If you’re considering the top-tier options in smartphones, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are likely on your radar. Both have recently launched, showcasing the best in technology and features.

In this comparison, we’ll dive into the specs and features of each device to highlight their strengths and determine which one comes out on top. Here’s what to expect in our detailed analysis of the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Design and Build:

• Weight:
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 227 grams
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: 233 grams
• Shape and Feel:
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Features curvier edges, making it feel smoother and more comfortable in hand.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Has sharper edges, which may feel less comfortable but contribute to a more defined look.

Features:

• Buttons:
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Includes an Action Button and a new Camera Control button, which serves as a focus assist and shutter button, similar to DSLR functionality.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Standard power button and volume rockers on the right side; lacks unique control features.
• S-Pen:
• The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with an integrated S-Pen, adding functionality for note-taking and drawing.
• The iPhone 16 Pro Max does not have a similar accessory.

Durability:

• Water and Dust Resistance: Both are IP68-rated for protection against dust and water.
• Glass Protection:
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Equipped with Gorilla Glass Armor for added durability.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Lacks specific rear glass protection but still offers robust build quality.

Color Options:

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: New Desert Titanium, along with Black, White, and Natural Titanium.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: A wider range of colors including Titanium Yellow, Violet, Gray, Black, Blue, Orange, and Green.

Both smartphones exhibit premium build quality and design, with unique strengths. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a more comfortable grip and innovative button features, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra provides added functionality with the S-Pen and a wider variety of color options.

Display:

• iPhone 16 Pro Max:
• Size: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
• Resolution: 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 PPI)
• Peak Brightness: 2000 nits
• Features: LTPO technology, slimmer bezels, Micro-Lens technology for reduced internal reflection.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra:
• Size: 6.8-inch Quad HD Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Resolution: 3120 x 1440 pixels (510 PPI)
• Peak Brightness: 2600 nits
• Features: LTPO technology, Gorilla Glass Armor for enhanced anti-reflective properties.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a sharper display and higher peak brightness, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max features slightly larger dimensions and effective reflection reduction technology.

Sound:

• iPhone 16: Great sound quality with enhanced wind noise reduction, recording 360° sound by default, making it the best audio experience you’ve had.
• Samsung: Previously had limitations in sound but has improved. Still, the iPhone edges out due to its attention to noise and recording precision.

Camera:

Video Quality:

• The iPhone 16 Max outperforms Samsung, especially in dynamic range and ultra-wide shots.
• iPhone handles exposure better, while Samsung can sometimes lose details, particularly in darker scenes.
• Both phones excel in action modes, but iPhone offers slightly better resolution and smoothness.
• 8K video is a Samsung advantage, but the iPhone’s 4K video looks better overall due to better processing and consistency.

Photo Quality:

• iPhone 16 Pro’s 48MP ultra-wide camera brings noticeable improvements, especially with close-ups, macro, and portraits.
• Samsung excels in zoom with its higher resolution at 5x and better processing.

Portrait mode:

• Both are good, but Samsung has the edge due to its superior background blur and edge detection.
• Night Mode: Apple leads in video, while photo quality is more evenly matched, with Apple producing more natural grain but Samsung correcting aggressively.

Front Camera:

• iPhone: Better consistency, less grain, and superior video performance, especially on apps like Instagram where Samsung struggles.
• Samsung: More cinematic and professional-looking, but the software processing undermines its hardware in certain conditions.

Camera App and Features:

• iPhone: Faster and more intuitive camera app, especially with its 48MP high-resolution mode, and better shooting speed.
• Samsung: More control and settings but can be slower. Samsung’s additional features, like generative AI editing, give it an edge in flexibility.

iPhone 16 wins this round of comparisons with its improvements in sound, camera speed, detail, and dynamic range. While Samsung still holds advantages in specific areas like 8K video and zoom, overall, the iPhone feels more refined.

Performance

Processor:

• iPhone 16 Pro Max:
• Chip: A18 Pro, succeeding the A17 Pro.
• Single-Core Performance: Approx. 3678 points (Geekbench 6).
• Multi-Core Performance: Approx. 8974 points.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra:
• Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
• Single-Core Performance: Approx. 2193 points (68% lower than A18 Pro).
• Multi-Core Performance: Approx. 7304 points (23% lower than A18 Pro).

Memory and Storage:

• iPhone 16 Pro Max:
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5 Micron D1β DRAM.
• Storage Options: Up to 1TB NVMe storage.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra:
• RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X.
• Storage Options: Up to 1TB UFS 4.0 storage.

The A18 Pro shows superior single-core performance, reflecting Apple’s strength in processor design. Multi-core performance is closer but still favors the A18 Pro. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers more RAM and uses faster LPDDR5X memory, which may benefit multitasking and overall performance in certain scenarios. Both devices provide substantial storage options, with each offering up to 1TB. Overall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes the lead in single-core performance, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers advantages in RAM and potential multitasking capabilities.

Software Experience

The iPhone 16 Pro Max runs on iOS 18, which introduces a range of new features designed to enhance user customization and functionality. Notable updates include a customizable Control Center, revamped home and lock screen icons, hidden apps, and a fresh interface for the Photos app. The Messages app also benefits from the new “Send Later” feature and support for RCS messaging, enhancing communication options. Additionally, with the rollout of Apple Intelligence, users gain access to a suite of AI features, although this implementation is still catching up compared to its Android counterparts.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 Ultra operates on One UI, Samsung’s Android skin that is recognized for its rich feature set. One UI includes advanced functionalities like DeX for desktop-like experiences, Good Lock for enhanced customization, and various AI capabilities such as AI call summarization and Chat Assist. Samsung has made significant strides in creating a cohesive ecosystem, making it one of the top choices for Android users. Furthermore, the Galaxy S24 Ultra benefits from an impressive commitment to software longevity, with up to 7 years of major OS updates and security patches, ensuring that users stay up to date with the latest features and security enhancements. Both platforms offer unique strengths, appealing to different user preferences and priorities.

Battery Performance

The iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra are top contenders for battery life, both offering impressive performance. The iPhone features a larger battery compared to its predecessor, while the Galaxy packs a 5,000mAh unit, delivering around 7.5 to 9 hours of screen-on time. In charging speed, the Galaxy S24 Ultra excels with 45W fast charging, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes to fully charge. In contrast, the iPhone charges at 25W, requiring roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes. However, the iPhone also supports 25W wireless charging with MagSafe, enhancing its versatility.

Our Thoughts

The Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out for its QHD+ display and S Pen, enhancing both multimedia experiences and productivity. Samsung’s robust ecosystem offers solid competition to Apple’s, with features like Samsung DeX and various AI capabilities making it highly versatile. Additionally, the Galaxy S24 Ultra promises 7 years of software updates, surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 5 to 6 years of support, though Apple’s iOS animations and haptic feedback remain unmatched. On the performance front, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, powered by the A18 Pro chipset, is currently the most powerful processor available. Ultimately, if you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone is a clear choice, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is an excellent option for Android users considering a switch.