Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the premium flagship option here, offering a stunning 6.3-inch display with a peak brightness of 3000 nits, perfect for outdoor use. In real-world usage, the 4252mAh battery provides up to 33 hours of video playback, which is impressive but slightly less than the Galaxy S24 Ultra's 5000mAh battery that lasts 30 hours. What truly sets these two apart is the camera system: the iPhone's triple 48MP setup versus the Galaxy's mind-blowing 200MP quad-camera configuration. If photography is your passion, this could sway your decision significantly in favor of the Samsung device. Key specs: Display: 6.3" vs 6.8" and Battery: 4252 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
Why compare these? Both the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are premium flagship smartphones competing in the same market segment. This makes them direct rivals for buyers looking for premium flagship features and performance in 2026. Understanding their differences helps you choose the right one for your specific needs.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (108 reviews) | 4.6★ (3,377 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor) | Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections |
| Main Drawback | Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed | Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms |
| Market Position | Flagship | Flagship |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
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.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(108)Best Buy | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy |
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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) | 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 with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) |
Resolution | 2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi) | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | Adaptive 1–120 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
Telephoto Camera | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) | 50MP Telephoto (111 mm, f/3.4), periscope lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 40x | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps |
Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps |
Battery | 4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed) | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher | USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; 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 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber) | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back |
Dimensions | 5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm) | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) |
Weight | 7.27 oz (206 g) | 8.18 oz (232 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG |
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- Triple 48MP camera system with new 4x tetraprism telephoto
Cons
- Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed
- No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US models)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
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)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
- Versatile quad-camera system with high-resolution 50MP 5x zoom
Cons
- Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms
- 45W charging speed has plateaued compared to competitors
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the better buy for most people - its 3000 nits peak brightness crushes the Galaxy's 2600 nits. That said, grab the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you need top-tier photography and the integrated S Pen - it's heavier but offers more versatility.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro if: you want a brighter display for outdoor use, prefer a lighter phone, or value longer video playback. (6.3" display, 4252 mAh battery)
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you shoot high-resolution photos, need an integrated S Pen for productivity, or prefer a larger screen. (6.8" display, 5000 mAh battery)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,377 reviews vs 108
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Brightest 6.3-inch display Priority
Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Exclusive Corning Gorilla Priority
Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Conclusion
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 17 Pro edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the better choice if you prioritize brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins if you value exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 17 Pro offers brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor), while Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out with exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Consider that Apple iPhone 17 Pro charging requires purchasing a 40w+ adapter separately for max speed. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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