iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra
Same class, different makers. The iPhone 17 Pro Max (Apple) and the Galaxy S24 Ultra (Samsung) are built for the same kind of buyer. Neither wins across the board. The iPhone 17 Pro Max makes its case with performance; the Galaxy S24 Ultra makes its case with camera.
At a glance
- Display Trade-off
- Performance iPhone 17 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 17 Pro Max wins
- Camera Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 17 Pro Max wins
- Price iPhone 17 Pro Max wins
- Display6.6
- Memory & Storage6.4
- Camera3.2
- Display7.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera4.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
If main camera is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Galaxy S24 Ultra leads clearly with 200 MP to the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 48 MP. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has 5× optical zoom versus 4×
On paper, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a touch ahead here, listing 5× against 4×. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has an extra rear camera
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 4 for rear cameras, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max lists 3. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra gives you more lenses to choose from.
-
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
A clear win for the iPhone 17 Pro Max: 2 TB against 1 TB. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
-
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide
Here the iPhone 17 Pro Max pulls well ahead of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with 48 MP compared to 12 MP. If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
Design & Size
- iPhone 17 Pro Max 6.43 in × 3.07 in × 0.34 in
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 6.39 in × 3.11 in × 0.34 in
If you already know the size you like, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S24 Ultra should suit you equally. Their weights are close enough to treat as identical in daily use.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.11 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.34 in |
| Weight | 8.22 oz | 8.18 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Display
Trade-off
The iPhone 17 Pro Max leans on 15% higher peak brightness in this section, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra leans on 9.8% sharper pixel density. Which phone wins on display depends on which of those strengths you’ll actually use.
Peak brightness
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 3,000 nits Galaxy S24 Ultra: 2,600 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Pixel density
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 460 ppi Galaxy S24 Ultra: 505 ppi Pixel density matters most if you hold your phone close or read a lot of small type; for casual use, the gap is subtle.
Performance
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 17 Pro Max does a little better in the performance section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The iPhone 17 Pro Max adds a newer 3 nm chip process. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life. Anyone shopping mainly on performance should start with the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Process node
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 3 nm Galaxy S24 Ultra: 4 nm The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much.
CPU cores
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6 Galaxy S24 Ultra: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads
In the memory & storage category, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a step ahead rather than a leap ahead. On the iPhone 17 Pro Max, you get a bigger top storage option. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s bigger maximum. That makes the iPhone 17 Pro Max the natural choice for buyers focused on memory & storage.
Max storage
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 2 TB Galaxy S24 Ultra: 1 TB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
The camera comparison is one-sided. The Galaxy S24 Ultra leads where it counts. Point to the Galaxy S24 Ultra for a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much. The iPhone 17 Pro Max scores with a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide. The takeaway: on camera, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the stronger phone.
Main camera
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 48 MP Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200 MP The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Optical zoom
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4× Galaxy S24 Ultra: 5× Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 17 Pro Max edges the battery & charging section, though the Galaxy S24 Ultra stays close. The iPhone 17 Pro Max takes this one with faster 25 W wireless charging. Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up. Bottom line for battery & charging: the iPhone 17 Pro Max has the edge.
Wireless charging
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 25 W Galaxy S24 Ultra: 15 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
In the software & updates section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S24 Ultra list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 505 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits (winner) | 2,600 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 2 TB (winner) | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | 4× | 5× (winner) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 18 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K120 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 39 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 26 | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.11 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.34 in |
| Weight | 8.22 oz | 8.18 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,199 (winner) | $1,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Only $101 separated these two at launch, in favor of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max saves you $101, and given the trade-offs, that saving deserves serious thought.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (2 TB vs 1 TB top option)
- you want the sharper ultra-wide camera (48 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (18 MP vs 12 MP front camera)
- you want more value for your money ($101 less at launch)
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- you like to crop into your photos (200 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (5× vs 4× optical zoom)
- you like switching between focal lengths (4 vs 3 cameras)
- you want the sharper screen (505 ppi vs 460 ppi)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Neither wins outright. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if performance matters most, or the Galaxy S24 Ultra if camera does.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max bigger than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S24 Ultra are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Does the iPhone 17 Pro Max perform better than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max should be the quicker of the two, with a newer 3 nm chip process on its side.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and 5× optical zoom versus 4×.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
At launch, the iPhone 17 Pro Max undercut the Galaxy S24 Ultra by $101. These figures are as of September 2025, and street prices can change.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Weight won’t decide this one; the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S24 Ultra are very close.
Executive Summary
Whenever Apple and Samsung go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S24 Ultra are no exception. I think the iPhone 17 Pro Max makes its strongest case with a bigger top storage option. A second reason: the iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide. To be fair, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera, and that’s not nothing.
If performance is your thing, the iPhone 17 Pro Max fits. If camera matters more, the Galaxy S24 Ultra makes more sense.
My pick: decide whether you’d miss performance or camera more, then buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Galaxy S24 Ultra accordingly.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.