The hottest question of 2024 – iPhone 15 Pro Max OR the latest Galaxy S24 Ultra??
Well, we all are acting a bit indecisive at this stage because to be honest, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra are the real bangers in 2024. But, you don’t have to stress out because you’ve made the right choice. Wait a minute! Right choice? Yes, the right choice to land here.
Umm, peer pressure I see! So, no matter if you’re an Android loyal fan or an iPhone freak, this blog is all that you need to analyze the specs and features of both models because we are definitely not biased here. Okay now, fasten your seatbelts because just after a few minutes you’ll get to know about your next technology upgrade. Shall we begin? Let’s start.
Function Meets Form: An Overview of Body & Design
First things first! The body and design of a cell phone matter the most because in the end, it’s about your aesthetics, right? But, did you know that there are some major facts and differences when we compare both models, iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
No more talking in the air, presenting you some secrets and not-so-hidden statements about both participants in this war.
Similarities
Both phones exude luxury, the iPhone 15 Pro Max clad in sleek titanium, the Galaxy S24 Ultra shielded by a scratch-resistant ceramic shield. Both boast durability and sophistication, offering distinct approaches to strength – one light, the other resilient. Also, goodbye to curved edges as both embrace a modern aesthetic with flat displays, potentially reducing accidental touches while aligning with current trends.
Differences
The iPhone 15 Pro Max prioritizes pocketability with its slightly smaller screen, ideal for one-handed use. The Galaxy S24 Ultra goes for immersion with a larger, gently curved display, reminiscent of a cinematic experience. Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains minimalist whereas the Galaxy S24 Ultra throws in a built-in S Pen, a boon for note-taking, drawing, and on-screen interaction.
As of Tom’s Guide:
“The Galaxy S24 Ultra could be in a prime position to knock the iPhone 15 Pro Max out of the top spot on our best phones list. Yes, Samsung is expected to borrow some of the latest iPhone features like a titanium design for the Ultra, but it could also push the smartphone category forward with its camera advancements and especially AI”.
Size & Display: Who Will Win The Aesthetic Game?
Let’s move on to the OG – size and display of these warriors. There’s no doubt in the fact that iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra have been ranked at the top when it comes to style and aesthetics but we have to choose either of them so here we go.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Starting off with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, it features a big 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. This display offers a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels alongside a 505 PPI. In addition, there is a fast 120Hz refresh rate alongside HDR 10+ support.
The flagship also comes with the new Corning Gorilla Armor on top to protect it against falls. Most importantly, Samsung has decided to go with a flat display this year, going against the curved display trend of late. In addition, we also get to see a peak brightness of 2,500 nits.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Talking about the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it features a slightly smaller 6.7-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display. This display offers a lower resolution of 1290 x 2796 pixels when compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The peak brightness also falls short of 500 nits, at 2,000 nits. Additional display specs include a 120Hz fast refresh rate, and 460 PPI, alongside Ceramic Shield on top.
According to Digital Trends:
“Samsung has always offered some of the best displays on any smartphone, which isn’t surprising since the company has its own display division. In fact, Apple buys most of its screens from Samsung Display, including those used on the iPhone 15 Pro Max”.
Similarities
These bangers retain the looks of their respective predecessors, having little to no changes on the design front. Moreover, both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max are heavy, weighing 232 and 221 grams, respectively.
Differences
Both smartphones come with an IP68 water-resistance rating, which is always a good thing design-wise. However, when it comes to the design of these two smartphones, it all comes down to your preference. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a boxy 79.0 x 162.3 x 8.6mm design, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has circular edges on a 76.7 x 159.9 x 8.3 mm body, making it easy to hold without the edges digging into your skin.
Winner: Galaxy S24 Ultra
On the display front, however, the on-paper specifications clearly reveal the Galaxy S24 Ultra to be a winner. Not only do you get a bigger display, but you also get to see a QHD+ one with more pixels. Outdoor visibility will also be better, thanks to more peak brightness on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. You will also feel safer accidentally dropping your phone now and then with the better Gorilla Glass Armor protection. Flat display edges further decrease the probability of breaking the screen.
Whose Camera Can Capture Gram-Worthy Pictures?
