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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (2024) and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) are two large, premium phones—but they are not the same generation. Their published prices also come from different years, so they do not establish which phone costs more today. The comparison below focuses on official specifications and explains what can—and cannot—be concluded from them.
At a glance: Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2024 | 2026 |
| Display | 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; adaptive 1–120Hz refresh | 6.9-inch OLED; ProMotion up to 120Hz |
| Dimensions | 79 × 162.3 × 8.6 mm | 78.0 × 163.4 × 8.75 mm |
| Weight | 232–233g, depending on cellular-market variant | 249g |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Apple A20 Pro |
| RAM | 12GB | Not stated in Apple’s cited tech specifications |
| Storage options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Rear camera hardware | 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP 5× optical telephoto, 10MP 3× optical telephoto | Not established by the Apple specification source cited here |
| Front camera | 12MP | Not established by the Apple specification source cited here |
| Battery and charging | 5,000mAh typical capacity; Samsung states up to 65% charge in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable, sold separately | Battery capacity and a comparable charging result are not stated in the cited Apple specs |
| Water resistance | IP68: up to 1.5m of freshwater for up to 30 minutes, according to Samsung | IP68: up to 6m for up to 30 minutes under IEC 60529, according to Apple |
| Published U.S. price evidence | $1,299.99 MSRP for 12GB/256GB unlocked and $1,419.99 MSRP for 12GB/512GB unlocked, Samsung price list effective October 2024 | $1,299 U.S. starting price for 256GB, announced by Apple in September 2026 |
Specifications are manufacturer-published figures, not results from a comparative hands-on test. Samsung’s figures are from its 2024 materials; Apple’s are from its 2026 tech specifications and launch announcement. The sources do not provide matching camera, battery-life, or performance tests.
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How do the displays and dimensions compare?
The S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with adaptive refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz, according to Samsung’s Galaxy S24 announcement. Apple lists the iPhone 18 Pro Max with a 6.9-inch OLED display and ProMotion up to 120Hz in its technical specifications. The published diagonal measurements differ by 0.1 inch; they do not, by themselves, establish which screen looks better.
Apple’s phone is slightly narrower but taller and thicker on the listed dimensions, and it weighs more: 249g versus Samsung’s 232–233g. Samsung’s Mobile Press specifications note that S24 Ultra weight varies by cellular-market variant. These measurements can help with pocketability and hand feel, but neither set of dimensions predicts comfort for every user.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
What do the processors and storage options tell you?
Samsung specifies a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage for the S24 Ultra. Apple lists its A20 Pro processor and offers the iPhone 18 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. Apple’s cited tech specifications do not state RAM, so there is no like-for-like RAM comparison here.
The iPhone offers a 2TB option that is not listed for the S24 Ultra. Processor names and memory figures alone do not establish which phone is faster in real-world use: no directly comparable benchmark or performance test is available in the cited material.
Rank #2
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
How do the cameras compare?
Samsung lists four rear camera modules for the S24 Ultra: a 200MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto with 5× optical zoom, and 10MP telephoto with 3× optical zoom. Its front camera is 12MP. These are hardware specifications, not proof that the S24 Ultra produces better photos or video.
The Apple specification source cited for the iPhone 18 Pro Max does not establish its camera hardware in the material available for this comparison. Without a complete, comparable set of camera specifications or controlled image tests, a camera-quality winner cannot be named.
Rank #3
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
What is known about battery capacity and charging?
Samsung lists the S24 Ultra battery at 5,000mAh typical capacity and 4,855mAh rated minimum. Samsung says the phone can reach up to 65% charge in around 30 minutes using a 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable, both sold separately. That result is based on Samsung’s internal laboratory conditions; actual charging varies with factors such as usage and conditions. See Samsung’s stated test and charging details.
Apple’s cited specification page does not state the iPhone 18 Pro Max battery capacity, and the sources do not establish a directly comparable charging or battery-life test. A capacity or endurance winner therefore cannot be determined from these figures.
Rank #4
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
How do their water-resistance ratings differ?
Samsung describes the S24 Ultra as IP68-rated for immersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Samsung also cautions that water resistance can diminish with normal wear. Apple lists the iPhone 18 Pro Max as IP68-rated for up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under IEC 60529. These are manufacturer specifications, not guarantees against water damage in every real-world situation. See Samsung’s rating notes and Apple’s technical specifications.
What is the price difference?
A current price difference cannot be calculated from the available figures: Apple’s number is a 2026 U.S. launch starting price, while Samsung’s numbers are historical U.S. MSRPs effective October 2024. They also refer to different storage configurations in the 512GB comparison.
Best Value
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
| Phone and configuration | Published U.S. figure | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro Max, 256GB | $1,299 | Apple’s U.S. starting price announced in September 2026 |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra, 12GB/256GB unlocked | $1,299.99 | Samsung U.S. MSRP on a price list effective October 2024 |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra, 12GB/512GB unlocked | $1,419.99 | Samsung U.S. MSRP on a price list effective October 2024 |
Apple’s U.S. announcement said availability began September 18, 2026, with availability in additional countries and regions beginning September 25, 2026. The historical S24 Ultra MSRP is not a current retailer quote, and current S24 Ultra pricing and inventory are not established here. For a useful live comparison, check offers on the same date, in the same country, for the same storage tier, and with the same conditions—such as unlocked status, carrier requirements, and new or refurbished condition. Apple also announced U.S. trade-in credit of $175–$885 for qualifying iPhone 13-or-later devices and carrier credits up to $1,200 for qualifying iPhone 14-or-later trade-ins in any condition; those are eligibility-dependent offer ceilings, not guaranteed discounts. See Apple’s September 2026 announcement and Samsung’s October 2024 U.S. MSRP list.
Which phone should you choose?
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if these features matter most
- You want Samsung’s listed S Pen workflow.
- You value having two listed optical telephoto options, at 3× and 5×.
- You are considering an older-generation Samsung flagship and can verify a suitable current offer for your storage tier and condition.
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if these features matter most
- You prefer iOS and Apple’s current 2026 Pro platform.
- You need a listed 2TB storage option.
- You want the larger listed display diagonal, while accepting the higher listed weight.
These are feature-based decision points, not a measured overall ranking. The specifications do not establish a performance, camera, or battery-life winner.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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