of Apple’s book and release just two different-sized phones – the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S24.
This would allow Samsung to focus on making the standard S24 a stronger premium offering, and it would help the company reduce production costs by streamlining its lineup.
It’s a strategy that’s worked well for Apple, so it’s certainly worth considering.
Should Samsung Ditch the S24+?
I’ve been using the S24 as my daily phone for a few weeks now, and for the most part, it’s a very positive experience. I’m using the base model – 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything compared to the S24 Ultra.
My biggest concern was battery life, and it’s clear that’s not an issue with the S24. When I reviewed the Galaxy S23 last year, I was impressed by the battery life considering its size.
If the S24 takes a step back this year, it’s a small one. I’ve been able to get through a day on a single charge pretty easily on the S24.
The camera on the S24 obviously can’t match the S24 Ultra for low-light performance and zoom capabilities. The S24 has a 3x optical zoom telephoto lens. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel camera, while the ultrawide and telephoto lenses are 12- and 10-megapixels, respectively.
Overall, the camera is quite good, with minimal noise and loss of detail in night shots. Video performance remains a bit of a letdown on the S24, especially when compared to the S24 Ultra.
Compared to the S24+, though, the S24 is practically identical, as the two phones share the same camera hardware. You do get a bit of a performance boost from the extra storage and RAM on the S24+, but it doesn’t feel like a significant value proposition when you consider the price premium.
When you put it all together, the argument can be made that it’s time for Samsung to drop the middle child, especially considering the hardware is virtually identical.
The only real argument against this is the gulf between the S24 and the S24 Ultra. There are a number of key differences between the two, including screen size, battery size, charging speed, the S Pen, and improved cameras. It’s true that the S24+ would provide a middle ground between these two devices, but the low sales figures suggest people just aren’t interested in that.
Ultimately, it’s up to Samsung to decide whether or not to make a change, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the company release a two-phone lineup next year instead of a three-phone lineup.
