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Phone Comparison

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
8.9 / 10
Compass Score
From 43 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 18 Pro Max

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 18 Pro Max means giving up most on: Weight

iPhone 18 Pro Max
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
$1,299
Price (MSRP)
$1,300
$260/yr of support
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A20 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) Octa-core
Camera zoom
4Γ—
Camera zoom
3Γ—
Battery life
19h 20m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
13h 49m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
60W
Wired charging
45W
Wireless charging
25W
Wireless charging
15W
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Display
Color, 120Hz
2600 nits peak
Software support
β€”
Software support
Until 2031
7 years guaranteed
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
β€”
Weight
249g (8.8 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 18 Pro Max
Galaxy S24 Ultra
DxOMark v5
β€”
DxOMark v5
144
photo 144 Β· video 137
AnTuTu v10
3.46M
AnTuTu v10
2.33M
GSMArena endurance
19h 20m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
13h 49m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
β€”
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 18 Pro Max
6.4" × 3.1"
Galaxy S24 Ultra
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 18 Pro Max
0.3"
Galaxy S24 Ultra
0.3"
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Height
6.4" (162.3 mm)
Width
3.1" (78 mm)
Width
3.1" (79 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.6 mm)
Weight
249g (8.8 oz)
Weight
232g (8.2 oz)
Screen
6.9"
Screen
6.8"

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

Common questions

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Both phones earn identical Compass Scores of 8.9, meaning critics rate them equally overall. The right choice depends entirely on which trade-offs matter more to you. Scroll through the spec-by-spec breakdown above to see where each phone pulls ahead.
Which phone has better zoom, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max offers 4 optical zoom, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra tops out at 3. Optical zoom preserves full detail at distance; digital zoom crops and upscales, which softens fine textures. If you regularly shoot sports, wildlife, or concerts, the iPhone 18 Pro Max gives you noticeably sharper reach.
Which phone has a better display, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 18 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 6.9" and 6.8" respectively. Peak brightness hits 3,000 nits on the iPhone 18 Pro Max and 2,600 nits on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which affects outdoor readability.
Which lasts longer on a charge, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
In GSMArena's standardised endurance test, the iPhone 18 Pro Max scored 19h 20m of active use compared to 13h 49m for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. That gives the iPhone 18 Pro Max 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 18 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 3,463,072 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 2,330,224 for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, roughly 49% 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 18 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max launches at $1,299, which is $1 less than the Galaxy S24 Ultra at $1,300. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.

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