The blog has finally reached the part that you all have been waiting for!! Whose camera is gram-worthy and stands out? I guess we have an answer for it.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s features a quad-rear camera setup. We get to see a 200MP primary sensor with OIS and an F 1.7 aperture. To accompany the primary sensor, there is also a dual telephoto sensor setup. One of these telephoto sensors features a 50MP quad-pixel autofocus sensor with OIS, 5x optical zoom capability, and an F 3.4 aperture.
As Macworld also quoted:
“The Galaxy Ultra has had a superior telephoto zoom camera than the iPhone for years. Apple might have closed the gap considerably with the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5X telephoto camera, but it still lagged behind the S23 Ultra, which has a 10X optical zoom. But Samsung has changed the hardware with the S24, swapping the S23 Ultra’s 10MP 10x camera for a 50MP 5x lens”.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
When it comes to iPhone 15 Pro Max, it’s a 10MP sensor backed by OIS, 3x optical zoom and an F 2.4 aperture. Lastly, there is a 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor with a 120-degree FOV and an aperture of F/2.2. As for the selfie shooter, there is a 12MP sensor at the front with an aperture of F/2.2.
Our Opinion
Samsung appears to be the winner on paper, thanks to its 10x optical zoom periscopic lens. The iPhone’s selfie camera is highly regarded, but it seems like Android is winning!
But Wait till You See It!
It just doesn’t end there. All of this superior camera hardware is paired with AI features. These features include Nightography zoom for photos, AI multi-frame processing across all the zoom ranges, and deep learning-based super-resolution to the table.
Additionally, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is pretty solid in the videography department as well, featuring 100x Space Zoom, 8K recording at up to 60 FPS, Nightography video, and more. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is limited to 4K recording at 60 FPS. Also, instead of 12-bit HDR on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, you are limited to 10-bit on the 15 Pro Max.
So, be it for photos or videos, the Galaxy S24 Ultra definitely has an edge over 15 Pro Max.
The Core – PRICE: How Much Will My Pockets Suffer?
In the red corner, we have the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and in the blue corner, the contender is ready to steal the spotlight – the Samsung S24 Ultra. We’re diving deep into the world of prices, power, and prestige to see which heavyweight champion emerges victorious.
Samsung S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is entering the ring with a punchy starting price of $1,199 and seems like it is ready to knock the iPhone off its pedestal.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pricing itself at a hefty $1,299, the iPhone 15 Pro Max certainly boasts the Apple allure. But, is the hefty price tag justified? While Apple loyalists swear by the seamless ecosystem and the iconic brand, it’s essential to consider if you’re willing to pay a premium for the Apple prestige.
The Verdict
As the dust settles, it’s clear that Samsung’s S24 Ultra stands tall, offering a compelling alternative to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. From a dazzling display to a camera that captures every moment in vivid detail, Samsung’s flagship contender proves that you don’t need an Apple logo to redefine what a smartphone can do.
Plus, if you want something pocket-friendly then you may look into our blog about on the topic “Can You Get a Quality Phone for Under $300?”
A Detailed Overview Of Their Specs
This is probably the very first time in years that a top-of-the-line Android has been able to come super close to beating the latest and greatest iPhone in terms of sheer, raw performance at least on the specs sheet. One can only imagine where it goes from here. However, that is not the only area that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra manages to impress.
According to nextpit.com:
“When it comes to RAM—12 GB RAM vs. 8 GB RAM in the iPhone—on paper it may look like a win for Samsung. But bear in mind that it has never been particularly clever to try and slag off Apple’s performance on the basis of bare figures alone. With the non-expandable memory in both cases, you have the choice of whether 256 GB is enough for you or whether you opt for the larger models with 512 GB or 1 TB”.
The Battery Life – Which One Would Die Soon?
Tick tock! The clock is ticking… What do you think? Which one would die soon? It’s the right time to discuss the battery life of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
As for battery life and charging, the Galaxy S24 Ultra still packs in the same 5,000 mAh cell as its predecessor. However, the power-efficiency improvements in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 should allow owners to eke out a bit more runtime. The Galaxy S23 Ultra never had a problem getting through a full day of heavy use, so we’re expecting the S24 Ultra to do at least as well.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
While official figures haven’t been released yet, early reports suggest the iPhone 15 Pro Max will offer a battery life improvement over its predecessor. Rumors point to a larger capacity battery, potentially 4441 mAh, combined with the efficiency of the A17 Bionic chip. This could translate to a full day of moderate use or even longer for light users.
