Flagships should be updated with TOP PRIORITY!
Why the caps lock, you might ask?
It’s because of this latest rumor that really grinds my gears: the Galaxy S24 Ultra camera issues might not be fixed until June.
And right now, it’s not even May.
No, really: this update should’ve already been rolled out; as a matter of fact, we should’ve already forgotten about it. That’s because it was said to arrive in April.
This got me thinking: why in the world users are required to reach ever deeper in their pockets for a flagship… if the company then simply neglects that same flagship?
What I expect from a flagship
In a nutshell, I expect a lot!
First things first: it’s not as if the world is ending, if your phone’s camera is compromised. In the phone realm, the real showstoppers are:
- Not being able to make a phone call
- Not being able to send a text message
- Not being able to connect to the Internet
Other than that, everything else is a subjective concern rather than a real problem.That being said, I need to stress this: I’m not paying top dollar for a flagship that can only make calls, send and receive text messages, and hook up with the www.
Nope, thank you very much.
A flagship means getting the whole lot, the extra goodies, all the bells and whistles, not just the baseline functions and features.
A flagship experience means that your $1000+ phone should open the door for you and wait with an umbrella when the rain starts falling down. It should spoil you with breakfast in bed.
What’s the deal with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s issues?
Let’s not get hysterical. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is prone to bugs and issues, as is any other phone out there. It’s man-made, so it’s not going to be perfect.
Users, however, are not having a great time, as there are many complaints (in Samsung’s community forums) about the camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Among the complaints that arise most often, several issues stand out:
- Problematic white balance
- Overexposure
- Telephoto imagery issues
- Abnormal red colors
As a matter of fact, the Galaxy S24 gets on people’s nerves with additional fault-findings that I’ve outlined in a separate article, but here’s a taste:
- The screen was “dull and muted” according to some (it turned out to be a software setting that was later addressed)
- The speakers were said to be “tiny and hollow” (some even claimed the speakers here are worse than on the Galaxy S21)
- The thin green line horror (my personal “favorite”)
- Scarce reports on battery drainage
The camera problems are not to be swept under the rug
Still, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a beast!
Let’s take a look at the complaints individually and see why addressing them in a software update is a must for Samsung.
Each of the aforementioned issues represents critical aspects of photography that can significantly impact the quality and effectiveness of your photographs.
Problematic white balance:
White balance refers to the color temperature of the light in a photograph, affecting how colors appear. Incorrect white balance can lead to unnatural or unflattering color casts, altering the mood and accuracy of the scene. Neglecting white balance can result in photos with overly warm (orange) or cool (blue) tones, and that’s not cool (pun intended). Correcting white balance during post-processing can be challenging and might not fully restore the natural look of the scene, making it crucial to get right in-camera. Also, it’s time-consuming!
Overexposure:
Overexposure occurs when too much light reaches the camera sensor, resulting in loss of detail and washed-out highlights in the image. This issue can be particularly problematic because once areas are blown out due to overexposure, the details in those sections are irretrievably lost. It’s essential to monitor exposure levels carefully to preserve highlight detail and ensure a balanced exposure. Recovering overexposed areas in post-processing often leads to increased noise and reduced image quality.
Telephoto imagery issues:
When using telephoto lenses, several issues can arise, including image blur due to camera shake or subject movement, reduced depth of field making precise focusing challenging, and compression of perspective that can flatten the appearance of the scene. Neglecting these issues can result in blurry or poorly focused images, especially in low-light conditions or when photographing fast-moving subjects.
Abnormal Red Colors:
Abnormal red colors, often caused by color channel imbalances or lighting issues, can severely distort the overall color palette of an image. Red tones that appear overly saturated or unnatural can detract from the realism and aesthetic appeal of the photograph. These issues might require intensive color correction in post-processing, which can be time-consuming and challenging to achieve without degrading other aspects of the image quality.
The competition is not that perfect, either
If you’re gradually growing out of the Galaxy S24 Ultra when reading this, just don’t. It’s still an amazing camera and you’re going to be blown away by its capabilities, I can promise you that.Also, if you’re thinking about the competition, let’s check them out!
On a side note: we’re leaving the iPhone 15 Pro Max out of it, right? Let’s stick to Android for this one.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra: The fog master
Many report foggy camera lenses on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra
You don’t have enough fingers on both your hands and feet to count the instances Xiaomi 14 Ultra owners have complained on Reddit and various Facebook groups about… the camera getting foggy.
I kid you not.
Oppo Find X7 Ultra: White balance shenanigans
The Oppo Find X7 Ultra is wonderful… BUT!
What’s the moral of the story?
Nothing is perfect.
Hey, I just might have found out why Carl Pei has named its company ‘Nothing’!
Waiting should not be an option
Phone companies should be serious about updates
On the road, Ferrari owners have to comply with the traffic rules like the rest of us. They don’t get to pass before everyone else, they have to wait in line. In the smartphone world, however, different rules should apply. Companies should pamper and prioritize their flagships. Highest prices should equate to the highest priority possible.
Your Pixel 6a/Galaxy A35/iPhone SE got its updates a month later? Oh, that’s too bad. By “too bad” I mean – that’s completely normal.
Flagship updates matter.
You know, if phone companies weren’t driven by pure greed and competitiveness to release new handsets all the time, maybe they’d have time to pay attention to their “most important products”.