When choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, you’re deciding between two giants in the smartphone world.
Both phones offer cutting-edge technology but with distinct strengths.
For instance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs an impressive 200MP camera, compared to the advanced 48MP sensor iPhone 15 Pro Max.
However, Apple’s A17 Pro chip gives a serious boost to processing power, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor in the S24 Ultra delivers great performance for multitasking.
But which phone fits your needs?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Specifications
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 3120 x 1440 pixels (505 ppi), HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Armor, 2600 nits (peak brightness) | 6.7-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi), HDR10, 120Hz refresh rate, ProMotion, Ceramic Shield Glass, 2000 nits (peak brightness) |
| Camera | Rear: 200MP wide (f1.7, PDAF, OIS, ), 10MP periscope telephoto (f3.4, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom), 10MP telephoto (f2.4, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom), 12MP ultrawide (f2.2, PDAF, 120°) Front: 12 MP, f/2.2, PDAF, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps Video: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound recording, gyro-EIS, Lazer Autofocus. | Rear: 48MP wide (f1.8, PDAF, OIS), 12MP periscope telephoto (f2.8, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom),12MP ultrawide (f2.2, PDAF, 120°) Front: 12 MP, f/1.9, PDAF, OIS, 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS Video: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound recording. |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Exynos 2400 (In some regions) | Apple A17 Pro |
| GPU | Adreno 750 (Snapdragon), Xclipse 930 (Exynos) | 6-core Apple GPU |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, no 3.5mm jack | Stereo speakers, Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | 4441mAh, 20W wired, 15W MagSafe, 15W Qi wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging |
| Storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM UFS 4.0 No microSD slot | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM NVMe No microSD slot |
| Operating System | Android 14 with One UI 6 | iOS 17 |
| Connectivity | Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE NFC: Yes USB: USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG | Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspot Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE NFC: Yes USB: USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
| Price | Starting at $1,299.99 | Starting at $1,199 |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: BUILD AND DESIGN
Both phones have been designed to turn heads. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a sleek metal-and-glass body with a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering a stunning 120Hz refresh rate.
In contrast, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max sports a slightly smaller 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display but impresses with Apple’s Ceramic Shield, making it one of the most durable glass constructions in the smartphone industry. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also sports an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Both devices also offer a Titanium frame which makes the phones both, light and strong.
When it comes to real-life experience, many users report that the iPhone’s lighter weight makes it more comfortable for extended use, while the S24 Ultra feels more substantial in hand.
Durability tests show both devices withstand light drops, but Apple’s Ceramic Shield provides a slight edge over the S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Both devices offer IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
CAMERA PERFORMANCE
If you’re all about photography, the camera is a major factor in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max debate.
Samsung’s 200MP main shooter offers unparalleled detail, perfect for zooming in on distant subjects.
It also comes with 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom, making it ideal for long-range photography.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, while boasting “only” a 48MP main camera, excels in color accuracy, low-light performance, and faster shutter speeds.
Real-life tests show that Apple’s ProRAW format captures incredible detail and dynamic range, making it a top choice for professional photographers who prefer precision.
DISPLAY QUALITY
Storytime: A close friend of mine recently switched from an iPhone 14 Pro Max to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
He was drawn in by the larger, 6.8-inch AMOLED display with its brighter colors and deeper blacks.
Watching Netflix or gaming on this screen feels like a cinematic experience.
He did admit, however, that when he tested the iPhone 15 Pro Max, its Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion technology offered more accurate colors.
If you are an artist or someone who does photo and video editing, the iPhone’s display accuracy might be more appealing.
In terms of brightness, the S24 Ultra tops this comparison featuring a peak brightness of 2600 nits compared to the 2000 nits of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Both phones offer an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Both phones also offer excellent ultrawide cameras that can take those perfect group photos.
PERFORMANCE
The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs on the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 [or Samsung’s Exynos 2400 in some regions], boasting incredible processing speed.
This makes it ideal for heavy multitasking, gaming, and media consumption.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its all-new A17 Pro chip, offers smooth performance across the board, with reports indicating it handles demanding tasks like video editing and gaming with ease.
According to benchmark tests, the iPhone 15 Pro Max scored higher in both, the single-core and multi-core performance tests on GeekBench 6, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra excelled in the total performance score on AnTuTu V10.
Both devices perform remarkably well in everyday use, making it difficult to declare an outright winner here.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
BATTERY LIFE & CHARGING
When it comes to battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features a massive 5000mAh battery, designed to last a full day of moderate to heavy use.
Users report comfortably getting around 9-10 hours of screen-on time, making it ideal for power users, gamers, and media enthusiasts.
Coupled with 45W fast charging, the S24 Ultra can juice up to 50% in just about 30 minutes, ensuring you’re not tied to a charging cable for long.
Additionally, it supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices like earbuds directly from the phone.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, features a smaller 4441mAh battery on paper but pulls ahead slightly in terms of real-world battery performance.
Apple’s hardware and software integration is highly optimized, resulting in efficient power use.
Real-world tests show that the battery lasts slightly longer compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
It still provides a solid full day of use even for power users, with up to 9-11 hours of screen-on time.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports 27W fast charging, which can charge the phone to around 50% in just over 30 minutes.
While it’s slower compared to Samsung’s offering, Apple’s fast charging system is still sufficient for most users.
It also includes MagSafe wireless charging, which provides a seamless charging experience, along with 4.5W reverse wired charging.
Both phones deliver excellent battery performance, but if you’re someone who prioritizes longer battery life and an optimized operating system, the iPhone 15 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
PROS
CONS
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
PROS
CONS
CONCLUSION: Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, deciding between the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max comes down to your priorities.
If you’re someone who loves taking long-range photos and watching content on a larger, more immersive display, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the phone for you.
On the other hand, if you value refined craftsmanship, color-accurate displays, and better integration with apps for content creators, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the way to go.
At TopTechTally, we help users like you make informed decisions by breaking down complex tech reviews, ensuring you get the perfect product that fits your lifestyle. Check out our in-depth reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max for more detailed insights into the devices.
Which phone do you think better suits your needs, Apple’s seamless ecosystem or Samsung’s feature-packed powerhouse?
FAQs
- Which phone has better battery life?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers slightly better battery life due to its better battery optimization compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra also is no slouch in terms of battery life.
- Does the iPhone 15 Pro Max support higher refresh rates than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Both phones offer 120Hz refresh rates, but the iPhone’s ProMotion technology dynamically adjusts to the content, which can improve battery efficiency and make the display appear smoother.
- Which phone has a better display for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger AMOLED screen and higher brightness levels of 2600 nits make it more immersive for gaming, though the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display offers smoother transitions with ProMotion.
- How does the iPhone’s Ceramic Shield compare to the Galaxy’s Gorilla Glass?
Both materials are highly durable, but Ceramic Shield is often regarded as more resistant to drops, while Corning Gorilla Armor is better for scratch resistance.
