REVIEW: Galaxy Book4 Ultra has high performance with AI, without leaving elegance aside 68555a

Defined as the most powerful model in the notebook line launched in 2024, the Galaxy Book4 Ultra, as the name suggests, is a powerful machine with the concept of improving the daily lives of its s who need high performance to carry out heavier tasks. But do an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and an NVIDIA GTX 4070 graphics card make a good combination? Check out our full review right now. 3r1g34

Design and construction 5k2i6f

Mobility is one of the hallmarks of Samsung's Galaxy Book line and this becomes very clear when we take the Book4 Ultra from the box.

The device has an official weight of 1,66 kg and a thickness of just 1,6 mm when closed. My traditional notebook has a 15-inch screen and weighs almost three kilos, so this was the first point I noticed in the first moments of using Samsung's AI PC. Putting it in your backpack and taking it from one place to another is an easy task.

Moving on to the internal part, its backlit keyboard follows the ABNT2 standard, so be aware that you will have to use some shortcuts to use special characters such as the question mark. This is the pattern I'm used to seeing on notebooks, so I had no surprises. The keys are also large enough for those with larger hands and typing, in addition to having good , was also error-free.

There's no denying that the touchpad on the Galaxy Book4 Ultra It's big: combined with the touchscreen, day-to-day use of this part was very assertive. I'm a person who uses the mouse more than the touchpad, but, when necessary, it was there to provide a good experience.

I missed some media control keys so I don't have to leave an application to skip, go back or pause a song when I'm concentrating. This isn't present in any of the Galaxy Books released so far, so I don't expect to see this in the future.

As it has a 16-inch screen, we have the advantage of the numeric keypad when comparing the keyboard of the 4-inch Galaxy Book13 Pro. This was one of the points that I mentioned most that was missing in the intermediate model, so having this instead of using the numerical strip below the function keys is a huge positive point.

Looking at the outside, the model was released in a shade of gray that looks durable, but I would need to spend more time with the model to say that for sure. The lid doesn't appear to be made of a material that will scratch, but it's worth taking care to keep the Galaxy Book4 Ultra looking like new. I recommend that, when transporting it, you always place it in a briefcase to avoid scratches from loose objects in the backpack.

The on and off button has a fingerprint reader that facilitates access to the operating system and files, in addition to serving as identity validation when necessary. This is a great success for all models in the Galaxy Book4 line, especially because it prevents you from typing your s when you are in public places.

That said, the Galaxy Book4 Ultra can be considered a purchase option for those who value mobility, but at the same time would not like a model that has a smaller 16-inch screen, like the Galaxy Book4 Pro, which has 13. Your touchpad is large enough for good use with the touchscreen and the numeric keypad is also a great help.

Without a doubt, what stands out most about the Galaxy Book4 Ultra is that it is extremely elegant, without the need to be extravagant. The gray color brings sophistication. The weight of less than two kilos and thickness below 2 millimeters are not overlooked. For those who are used to using notebooks with details above that, the difference will be noticed in the first few hours of use.

ports and connectivity 3x6e2x

Delivering so much mobility comes at a price: there are few connections. Here we have:

• Two USB-C connections (both Thunderbolt 4, providing charging and 4K video streaming);
• One traditional USB-A port;
• One 2mm P3,5-type headphone jack;
• One HDMI 2.1 input;
• A microSD slot.

My only comment is that I would have added more traditional USB-A ports, as I already use a mouse that uses this port in my daily life. So, if you needed to connect a pendrive or other device to the port, you would have to leave the mouse aside for a few minutes. Is it a huge problem? Of course not, but it would be nice to have more traditional USB connections.

With no new changes in relation to what was seen in the other models in the Galaxy Book4 line, the Book4 Ultra hits the market with for connecting to Wi-Fi 6E networks and devices with the Bluetooth 5.3 standard, which worked very well during the week that I kept the notebook.

Camera 2xzk

More than three years ago, the Samsung opts to use lenses with a maximum quality of 1080p on its notebooks. And, at the same time, I also hope that the lens on these models has 2K resolution for better video calls. I have the same comment I made in my review of the Galaxy Book4 Pro: this didn't happen this time.

