Samsung Galaxy S24+ Gaming Review

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ came out not too long ago and it is hands down, one of the best smartphones you can get right now. But people are still quite sceptical about it because in Malaysia, it uses an Exynos 2400 chipset rather than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 which many would say is a downgrade. The Exynos 2400 is a high-end mobile processor designed by Samsung for smartphones and tablets. It was announced in January 2024 and is built on a 4nm manufacturing process.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

CPU: It has a 10-core CPU divided into three clusters: one high-performance core, two mid-size performance clusters, and four power-efficient cores. This tri-cluster architecture allows the chip to balance performance and power consumption depending on the task.
GPU: The Exynos 2400 uses an Xclipse 940 GPU based on the AMD RDNA 3 architecture, which should deliver good gaming performance.
AI: Samsung claims a significant boost in AI processing compared to previous Exynos models. This improved AI capability is used for features like speech-to-text summarization, real-time call translation, and image generation.
Connectivity: The Exynos 2400 supports the latest 5G standards, including sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies.

So, can the Samsung Galaxy S24+ game? That’s what we’re here to find out.

Testing Methodology

We tested the phone with several popular games in the market right now. These games include Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, Grimvalor, Minecraft and Call of Duty Warzone Mobile. But before we move on with the phone’s performance, let me explain some of the parameters. Firstly, the phone has been set with QHD resolution with the screen refresh rate set to 120Hz. This is so that we can get the best quality display during our tests.

Secondly, we have the Perf Z plugin enabled so that we can monitor the frame count, the CPU and GPU condition and the phone’s temperature. No other plugin has been enabled during the test. This is to ensure that the performance data we get is raw and pure without any potential tampering.

Now let’s see how the Samsung Galaxy S24+ performs.

Tested Games

CALL OF DUTY MOBILE

First on the plate is Call of Duty Mobile. Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed main games in the series, Call of Duty Mobile offers players an immersive experience filled with adrenaline-pumping action and intense multiplayer battles.

Call of Duty Mobile will feel familiar to franchise fans. It includes hallmark features that made the series popular. These features range from a diverse arsenal of weapons to dynamic maps and engaging game modes. The mobile adaptation captures the essence of the franchise faithfully.

During our extensive gameplay sessions, we observed that Call of Duty Mobile excelled in performance, maintaining a steady frame rate of 120 frames per second. It’s worth noting that when playing in 120fps mode, the game automatically adjusts the graphics settings to medium. However, even when cranked up to maximum graphics, with the settings pushed to their limits, the game still managed to deliver an impressive frame rate of 60 frames per second.

Despite the demanding nature of gameplay, the phone’s temperature remained at a comfortable 39 degrees Celsius throughout our various play sessions.

GRIMVALOR

Grimvalor is a mobile gaming gem. It seamlessly blends hack-and-slash combat with platforming elements. All within a captivating dark fantasy setting. Since its initial release in 2019, Grimvalor has garnered widespread acclaim. It’s praised for its adrenaline-pumping action and visually stunning graphics.

Despite the mobile platform’s inherent limitations, Grimvalor defies expectations by delivering a gaming experience comparable to high-end titles. Even with the graphics settings pushed to their limits, the game maintains an impressive frame rate. It consistently runs at 120 frames per second throughout gameplay. This level of performance enhances the visual fidelity of the game. It also ensures a smooth and responsive gaming experience. This experience is akin to what one might expect from top-tier titles like COD Mobile.

What’s particularly noteworthy is the device’s ability to maintain optimal performance without sacrificing comfort. Despite the demanding nature of gameplay, which inevitably leads to increased thermal output, the phone manages to keep temperatures around 39°C. Despite the slight warmth, the device remains comfortable to hold.

MINECRAFT

Let’s dive deeper into the world of Minecraft, the iconic sandbox game that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. With its mobile version, Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (formerly known as Minecraft: Pocket Edition), players can enjoy the full Minecraft experience on their smartphones. Since its initial release in 2011, this mobile iteration has provided players with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the game’s vast world of creativity and exploration.

