We put the Samsung Galaxy S24 through our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In the results of this test, we will analyze how it performed in a series of tests and in several common use cases.
Overview
Key Display Specifications:
- 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (screen-to-body ratio ~89.9%)
- Dimensions: 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm (5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, (density ~416 ppi)
- Aspect ratio: 19.5:9
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
Pros
- Good readability in sunlight thanks to a very high peak brightness
- Accurate color rendering in most lighting environments
- Excellent handling of frame discrepancies when watching videos or playing video games
Against
- Excessively high brightness levels in HDR video playback
- Lack of brightness and detail in the interior lighting environment
- Poor management of inadvertent touches
The Samsung Galaxy S24 nearly matched the display performance of the top-of-the-line S24 Ultra, thanks to achieving two top scores in readability and touch, but the smaller device was held back due to artifact handling.
Although the devices have fundamental differences, mainly in size, chipset and glass, the behavior of the Galaxy S24’s display was very similar to that of the Ultra version. The 6.2-inch S24, like the 6.7-inch S24+, was released with the latest version of Samsung’s in-house chip, Exynos 2400, while the 6.8-inch S24 Ultra features the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The S24’s protective glass is the same as that used on the S23 series, while the S24 Ultra’s display has reinforced glass with anti-reflective properties, which played a role in dealing with artifacts.
While the lack of an anti-glare screen cost the S24 significant points in artifacts, due to poor reflection handling, it can also be said that the older glass was a contributing factor to the S24 obtained the maximum score in terms of readability. As for luminance, the S24 peaked slightly higher than the S24 Ultra’s already impressive peak, making the S24 a very readable screen in sunlight. Maximum brightness, better gamma handling under sunlight, and a smoother screen helped the device score maximum in the readability attribute.
In our display evaluation, our testers found the S24’s screen colors to be a huge improvement over its S23 predecessor. Colors on the S24 were much more accurate than previous S-series models, particularly outdoors, correcting the color artifact noted on the S23-series. The new type of color signature of the S24 series, with the same color rendering on all three models, offers a much more “natural” rendering than the previous series. However, when viewing the S24’s screen from an angle, the screen colors changed, but not as much as on the S24 Ultra, a factor that helped the S24 score slightly better in the color attribute.
A screen that’s too bright can make watching videos in a dark environment quite uncomfortable if the device doesn’t reduce the brightness enough. In our tests, the S24’s screen, like that of the S24 Ultra, lost a few points by remaining too bright when viewing videos.
In the motion attribute, stuttering was visible when resuming video playback, showing that the S24 was a little slower than the S24 Ultra when running.
The S24 achieved top marks for its touch interactions, which were precise and smooth, with quick response times.
The S24’s impressive display performance has earned it the top spot among premium segment devices so far.
Test summary
About SBMARK display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphones and other display reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective and perceptual tests under controlled laboratory and real-life conditions. Please note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps with default settings. (For in-depth information on how we evaluate smartphones and other displays, see our articles “How SBMARK Tests Display Quality” and “A Closer Look at SBMARK Display Tests.”
The following section brings together key elements of our comprehensive testing and analysis performed in SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
How the display readability score is composed
Readability evaluates the ease and comfort with which users can read fixed content (photos and web) on the display in various real-life conditions. SBMARK uses its display stand to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also carried out in real-life environments.
Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).
From left to right: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Readability in an outdoor environment (20,000 lux).
From left to right: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Readability in a sunny environment (>90,000 lux).
From left to right: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Readability at a 45° angle
From left to right: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Measurement of luminance uniformity
This graph shows display uniformity with a gray pattern at 20%. The more visible the green color, the more uniform the display will be.
How the display color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the device’s ability to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken concern fidelity, white point color and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can handle color in its surroundings. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. The perceptual analysis of the color rendering takes place compared to the reference model displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
White point under D65 illuminant at 1000 lux
Indoor color rendering (1000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Outdoor color rendering (20,000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Color rendering in sunlight (>90,000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Color fidelity measurements
Samsung Galaxy S24, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the sRGB color space
Samsung Galaxy S24, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the Display-P3 color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color model (arrow base) and its actual measurement (arrow tip). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference. If the arrow remains inside the circle the color difference will only be visible to expert eyes.
Color behavior on the corner
This graph shows the color shift when the screen is tilted. Each point represents a measurement at a particular angle. The dots inside the inner circle show no color change in the corner; those between the inner and outer circles have changes that only trained experts will see; but those that fall outside the outer circle are noted.
Color shift on the corner
From left to right: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
How the Display Video score is composed
Our video attribute evaluates each device’s Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure the tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis Cons our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure rendering meets artistic intent.
Video rendering in a low light environment (0 lux).
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 15, Google Pixel 8
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
Gamut coverage for video content
Primary colors are measured in both HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of the color area that the device can reproduce. To meet artistic intent, the measured gamma must match the primary color space of each video.
How the Display Motion Score is composed
The motion attribute evaluates dynamic content handling. Dropped frames, motion blur, and playback artifacts are examined using games and videos.
Dropped video frames
These long exposure photos have the number of frame irregularities in a 30 second video. Good performance shows a regular pattern (a flat gray image or a drop-down pattern).
How the Display Touch score is composed
To evaluate touch, SBMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a series of scenarios for evaluating smoothness, accuracy and response time.
This response time test accurately evaluates the time that elapses between a single touch of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require high responsiveness, such as gaming.
How the display artifact score is composed
Evaluating artifacts means checking for performance, image rendering, and motion defects that can impact the end-user experience. SBMARK precisely measures device reflectance and the presence of flicker, and evaluates the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other features.
Aliasing (foreground)
Samsung Galaxy S24
(Photo for illustrative purposes only)
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