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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Comparison

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

Pros & cons

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

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
Spec data

How they compare

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

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

Testing & benchmarks

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

Size & weight

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

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

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: FAQ

Which is better, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
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 Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs at 120Hz and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at 120Hz. Since both panels match, day-to-day scrolling and animation fluidity will feel identical. Screen sizes are 6.8" and 6.7" respectively. Peak brightness hits 2,600 nits on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and 2,000 nits on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which affects outdoor readability.
Which takes better photos, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
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 Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
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 Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
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 Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
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 Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Our critics' take on the Galaxy S24 Ultra: "A sturdy, feature-rich phone with advanced AI tools and great design." On the iPhone 15 Pro Max: "A feature-packed phone with a sleek design but still needs extra care due to its delicate exterior." 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 →