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is one of the more demanding games in terms of graphics. Nevertheless, it still manages to achieve an impressive and consistent frame rate of 120 frames per second when all graphical options are enabled. This level of performance ensures that players can enjoy a smooth and immersive gaming experience, even on their mobile devices.

However, this graphical prowess does come at a cost. The intensive processing required to maintain such high frame rates puts a strain on the phone’s CPU and GPU, leading to an increase in temperature. During our testing, we observed the phone heating up to 41°C while running Minecraft at maximum settings. While the device does warm up noticeably, it does not reach an uncomfortable temperature, allowing for extended gameplay sessions without any significant discomfort.

This balancing act between performance and temperature highlights the impressive capabilities of both the game and the device. Minecraft: Bedrock Edition demonstrates its ability to deliver stunning visuals and smooth gameplay on mobile platforms, while the phone showcases its efficient thermal management system, ensuring a comfortable gaming experience for players

CALL OF DUTY: WARZONE MOBILE

Let’s delve into one of the most demanding Android games on the market: the mobile version of Activision’s renowned battle royale title, Call of Duty: Warzone. Originally developed for consoles and PC, this adaptation poses significant challenges to your phone’s hardware capabilities. Unlike the games we’ve tested above, Warzone Mobile does not offer a 120fps mode, setting a high bar for performance expectations.

Despite this limitation, I was pleasantly surprised by the S24+’s ability to deliver a smooth and stable gaming experience, even when pushing the graphics settings to their maximum potential. The absence of a 120fps mode did not hinder the overall gameplay, as the device consistently maintained a respectable 60 frames per second, ensuring fluid and immersive gameplay.

However, such demanding gameplay naturally puts a strain on the phone’s hardware, resulting in increased temperatures during intense battles. At its peak, the device reached temperatures of 43°C, indicating significant thermal output. Despite this, the phone remained comfortable to hold, even during extended gaming sessions, thanks to efficient heat dissipation mechanisms and thoughtful design considerations.

GENSHIN IMPACT

Now we come to the biggest and heaviest game in the whole android game catalogue.

Here’s a basic lowdown of the game, it’s an action RPG that took the world by storm when it was released back in 2020, becoming one of the biggest and most popular games in recent memory. Its captivating storyline, stunning visuals, and immersive gameplay mechanics captivated gamers worldwide, earning it a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim.

In our testing, I maxed out the graphical settings of Genshin Impact, basically running the game at full force. The intense graphical fidelity of Genshin Impact had its drawbacks. The Perf Z plugin showed red stats across the board. Both the GPU and CPU were pushed to their limits, operating at full capacity to deliver the immersive experience the game is known for. Consequently, the phone’s temperature peaked at around 46°C. While this warmed up the device noticeably, it wasn’t uncomfortably hot.

Despite the taxing demands placed on the phone’s hardware, I was pleasantly surprised by the S24+’s performance. Despite occasional dips into the 40s mark, the game maintained an impressively smooth frame rate of 60 frames per second, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. This highlights the impressive optimisation and capabilities of the Exynos 2400 chipset, proving its prowess in handling even the most demanding titles with finesse.

Conclusion: Can the Samsung Galaxy S24+ game?

The performance showcased by the Exynos 2400 chipset left a lasting impression on us, exceeding our expectations. Far from being a mere contender, this chipset proved itself to be a powerhouse, effortlessly handling every game we put it through. Its ability to seamlessly navigate through graphically demanding titles speaks volumes about its capabilities.

After extensive testing, we confidently assert that Samsung’s Exynos 2400 chipset in the Galaxy S24 Plus is a strong rival to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip in the S24 Ultra. It exceeds industry standards, offering users an exceptional gaming experience. The Exynos 2400 delivers impressive performance and reliability, solidifying its position as a top-tier smartphone processor.

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ is available now through the official Samsung online store as well as on Shopee and Lazada.