Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: a comparison of titanium flagships this time

With the release of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro Max now has a relevant competitor. These two models will compete with each other the most until the fall (when we can expect an updated model from Apple), so we will traditionally take a brief look at their main features and key differences in capabilities.

This is what the comparative characteristics of the updated models look like. This time we’ll leave a similar plate with a comparison of competitors to complete the article.

Apple:

Samsung:

To begin with, these smartphones offer the same body materials for the first time in several years. Apple and Samsung have different versions of glass and most likely different chassis preparation technologies. And that’s not to mention the internal structure. However, in both cases, the buyer will get a glass body with a titanium frame.

Yes, Apple did it a little earlier. Yes, after the iPhone 15 Pro, other such offers appeared. But Samsung did not ignore the trend either. For a long time, Samsung’s flagships have used aluminum frames, while Apple’s offerings since the iPhone X have had a stronger steel base.

There were also nuances in both cases. Aluminum is softer, so it was easier to damage. In contrast, the polished steel frame of the iPhone almost never looked clean, “collecting” fingerprints, and scratches appeared on it just as easily as on aluminum (if not worse).

However, with the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max, there is no such division between competitors. If someone used these criteria to measure the “premium” of cases, so to speak, then this time (and most likely for the next few generations), we will have parity.

It hardly makes much sense to compare the endurance of glass panels. In the near future, fans of destructive tests of technology will be able to see tests of both flagships. However, spoiler alert: the glass panels of both smartphones will break, just as the titanium frames will remain damaged after falls. And this is despite the fact that both Apple (with its own Ceramic Shield) and Samsung (with the new Gorilla Glass Armor) emphasize the strength of glass.

As always, I will leave the issue of overall design to the readers’ discretion. This is too subjective a criterion, so each potential buyer will look for the best option on their own in any case.

There have been no significant changes in the size of these smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is still larger – 162.3×79×8.6 mm with a weight of 232 grams, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly smaller – 159.9×76.7×8.3 mm and 221 grams. And the difference between them is still not fundamental, because if you add a protective case to each of them, none of them will be really convenient for all everyday situations. Almost any user will have to balance and change the position of the smartphone in one way or another when using it with one hand. And in most pockets, such cases will not have much free space. In short, “compactness” is still not about them.

Also, the cases have not lost their protection against water and dust. However, there is a small difference. The manufacturers indicate the degree of protection according to the IP68 standard, but the iPhone can withstand immersion to a depth of 6 meters, and the S24 Ultra can withstand immersion to a depth of 1.5 meters. Given the numerous stories of smartphones lost in water for days or weeks, such protection is not superfluous, and the iPhone nominally has some advantage. However, you should not rely on such stories, and manufacturers still do not guarantee one hundred percent protection against water and reserve the right to refuse warranty service for devices that fail due to moisture ingress into the case.

Returning to the size difference, it is worth mentioning that it is primarily due to the size of the displays. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also offers 6.7 inches, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has 6.8. But even here, the latter could not do without some upgrades. First, Samsung’s screen surface has become flatter. Secondly, the resolution is now 3120×1440 pixels, not 3088×1440 (yes, a trifle, I completely agree). Accordingly, the aspect ratio is no longer 19.3:9, but 19.5:9. Thirdly, the peak brightness has increased to a pretty good 2,600 cd/m². In the iPhone 15 Pro Max, this figure is 2,000, so the difference when playing HDR may still be more noticeable.

Another advantage of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the bundled S Pen. The flagship from Samsung is one of the few smartphones in general that offers such a function as working with a stylus. It also comes with one and leaves room for storage in the case. For the iPhone, of course, you can buy something similar separately, but you won’t be able to measure the pressure, for example. That is, the iPhone does not have a full-fledged alternative to this functionality.

The situation with cameras is also still different for both “competitors”. Galaxy S24 Ultra has four sensors in the back:

• main wide-angle – 200 MP, ƒ/1.7, 1/1.3″, 24 mm;
• ultra-wide-angle – 12 MP, ƒ/2.2, 13 mm, 120°;
• periscopic telephoto – 50 MP, ƒ/3.4, 111 mm, 5x optical zoom;
• and another telephoto – 10 MP, ƒ/2.4, 67 mm, and 3x optical zooming.

In other words, this year’s global changes include only one of the telephoto modules. In turn, the iPhone 15 Pro Max also has a similar change:

• main wide-angle – 48 MP, ƒ/1.8, 1/1.28″, 24 mm;
• ultra-wide-angle – 12 MP, ƒ/2.2, 13 mm, 120°;
• tetraprismatic telephoto – 12 MP, ƒ/2.8, 120 mm, 5x optical zoom.

