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Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max lines up the January 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec score

1.2 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy

Spec lead

8.8 / 10

iPhone 18 Pro Max specs

A20 Pro

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max published specs. Display lead uses refresh rate, pixel density, peak brightness, and always-on when both phones publish them. Camera lead is a hardware class, not a photo test. Battery is scored only when both phones publish the same kind of figure.
SpecSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max
Display6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 505 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-on6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads
ChipSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 for GalaxyA20 ProLeads
Memory12GBNot published
Storage256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBTie
Camera hardware200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 12MP ultrawide48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads
Optical zoom5xLeads4x
Front camera12MP18MP Center Stage
Battery5,000 mAhup to 45 hours video playback
Charging45W wired. 15W wireless, Wireless PowerShare50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads
Weight232 gLeads249 g
Water resistanceIP68TieIP68Tie
Software support7 years of OS and security updatesApple does not publish a fixed OS support window
Launch price$1,299 launch priceTie$1,299 launch priceTie
SoftwareAndroid 14, One UI 6.1 at launchiOS 27
BiometricsUltrasonic fingerprintFace ID
ConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread

Who should buy which

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want Android 14, One UI 6.1 at launch. It leads on optical zoom and weight.

Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.

Questions

Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which has the better battery?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max do not publish a comparable battery figure. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 5,000 mAh. iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours video playback.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which has the better camera?

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on camera hardware. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 12MP ultrawide. iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.

What did Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max cost at launch?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max tie on launch price. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: $1,299 launch price. iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 launch price.

Sources

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specifications
  • Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications
  • Apple newsroom, September 9, 2026

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