Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra 2024

Basic Information

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra is a high-performance laptop designed for demanding tasks. It was officially unveiled in South Korea on January 2, 2024, and launched globally in markets such as the US, France, Germany, and the UK on February 26, 2024. The device ships with Windows 11 Home, with Windows 11 Pro recommended for business users. It supports Windows 11 64-bit, version 23H2 and later. Samsung commits to providing up to seven years of security update support for its Galaxy Book devices, including the Galaxy Book4 Ultra, starting from January 2024. The license type is standard Microsoft Windows 11 Home or Pro. The deployment model is a premium consumer and business laptop. Minimum requirements are aligned with Windows 11 specifications. The auto-update expiration date is tied to the Windows 11 lifecycle and Samsung's 7-year security update policy. The end of life date is not explicitly stated.

Technical Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H or Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, both featuring an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI acceleration. The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H has 16 cores (six Performance, eight Efficient, two Low Power Efficient) and can turbo up to 5.1 GHz.
• RAM: 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X (onboard).
• Storage: 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, with an additional SSD slot for expansion.
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (6GB GDDR6) or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (8GB GDDR6). Both GPUs typically operate with an 80W Total Graphics Power (TGP), though some sources mention 70W for the RTX 4070.
• Display: 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen with a 2880 x 1800 (3K) resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It features an anti-reflective coating, 120% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification, 400 nits typical brightness (500 nits peak HDR), and Corning Gorilla Glass DX cover.
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, one USB 3.2 Type-A port, one HDMI 2.1 port, one microSD card reader, and one 3.5mm audio jack.
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home (standard), with Windows 11 Pro available for business configurations.
• Dimensions: 355.4 x 250.4 x 16.5 mm (13.99" x 9.86" x 0.65").
• Weight: 1.86 kg (4.1 lbs).

Analysis of Technical Specifications: The Galaxy Book4 Ultra is configured as a top-tier premium laptop, featuring Intel's latest Core Ultra processors with dedicated NPUs for AI tasks and NVIDIA's RTX 40-series discrete graphics. This combination makes it highly capable for demanding workloads such as content creation, video editing, and gaming. The 16-inch 3K AMOLED touchscreen is a standout feature, offering exceptional visual quality with high resolution, smooth refresh rates, and accurate colors. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1 ports provides robust connectivity, while its relatively thin and light design maintains portability despite powerful internal components. The cooling system, featuring an expanded vapor chamber and dual fans, is designed to maintain optimal performance under load.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra.
• OS Support: Ships with Windows 11 Home, with support for Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 64-bit, 23H2 and later versions.
• End of Support Date: Samsung provides up to seven years of security update support for the Galaxy Book4 Ultra, commencing from January 2024.
• Localization: Available in various international markets including South Korea, the US, and several European countries. Specific keyboard layouts and language packs are available based on regional distribution.
• Available Drivers: Drivers and software updates are accessible through Windows Update, the Samsung Update application, and Samsung's official support website. Dedicated driver packs are also available for operating system deployment.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: The Galaxy Book4 Ultra offers excellent long-term support, highlighted by Samsung's commitment to seven years of security updates, which is beneficial for enterprise environments. The availability of multiple channels for driver and software updates ensures straightforward maintenance. The device boasts strong compatibility within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, enabling features like Quick Share, Second Screen functionality with Galaxy Tabs, Multi Control across devices, and seamless audio switching with Galaxy Buds. Standard ports ensure broad compatibility with existing hardware peripherals.

