Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Same class, different makers. The Galaxy S24 Ultra (Samsung) and the iPhone 16 Pro Max (Apple) are built for the same kind of buyer. Scoring each area separately, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes out on top 2 times out of 5. Its lead is sharpest in camera.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Performance iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Price iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Display7.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera4.5
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera3.1
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
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The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
Put simply, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is far ahead here: 200 MP compared with 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’s 50 MP leaves the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 12 MP well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. 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
Not a close call. The Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 2,600 nits and the iPhone 16 Pro Max lists 2,000 nits. That’s a substantial gap. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
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The Galaxy S24 Ultra has an extra rear camera
Among all the differences on this page, 4 against 3 is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Galaxy S24 Ultra. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide
The Galaxy S24 Ultra gives up a lot on ultra-wide camera: 12 MP, compared with 48 MP on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Ultra-wide cameras often lag behind the main one, so the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s higher resolution helps narrow that gap.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 6.39 in × 3.11 in × 0.34 in
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.42 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other. Heft is not where these two differ. The Galaxy S24 Ultra adds 0.01 in of depth.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.11 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | 8.01 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Display
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
On display, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Galaxy S24 Ultra answers with 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. The display verdict goes to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Peak brightness
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 2,600 nits iPhone 16 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 16 Pro Max: 460 ppi The Galaxy S24 Ultra packs its pixels more tightly, which shows most in small text, fine patterns and zoomed-in photos.
Performance
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the slight upper hand on performance. The iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers 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. So if performance tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Process node
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 4 nm iPhone 16 Pro Max: 3 nm The iPhone 16 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
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 8 iPhone 16 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
The differences on memory & storage are small enough to ignore in daily use. Neither phone gives you a reason to choose it on memory & storage.
Camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
This is one of the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s strongest areas. On camera, the iPhone 16 Pro Max falls well short. The Galaxy S24 Ultra scores with 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. Here the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide. For camera, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the one to beat.
Main camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200 MP iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48 MP The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Telephoto camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 50 MP iPhone 16 Pro Max: 12 MP Telephoto lenses earn their keep at concerts, school events and portraits: anywhere you can’t simply walk closer.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads
It’s a narrow one, but the battery & charging round goes to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max pulls ahead with faster 25 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 16 Pro Max refills quicker there. Prioritize battery & charging, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is where you should land.
Wireless charging
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 15 W iPhone 16 Pro Max: 25 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
This section is descriptive. The Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max list different components for software & updates, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.8 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2868 x 1320 |
| 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 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | A18 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 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP (winner) | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 48 MP (winner) |
| 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 | 4K120 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 33 h |
| Wired charging | 45 W | N/A (not specified) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) | iOS 18 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | N/A (not specified) |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.11 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | 8.01 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 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
The iPhone 16 Pro Max launched for $101 less, a gap small enough that the specs should decide. Step up by $101 to the Galaxy S24 Ultra and you gain a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2024; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- you like to crop into your photos (200 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you want the stronger telephoto camera (50 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits)
- you want more lenses to choose from (4 vs 3 rear cameras)
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if…
- you often shoot landscapes, buildings or group photos (48 MP vs 12 MP ultra-wide)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (3 nm vs 4 nm)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.32 in vs 0.34 in)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $101 more
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The main exception is if you need a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide, which only the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers.
Which is larger, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has the edge in performance thanks to a newer 3 nm chip process.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra have a stronger camera setup than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Going by the hardware, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes out ahead: a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera.
Which has the better screen, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the stronger display on paper, with 30% higher peak brightness and 9.8% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra launched at $101 more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, based on prices as of September 2024.
Executive Summary
I love a proper cross-brand matchup, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra against the iPhone 16 Pro Max is exactly that. I keep coming back to one thing: the Galaxy S24 Ultra gets a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. There’s a bonus as well: the Galaxy S24 Ultra has 30% higher peak brightness. Credit where it’s due: the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide.
Put simply, the Galaxy S24 Ultra suits people who care about display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max suits people who put performance first.
My pick: the Galaxy S24 Ultra, unless you specifically want a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide, where the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the edge, in which case the iPhone 16 Pro Max earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.