Apple provides fast charging capabilities of up to 20W for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, enabling a battery charge of 20% in just 15 minutes and 41% in 30 minutes. In comparison, the Galaxy S24 Ultra supports faster 45W wired charging, achieving 39% battery capacity in 15 minutes and 71% in 30 minutes.
As of OLX Blog:
“In the battery and charging department, Samsung takes the trophy thanks to its large battery similar to Pixel 8 Pro but faster charging support of 45W compared to the others. All the phones offer wireless charging but Pixel 8 Pro offers the fastest wireless charging of 23W among all three”.
Also, we know how frustrating it might get when your smart phone is not charging swiftly just because of your charging port. So, for this, head to our blog which will guide you on 5 Easy Ways to Clean Your Cell Phone’s Charging Port
What’s New? Software and Updates!
The Galaxy S24 Ultra ships with Android 14 and Samsung’s One UI 6.1 layered on top, which brings support for new features like the richer always-on display with live wallpapers. The iPhone naturally comes with Apple’s latest iOS 17 release.
While Apple has long held the crown for software longevity, it was unseated earlier this year when Google made a staggering promise of seven years of Android updates for its latest Pixel phones. Not to be outdone, Samsung is now matching that with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which means you’ll someday be able to update it to Android 21 in 2030.
As of Phandroid:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra also comes with a Live Translate feature for calls. The Voice Recorder also uses AI to transcribe, summarize, and even translate recordings, all of which are pretty useful. Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, feels quite “dumb” by comparison.
Apple makes no specific promises on updates, but the longest it’s ever gone is six years, with 2021’s iOS 15 release going as far back as the 2015 iPhone 6s. Five years is a more typical number, so we can expect an iPhone 15 Pro Max to hit at least iOS 22 in 2028. It could go longer, but with two more years of promised updates on Samsung’s part and no promises at all from Apple, we have to give the Galaxy S24 Ultra the nod here.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Special Features
While most people think of Google’s Pixel phones when it comes to sophisticated mobile AI features, there’s been a big push in that area across the board over the past year or so, as generative AI systems are slowly becoming mainstream. This has resulted in Qualcomm packing the kind of computational photography and machine learning technologies into its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that were once the exclusive domain of Google’s Tensor chips.
So You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
1. You want all the features
Samsung is known for throwing in just about every feature you could want on a smartphone through its One UI software experience, and the S24 Ultra is no different. From new AI tricks for things like photo edits and transcribing voice memos to opening apps in floating windows and virtually unlimited customization, you get a lot with the S24 Ultra to make it your own and take full advantage of the power under the hood.
2. You like to zoom into your photos
Speaking of the camera system, a feature the Galaxy S Ultra series is known for is Space Zoom, Samsung’s zoom system that can crop in all the way up to 100x. It uses a special telephoto lens and special software to preserve details and clarity so you can get up close and very personal with your subject. You won’t find this feature on any other flagship phone in the United States, so if it’s something you can take advantage of, the S24 Ultra is the way to go.
As Shelaf also quoted:
“Samsung’s camera expertise shines through with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s remarkable 200MP main camera, leaving the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 48MP counterpart in the dust. What’s more, the potential inclusion of a larger one-inch sensor in the S24 Ultra promises brighter, more vibrant and detail-rich photos across various resolutions. It’s a clear win for photography enthusiasts”.
3. You like having a stylus
Since the death of the Galaxy Note series, Samsung has kept the S Pen around on its Ultra series, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the latest to come with a stylus, this time with a slightly flatter display for an easier writing experience. It’s a handy tool to have if you want to sketch on the go, sign a document, scroll through social media, or even take a selfie by using the S Pen as a remote shutter button. Having an S Pen can make or break the experience for a lot of folks, and if you fall into the camp that requires an S Pen to survive, then you’ll want to go the Samsung route in your buying decision.
Final Verdict
So here you have it, fam! The Galaxy S24 Ultra just flexed its way into our hearts, leaving the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the dust. From mind-blowing camera setups to cutting-edge features that’ll make your jaw drop, Samsung’s latest offering is the undisputed champ. It’s time to break free from the Apple orchard, spread those Android wings, and soar into the future with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Trust us, once you make the switch, there’s no turning back – it’s a tech revolution, and you’re at the forefront. Galaxy gang, stand up!