The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Potential for PC Gaming on Mobile Devices

by Tom Misch
in News, PC, XBOX
on 21 June 2024

Gaming on mobile devices has come a long way in recent years, thanks in part to the increasingly powerful chips found in smartphones. Companies like Ubisoft and Capcom are even releasing popular game titles such as Assassin’s Creed and Resident Evil for the latest Apple iPhones. With Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PCs featuring Arm-based Snapdragon chips, it’s no wonder that people are curious about the gaming capabilities of flagship smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

One YouTube creator, ETA PRIME, has recently explored PC gaming on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and shared the results in a detailed video. It’s important to note that, since the device runs on Android, the games are not being played natively or streamed. Instead, they are being emulated using the Winlator emulator, which has been modified to support the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.

The video showcases popular games like Undertale, Far Cry, Bioshock, and Fallout 4 running on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Despite these games being older titles, it’s impressive to see them running smoothly on an Android phone. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, coupled with the latest Adreno GPU, delivers 25% improved performance and power efficiency compared to the previous generation. The GPU even supports hardware-accelerated ray-tracing and mobile support for Unreal Engine 5.2.

In terms of performance, Fallout 4 runs at an average of 50-60 frames per second (FPS) at 720p, which is around twice the speed of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Far Cry, despite its age, also runs at a similar FPS range. Undertale runs flawlessly, while BioShock Remastered experiences intermittent freezing, making it unplayable.

This exploration of PC gaming on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra suggests that there is potential for native ports of PC titles in the mobile gaming market. It also opens up possibilities for companies like Bethesda to expand their reach by releasing games like Skyrim on more platforms. As mobile chips continue to advance in power and efficiency, the possibilities for immersive gaming experiences on smartphones are becoming increasingly exciting.

Additional facts that are relevant to the topic are:

1. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to come with a flagship-grade processor, such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which is optimized for gaming performance.

2. The Galaxy S24 Ultra may feature a high refresh rate display, which can provide a smoother gaming experience by reducing motion blur and improving responsiveness.

3. Mobile gaming is a rapidly growing industry, with millions of players worldwide. The availability of PC gaming on mobile devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra can attract more gamers to the mobile platform.

4. Streaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming (previously known as Project xCloud) allow users to play PC and console games on mobile devices, further expanding the gaming possibilities on smartphones.

The most important questions regarding the topic are:

1. How well does PC gaming perform on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra compared to gaming on a dedicated gaming PC or console?

2. Are there any limitations or compatibility issues when emulating PC games on the Galaxy S24 Ultra?

3. Will game developers and publishers consider creating native ports of popular PC titles for mobile platforms like the Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The key challenges or controversies associated with this topic include:

1. Emulation of PC games on mobile devices may not provide the same level of performance and graphical fidelity as playing on dedicated gaming hardware.

2. Copyright and licensing issues may arise when emulating and playing PC games on mobile devices, as some game publishers may not allow their games to be played on platforms they have not officially supported.

Advantages of PC gaming on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

1. Mobile convenience: PC gaming on the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers the convenience of playing high-quality games on-the-go without the need for a dedicated gaming PC or console.

2. Expanded game library: Accessing PC games on mobile devices allows users to enjoy a wider selection of titles, including older and classic games that may not be available on mobile app stores.

Disadvantages of PC gaming on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

1. Performance limitations: Emulating PC games on mobile devices can result in performance limitations, including lower frame rates, reduced graphical settings, and potential compatibility issues with certain games.

2. Battery life and heat: PC gaming can be demanding on system resources and may lead to increased battery consumption and thermal output, impacting the overall gaming experience on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.