As the Galaxy S25 gets ready to make its debut, I thought it was the perfect time to reflect on my experience with the previous model, the Galaxy S24, after using it for a full year. As someone who has tested numerous smartphones over the years, I can honestly say that the S24 has managed to carve out a space for itself in my daily routine in ways I didn’t expect.
A Compact and Durable Smartphone
For those who’ve read my thoughts on previous smartphones like the Asus Zenfone 10 or the Huawei P30, you’ll know that I have a preference for compact devices. While many manufacturers now focus on large-screen models, some, like Samsung, have kept smaller devices in their lineup, and the Galaxy S24 is a perfect example.
With its 6.2-inch screen and dimensions of 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm, the S24 feels like a manageable, pocket-friendly size. It’s a slight step up from the 5.9-inch Zenfone 10, but it still feels very comfortable in the hand, especially for those of us who prefer using a phone one-handed.
What really surprised me, however, was the durability of the S24. I’ve dropped it on hard floors, in the street, and even during a run when I forgot to zip my jacket pocket. Despite a few minor scratches, the phone survived each fall without any serious damage, which is not something I can say for all devices I’ve owned in the past.
Limited Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, I was curious to see how the Galaxy S24 would perform, especially with its relatively small 4000 mAh battery. Samsung has chosen to stick with the Exynos 2400 chip, which isn’t as energy-efficient as its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 counterpart, used in other regions.
In my day-to-day use, the S24 generally lasted a full day with moderate use (around 45 minutes to two hours of screen time). However, on more intense days—like when I traveled to Rome and used Google Maps throughout the day—there were times I needed to plug it in by mid-afternoon to ensure it would last until evening. This wasn’t a huge issue, but it did mean carrying a power bank for peace of mind on longer outings.
To be fair, Samsung can’t fit a larger battery into such a compact device, but I do wish they had opted for a less power-hungry processor. The S23 and S25 models have more efficient options, but the S24 seems to have been a bit of a step back in that regard. Additionally, the phone’s charging speed of just 25W feels outdated in 2025, especially when competitors are offering faster charging speeds.
A Surprisingly Good Camera
While I don’t use my phone for serious photography (I always carry my hybrid camera for travel and events), the Galaxy S24’s camera impressed me in various situations. It performed well in low-light conditions, and the quality was more than adequate for casual snaps at concerts, workouts, or quick outings.
That said, I did miss a telephoto lens with a longer focal length. The S24 only offers a 3x optical zoom, which is decent but not enough for my taste. I tend to prefer longer focal lengths (up to 200mm), which are only available on the S24 Ultra. Still, the camera was more than sufficient for most of my daily needs.
A Smartphone Built for Windows Integration
I’m not an extensive smartphone user—my daily screen time averages about an hour or so. However, I do rely heavily on my PC for work and personal tasks, and this is where the Galaxy S24 truly shines. Through Samsung’s Mobile Connect feature, I was able to integrate my phone into my PC workflow seamlessly. The ability to send and receive SMS messages directly from my computer, view all photos and videos stored on my phone, and even get notifications on my desktop was a game-changer.
One of my favorite features was the photo synchronization. I didn’t have to mess with cloud storage; everything I captured on my phone automatically appeared on my PC, making it incredibly easy to access and organize photos.
Mobile Connect: Hits and Misses
That said, not all of Samsung’s Mobile Connect features worked perfectly for me. The ability to control the phone’s screen from a PC sounded great in theory, but I rarely found it useful in practice, especially since most of the apps I use are also available on the web. I also tried using the copy-paste synchronization between my phone and PC, but I ended up preferring the simplicity of sharing URLs through Chrome, which made the feature less relevant for my day-to-day tasks.
The call functionality, which allows you to take phone calls on your PC, was another feature I wanted to try, but I quickly realized it was more trouble than it was worth. After struggling with microphone and speaker settings, I found it easier to just pick up the phone.
Final Thoughts: A Perfect Fit for Me
After using the Galaxy S24 for a full year, I can confidently say that it’s the smartphone I’ve been waiting for. It’s the right size, durable enough for my daily life, and works seamlessly with my PC—something I hadn’t realized I needed until I experienced it. While its battery could use some improvement, and its camera might not satisfy serious photographers, it checks all the boxes for my needs.
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, the Galaxy S24 has proven to be the perfect companion for my lifestyle. If you’re someone who values compact design, solid performance, and seamless integration with your PC, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s definitely earned its spot in my daily routine.
