The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra goes head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max. Both devices are priced well over $100. So, how do they compare in terms of camera technology, gaming performance, and more? Here’s my review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Design and Build
When you thought the Galaxy S24 Ultra was large at 6.8 inches, Apple ups the ante with the 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max. I’ve carried both devices in my jeans for days and they push a belt to its limits. The phones have similar dimensions with slim bezels that minimize wasted space. The iPhone’s bulkier camera bump makes it slightly more noticeable, though the difference is minor. The S24 Ultra has a more rectangular design, while the iPhone features rounded corners, making the iPhone a bit more comfortable to hold.
Neither device is easy to manage one-handed; both require two hands. As for materials both have titanium frames making them durable yet lightweight. The screens are protected by Gorilla Glass on the S24 Ultra and custom-made glass on the iPhone. Both are built to withstand wear and tear I’ve carried the S24 Ultra in my pocket with other phones without a scratch. The iPhone, although newer, has also remained unscathed.
One notable difference is the finish: the S24 Ultra’s frosted matte surface resists fingerprints, while the iPhone’s glossy design picks them up easily. Both phones are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, but in my experience, water can easily enter the iPhone’s speaker and mic ports during heavy use in wet environments, such as a shower.
On the color front, the iPhone 16 Pro Max lacks the variety of vibrant options found on its regular iPhone 16 and Plus models. Meanwhile Samsung offers a more colorful selection for the S24 Ultra with additional exclusive choices on its website.
Display and Audio Quality
No matter which smartphone you choose, whether it’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’ll get a large, nearly 7-inch display. Samsung’s AMOLED is incredibly sharp, with over 500 pixels per inch, while Apple’s OLED follows closely at 460 PPI. The iPhone also features the Dynamic Island, which for some (myself included) is a bit of a deal breaker as it can be distracting during full-screen activities like watching movies or gaming.
Both phones support HDR10 streaming delivering excellent contrast and vibrant colors. Samsung’s display leans slightly more vivid in its default settings, but this can be adjusted, unlike the less customizable iPhone. Both phones also adapt their color tones based on ambient light for a more comfortable viewing experience in low-light settings.
The screens on both phones are capable of 120Hz refresh rates, though there’s been some debate about the iPhone 16 Pro Max being capped at 80Hz. In my experience, the display on both devices appears perfectly smooth. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, however, offers a noticeably brighter display and is easier to view outdoors, thanks to its anti-reflective Gorilla Glass Armor coating, which the iPhone lacks.
Security and Software
When you want to use your device, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that creates a 3D map of your thumb, making it highly responsive and accurate even with moist hands. The iPhone 16 pro max lacks an in-display fingerprint sensor but both devices feature Face Unlock which works quickly even in low light. And both phones also support biometric-based contactless payments.
As for software, it’s the classic iOS vs. Android debate. Both devices offer long-term support 7 years of OS and security updates for the S24 Ultra and Apple’s usual extensive iPhone support. iOS is gradually adopting more customization options letting you move app icons, change colors and match many Android features including contactless payments, smart home control, automation, health tracking and robust security.
One feature exclusive to the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the S Pen stylus, which is handy for signing documents, sketching, or jotting down notes.
AI features
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is loaded with AI features, all conveniently located in the Galaxy AI section of the phone settings. Many of these are genuinely useful, such as Circle, Search, Interpreter, and the web page summarizer.
Meanwhile, Apple has heavily promoted the AI features in its new iPhone 16 Pro Max, or as they call it, “Apple Intelligence.” However, many of these AI tools, like auto-message replies and interpretation, are still missing. Apple promises they’ll arrive by Christmas, but it feels more like an IOU at the moment. If you’re thinking about getting the 16 Pro Max, it might be worth waiting to see if these AI features are up to par before spending a lot of money.
I’ve also noticed that iOS, being newer, tends to be a bit buggier. The camera app, for instance, keeps freezing on me, which is a minor annoyance.