In all cases, there are some improvements to optical stabilization, improved focusing, and many image post-processing features. Here, the iPhone also has LiDAR, which is additionally used for, for example, augmented reality applications. This is also one of the advantages of the iPhone, as it is hard to think of another smartphone that has it.

Still, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a definite advantage here. In addition to the difference in sensor resolution, there are physically more sensors, which leaves more variability to the user in certain situations. Of course, these cameras will also perform differently in different conditions. In this case, direct comparisons will be able to show which of these smartphones’ cameras will be better under certain circumstances and owner requirements. But what is certain is that in both cases, the buyer will have one of the best cameras on the market.

In terms of video recording, the Galaxy S24 Ultra can record in resolutions up to 8K (30 FPS), while the iPhone 15 Pro Max can record in 4K (60 FPS). The iPhone, however, this time has prepared the ability to record video to an external medium, has a ProRes format, and even shoots spatial video for later viewing in the Apple Vision Pro headset, which is about to hit store shelves.

The front cameras of both smartphones have approximately the same characteristics: The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses a 12-megapixel sensor with a ƒ/2.2 and a 26mm equivalent; the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 12MP sensor with a ƒ/1.9 and a 23mm equivalent. They both record video with an additional HDR mode and up to 4K resolution at 60 FPS. 

However, the iPhone can offer additional sensors for face scanning – Face ID. This is still one of the most convenient ways to unlock the system, as it works properly in almost any lighting conditions. In contrast, Samsung’s flagship, along with face scanning with the front camera (which is less reliable and practical), additionally has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display glass, which the iPhone does not have.

There is probably no point in discussing the advantages and disadvantages of operating systems once again. I will only emphasize that new (and some previous flagship smartphones) Samsung smartphones will have the newly introduced Galaxy AI features. These include real-time text translation both during phone calls and live communication or SMS messaging, generative photo processing functions, AI in notes, etc. Apple does not offer such features yet, but something similar is expected in the new version of iOS 18, which will be presented in early summer during WWDC 2024, and then released along with the new iPhone line. But currently, only Samsung offers such “software” solutions natively. (It is worth noting that not all functions will be available locally, and support for the Ukrainian language will have to wait in both cases.)

Comparing the performance of these smartphones is also a separate issue. Apple has its own A17 Pro chips, and Samsung installs the most powerful versions of the latest Qualcomm chips in the S24 Ultra – Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (for Galaxy). Such solutions will definitely provide the user with top performance throughout the year, and with the release of new models, they will not immediately turn into a pumpkin.

The issue of RAM is also not worth touching on, because different operating systems have their own peculiarities of its use (although yes, in fact, the S24 Ultra has significantly more – 12 GB versus 8 GB in the iPhone). As for the permanent memory, the iPhone remains with NVMe, while Samsung still uses UFS 4.0. The available storage capacity is the same – from 256 GB to 1 TB.

Among the internal components, there is also some difference in communication modules. The Galaxy S24 Ultra can offer the user support for the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has Wi-Fi 6e. At the moment, this is not so important, because a suitable router still needs to be found and it is unlikely that a massive transition to the new standard will happen in the near future. However, Samsung has prepared for such a case.

For its part, the iPhone has been offering Emergency SOS satellite communications for two years now in case of cellular network failure and the need for help. Gradually expanding its coverage, it is already available in some European countries. However, this option is not yet available for users in Ukraine.

Battery life is another difference between these flagships. However, just like with RAM, there is a significant difference in how the two systems consume battery power. Comparisons will soon show which one is better. If you look at the numbers alone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a battery capacity of 5,000 mAh, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max has 4 441 mAh.

Manufacturers also have different visions of the situation when it comes to charging. For example, Samsung’s flagship supports fast wired charging with a capacity of up to 45 W, induction (Qi/PMA) – 15 W, and reverse wireless – 4.5 W. Apple takes a more pragmatic approach to wired charging, so there’s little point in a power supply more powerful than 20 watts for an iPhone. At the same time, there is a proprietary version of MagSafe chargers and Qi2 support, with a charging power not exceeding the same 15 watts. And reverse charging of the iPhone will be offered only by wired charging, and also not “stronger” than 4.5W.

As for the price level, the iPhone has a “heavier” price tag (especially in versions with more memory). Its official price in Ukraine starts at 60 499 UAH and ends at 80,499 UAH. The Galaxy S24 Ultra can only be pre-ordered for now, but the price is already known – from 57 999 to 71 999 UAH. 

So, as always, when comparing flagship smartphones more closely, you can find a lot of differences. These are both subjective aspects, such as design or camera requirements, and other equally important details, such as operating system capabilities, stylus or even satellite support (I’m sure there are many users for whom the latter can really be a game changer).