Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lines up the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max with the January 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 505 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-on |
| Chip | A20 ProLeads | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Memory | Not published | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBTie | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie |
| Camera hardware | 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads | 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 12MP ultrawide |
| Optical zoom | 4x | 5xLeads |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 45 hours video playback | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads | 45W wired. 15W wireless, Wireless PowerShare |
| Weight | 249 g | 232 gLeads |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Launch price | $1,299 launch priceTie | $1,299 launch priceTie |
| Software | iOS 27 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic fingerprint |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want Android 14, One UI 6.1 at launch. It leads on optical zoom and weight.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: which has the better battery?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra do not publish a comparable battery figure. iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours video playback. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 5,000 mAh.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: which has the better camera?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 12MP ultrawide. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cost at launch?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra tie on launch price. iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 launch price. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,299 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications
- Apple newsroom, September 9, 2026
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specifications