Galaxy S24 Ultra • Unlocked vs OnePlus 12 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (2024) and the OnePlus 12 (2023) are both high-end Android smartphones, each offering a distinct approach to premium mobile experiences. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra emphasizes advanced AI capabilities, a versatile camera system, and a built-in stylus, the OnePlus 12 focuses on raw performance, rapid charging, and a fluid user interface. Both devices run on the Android operating system, with their respective custom interfaces, One UI for Samsung and OxygenOS for OnePlus.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support and physical durability.

• Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was released in January 2024 and is notable for its commitment to providing seven years of OS and security updates, ensuring extended software support well into the future. The OnePlus 12, released in December 2023, typically receives a strong commitment to software updates, with OxygenOS 15 (based on Android 15) rolling out in November 2024 and OxygenOS 16 (based on Android 16) expected in November 2025, indicating several years of major OS upgrades.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a titanium frame and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Armor on its display, contributing to its robust build. It also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, signifying a high level of protection against environmental elements. The OnePlus 12 utilizes an aluminum frame and an etched glass back, with its display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It has an IP65 rating, offering protection against dust and water splashes.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, both devices are designed with modern smartphone construction, which often involves specialized tools and expertise for repairs. The extended software support of the S24 Ultra may encourage users to keep the device for a longer period, potentially making repairability a more significant consideration over time.

Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the OnePlus 12 are equipped with current-generation processors, delivering high levels of performance for demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: Both devices feature a powerful processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. This ensures a responsive user experience, whether navigating the interface, running graphics-intensive games, or editing high-resolution media.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S24 Ultra typically comes with 12GB of RAM, while the OnePlus 12 offers configurations up to 16GB or even 24GB of RAM, which can provide additional headroom for extensive multitasking and keeping many applications open simultaneously. Both devices offer ample storage options, ranging from 256GB up to 1TB, utilizing fast storage technologies for quick app loading and data access.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, and user tests indicate excellent endurance, often lasting over 16 hours of active use and up to two days with mixed usage. The OnePlus 12 features a larger 5400 mAh battery, also providing strong battery life for extended use. Both devices are designed to manage power efficiently, allowing users to go through a full day without frequent recharges.

The visual experience on both smartphones is a highlight, with each offering a high-quality display designed for clarity and vibrant colors.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, while the OnePlus 12 sports a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED screen. Both offer QHD+ resolutions (3120x1440 for S24 Ultra, 3168x1440 for OnePlus 12), resulting in sharp images and text.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both displays boast impressive peak brightness levels, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra reaching 2600 nits and the OnePlus 12 achieving up to 4500 nits. This ensures excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Both phones also feature adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and responsive animations while conserving battery life.
• Screen Design and Protection: The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a flat display with Gorilla Glass Armor for enhanced scratch resistance. The OnePlus 12 has a curved display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The choice between a flat or curved screen often comes down to personal preference for handling and aesthetics.

Both devices offer advanced camera systems, though with different configurations and photographic philosophies.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. This provides extensive zoom capabilities and high-resolution imaging. The OnePlus 12 comes with a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor (Sony LYT-808), a 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S24 Ultra is noted for its detailed images, strong low-light performance, and advanced AI features that assist with editing and enhancing photos. Its zoom capabilities are a significant highlight, offering clear results even at higher magnifications. The OnePlus 12, with Hasselblad Color Calibration, aims for natural color reproduction and delivers satisfactory results in various conditions, with its telephoto lens performing well for zoomed shots.
• Video and Front Camera: Both phones support 8K video recording at 24fps. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 12MP front camera, while the OnePlus 12 features a 32MP front camera, offering high-resolution selfies and video calls.