Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: The Ultimate Flagship Battle
After using both flagship phones as daily drivers for 4 months, here's my comprehensive comparison to help you choose between these $1,200+ smartphones.
Spec Comparison
iPhone 15 Pro Max
- • Display: 6.7" OLED ProMotion
- • Chip: A17 Pro (3nm)
- • RAM: 8GB
- • Camera: 48MP main, 5x telephoto
- • Battery: 4,422 mAh
- • Price: $1,199
Samsung S24 Ultra
- • Display: 6.8" AMOLED 120Hz
- • Chip: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- • RAM: 12GB
- • Camera: 200MP main, 10x telephoto
- • Battery: 5,000 mAh
- • Price: $1,299
Performance
The A17 Pro is slightly faster in single-core performance and gaming, but the difference is negligible in daily use. The S24 Ultra's 12GB RAM vs iPhone's 8GB means better multitasking—I never experienced reloads on Samsung, while Safari tabs refreshed frequently on iPhone.
Camera System
Samsung's 200MP sensor and 10x optical zoom destroy the iPhone in versatility. You can zoom way further with usable quality. However, iPhone's computational photography produces more natural, Instagram-ready photos that need less editing. Video is a tie—both shoot excellent 4K 60fps with great stabilization.
Display & Design
Samsung's 6.8" display is brighter (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits) and flatter, which I prefer for the S Pen. iPhone's curved edges feel more premium. The S24 Ultra's titanium frame is lighter but both phones are large and heavy. Samsung includes an S Pen; iPhone uses titanium throughout.
Battery Life
S24 Ultra lasts longer—consistently 7+ hours screen time vs iPhone's 6 hours. Samsung also charges faster (45W vs 27W) but neither includes a charger in the box.
Pros & Cons
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pros:
- • Best app ecosystem
- • Superior video processing
- • 7 years software updates
- • Better resale value
- • Action button
- • USB-C finally
Cons:
- • Shorter zoom range
- • Less RAM (8GB)
- • Worse battery life
- • Limited customization
- • No S Pen equivalent
- • Lightning to USB-C adapter needed
Samsung S24 Ultra
Pros:
- • Included S Pen
- • 10x optical zoom
- • More RAM (12GB)
- • Better battery life
- • Faster charging
- • Galaxy AI features
Cons:
- • More expensive
- • Android app quality
- • Only 7 years updates
- • Lower resale value
- • Bloatware
- • Heavier (233g vs 221g)
Which Should You Buy?
Choose iPhone 15 Pro Max if you value the app ecosystem, want the best video quality, prefer iOS simplicity, or already own Apple devices.
Choose Samsung S24 Ultra if you need the S Pen for productivity, want more customization, require better zoom capability, or prefer Android flexibility.
Final Verdict
Both phones are exceptional. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the safer choice with better long-term value and ecosystem integration. The S24 Ultra offers more features and capabilities, making it better for power users who want to customize everything. You truly can't go wrong with either.
My Rating: iPhone 9.4/10 | Samsung 9.3/10