Security Status

• Security Features: Secured by Samsung Knox, a multi-layered platform providing hardware, software, and identity protection. It includes a discrete Samsung Knox security chip, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button for secure login via Windows Hello. BIOS protection is enhanced with SMI Guard, Intel Boot Guard, and UEFI Secure Boot, designed to detect and block SMM exploits and validate firmware. The device is classified as a Secured Core PC.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Samsung actively addresses vulnerabilities through regular monthly, quarterly, and biannual security updates. Emergency updates are issued for critical threats.
• Blacklist Status: No information indicates a blacklist status.
• Certifications: Secured Core PC, ENERGY STAR® Certified, EPEAT Silver, and TCO certified.
• Encryption Support: Data encryption is managed by the Knox platform. Enhanced Data Protection features allow encryption of backup and synced data to Samsung Cloud.
• Authentication Methods: Fingerprint reader (Windows Hello), and Samsung Pass for secure login to websites and apps with biometric authentication.
• General Recommendations: Users are advised to maintain consistent updates to leverage the full suite of security measures and protect against emerging threats.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: The Galaxy Book4 Ultra demonstrates a robust security posture, underpinned by the comprehensive Samsung Knox platform. Hardware-level safeguards, a dedicated security chip, TPM, and advanced BIOS protections like SMI Guard collectively defend against sophisticated attacks. Samsung's commitment to frequent security updates and extended support periods effectively mitigates emerging threats. The device's Secured Core PC classification further attests to its enhanced security capabilities, making it suitable for environments requiring strong data protection.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores:
  • Geekbench 6 (Multi-core): Scores around 13,061, surpassing the premium laptop average of 8,763 and the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i (12,141), though it trails the MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max (21,182).
  • 3DMark FireStrike: Achieves 17,255, nearly doubling the average premium laptop score of 9,218, but is slightly lower than the Yoga Pro 9i (19,016).
  • 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics): The RTX 4070 (80W) configuration scores approximately 10989, while the RTX 4050 (80W) scores around 8575.
  • Cinebench: Shows lower single-core and multi-core performance compared to the M3 MacBook Air, but significantly higher GPU performance.
  • PCMark 10: Leads competitors in overall benchmark, though the margin is minimal in some tests despite the dedicated GPU.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: The device handles demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming with ease. It offers strong performance for content creation and excels in AI-powered tasks due to its NPU.
• Power Consumption: Features Intel Core Ultra processors designed for efficient performance. The NVIDIA GPUs can draw up to 80W. The NPU-enabled AI performance contributes to more efficient battery consumption and cooler operation.
• Carbon Footprint: Specific carbon footprint data is not available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: The Galaxy Book4 Ultra directly competes with the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch, Dell XPS 16, Razer Blade, and Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i. It often outperforms many premium Windows laptops, particularly in graphics-intensive workloads, but may fall behind in raw CPU performance compared to Apple's M3 Max.
• Battery Life: Rated for up to 21 hours of video playback. Real-world tests show approximately 13 hours of constant use (non-gaming/rendering) and around 10 hours and 43 minutes in the PCMark 10 Modern Office benchmark at maximum brightness. In simulated gaming, it lasts about 2 hours and 13 minutes.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra delivers robust performance, making it a powerful choice for professionals and power users. Its combination of Intel Core Ultra processors and NVIDIA RTX graphics ensures strong capabilities across productivity, creative applications, and gaming. While it may not always match the raw CPU scores of Apple's M3 Max, its GPU performance is highly competitive within the Windows laptop segment. The efficient cooling system helps maintain consistent performance under load. The battery life is notably impressive for a high-performance laptop with a 3K OLED display.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback highlight the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra's strengths in several key areas. Its thin and light design makes it highly portable for a 16-inch laptop. Users praise its excellent performance, gorgeous 3K OLED display, and exceptional battery life for a device in its class. The premium build quality and good selection of ports are also frequently mentioned positives. The strong integration with the Samsung ecosystem, offering features like Quick Share and Second Screen, is a significant advantage for users already invested in Galaxy devices. It is highly recommended for power users, video editors, content creators, programmers, and even casual gamers due to its powerful components and AI capabilities.

However, some weaknesses are noted. The built-in speakers are often described as disappointing, particularly when compared to the audio quality of MacBook Pro models. The laptop comes with a considerable amount of pre-installed Samsung software, which some users perceive as bloatware if they do not utilize the full Samsung ecosystem. The inclusion of a microSD card reader instead of a full-size SD card reader is a minor inconvenience for some creative professionals. Additionally, while its GPU performance is strong, it can be outpaced by cheaper, dedicated gaming laptops with higher TGP GPUs. Some users have reported that certain Samsung ecosystem apps, like Multi Control, can occasionally lead to odd touchpad behaviors or performance stutters.

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra stands as a formidable contender in the premium laptop market, particularly for users requiring high performance for creative and demanding tasks. Its core strengths lie in its powerful Intel Core Ultra processors with integrated NPUs, robust NVIDIA RTX 40-series graphics, and a stunning 16-inch 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen. The device offers a compelling blend of performance, portability, and visual fidelity, making it an excellent choice for content creators, video editors, and power users. The exceptional battery life for a laptop with such specifications further enhances its appeal for mobile professionals.

Security is a strong suit, with the multi-layered Samsung Knox platform, dedicated security hardware, and extended software update commitment providing peace of mind. Its seamless integration within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem adds significant value for users already invested in Samsung's mobile devices.

However, the audio quality from the built-in speakers is a notable weakness, and the presence of numerous pre-installed Samsung applications might be seen as bloatware by some. While its GPU performance is strong for a thin-and-light workstation, dedicated gaming laptops can offer superior graphical horsepower at a potentially lower price point.

Overall, the Galaxy Book4 Ultra is a highly recommended asset for professionals and power users seeking a premium Windows laptop that balances performance, a superb display, and strong ecosystem integration. It is particularly well-suited for those who prioritize a high-quality visual experience and require dedicated graphics for demanding applications.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.