Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
SD8 Gen 3 · 200MP · Galaxy AI debut
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)
A19 Pro · 256GB · Deep Blue
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lands at 93 and iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) at 98. That puts iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) 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 (Deep Blue) 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 (Deep Blue) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | Deep Blue |
| 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 (Deep Blue)
- +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 (Deep Blue)
Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue)? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) 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 (Deep Blue) worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (Deep Blue) 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.