| Criterion | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9" OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, 2000 nits | 6.8" AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO, 2600 nits |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Camera | 48MP + 48MP UW + 12MP 5x Telephoto | 200MP + 12MP UW + 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x |
| AI Features | Apple Intelligence (Private Cloud Compute) | Galaxy AI (Cloud-based, Google Gemini) |
| S Pen / Stylus | None | Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth |
| Software Updates | 6–7 years major OS + 2–3 years security | 7 years OS + 7 years security (promised) |
| Starting Price | $1,199 | $1,299 |
Performance & Efficiency
In benchmarks, the A18 Pro consistently outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in single-core CPU tasks, while the Snapdragon leads slightly in multi-core due to its higher core count. In GPU performance, results are comparable with Apple leading in sustained performance and Samsung leading in peak burst performance.The key difference is thermal management: the A18 Pro maintains near-peak performance for longer sustained workloads (video editing, gaming), while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 throttles more aggressively under prolonged load.
AI: Privacy vs Versatility
Both phones feature on-device AI, but the philosophies differ fundamentally:- Apple Intelligence: On-device processing for most tasks. When cloud processing is needed, requests go to Private Cloud Compute on Apple Silicon servers with end-to-end encryption and no data retention. Privacy-first architecture.
- Galaxy AI: On-device for basic tasks, Google Cloud for complex operations. More versatile features (real-time call translation, Circle to Search) but less privacy-focused architecture.
Camera: Different Strengths
- Video: iPhone 16 Pro Max wins decisively with 4K 120fps Dolby Vision and superior video stabilization. It remains the best smartphone for video recording.
- Zoom: Galaxy S24 Ultra offers both 3x and 5x optical telephoto lenses, providing more versatile zoom range than the iPhone's single 5x telephoto.
- Night Photography: Both are excellent. Samsung's 200MP sensor captures more detail in bright conditions; Apple's computational pipeline often produces more natural colors in challenging lighting.
Verdict
Choose iPhone 16 Pro Max if: You're in the Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, Apple Watch), prioritize video recording, want privacy-first AI, or value the longest real-world software support track record.
Choose Galaxy S24 Ultra if: You want a built-in stylus, more versatile zoom photography, higher peak display brightness, or prefer Android's customization flexibility.
Questions this page actually answers
Which phone gets software updates for longer?
Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates for the S24 Ultra. Apple does not make explicit promises but historically delivers 6–7 years of major iOS updates plus 2–3 additional years of security patches, totaling 8–9 years.
Which has better resale value?
iPhones consistently retain higher resale value than Samsung phones. A 2-year-old iPhone typically holds 55–65% of its launch value, while Samsung flagships retain 35–45%.
Next useful pages
Sources
Prepared by the iPhone Update Editorial Desk. Independent technical reference. Not affiliated with Apple Inc.