Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
SD8 Gen 3 · 200MP · Galaxy AI debut
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)
A18 Pro · iOS · 128GB · European
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lands at 93 and iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) at 96. That puts iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- ✓Galaxy AI Gen 1 features still useful
- ✓Titanium frame
- ✓Flat display vs curved predecessors
Pick iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhotography
TieStills and video quality across lenses
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Battery life
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)Screen-on time and charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) leads on battery (90 vs 88).
Performance
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) leads on cpu (96 vs 92).
Display
Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraPanel quality, brightness, refresh rate
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leads on display (95 vs 93).
Value for money
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) more score per dollar ($1,199 vs $1,299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2600 nits | — |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | A18 Pro |
| RAM | 12 GB | — |
| Storage | ▲ 256 / 512 GB / 1 TB | 128GB |
| Rear camera | 200 MP main + 12 MP UW + 50 MP 5× + 10 MP 3× | — |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | — |
| Charging | 45W wired, 15W wireless | — |
| OS | One UI 6.1 | iOS 18 |
| Weight | 233 g | — |
| IP rating | IP68 | — |
| Release year | — | 2024 |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- +Galaxy AI Gen 1 features still useful
- +Titanium frame
- +Flat display vs curved predecessors
- −Massive at 233g
- −Tele zoom regressed from S23 Ultra
- −Premium pricing
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
FAQ: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)
Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra worth the price? +
At $1,299, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in camera.
Is iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for battery life, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) — leads on battery (90 vs 88). Screen-on time and charging.
Which is better for performance, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European)? +
iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB (European) — leads on cpu (96 vs 92). Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps.