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All four iPhone 16 models that Apple unveiled last month are now in stores. The biggest phone in the bunch remains the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which can go toe-to-massive-toe with Samsung’s biggest flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Both phones have a lot to offer to those of you who love sizable devices, but how do the two compare on paper? Let’s take a look at the specs.
Starting with the obvious part; the screen. Apple crept ahead here (assuming you think bigger is better, that is) upping its iPhone 16 Pro Max to 6.9 inches, over last year’s 6.7 inches. At 6.8 inches, the S24 Ultra is ever so slightly smaller than Apple’s phone, but I can’t imagine you’d ever notice that 0.1-inch difference. The S24 Ultra does have a higher pixel density (501ppi vs. 460ppi) but we’ll have to wait to see how they actually compare in use when we can put the two side by side.
See more: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Compelling Upgrade With My Favorite iPhone Feature in Years
Samsung’s phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, while Apple’s phone runs on its own in-house silicon. In this case, a brand-new A18 Pro chip, which Apple promises will deliver better power efficiency and performance for gaming and AI. Given that the iPhone’s consistently dominate benchmarks — especially graphics ones — it’s fair to assume that the new chip will be a powerhouse. But it’ll certainly be interesting to see how the scores stack up.
More from the Apple event
iPhone 16 Pro Max specs vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra
| Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | 6.9-inch OLED; 2,868 x 1,320 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 501 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches | 6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm | 163 x 79 x 8.6 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 227g (7.99 oz.) | 233g (8.22 oz.) |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | Android 14 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (5x telephoto) | 200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 8K |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM/storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| Battery/charging speeds | Undisclosed, Apple claims up to 33 hours video playback | 5,000 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | Under display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
| Special features | Apple Intelligence, Action Button, Camera Control button, 4x audio mics, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance, titanium frame colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium | Galaxy AI, Titanium frame, 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; integrated S Pen; UWB for finding other devices; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Armor cover glass |
| US starting price | $1,199 (256GB) | $1,300 (256GB) |
| UK starting price | £1,199 (256GB) | £1,249 (256GB) |
| Australia starting price | AU$2,149 (256GB) | AU$2,199 (256GB) |
The iPhone 16 Pro max has a trio of lenses: wide, ultrawide and 5x telephoto.
Turning to the rear cameras, the iPhone packs the usual trinity of main, ultrawide and 5x telephoto zoom lens, while the S24 Ultra hits back with its main, ultrawide, and 3x and 5x telephoto zooms. On paper, Samsung’s phone should be the ultimate photography powerhouse — especially with its whopping 200-megapixel main sensor — but Apple’s phones have always taken some of the best images around. The inclusion of ProRaw images and ProRes video — including the new 4K slow motion shooting — means that the iPhones will still be a top contender with enthusiastic photographers.
Beyond that, there’s less to pick apart. Both phones offer up to 1TB of storage, neither allows you to expand the storage and both use titanium in their designs, offering IP68 water resistance.
Watch this: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: Spec Breakdown
Should you buy and iPhone 16 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Here’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max in the Desert Titanium finish.
Despite all the flashy specs and features, the two biggest factors most people should consider if choosing between these two phones is price and software. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts a $1,199 compared to the $1,300 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Is the Ultra $100 better than the new iPhone. Honestly, it’s hard to say. But you can find the Ultra on sale — we’ve seen it be discounted as much as $250.
In terms of software one phone runs iOS and the other Android. Clearly if you, your family or close friends are on Android or iOS, that will be a huge factor in determining which phone is best for you. While Apple promises five years of major OS upgrades, Samsung has committed to seven years. Also, we should mention that the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a built-in stylus called the S Pen — the iPhone doesn’t. At the end of the day, whether you opt for an iPhone 16 Pro Max of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’re getting an excellent phone that should last you for years.
Watch this: Review: Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Is an Impressive Upgrade
