Apple 15 Pro Max is the best smartphone of 2024, some will say. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra blows the iPhone out of the water, others will counter. In reality, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max battle may not be winnable.

In terms of performance, these phones are very comparable. But they are also very different. Please keep reading to find out what we mean by that. 

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Overall Look & Design

“In matters of taste, there can be no disputes,” but we will broach the subject anyway. 

Both smartphones look wholesome, yet owning an Apple speaks to the owner’s status—it always has. Despite the user’s hopes, we saw no major redesign implementations. It’s safe to say that both Apple and Samsung worked out their design philosophies, and it seems like we won’t be seeing whole new looks with either brand in the future. 

So what did change looks-wise? For one, the Galaxy S24 Ultra now has a titanium bezel (like an iPhone) instead of aluminum:

The size of the bezel was also reduced to maximize screen real estate. Finally, Samsung eliminated the curvature around the edges of its phone, opting for a flat look.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max also gets a hardly noticeable design tweak: You guessed it, a titanium frame. Apple replaced the stainless steel used in the iPhone 14 Pro Max construction with lighter yet durable titanium. While the change is visually hardly detectable, the 15 Pro Max has slightly shinier sides than its predecessor. The new iPhone also has an extra Action button in place of the silent switch:

 Simply put, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung S24 Ultra are beautiful smartphones that look equally well-made and expensive. However, if you are a long-term Apple fan, the Galaxy S24 likely will not sway you.

So, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra looks: Its a tie. 

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max: Screen & AI (or Lack of Thereof)

Samsung display technology became the golden standard in the smartphone world. In fact, Samsung also makes Apple screens (including the iPhone 15 line), so the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra display should not even be a debate. Yet, plenty of iPhone and Android users will tell you that iPhone 15 image quality is superior to Galaxy S24. Specs tell a different story, however. The Galaxy has a larger 6.8-inch screen (versus 6.7-inch Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max) and a higher resolution:

Samsung is also ahead of the curve in AI: The new Galaxy flagship phones come with Galaxy AI technology, enhancing the many ways you can use your smartphone. Galaxy users can now easily translate text, circle an image to search with Google, edit text files with words and grammar suggestions, retouch photos, and more. And while Apple has many of the similar features built into iOS, its AI game needs to catch up.

As a result, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a clear winner in this category!

Apple vs. Samsung: Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max go toe-to-toe in the camera performance category. It is virtually impossible to definitively say that one is better than the other, and ultimately comes down to user preferences.
Here are the main differences, however. The iPhone 15 has a triple-lens camera: Wide, ultrawide, telephoto. At the same time, the Galaxy sports a 4x camera lens (wide, ultrawide, 5x telephoto, 3x telephoto):

Galaxy S24 Ultra users will tell you this smartphone has better zoom cameras. Yet, iPhone 15 Pro Max owners claim their picture quality is way better. The difference is in subtleties like warmth and color hue, but you must be a professional photographer to spot those. Therefore, we have a tie in the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras showdown.

Configurations & Pricing

Both smartphones come in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has more color choices (seven) than the iPhone Pro Max (four). Price-wise, however, we never thought we’d ever say that the latter wins: the 256GB iPhone model costs $1199, while the Galaxy is almost $101 more expensive at $1299.99. The 512GB version costs $1399 and $1499.99; the 1TB version costs $1599 and $1659.99 respectively.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: We have to go with Apple here, even though the Galaxy has more interesting color options. Price is a very important factor, and the four colors Apple offers (Natural, Blue, Black, and White) all look solid. 

Verdict

Samsung and Apple’s flagship phones are undoubtedly the best available on the market right now. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s build quality is comparable to the Apple 15 Pro Max, separating these smartphones from the competition. But with the Galaxy, you get the flexibility of Android, an exceptional zoom camera, and a better display. Yet, it is hard to beat the convenience of the Apple ecosystem, making it difficult for current iPhone users to switch. But whatever you decide, we at Gadget Salvation would happily buy your old smartphone for cash, making that plunge a little easier on your wallet!