The smartphone photography scene has come a long way in just a few years. Samsung, a consistent leader in the mobile camera space, has continuously elevated the standards with its Galaxy Ultra lineup. With the release of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it’s inevitable that comparisons to previous flagship models, like the S20 Ultra, are drawn. Though both of these phones boast impressive imaging credentials, the jump from the S20 Ultra to the S24 Ultra reveals profound advances in hardware, software, and computational photography.
In this article, we’ll compare the cameras of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, exploring improvements in sensors, zoom quality, night photography, video features, and AI enhancements. Whether you’re an avid smartphone photographer or simply curious how much technology has evolved, this comparison sheds light on just how far we’ve come in just four years.
Camera Specifications Breakdown
Let’s start with a side-by-side look at the core camera specifications of each device:
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra:
- 108 MP wide sensor (f/1.8, 1/1.33″, 0.8µm)
- 48 MP periscope telephoto (4x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom)
- 12 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120˚ field of view)
- 0.3 MP DepthVision sensor
- 8K video at 24fps, 4K at 60fps
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- 200 MP wide sensor (f/1.7, 1/1.3″, 0.6µm)
- 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
- 50 MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom
- 12 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120˚ field of view)
- No depth sensor – relies on improved AI and LiDAR-style data
- 8K video at 30fps, 4K at 120fps with HDR
From the specs alone, you can see the S24 Ultra is built on a different philosophy — rather than focusing heavily on single high-resolution sensors, it utilizes a multi-lens approach optimized for AI-powered versatility and superior zoom fidelity.
Main Sensor: 108 MP vs 200 MP
The jump from 108 MP on the S20 Ultra to 200 MP in the S24 Ultra might sound like a simple resolution boost, but the change goes much deeper. The newer sensor in the S24 Ultra, based on Samsung’s ISOCELL HP2 technology, features adaptive pixel binning that allows it to switch dynamically between different pixel groups depending on lighting conditions.
In real-world shooting conditions, especially during daylight, the S24 Ultra captures finer details, more accurate colors, and exhibits improved dynamic range compared to its predecessor. The software enhancement on the newer model can extract crisp details even when cropped in, something the S20 Ultra struggles with due to its older sensor and image processing limitations.
The S20 Ultra was revolutionary for its time, introducing extremely high-resolution sensors to mainstream smartphones. However, it often produced images with over-sharpening and inconsistent focus. These issues are nearly eliminated in the S24 Ultra thanks to better autofocus algorithms and updated optics.
Zoom Capabilities: Dual Telephoto vs Single Periscope
The S20 Ultra’s 100x “Space Zoom” was iconic, but it was more of a marketing highlight than a practical feature. Though technically impressive, images taken at high zoom levels were soft and lacked usable detail.
The S24 Ultra, on the other hand, introduces a smarter approach to zoom with dual telephoto lenses: a 50 MP 5x optical zoom lens and a 10 MP 3x optical lens. These offer better quality at various focal lengths, delivering crystal-clear results all the way up to a usable 30x hybrid zoom. Beyond that, the new AI enhancement algorithms kick in to make images more detailed than what was possible before.
This multi-focal zoom system excels in portrait, wildlife, and concert photography — use-case scenarios where the older S20 Ultra often fell short due to its reliance on digital algorithms after 10x zoom.
Low-Light Photography and Night Mode
Low-light shooting is perhaps where the differences between these two devices become most apparent. While the S20 Ultra had a decent Night Mode, noise levels were high and details suffered in extremely dark settings.
The S24 Ultra, combined with its Nightography AI system and larger image sensor, delivers cleaner shots with significantly better dynamic range and color preservation. Furthermore, the use of AI-based de-noising, multi-frame stacking, and improved OIS (optical image stabilization) means that night photos are not only usable—they’re often incredible.
Even when capturing scenes in near-darkness, the S24 Ultra exhibits:
- Reduced motion blur
- Accurate white balance
- Enhanced shadow details
With the S24 Ultra, nighttime photography enters a phase where the need for DSLRs in many casual settings starts to fade.
Video Recording Capabilities
Both phones are capable of recording 8K video, but the S24 Ultra does it better. The S20 Ultra could capture 8K at a choppy 24fps, whereas the newer model offers smooth 8K at 30fps, along with HDR10+ video support and vastly improved stabilization. The addition of Pro Video mode allows users to manually control ISO, shutter speed, focus, and other shooting parameters, making the S24 Ultra more of a cinematic tool.
Slow motion and hyperlapse modes have also seen notable enhancements, with improved quality at 4K 120fps on the newer flagship compared to 4K 60fps from the S20 Ultra. Plus, better thermal management in the S24 Ultra prevents overheating during extended shooting sessions — a problem that plagued its predecessor.
AI Features and Computational Photography
One of the most notable shifts in camera quality from the S20 Ultra to the S24 Ultra comes not just from hardware, but from advancements in software. The S24 Ultra is infused with Galaxy AI technology, which enhances everything from real-time scene optimization to subject detection and post-processing.
Here are some new AI-driven features found in the S24 Ultra:
- Photo Remaster: Enhances older photos using generative AI
- Instant Object Eraser: Removes distractions from images with a tap
- Scene Optimization: Recognizes over 100 categories of scenes and adjusts settings on the fly
- AI Zoom Enhance: Fills in lost detail on high-zoom images using intelligent reconstruction
While the S20 Ultra had some form of scene optimization, it was basic by today’s standards and often misjudged lighting or color balance. By contrast, the S24 Ultra allows users to create near-professional-level photographs straight from the camera app.
Conclusion: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
So, where do we stand after scanning through all the improvements? The Galaxy S24 Ultra is, without a doubt, a major leap forward in smartphone photography. Compared to the S20 Ultra, it delivers:
- More versatile zoom with dual telephoto lenses
- Sharper, more dynamic images from the 200 MP sensor
- Superior low-light performance
- Significantly improved video recording quality and features
- A truly intelligent camera experience powered by AI
If you’re still holding on to your Galaxy S20 Ultra, the upgrade to the S24 Ultra offers more than just minor refinements — it completely redefines how you can use your smartphone camera. For photography enthusiasts and casual shutterbugs alike, the S24 Ultra represents the fusion of serious imaging capability and cutting-edge mobile technology.
All things considered, the answer to “Is the upgrade worth it?” is a resounding yes — especially if photography is a key part of your daily smartphone use. The Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t just match traditional cameras in many scenarios; it dares to outperform them.