The camera performs well in daytime use, but it is possible to see distortions at night. The background effects and automatic framing are the highlight, all controlled by the Intel Core 9 Ultra processor NPU. These are features that make a difference for those who participate in many video calls a week.

However, the comment remains that the present lens will not work miracles if the original resolution is not high. It is possible to take photos at up to 2 MP that look good during the day, with the of natural lighting, but there will be problems at night. Check out this selfie in good natural lighting:

The conclusion about the camera is that it leaves that feeling of “I want more”, even on a notebook that costs more than R$10. Is bad? Not really, but it's also not what you'd expect from an ultrabook with a price like this. The automatic blur effects are the big icing on the cake.

Fabric 3c653a

In addition to the processor, another great addition to the entire Galaxy Book4 line is the AMOLED Dynamic 2X screen with the anti-reflective layer, present in all models. The most expensive model features a 16-inch screen with WQXGA+ resolution (2880×1800 or 2,8K). For this part of the review, I went to my balcony to test the brightness and use in high-light environments.

The experience of use in environments with a lot of sunlight is very assertive, largely due to the Vision Booster feature, which increases brightness. For places with low lighting, the Eye Comfort Shield It is also available to emit low light, especially if you work a lot during the early evening or throughout the morning. The peak brightness of 400 nits made an assertive difference.

Of course, not everything is perfect: in apps and websites with dark mode, you'll see your face on the screen when you're outdoors. But this is not an error that will cause problems seeing all the information on the display. The display brightness can be changed automatically by the system, with the of the webcam. It is possible to see how this feature works in real time when you cover the camera.

Finally, another big hit is the variable refresh rate between 48Hz and 120Hz, which adapts depending on the activity displayed on the screen. It is clear that compared to models aimed at gamers, the Galaxy Book4 Ultra has a low refresh rate. But for those who like to do various more traditional activities, 120Hz is more than enough.

The model's entertainment use is also very assertive: the high resolution that borders on 3K delivers that immersion and experience, with the of HDR and for 120% of the DCI-P3 color range. It is certain that yes, you will have a good visual experience. Even when you're not looking directly at the center of the screen.

The screen, with touch , also makes everyday use very dynamic. But it's worth ing that it s some fingerprints, so always have a cloth nearby to clean the display after a day of use.

Audio 3n1j5g

Sound is another factor of the Galaxy Book4 Ultra that you shouldn't expect too much from. With for Dolby Atmos technology, the pair of speakers with 5W of power each is not bad, but don't count on high quality either.

The good news is that the basics work well enough: the sound emitted fills a part of the environment in which the notebook is placed. But it's worth ing that Samsung's decision to place it at the bottom of the computer left the sound somewhat muffled.

The speaker power is the same across all four models in the Galaxy Book4 line, so it's safe to say that you'll get the same sound experience when purchasing any of them. As it's part of the Samsung ecosystem, the model can easily connect to a pair of Galaxy Buds, but headphones from other brands also work great here.

Battery 554u5p

Compared to the Galaxy Book3 Ultra that I tested last year, there's no denying that the 2024 lineup's battery is among the main positives. During a week of use, I was able to use the device for an average of six hours, using Windows energy saving recommendations.

The charging time via USB-C connection was exactly 2 hours, using the 140W charger sent in the box.

The battery went from 0% to 50% in just one hour due to fast charging, which could be a lifesaver on a busy day.

A simple configuration, but one that I really ire in notebooks: a function that “locks” the battery percentage at 80% so that the number of cycles does not decrease. The configuration can be activated in the interface Settings from Samsung in less than 1 minute and keeps the model longer.

ing that you can use the charger with high charging power to recharge other devices with the same UBS-C connection, such as your cell phone, tablet or more. It's a solution to avoid having to carry 1 charger for each device on a daily basis. Big positive point here.

Noise, heating and lighting 3o4p4s

What noise? In addition to being extremely thin, the Galaxy Book4 Pro It's extremely quiet and would almost go unnoticed if it weren't for its size.

I also didn't notice a high temperature during day-to-day use, even when using the notebook outdoors. Of course, with heavier games and applications, the fans will work to push the hot air out and you will hear it.

Regarding lighting, the keyboard lights up depending on the lighting in the room. I really liked it at work and I use it at night. If you want, you can also disable the keyboard light, but I would leave it on for better use.

