From coral reefs to the stratosphere, the Galaxy S24 Ultra explored like no other

Samsung always had a knack for exploring new ideas and places. It's probably why the Galaxy brand exists. Let's not forget that Samsung is the company that sent people's selfies into the stratosphere with the help of the Galaxy S10 back in 2019.

But speaking of Galaxy phones that bear the explorer's mark, the trend continued into the new decade, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the most recent device that fits the description. In fact, the Galaxy S24 Ultra might be the most ambitious phone in that regard.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is not only used to capture underwater footage for coral reef restoration efforts, but the phone also reached the stratosphere last year, where it captured truly stunning photos of the Earth's surface.

Image credit: Samsung

Granted, the latter endeavor was more of a clever marketing stunt. But still, how many phones can claim that they visited the stratosphere and regularly go diving to help organizations maintain coral reefs in areas where they are endangered?

Despite not actually being a rugged phone, i.e., not a Galaxy Xcover device, the Galaxy S24 Ultra already has a strong explorer's pedigree, more so than many other Samsung phones. And that should make it quite special for Samsung fans and especially S24 Ultra owners.

Sure enough, the Galaxy S10 went into the stratosphere all those years ago. And National Geographic used the Galaxy S21 Ultra to capture underwater footage of marine wildlife in 2021.

However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has ticked both boxes, from ocean diving to flying higher than commercial airplanes. And neither the Galaxy S25 Ultra nor other, more recent devices outmatched it.

Will the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra push the limits even further and go where no other Galaxy phone has gone before? We'll have to wait and see.