Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Put the Galaxy S24 Ultra next to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and you have Samsung and Apple going after exactly the same flagship smartphone crowd. If you only read one line, make it this: the Galaxy S24 Ultra takes 2 of 5 compared areas, and the camera gap is the one to look at first.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Performance iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Display7.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera4.5
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera2.2
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
Here the Galaxy S24 Ultra pulls well ahead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with 200 MP compared to 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 a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera
The Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t just edge this one; 50 MP against 12 MP is a lead you’ll feel. A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the Galaxy S24 Ultra a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has 30% higher peak brightness
Big gap, real consequences. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 2,600 nits versus the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 2,000 nits changes how the two compare in daily use. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has an extra rear camera
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is clearly behind on rear cameras (3 against 4), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 0.39 oz lighter build
The difference is minor (7.80 oz against 8.18 oz), but if you’re splitting hairs, the iPhone 15 Pro Max wins it. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 6.39 in × 3.11 in × 0.34 in
- iPhone 15 Pro Max 6.30 in × 3.02 in × 0.32 in
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the smaller phone here, which some buyers will see as a plus and others as a compromise. Pick the iPhone 15 Pro Max and you save 0.39 oz. The iPhone 15 Pro Max keeps a lower profile: 0.01 in thinner than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | 6.30 in |
| Width | 3.11 in | 3.02 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | 7.80 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Display
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a tough time in the display section, where the Galaxy S24 Ultra pulls well ahead. In its favor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has 30% higher peak brightness. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday. Bottom line for display: the Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge.
Peak brightness
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 2,600 nits iPhone 15 Pro Max: 2,000 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Pixel density
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 505 ppi iPhone 15 Pro Max: 460 ppi Higher pixel density keeps text and fine detail crisper, although the benefit shrinks once both panels are already sharp at normal viewing distance.
Performance
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 15 Pro Max squeezes out a win in the performance section. The iPhone 15 Pro Max answers with a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. The takeaway: on performance, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the stronger phone.
Process node
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 4 nm iPhone 15 Pro Max: 3 nm A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life.
CPU cores
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 8 iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the memory & storage section. In short, memory & storage is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
The camera numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Galaxy S24 Ultra. On the Galaxy S24 Ultra, you get a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer. Weighing only camera, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes out ahead.
Main camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200 MP iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48 MP More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
Telephoto camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 50 MP iPhone 15 Pro Max: 12 MP Telephoto lenses earn their keep at concerts, school events and portraits: anywhere you can’t simply walk closer.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
The battery & charging section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. The battery & charging verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Software & Updates
On software & updates, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.8 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2796 x 1290 |
| Pixel density | 505 ppi (winner) | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits (winner) | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | A17 Pro |
| CPU cores | 8 | 6 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm (winner) |
| RAM | 12 GB | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP (winner) | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 50 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | 5× | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 4 (winner) | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K30 | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 29 h |
| Wired charging | 45 W | N/A (not specified) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) | iOS 17 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | N/A (not specified) |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | 6.30 in |
| Width | 3.11 in | 3.02 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | 7.80 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,300 | $1,199 (winner) |
“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
At launch, the difference was a modest $101, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max slightly more affordable. The iPhone 15 Pro Max saves $101, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra answers with a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera.
These are US launch prices, recorded January 2024; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (200 MP vs 48 MP)
- you want the stronger telephoto camera (50 MP vs 12 MP)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits peak brightness)
- you want more lenses to choose from (4 vs 3 rear cameras)
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (7.80 oz vs 8.18 oz)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (3 nm vs 4 nm process node)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.32 in vs 0.34 in)
- you want more value for your money ($101 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you know that a 0.39 oz lighter build would make a real difference in your routine.
Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra bigger than the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Going by the official dimensions, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the bigger of the two at 6.39 × 3.11 × 0.34 in. The iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 6.30 × 3.02 × 0.32 in.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra perform better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Going by the specs, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes out ahead: it offers a newer 3 nm chip process.
Which has the better camera, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra leads on camera specs thanks to a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge here, offering 30% higher peak brightness and 9.8% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Going by launch prices, the iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $101 less than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Prices as of January 2024; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Here’s my honest read on a classic rivalry: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra against Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. I keep coming back to one thing: the Galaxy S24 Ultra gets a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. The Galaxy S24 Ultra also scores with 30% higher peak brightness. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s strongest argument is a 0.39 oz lighter build.
Put simply, the Galaxy S24 Ultra suits people who care about display, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max suits people who put performance first.
My pick: the Galaxy S24 Ultra, though the iPhone 15 Pro Max makes sense if you’d trade the rest for a 0.39 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.