Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
SD8 Gen 3 · 200MP · Galaxy AI debut
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black)
A19 Pro · 256GB · Black
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lands at 93 and iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) at 98. That puts iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) ahead by 5 points — a decisive 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 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) if…
- ✓Apple A19 Pro silicon
- ✓120 Hz ProMotion (Pro/Air)
- ✓Apple Intelligence Gen 2
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2600 nits | — |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | A19 Pro |
| RAM | 12 GB | — |
| Storage | 256 / 512 GB / 1 TB | 256GB |
| 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 19 |
| Weight | 233 g | — |
| IP rating | IP68 | — |
| Color | — | Black |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
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 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black)
- +Apple A19 Pro silicon
- +120 Hz ProMotion (Pro/Air)
- +Apple Intelligence Gen 2
- −Still Lightning-free, USB-C only
- −Premium pricing
- −AI features require online offload for some tasks
FAQ: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black)
Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black)? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. 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 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Black) 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.