For audio, both phones come with stereo speakers that deliver excellent sound quality. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is slightly louder, while the iPhone offers better clarity at maximum volume. Neither phone has a headphone jack, so you’ll be relying on Bluetooth or adapters for wired audio. Overall, both smartphones provide top-tier media experiences but the S24 Ultra has a slight edge in brightness and outdoor visibility.
Performance
When it comes to performance, you’d expect top-tier results from both of these smartphones, given their premium price. The iPhone 2016 Pro Max is powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chipset, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Everyday tasks run smoothly on both devices, and gamers will also be satisfied. Playing demanding games like Genshin Impact or Waking Waves at the highest settings generally delivers a smooth experience, with only occasional frame rate dips during intense moments.
I did notice that the iPhone can become slightly juddery if you enable ‘Metal’ in the display settings, so it’s best to turn it off for a consistently smooth experience. Both phones manage heat well, even after over an hour of gaming. While they do get warm, they never become uncomfortably hot.
Battery life
The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 5,000mAh battery, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a slightly smaller 4,685mAh capacity. In a video loop test on equal brightness settings, both phones drained at just under 5% per hour. However, this test doesn’t represent real-life usage, where the S24 Ultra typically outlasts the iPhone by an hour or two of screen-on time. At the end of a long day, the S24 Ultra usually has some battery left, while the iPhone often needs charging, especially after heavy camera use.
In terms of charging, the S24 Ultra supports 45W charging, consistently powering up in under 80 minutes. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, despite claims of 45W charging, usually maxes out at 30W and takes just over 100 minutes to fully charge. However, the iPhone leads in wireless charging with 25W via MagSafe, compared to the S24 Ultra’s 15W with the older Qi standard.
Cameras
The Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max comparison highlights some key differences.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces a new camera button, though its placement can be awkward unless you have large fingers. While it allows for quick camera access and zooming, the on-screen controls remain faster and more intuitive.
Both phones offer a range of camera features like portrait mode, night mode and panorama. However, the S24 Ultra includes more bonus modes, which can be seen as either useful or overwhelming. Both phones support RAW image capture for post-processing, and the S24 Ultra has a more comprehensive Pro mode with manual controls, whereas the iPhone relies more on filters.
In terms of hardware, the S24 Ultra features a 200MP main sensor compared to the iPhone’s 48MP sensor. The S24 Ultra tends to produce brighter images, especially in challenging lighting, while the iPhone can sometimes oversaturate. The S24 Ultra also excels when shooting into the light and in low-light conditions, capturing finer details than the iPhone.
When it comes to zoom capabilities, the S24 Ultra offers two telephoto lenses (3x and 5x optical zoom), while the iPhone has a single 5x optical zoom lens. The S24 Ultra performs better in short-range zoom scenarios, with Samsung’s AI sharpening enhancing image details. It also captures more accurate details at long distances, though zooming in beyond 100x results in noticeable blurring.
For ultra-wide shots, the iPhone’s 48MP sensor might seem superior, but the S24 Ultra still produces brighter, cleaner images with more natural colors in low-light settings. Both phones have 12MP selfie cameras, but the S24 Ultra offers 4K video recording at 60fps, while the iPhone maxes out at 30fps.
The S24 Ultra can record up to 8K video at 30fps, while the iPhone tops out at 4K with options for up to 120fps for slow-motion effects. Adjusting resolution and frame rate on the iPhone requires navigating through the camera settings, whereas the S24 Ultra allows on-the-fly adjustments and offers generative AI editing features, such as straightening shots and moving subjects, which the iPhone lacks.
Additionally, the S24 Ultra can automatically enable slow-motion during video playback, filling in frames for a smooth effect, and lets users save the results afterward.
Conclusion
That wraps up the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra versus iPhone 16 Pro Max comparison. Which one are you leaning towards? For me, it’s an easy choice the S24 Ultra. While it has its downsides, like being oversized and quite expensive, you get a lot for your money. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max feels overpriced without offering much more.