System 2u6f5q

Windows 11 Home is factory installed on the model and, after a few updates, you have access to Microsoft's Copilot artificial intelligence. Use still requires internet, even though there is a dedicated chip for artificial intelligence activities in the Intel CoreUltra 9. All of this is complemented by “simple” 32 GB of RAM and another 1 TB SSD.

At the same time, there is an interface called Book4 UI, which is reminiscent of Samsung's own smartphones. You will barely notice that it is running in the background if you don't have a smartphone or tablet from the Korean company.

Due to having a processor that has reached the international market, it is certain that you will have access to the next versions as soon as they are available, at no additional price.

But what else you should consider here is: do you have any other device manufactured by Samsung? This is what we will talk about in the next topic.

Apps and integrations 185oc

There is no denying that the Galaxy Book line was developed for those who already have other devices from the Samsung. Integration with the Galaxy ecosystem is the big deal and, if you don't have a tablet or cell phone manufactured by the Korean company, you won't be able to use some functions. Are they:

• Multicontrol: Control your smartphone or tablet with the connected touchpad or mouse and use the notebook keyboard. With this, it will also be possible to drag and drop files from the PC to the cell phone or vice versa;
• Expand the screen: It is possible to use the Galaxy Tab as a second screen, without the need for cables, to have a larger working display. And to do this, simply turn on Bluetooth so that the notebook and tablet can talk to each other;
• QuickShare: This functionality is focused on allowing you to exchange files of the most diverse types. The application is also compatible with smartphones from other brands, but its full speed is really with Galaxy devices;
• Answer calls via computer: Since the Galaxy device and Galaxy Book are integrated, you can use the notebook to answer calls;
• Easy integration with Galaxy Buds: As soon as you open the case of any of the Galaxy Buds, they will be detected by the Galaxy Book so that the connection takes place in just one click.

Just as MacBook's work better with other devices manufactured by Apple, the same happens with the Galaxy Book4 line. But there are some applications developed by Samsung that didn't work out so well and could easily be left aside.

One of them is the Samsung Gallery, which has the same interface that we saw on smartphones, but I personally believe that the Windows photo gallery, in addition to being integrated into the operating system, does its job decently.

Another is QuickSearch, which is a copy of File Explorer with some special features (such as tagging photos) that can even make a difference in everyday life.

But not everything went wrong: the Samsung Flow allows the continuity of the image of a Galaxy smartphone or tablet on the larger screen, in addition to everything copied on the second device being available on the Korean company's lightweight notebook.

I also liked the possibility of using the application SmartThings on this computer to transform it into a true control center for the connected home that also allows real-time location of the notebook.

The big news for the fourth generation of notebooks is the Samsung Studio, which allows you to edit videos quickly. It is not an experience like using the CapCut or other professional video software, but it can be a nice tool to have for faster or simpler editing.

With these comments, it is easy to understand that this AI PC from Samsung and the other models in the line were designed for those who already have a Galaxy tablet, smartphone or headset.

Processor 1z5g6g

The Intel Core Ultra 9 arrives to deliver high performance without much effort. With a clock speed of up to 2,50 GHz, I was able to use the notebook without any problems or crashes for as long as it was with me.

Another positive point of this is that, due to being a processor launched in 2024, the notebook with the Intel CoreUltra 9 you will receive the next versions of Windows for free, as soon as they are available.

The NPU is an interesting factor that makes a difference in the use of video calls, but there is still a lack of applications that allow local use of it, especially because most of them still depend on an internet connection, such as Windows Copilot.

In addition to performance, I would say that the biggest advantage of this model compared to the Galaxy Book3 Ultra It uses less energy, allowing use for up to 6 hours without problems. Taking into that I reached 4 hours of use in the most expensive model launched by Samsung in 2023, reaching 6 hours, in addition to having for fast charging, is a huge positive point.

Gaming performance 532e6t

O Galaxy Book4 Ultra is far from being a gaming notebook, but its processor and dedicated graphics card (a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070) do a good job for those who like to have fun.

I tested Fortnite on its maximum setting and was able to play a few matches without any problems, in all modes. I also did tests with overcooked, which requires a lot of skill (on my part), also without problems.

