Performance Showdown: Samsung S24 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max

When choosing a top-tier smartphone, the latest models from Samsung and Apple often stand out. Consumers usually consider the Samsung S24 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. If you are in the same predicament, we are here to help you decide.

Comparison Between Samsung S24 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max

In this detailed comparison, we'll break down their design, display, performance, camera, battery life, and software to help you decide which phone is right.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represents Samsung's latest high-end smartphone technology, focusing on performance, camera capabilities, and a stunning display.

• Display: 6.8 inches, 1440 x 3120 pixels, Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
• Processor: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
• Camera: Quad-camera setup with 200MP primary sensor
• Battery: 5000mAh
• Operating System: Android 14 with One UI 6.1

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max is the pinnacle of the iPhone 14 series, combining powerful hardware, sophisticated software, and a sleek design.

• Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion, 1290 x 2796 pixels
• Processor: A16 Bionic chip
• Camera: Triple-camera system with 48MP main sensor
• Battery: Estimated 4323 mAh
• Operating System: iOS 16

Design and Build Quality

Samsung S24 Ultra

The Samsung S24 Ultra features a sleek glass front and back, with a titanium frame for durability. The modern and ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold despite its large size. Samsung's attention to detail is evident in the seamless integration of the flat screen, providing a better grip compared to the curved screen of previous models. The phone is available in a variety of colors. The design of the Samsung S24 Ultra makes it compatible with a wide range of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cases available on the market.

Corning Gorilla Armor on both the front and back provides better durability, protecting the device from scratches and minor drops. The titanium frame adds to the premium feel while maintaining the phone's lightweight.

Pros:

• Premium materials and build quality
• Gorilla Glass Armor for enhanced durability

Cons:

• It can be slippery without a case
• Large sizes might be cumbersome for some users

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max sports a ceramic shield front cover, a Corning-made glass back, and a stainless-steel frame, providing elegance and toughness. Apple's design philosophy highlights simplicity and elegance. The Corning-made glass back adds to the aesthetic appeal and reduces fingerprints and smudges.

The stainless-steel frame adds strength, ensuring the device can withstand everyday wear and tear. The ceramic shield, exclusive to Apple, offers superior drop protection, making the iPhone 14 Pro Max one of the most durable smartphones on the market. The phone's design is also optimized for one-handed use, thanks to the rounded corners and balanced weight distribution, despite its large screen size.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is also compatible with various iPhone 14 Pro Max cases, which improves its durability.

Pros:

• Luxurious design with high durability
• Ceramic shield offers superior drop protection

Cons:

• Heavier than the Samsung S24 Ultra
• Fingerprint magnet without a case

Display Quality

Samsung S24 Ultra

The Samsung S24 Ultra boasts a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 3120 x 1440 pixels resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, providing vibrant colors and smooth visuals. This display is perfect for media consumption, offering deep blacks and high contrast ratios that make videos and images look incredibly lifelike. The high refresh rate also ensures that scrolling through apps and playing games feels fluid and responsive.

Samsung's display technology is also known for its excellent outdoor visibility, thanks to its high brightness levels and advanced adaptive brightness features. This means that even in direct sunlight, the screen remains easily readable. However, running the display at its highest resolution and refresh rate can significantly impact battery life.

Pros:

• High-resolution and vibrant colors
• 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming

Cons:

• It can be a drain on battery life at full resolution and refresh rate
• It may be too large for some users

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology, which also supports a 120Hz refresh rate. This display offers superb color accuracy, high brightness, and excellent HDR performance. Apple’s display is designed to provide an immersive viewing experience, with sharp, detailed images and true-to-life colors that make it ideal for casual and professional use.

One of the standout features of the iPhone’s display is its adaptive refresh rate, which adjusts automatically based on the content being viewed. It helps conserve battery life by lowering the refresh rate when high performance is unnecessary. The display also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, making it perfect for watching high-quality video content.

Pros:

• Excellent color accuracy and HDR performance
• ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates

Cons:

• Slightly smaller than the Samsung S24 Ultra's display
• Higher power consumption at peak brightness

Performance and Hardware

Samsung S24 Ultra

The Samsung S24 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm). It comes with up to 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. This hardware combination guarantees smooth multitasking and top-tier gaming performance, making it capable of handling the most demanding applications with ease.

In benchmark tests, the Samsung S24 Ultra shows impressive results.

Pros:

• Powerful processors for high-performance
• Ample RAM for multitasking

Cons:

• Can get warm during intense usage

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max runs on the A16 Bionic chip, known for its incredible efficiency and speed. The phone is powered with 6GB of RAM, and this device handles intensive tasks effortlessly, providing a smooth and responsive experience. The A16 Bionic chip excels in everyday tasks and complex machine learning operations with its 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max's performance is consistently high, with real-world usage and benchmark tests reflecting its capabilities. Apps load quickly, multitasking is seamless, and gaming experiences are fluid and immersive. Despite having less RAM than the Samsung S24 Ultra, optimizing iOS ensures the device performs exceptionally well without requiring additional memory.

Pros:

• Extremely efficient and fast A16 Bionic chip
• Smooth and responsive performance

Cons:

• Lower RAM compared to the Samsung S24 Ultra
• Less customization is available on iOS

Camera Capabilities

Samsung S24 Ultra

According to Galaxy S24 Ultra reviews, the camera performance is exceptional.

