Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24
You'd expect the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max to dominate, but the Samsung Galaxy S24 packs a punch with its impressive features. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the flagship option, offering a stunning 6.7" display and a powerful 4422mAh battery, making it ideal for heavy multimedia use. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24, with a compact 6.2" screen and 4000mAh battery, excels in portability and longevity, especially with its commitment to seven years of software support. Key specs: Display: 6.7" vs 6.2" and Battery: 4422 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (premium flagship) and Samsung Galaxy S24 (high-end) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (895 reviews) | 4.6★ (1,055 reviews) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Premium |
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro)
Samsung Galaxy S24
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S24
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(895)Best Buy | ★4.6(1,055)Amazon |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) |
Processor | Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5) | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.2" (6.17" measured diagonally as a full rectangle; 6.0" accounting for rounded corners) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) |
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi) | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 416 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz) | Adaptive 1–120 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor) | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video |
Telephoto Camera | 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus | 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x optical zoom steps (10x optical zoom range) | 3x optical zoom; 2x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 25x | Up to 30x (Space Zoom) |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; ProRes up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording; Log video recording (ACES compliant); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps, ProRes support | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps |
Battery | 4422 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed) | 4000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | — | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum 2 frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back |
Dimensions | — | 5.79" x 2.78" x 0.30" (147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm) |
Weight | — | 5.93 oz (168 g) (mmWave model) |
Biometrics | — | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition |
Extras | — | Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support |
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 6-core GPU (A17 Pro)
8 GB (LPDDR5)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Pros
Cons
Samsung Galaxy S24
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates
- Bright 2600-nit LTPO display adjusts down to 1Hz
Cons
- Wired charging capped at 25W (slower than Plus/Ultra models)
- Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0)
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the better buy for most people - its 4422mAh battery crushes the Galaxy S24's 4000mAh. That said, grab the Samsung Galaxy S24 if you want a lighter phone at 5.93oz - it's plenty compact for everyday use.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if: you want the best camera for long-range photography, need a larger display for media consumption, or value premium build quality. (6.7" display, 4422 mAh battery)
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 if: you want a more compact phone for easy handling, prioritize longevity with 7 years of updates, or prefer a slightly lighter device without sacrificing performance.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, Samsung Galaxy S24 remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S24?
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is the better choice if you prioritize performance. Samsung Galaxy S24 wins if you value commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers strong performance, while Samsung Galaxy S24 stands out with commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S24 wired charging capped at 25w (slower than plus/ultra models). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+What should I prioritize when choosing between these smartphones?
Focus on the features that matter most for your daily use. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out for its strengths. Samsung Galaxy S24 excels at commitment to 7 years of os and security updates and bright 2600-nit ltpo display adjusts down to 1hz. Check the spec table above for the complete side-by-side breakdown.
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