Spending more than $1,000 on a smartphone requires several key considerations. The ecosystem doesn’t always take the main part, whether you stay or switch to another operating system. It all comes down to what each brand offers and whether it's worth switching or staying. Today, we have flagship models that highlight the new smartphone advancements for 2024. Although leaks for the 2025 model are already available, it's still a long time to wait, and the 2024 models are ready to be grabbed.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Both the iPhone and the Samsung have titanium frames, which are more durable than regular aluminum. In terms of design, this Samsung model is rectangular, sharp, and boxy in appearance. In contrast, the iPhone has more rounded edges. Speaking of comfort, the iPhone model subjectively feels more comfortable to hold, as it is more rounded and narrower than the Samsung model.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max now features a Type-C charging port, making both devices head-to-head as they now use the same connection. However, the iPhone's port can transfer data twice as fast, which is very useful when transferring large files using a cable connection.
From an aesthetic perspective, Samsung offers a wider range of color variations, including cobalt violet, amber yellow, onyx black, marble gray, jade green, sapphire blue, and sandstone orange. In comparison, only 4 colors are available for the iPhone. They are black, white, blue, and natural titanium.
What's unique about the iPhone is that the model has an action button. This button replaces the mute switch and can be used for various tasks. By default, it can toggle mute, focus mode, and flashlight. It can also be configured to open features such as the camera, focus, voice memo, and shortcuts instantly.
Dynamic Island is another unique design feature of the iPhone model. People have been debating whether this is a good idea since it takes up some space. However, it is mostly taken positively as it quickly configures apps. The Samsung S24 Ultra, on the other hand, lacks this feature, leaving only a punch-hole camera at the top of the screen.
Although the model doesn’t have a quick-access button to apps, it does come with an S-Pen. The iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn’t have this feature, which can be used for various tasks, including remote photography. Obviously, it can be used for drawing, which provides significant value to digital artists. This S Pen can also be used to zoom in on specific parts of the image or text you have selected.
Display
Just like other modern Apple products, this iPhone model features a Super Retina XDR display with a 6.7-inch diagonal length. It is simply an OLED with an extremely high dynamic contrast range, marketed by Apple, capable of reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness. While this sounds really cool, the S24 Ultra display is on a whole new level. It features a larger screen (6.8 inches) and higher brightness, up to 2,500 nits, which can make images appear more contrasty. With its high brightness level and significantly less reflective screen, this Samsung screen is excellent for outdoor use, whether for texting or displaying your camera app before taking a picture.
Cameras
Samsung, which features four rear cameras, offers professional-grade features, high megapixel counts, and various lens options (including ultrawide, 3x, and 5x), as well as the ability to record 8K video that's incredibly detailed and sharp. Despite its simplicity, the iPhone’s rear camera has always been a reliable option for taking photos and videos.
The main camera
The iPhone’s main camera produces more cinematic images with more contrast, especially during the day. The glare from the sun is more pronounced, but it is more pleasing, and the overall image contrast remains intact. However, the S24 has a wider dynamic range, evident in the shadows, which appear more lifted. Meanwhile, in low-light conditions, the iPhone camera produces a more natural look thanks to its noise reduction. This prevents the images from appearing muddy.
The 3x lens
The 15 Pro Max doesn’t have a dedicated 3x zoom camera. That is, it uses 3x zoom, which reduces detail and introduces some artifacts. The quality, however, is not bad. However, when compared to the S24 Ultra, the difference is obvious. The Samsung camera is more detailed, with good highlights, clean cutouts, and a natural depth-of-field effect.
The 5x zoom
Again, the iPhone produces more cinematic images with higher contrast, meaning the dark parts of the image are darker than those on the S24. The Ultra, on the other hand, produces a cleaner image but struggles with autofocus most of the time.
Software Experience
When it comes to performance, both phones perform equally well. It's fluid, smooth, and pleasant. However, the iPhone has much better software stability. Even so, you won't have that experience unless you use the same device and app. In terms of innovation, Samsung provides more exciting updates, particularly those related to AI. Voice recorder with auto transcription, circle search, and generative fill all make your life much easier and more enjoyable.
