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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 74 critic reviews
Full review →
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
8.9 / 10
Compass Score
From 97 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 15 Pro Max

A feature-packed phone with a sleek design but still needs extra care due to its delicate exterior.

+
Good
+ Lighter titanium design
+ Advanced gaming performance
+ Impressive 5x optical zoom
+ Long battery life
+ Clear audio quality
−
Not
− Screen easily scratches
− Slow charging
− Action Button limitations
− Heats up during heavy use
− High price

Galaxy S24 Ultra

A sturdy, feature-rich phone with advanced AI tools and great design.

+
Good
+ Impressive AI features
+ Durable titanium body
+ Bright AMOLED display
+ High camera quality
+ Seven years of updates
−
Not
− Gets hot easily
− Expensive
− Curved display removed
− AI features not exclusive
− Mild software lag
Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 15 Pro Max means giving up most on: Camera zoom, Battery life

iPhone 15 Pro Max
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
Price (MSRP)
$1,300
$260/yr of support
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A17 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) Octa-core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
3×
Battery life
12h 58m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
13h 49m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
45W
Wireless charging
15W
Wireless charging
15W
Display
Color, 120Hz
2000 nits peak
Display
Color, 120Hz
2600 nits peak
Software support
—
Software support
Until 2031
7 years guaranteed
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
—
Weight
221g (7.8 oz)
Weight
232g (8.2 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

iPhone 15 Pro Max
Galaxy S24 Ultra
DxOMark v5
154
photo 153 · video 158
DxOMark v5
144
photo 144 · video 137
AnTuTu v10
1.42M
AnTuTu v10
2.33M
GSMArena endurance
12h 58m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
13h 49m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
—
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 15 Pro Max
6.3" × 3"
Galaxy S24 Ultra
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 15 Pro Max
0.3"
Galaxy S24 Ultra
0.3"
Height
6.3" (159.9 mm)
Height
6.4" (162.3 mm)
Width
3" (76.7 mm)
Width
3.1" (79 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.3 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.6 mm)
Weight
221g (7.8 oz)
Weight
232g (8.2 oz)
Screen
6.7"
Screen
6.8"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Also compared

Related comparisons

Other head-to-head matchups for the phones on this page.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
9.0
VS
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
8.9
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Compare →
Common questions

iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 15 Pro Max earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.9 for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. That 0.1-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which phone has a better display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max runs at 120Hz and the Galaxy S24 Ultra at 120Hz. Since both panels match, day-to-day scrolling and animation fluidity will feel identical. Screen sizes are 6.7" and 6.8" respectively. Peak brightness hits 2,000 nits on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and 2,600 nits on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which affects outdoor readability.
Which takes better photos, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 15 Pro Max at 153 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra at 144 for still photography. A 9-point gap on DxOMark's scale typically translates to visible differences in dynamic range, noise control, or colour accuracy. Real-world results also depend on computational processing and your shooting habits, so consider browsing sample shots for scenes you care about most.
Which lasts longer on a charge, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
In GSMArena's standardised endurance test, the Galaxy S24 Ultra scored 13h 49m of active use compared to 12h 58m for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. That gives the Galaxy S24 Ultra a measurable edge in screen-on time between charges. Keep in mind that real-world battery life varies with signal strength, screen brightness, and app usage patterns.
Which is faster, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra scores 2,330,224 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 1,421,780 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, roughly 64% higher in raw throughput. That gap is most noticeable in heavy gaming, video rendering, and large multitasking sessions. For everyday tasks like messaging and web browsing, both phones will feel responsive.
Which phone is more affordable, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max launches at $1,199, which is $101 less than the Galaxy S24 Ultra at $1,300. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Should I buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 15 Pro Max: "A feature-packed phone with a sleek design but still needs extra care due to its delicate exterior." On the Galaxy S24 Ultra: "A sturdy, feature-rich phone with advanced AI tools and great design." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated October 2026. Suggest a correction →