Samsung s24 ultra vs iphone 16 pro max which is better?

After using the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for more than six months, I decided to compare it directly to my new iPhone 16 Pro Max. Here’s a practical breakdown of each device and which one takes the lead.

Camera Systems

The camera on the iPhone 16 Pro Max gives more reliable photos. Both phones capture sharp pictures, but the iPhone avoids the heavy sharpening often seen on the S24 Ultra. Its videos also look a bit better. While the S24 Ultra comes close, the iPhone produces more dependable photo and video results.

Apple now lets you change photo styles after taking a shot, as long as you’re using the HEIF format. You can pick from several style options, from bold filters to subtle looks, giving you more control. You can adjust shadows, highlights, color strength, and intensity. Samsung’s filters are nice but don’t match the flexibility Apple offers for editing.

Samsung stands out with zoom. The S24 Ultra’s 10x zoom uses a larger 5x sensor with digital cropping. It’s not a true optical zoom like last year’s S23, but it still beats the iPhone in zoom details.

Both phones still create images that show their smartphone origins. If you want the best photos possible, a dedicated camera is your best choice.

Price

The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199. The Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $1,299 but often gets discounted over time. Prices can change with new deals and special offers.

Form Factor and Handling

Both phones are large, but the iPhone is easier to hold because of its rounded corners. The S24 Ultra feels bulkier due to its sharper edges. This year, Apple made sure both Pro models have the same camera, so you don’t need the biggest iPhone for the best photos.

Operating System and Ecosystem

iOS connects well with other Apple products. The new Control Center is customizable, now supporting controls from third-party apps. Apple services like Music, Fitness Plus, Apple TV, and AirPods all work together easily. You can now theme icons, use interactive widgets, and rearrange app icons however you want. iMessage keeps adding new features, including message scheduling and satellite messaging. AirPlay, password management, and device handoff make the Apple ecosystem smooth.

Chip Performance

Both phones feel fast during normal use. The S24 Ultra does better on GPU benchmarks, which may matter for some gaming or heavier tasks. For most people, the speed difference is small.

AI and Software Features

Apple Intelligence brings new features like call recording with transcripts, grouped notifications, and writing tools across the system. The S24 Ultra’s Galaxy AI works well but is mostly limited to Samsung apps. Apple is adding ChatGPT, while Samsung uses Google Gemini. They cover different features and music services. Apple Intelligence is coming in stages, with big changes like a smarter Siri planned for next year.

Physical Buttons

The iPhone now has an action button and a new camera button. The action button supports shortcuts. The camera button launches the camera and supports touch for exposure, focus, and style changes. Samsung offers some button customization but doesn’t have a dedicated physical button like Apple.

S24 Ultra Advantages

The S24 Ultra leads in display quality. Its Gorilla Glass Armor cuts glare by 75 percent and protects better from drops and scratches. Brightness goes up to 2,600 nits, compared to 2,000 nits on the iPhone.

Samsung’s One UI lets you personalize more, use advanced multitasking with split screen, and access edge panels. Apple still does not allow true split screen multitasking.

The S Pen is built-in and unique to Samsung. You can take notes, convert handwriting to text, and use it as a remote control. The iPhone does not support a stylus.

Galaxy AI on the S24 Ultra includes Circle to Search, real-time translation, and the ability to create slow-mo videos using AI.

Android’s open setup allows you to sideload apps, use custom launchers, and adjust the system more than you can with iOS.

Battery Life

Both phones will last all day for light to moderate use, like music and background activity. It’s tough to compare battery life exactly since the S24 Ultra’s battery has more charge cycles than the newer iPhone.

Repairability

Both Apple and Samsung have made repair access easier, but battery replacements are still tricky. You need special tools or a repair tech for battery changes, as neither phone lets you swap batteries out easily.

Summary

Looking at hardware and software, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers steadier camera performance, smoother handling, and slightly faster processing. If your other devices are Apple, the iPhone fits right in.

If you lean toward Android or use Windows PCs and Samsung gadgets, the S24 Ultra’s extra customization, better display, and S Pen may suit you more.

Both phones have strengths. Your choice mostly depends on which ecosystem you use. Watch for discounts, as prices change often.