Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Starting at
£500.60£1,448.62 new
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at £500.60, £339.53 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4685 mAh.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max specs
The Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max offer top-tier smartphones from 2024 with unlocked 5G connectivity and storage options up to 1TB. The Galaxy S24 Ultra suits those who want a larger battery, more RAM, and a higher resolution screen for sharper detail. It also offers a versatile 200MP main camera and dual physical SIM support. The iPhone 16 Pro Max appeals if you prefer iOS 18 with a slightly larger display and a front and rear camera experience focused on consistent quality.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max price
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Battery capacity, operating system, and SIM options affect how you use each phone daily.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery which is larger than the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 4685 mAh. If you use your phone heavily throughout the day or prefer longer stretches between charges the Galaxy S24 Ultra's bigger battery may suit you better.
Operating System
Galaxy S24 Ultra runs Android while iPhone 16 Pro Max uses iOS 18. Your choice will depend on which ecosystem you prefer and the apps you use most.
SIM Card Options
The Galaxy S24 Ultra supports dual physical SIM cards plus eSIM which is ideal if you need to manage two numbers with physical SIMs. The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports eSIM only which fits users who prefer a simpler SIM setup without multiple physical cards.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on chipsets, RAM, and storage. Both devices offer high-end hardware suitable for demanding apps and multitasking but their configurations suit slightly different priorities.
Chipset
The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses a Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) while the iPhone 16 Pro Max has the Apple A18 Pro. Both are advanced processors designed for smooth performance, gaming, and efficient power use.
RAM Capacity
The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with 12 GB of RAM which helps keep many apps open simultaneously and can benefit heavy multitaskers or users of memory-intensive apps. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has 8 GB of RAM which handles everyday apps and multitasking smoothly for most users.
Storage Options
Both phones offer 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage variants. This range suits users with different needs whether for plenty of apps, photos, videos, or large files.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max screen
Screen size, resolution, and type define how you experience visuals and interaction. Both phones offer 120 Hz refresh rates for smooth motion but differ in size and display technology.
Screen Size
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch screen, slightly larger than the Galaxy S24 Ultra's 6.8 inch display. This extra screen space offers more room for videos, games, and browsing if you value a bigger viewing area.
Screen Resolution
Galaxy S24 Ultra has a higher resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels which provides more detail and sharpness on screen. The iPhone 16 Pro Max's 1320 x 2868 resolution still offers clear, vibrant visuals but with a bit less pixel density.
Screen Type
Galaxy S24 Ultra uses Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, a technology known for deep blacks and vibrant colours with efficient power use. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has an LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display delivering bright, true-to-life colours and smooth adaptive refresh rates.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max camera
Camera quality and front-facing cameras are key for photos, videos, and video calls. Both phones have the same front camera resolution but differ notably in their main camera setups.
Front Camera
Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max have 12 megapixel front cameras which provide sharp selfies and clear video calls.
Main Camera
The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 200 megapixel main camera capturing highly detailed images, especially useful if you prefer large prints or cropping photos. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 48 megapixel main camera which still delivers excellent photo quality with a focus on colour accuracy and video performance.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max size and design
Other practical differences include size, weight, connectors, and network features that affect daily use and compatibility.
Connector Type
Both phones use USB-C connectors. The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses USB-C without additional detail on version.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S24 Ultra measures 162.3 mm in height, 79 mm in width, and 8.6 mm in depth, weighing 232 g. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is slightly taller at 163 mm, narrower at 77.6 mm, thinner at 8.3 mm, and lighter at 227 g. If you prefer a slightly lighter or narrower phone, the iPhone may feel more comfortable to hold.
SIM and Network
The Galaxy S24 Ultra supports dual physical SIMs plus eSIM offering more flexibility if you want multiple physical SIM cards. The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports eSIM only. Both phones support 5G mobile networks for fast connectivity.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S24 Ultra if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £500.60, £339.53 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4685 mAh)
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want a lighter build (227 g vs 232 g)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the Galaxy S24 Ultra appreciate its large battery life and overall solid performance. Many mention the phone looks like new and works perfectly with particular praise for the camera and the S-Pen functionality. They find the device fun to use and value the good condition of refurbished models with several noting the phone's speed and battery lasting all day.
Those choosing the iPhone 16 Pro Max highlight the phone's premium feel and excellent battery health often near 100%. The screen responsiveness and smoothness get positive mentions alongside the phone's clean appearance with no scratches. Customers say the iPhone performs perfectly and looks almost brand new making it a reliable choice for those wanting a high-quality refurbished iOS device.
Both phones suit users who want recent models in excellent condition, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra appealing more to those who want bigger battery capacity and more RAM, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max fitting those who prefer iOS and slightly larger screen size.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max FAQs
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is cheaper refurbished, from £500.60 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4685 mAh.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra gets updates until Jan 2031. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Both come in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB refurbished.