The Samsung S24 Ultra features a quad-camera setup with a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and dual 10MP & 50MP telephoto lenses. This setup excels in various lighting conditions and offers up to 100x Space Zoom, making it a powerhouse for mobile photography. The high-resolution main sensor captures detailed and vibrant images, while the ultra-wide lens provides versatility for landscape and group shots.

The telephoto lenses offer 3x and 5x optical zoom; with digital enhancement, users can achieve up to 100x zoom. This feature is particularly useful for capturing distant subjects, though the image quality can degrade at maximum zoom levels. Additionally, the camera system includes advanced features like Night Mode, Super Steady video, and Pro Mode for manual adjustments.

Pros:

• High-resolution main sensor for detailed photos
• Versatile camera setup with impressive zoom capabilities

Cons:

• Zoom quality degrades at maximum levels
• Can struggle with color consistency across lenses

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a triple-camera system with a 48MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. Apple's computational photography and ProRAW capabilities improve photo and video quality, providing exceptional results even in challenging conditions. The main sensor captures sharp and detailed images, while the ultra-wide lens adds flexibility for creative compositions.

Apple’s Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and HDR work together to ensure that photos taken in low light are clear and vibrant. The telephoto lens supports 3x optical zoom, and with the advanced image processing capabilities of the A16 Bionic chip, the iPhone delivers high-quality zoomed images. The ProRAW format allows for greater control in post-processing, making it a favorite among professional photographers.

Pros:

• Superior computational photography
• ProRAW format for professional editing

Cons:

• Lower resolution compared to Samsung's main sensor
• Limited zoom capabilities compared to the S24 Ultra

Battery Life and Charging

Samsung S24 Ultra

With a 5000mAh battery, the Samsung S24 Ultra supports 45W fast and 15W wireless charging, ensuring it can keep up with a full day of use. The large battery capacity is designed to handle the demands of its high-resolution display and powerful hardware.

The fast-charging capability allows the device to reach a significant charge in a short amount of time. Wireless charging adds an extra layer of convenience. However, users need to invest in a compatible charger to take full advantage of fast charging, as the highest charging speeds are not achieved with standard chargers.

To experience these features firsthand, you should buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra from authorized retailers.

Pros:

• Large battery capacity for extended usage
• Fast charging capabilities

Cons:

• Fast charging requires a compatible charger
• It can be power-hungry with a high refresh rate and resolution

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max has an estimated 4323 mAh battery, optimized by the A16 Bionic chip. It supports 27W fast charging and MagSafe wireless charging. Although the battery capacity is slightly smaller than the Samsung S24 Ultra, the efficiency of the A16 Bionic chip ensures excellent battery life, even with heavy use. The device is designed to manage power consumption effectively.

MagSafe technology offers a unique approach to wireless charging, allowing for easy attachment and optimal alignment of the charger. While the charging speed is slightly slower than Samsung’s, the battery life remains competitive due to Apple's efficient hardware and software integration.

Pros:

• Efficient power management
• MagSafe ecosystem for convenient wireless charging

Cons:

• Smaller battery capacity compared to Samsung S24 Ultra
• Slower charging speeds

Software and User Experience

Samsung S24 Ultra

Running on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, the Samsung S24 Ultra offers extensive customization and a smooth user experience. One UI is designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and a range of customization options that allow users to tailor their devices to their preferences. Features like Edge Panels, which provide quick access to apps and tools, enhance the overall usability.

Samsung’s software also integrates seamlessly with Google services, providing a cohesive experience for users who rely on Google’s ecosystem. Additionally, Samsung DeX allows the device to be used as a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor, further extending its versatility. However, one downside is that Samsung devices may receive slower software updates than iOS, impacting timely access to new features and security patches.

Pros:

• Highly customizable interface
• Seamless integration with Google services

Cons:

• May receive slower updates compared to iOS
• Some pre-installed bloatware

iPhone 14 Pro Max

The iPhone 14 Pro Max operates on iOS 16, providing a streamlined and intuitive user experience with robust privacy features. iOS is known for its smooth performance, consistency, and security. The interface is designed to be intuitive, making it accessible for users of all levels of tech-savvy.

Apple's ecosystem integration is another significant advantage: seamless connectivity between Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches. Features like Handoff, Continuity, and AirDrop enhance productivity and convenience. Additionally, iOS 16 introduces features like Focus modes, redesigned notifications, and improved privacy controls—however, the closed nature of iOS limits customization options compared to Android.

Pros:

• Smooth and intuitive user experience
• Regular and timely software updates

Cons:

• Less customization compared to Android
• Closed ecosystem limits app and hardware flexibility

Additional Features

Samsung S24 Ultra

• S Pen support
• Under-display fingerprint sensor
• IP68 water and dust resistance

Refurbished Samsung Phones  offer great value and reliable performance for those looking for more affordable options.

iPhone 14 Pro Max

• Face ID
• Ceramic Shield
• IP68 water and dust resistance

Similarly, Refurbished iPhones provide an economical choice for consumers who want to experience the features of the iPhone 14 Series without the premium price tag.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Samsung S24 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro Max depends on your priorities. The Samsung S24 Ultra is ideal for users who want a highly customizable and versatile device with excellent camera capabilities and a larger battery. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is perfect for those who prefer a streamlined user experience, advanced computational photography, and seamless integration with other Apple products.

The iPhone 14 is not Apple’s latest model, so you may want to check out our comparison on Samsung S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max.

To experience these features firsthand at a lower price, consider buying the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Samsung S24 Ultra from authorized retailers like Phonebot.