Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Compare Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra side by side with the specs buyers actually care about, a cleaner breakdown of strengths and tradeoffs, and a clearer verdict on which model fits different priorities.

Smartphones24 spec rows comparedWinner verdict + tradeoffs included
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Model: iPhone 16 Pro MaxHighly rated

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The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers Apple's 2024 flagship with A18 Pro, 5x telephoto and Apple Intelligence. Our detailed review covers specs, real-world performance, pros and cons, and where to get the best price.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Value Winner
Model: Galaxy S24 Ultra6.8 inchesValue score winner

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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s top mainstream flagship phone, built around a large anti-reflective 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, integrated S Pen, and a flexible quad-camera system.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra advantage

Chip

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes out ahead on chip.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: A18 ProSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy

Side-by-side specs

The table below puts the core differences in one place so buyers can quickly compare the display, performance, battery, connectivity, and value details that matter most. Highlighted cells mark the stronger value-oriented spec on each row.

SpecApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Display—Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution—3120 x 1440
Refresh Rate—Adaptive 1Hz to 120Hz
Brightness—2600 nits peak
ChipA18 ProWinnerSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
RAM—12GB
Storage—256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery—5000mAh
Charging—45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Camera Main—200MP wide
Camera Ultra Wide—12MP ultrawide
Camera Telephoto—50MP 5x telephoto + 10MP 3x telephoto
Camera Selfie—12MP
Video—8K up to 30fps, 4K up to 120fps, HDR10+
USB-C—USB-C 3.2
Connectivity—5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband, NFC
Build—Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Armor front, glass back
Ingress Protection—IP68
Operating System—Android 14 with One UI 6.1
Weight—232 g
User RatingHighly rated—
Current PriceCheck AmazonCheck Amazon
ModeliPhone 16 Pro MaxGalaxy S24 Ultra
BrandAppleSamsung

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Standout strengths

  • Chip: A18 Pro
  • Brand: Apple
  • Product Type: Smartphone
  • Series: iPhone 16 Pro Max

Main tradeoffs

  • Gives up ground on chip compared with the other option.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Standout strengths

  • 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2600 nits peak brightness.
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy plus 12GB RAM delivers flagship Android performance.
  • Quad rear cameras include a 200MP main sensor, ultrawide, 3x telephoto, and 5x telephoto.
  • Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display

Main tradeoffs

  • Large size and weight are not ideal for buyers who prefer compact phones.
  • Charging speed is good but not class-leading compared with some Android competitors.

What buyers should focus on

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra should be judged on display quality, camera consistency, battery life, charging, sustained performance, and software support.

Phone buyers usually care about how reliable the main and zoom cameras are, whether the device gets warm under load, and how long it will stay fast day to day.

The better pick often depends on whether you want the strongest ecosystem fit, the best photo package, or the best battery-and-screen combination for the price.

Which one is better?

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better bang-for-your-buck winner on this page because it comes out ahead on more of the specs and value signals that matter most for buyers shopping this category. It wins here because it comes out ahead on chip.

The better phone depends on what you value most in daily use: camera reliability, display quality, battery life, charging speed, software longevity, and ecosystem fit. For most buyers, the strongest choice is the one that makes the fewest compromises in the features they will use every single day.

Use the side-by-side table first, then open the deeper review pages if you want more context on setup, long-term ownership, and which model is the smarter buy for your exact priorities.

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Fast Answers

Common questions about this matchup

These quick answers summarize the winner, the main spec gaps, and how most buyers should think through the final decision.

Which is better: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better fit for most buyers in this matchup. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better bang-for-your-buck winner on this page because it comes out ahead on more of the specs and value signals that matter most for buyers shopping this category. It wins here because it comes out ahead on chip.

What are the biggest differences between Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The biggest differences usually show up in Chip, because those specs are where these two models separate most clearly.

Which one is the better value buy?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the stronger value pick for most buyers in this matchup. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better bang-for-your-buck winner on this page because it comes out ahead on more of the specs and value signals that matter most for buyers shopping this category. It wins here because it comes out ahead on chip.

How should I choose between Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra should be judged on display quality, camera consistency, battery life, charging, sustained performance, and software support. Phone buyers usually care about how reliable the main and zoom cameras are, whethe...