I also performed well on the medium setting of Destiny 2, but it gave a few “chokes” at maximum configuration. In fact, this notebook is not a gaming notebook and is far from being that, but it will do the job of entertaining you in some situations when necessary.

synthetic tests 634x2u

Here, we place the notebook so that the performance power of the processor and graphics card can be measured through various tests. We that the notebook takes Samsung it was connected to the socket so that maximum energy power is reached.

PCMark10 581s6n

PCMark10 puts the processor and graphics card to work on various tasks and then delivers a score. The Galaxy Book4 Ultra reached 6021 points and, for comparison, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra 6821 points. But it's worth ing that, despite the 2024 notebook's score being lower, the performance was no less and I didn't have any problems with crashes during the time I had Samsung's AI PC.

CinebenchR23 312k2t

Cinebench R23 is focused on using the processor to render 3D projects and gives a score that can be used as a comparison. The Galaxy Book4 Ultra achieved 14.246 points in the Multi Core test and 1526 points in the Single Core test.

For comparison, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra reached 11.776 points was achieved in the Multi Core U test. In the Single Core test, the model managed to score 1.199 points. The performance gain can also be seen in practice and, as I said previously, I didn't have any crashing problems at any point in the tests.

Price and availability 1s705x

By far, price is the Achilles heel of Book 4 Ultra. The model can be found at Samsung for R$17.099, if payment is made via Pix. Still, when placed head-to-head with its competitor, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro processor can be found starting at R$28.999,00 on Apple's official website.

This and other models from Samsung can be purchased in Brazil since April 2024.

Conclusion 60664y

Aligned with a high-performance processor for those who need it and a good dedicated graphics card that takes care of NVIDIA's graphics activities, there's no way to say that the Galaxy Book4 Ultra is a bad model. But, all of this has its price.

Compared to its main competitor, Samsung's AI PC is a big game changer, but it's also clear that we need more AI applications that will use the NPU. Among the highlights of the model are its great processor that now uses much less energy than the one present in the Book3 UItra, giving longer autonomy, in addition to its anti-glare screen.

The features that connect the device to other Samsung devices are interesting, even more so if you take the exclusive features into . If you already have a device that is part of the Galaxy ecosystem, it will be even better to use.

But when we look at the price, I would say it's worth waiting a little longer to make the purchase. If you have a model from the line GalaxyBook2, the upgrade is worth it. It is expected that it will be below R$12 soon, a price that is still quite steep, but one that will have to be paid for with the deliveries made with the model.

It's a notebook that really delivers on what it promises: it can be used for work, video editing and even manages to deliver a visual experience and battery life, but, again, there's a price for that.

Technical specifications 292m5w

Córdoba	Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra
Processor	IntelCore Ultra 7 or Intel Core Ultra 9 (Intel Evo Edition)
Operational system	Windows 11
Video card	GeForce RTX 4070 with 8GB GDDR6 GeForce RTX 4050 with 6GB GDDR6
RAM memory	32GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage	1TB SSD (PCle) Available expansion slot
Fabric	16-inch AMOLED touch screen Ratio 16:10 WQXGA+ resolution (2880×1800), 400nits peak brightness Variable refresh rate from 2Hz to 120Hz 120% DCI-P3 color gamut
Webcam	2MP (1080p or FHD)
Colors	Moonstone Gray, Platinum Silver
Battery	76 Wh (Typical) Up to 21pm video playback Charger: 140W USB Type-C Adapter
Speakers and microphones	Studio-quality dual microphones AKG Quad Speakers (Max Woofer 5Wx2, Tweeter 2Wx2), Dolby Atmos
speech	Wi-Fi 6E, 802.11 ax 2x2 Bluetooth v5.3
doors and exits	2x Thuderbolt 4 (USB-C) 1x USB-C 1x USB-A 3.2x 1x HDMI 2.1 Headphone jack microSD slot
Weight	1,66kg
Bonus Features	fingerprint reader Smartphone compatibility Enterprise-grade security Noise cancellation in video calls Full HD webcam
Price	Starting at R $ 17.099
Availability in Brazil	As of April 17, 2024

See also other features

REVIEW: Galaxy Book3 Ultra is Samsung's powerful hit

REVIEW: Galaxy Book3 Ultra is Samsung's powerful hit

Do you have any questions about the experience using this model? Tell us Comment!

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim