Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, made its grand debut at the Unpacked event, sparking interest among Galaxy users contemplating an upgrade. If you’re eyeing the S24 Ultra, you might be weighing its features against its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, now available at a reduced price. Alternatively, if you’re torn between Samsung and Apple, you’re likely curious about how the S24 Ultra stacks up against the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Let’s delve into the specifications to help you navigate this decision.
The S23 Ultra, released last year with a starting price of $1,200 in the US, now begins at $875, while the S24 Ultra starts at $1,300. In comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro Max enters the market at $1,200. Consequently, the base S24 Ultra stands $100 above the base 15 Pro Max and $100 more than its predecessor upon release.
Powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the S24 Ultra boasts cutting-edge features like the “Galaxy AI” suite, enabling real-time AI processing for tasks like live translation during calls and advanced photo editing capabilities. In contrast, the S23 Ultra relies on the previous-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, with potential future updates expected to integrate Galaxy AI. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro Max utilizes Apple’s A17 Pro chip but lacks comparable generative AI photo editing tools seen in the S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 8 series.
While the S23 Ultra runs on Android 13 with a promised four years of updates, the S24 Ultra operates on Android 14, offering extended software support for up to seven years. In comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro Max operates on iOS 17, with Apple’s update support history extending back to models like the 2018 iPhone XS and XR.
Storage-wise, the base S23 Ultra offers 256GB with options for 8 or 12GB of RAM, expandable to 512GB or 1TB with 12GB of RAM. The S24 Ultra maintains these storage options but standardizes 12GB of RAM across all variants. Apple, known for its discretion regarding RAM specifications, matches the storage offerings of the Ultra series but remains opaque about RAM details.
In terms of charging, all three phones feature USB-C ports, a notable shift for iPhones from previous Lightning connectors. Both S23 and S24 Ultras support 45W fast charging, whereas the 15 Pro Max supports 27W fast charging. Wireless charging is standard across the board, with the Ultras additionally offering reverse wireless charging functionality.
Battery capacities vary, with both Ultras sporting a 5,000-mAh battery. While specifics for the iPhone remain undisclosed, Apple promises “all-day battery life” with extensive video playback capabilities.
The S23 and S24 Ultras introduce an integrated S Pen stylus, absent in the iPhone lineup. Display-wise, all phones offer impressive OLED panels with variable refresh rates, albeit with differing notch designs and form factors.
Camera setups see the S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra equipped with similar configurations, supplemented by a new 50-megapixel, 5x telephoto lens in the former. Conversely, the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a triple-camera system with a 48-megapixel main shooter and a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens.
Stay tuned for comprehensive camera tests to determine how the S24 Ultra’s upgraded optics fare against the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s acclaimed photography prowess.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | 6.8-inch AMOLED; QHD+ resolution; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,088×1,440 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.7-inch OLED; 2,796×1,290 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 501ppi | 500 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in | 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in | 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 163 x 79 x 8.6 mm | 163.3 x 78 x 8.9 mm | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 233 g (8.22 oz) | 234 g (8.25 oz) | 221 g (7.81 oz) |
| Mobile software | Android 14 | Android 13 | iOS 17 |
| Camera | 200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) 50-megapixel (5x telephoto) | 200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) 10-megapixel (10x telephoto) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (5x telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 8K | 8K | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Apple A17 Pro |
| Storage and RAM | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 8GB RAM + 256GB; 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (RAM undisclosed) |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 29 hours of video playback (25 hours streamed) |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under display | Under display | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None |
| Special features | Titanium frame, 2,600-nit screen; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; integrated S Pen; UWB for finding other devices; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7 | 5G (Sub6, mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; integrated S Pen; 100x Space Zoom; 10x optical zoom; UWB for finding other devices; 45W wired charging | 5G (Sub6, mmWave); Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 water resistance, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent), satellite connectivity, eSIM, thread networking technology |
| US price starts at | $1,300 (256GB) | $1,200 (256GB) | $1,199 (256GB) |
| UK price starts at | £1,249 (256GB) | £1,249 (256GB) | £1,199 (256GB) |
| Australia price starts at | AU$2,199 (256GB) | AU$1,949 (256GB) | AU$2,199 (256GB) |