Another innovation Samsung has developed is Samsung DeX, or Desktop Experience. It turns your Flagship Galaxy into a mini-PC, as simple as that. This means you only need to add a display and input peripherals to operate your phone like a computer.
There are several options available, including wirelessly displaying your phone's content on a supported display, using the phone as a trackpad, and creating a dual-screen mini-PC. Overall, this feature enables you to be more productive with just a small device.
iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+
Compared to the previous set, the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24+ have the same size. Both are designed to be smaller. However, the iPhone 15 Pro shrinks to 6.1 inches, while the S24+ shrinks to just 6.7 inches. In terms of material and tactile experience, there are no significant differences between the iPhone Pro and the Pro Max. However, we can see a significant transformation from a boxy design with sharp corners to rounded edges in the S24+.
Unfortunately, the Samsung material shows a drop in quality. The frame is made of aluminum, not titanium, like the Ultra version. Despite this problem, both are long-lasting smartphones.
Display
In addition to size differences, we can also see a difference in brightness on the display. The S24+ is 30% brighter at 2600 Nits compared to the 15 Pro's 2000 Nits. This translates to a better viewing experience outside during the day. You can also notice the differences when watching HDR content, as the Samsung display offers much better contrast than the iPhone. It is up to you to decide whether you need a more pocketable smartphone for daily use or a smaller screen for enjoying content.
Cameras
The front camera on both phones produces high-quality images. While the iPhone produces a more natural, sharper appearance, the S24+ produces more vibrant, smoother images. A Samsung camera is generally a better choice for complex skin because it blurs out more details. For the rear camera, both phones have three lenses with different megapixel counts.
The Main Camera
Both devices deliver high-quality images and have a similar character to the front camera, with improved detail, color reproduction, and noise reduction, especially during the day. Portrait photos taken with an iPhone are generally better because they have a shallower depth of field. However, Samsung outperforms its competitors at balancing the light that enters the lens, resulting in a more natural-looking image rather than a muddy or flat one, similar to what the iPhone achieves.
In terms of video, the iPhone's main camera with OIS is superior to the S24+'s, which is more jittery, especially when using constant exposure settings. The video quality is also better, with detail and depth being presented naturally on the 15 Pro.
The S24+ camera performs so much better in low light, with good color reproduction, contrast, and light balance. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro camera is more saturated and contrasted. It is completely the opposite of the behavior during the day. It still sharpens the image, making the noise more obvious.
The 3x
The 3x camera on this iPhone mode is actually superior to the Pro Max. In low-light situations, it performs slightly better than the S24+, leading you to believe that the oversaturated, contrasty results from the main camera are a software issue.
Software Experience
In terms of performance, both are incomparable. The engine is nearly the newest and equipped with the most recent technology, making it the fastest among its peers. If you don't use it for gaming or other heavy tasks, they both feel snappy and nearly identical.
In addition to AI-supported apps, Samsung DeX is a productivity-focused software feature available on both Samsung models. As described above, this software enables users to convert their S24+ or S24 Ultra into a desktop by simply connecting it to a display via the USB-C port.
Conclusion
iPhone has earned a reputation as a reliable smartphone, and that hasn't changed so far, as the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max introduce a stable software experience with a superb ecosystem to support it. The camera consistently performs well in terms of autofocus, image stabilization, and image quality. However, a lack of innovation in software development can be a significant issue for a brand with a worldwide reputation.
Unlike the iPhone, Samsung devices come with interesting software that supports entertainment and productivity, thanks to AI. Furthermore, the camera quality is just excellent right out of the box. It is more vibrant, sharper, and detailed than the previous generations.
With a larger screen and a higher-quality display, you can enjoy more satisfying entertainment experiences than iPhones offer. That is, if you prefer entertainment on your phone, the Samsung models are safe choices. In contrast, the iPhones are better suited for productivity in a closed ecosystem and content creation.
