When it comes to buying the best high-end smartphone, you almost immediately turn to Samsung and Apple. Both produce some of the best smartphones we have tested at ZDNET, and in 2024 they confirm this state of affairs with the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
There’s no doubt that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of Samsung’s most impressive smartphones yet, with incredibly powerful features in a glass and titanium body. The iPhone 15 Pro Max already took a similar approach, with a titanium body and glass front and back, as well as the most powerful processor ever in a smartphone.
Of course, when it comes to choosing between the two, you need to know what you’re getting for your money. Below are the reasons why you should choose one smartphone over the other, so you have the device that best suits your lifestyle.
The characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Screen : 6.8 inches Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz (LTPO)
Processor : Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM/Storage : 12 GB with 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
Battery : 5000mAh
Camera : 200MP main, 50MP periscopic telephoto lens (x5), 10MP telephoto lens, 12MP ultra-wide angle, 12MP front
Connectivity : 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave), Wi-Fi 7
Colors : titanium black, titanium gray, titanium purple, titanium yellow
IP rating : IP68
Price : from 1470 €
The characteristics of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Screen : 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR with ProMotion (120 Hz)
Processor : Apple A17 Pro
RAM/Storage : 8 GB with 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
Battery : 4,441 mAh
Camera: 48MP main, 12MP periscopic telephoto lens (x5), 12MP ultra-wide angle, 12MP front
Connectivity : 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E
Colors : titanium black, titanium white, titanium blue, titanium
IP rating : IP68
Price : from 1480 €
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
June Wan/ZDNET
1… you want all fonctionnalities
Samsung is known for integrating just about every feature you could want on a smartphone with its One UI software interface, and the S24 Ultra is no exception.
From new AI tricks for things like photo editing and voice memo transcription to opening apps in floating windows and virtually unlimited customization, you have a lot at your disposal with the S24 Ultra to make it your own and take full advantage of the power under the hood.
Oh, and you get a ton of premium hardware features like a gorgeous 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a five-camera system consisting of a massive 200MP sensor, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 5,000 mAh battery, 12 GB of memory, up to 1 TB of storage, and much more. Anyone who wants the best performing phone should look no further than this S24 Ultra.
2… you like to zoom in your photos
As for the camera, the Galaxy S Ultra series is known for its Space Zoom, Samsung’s zoom system that allows you to crop up to 100 times.
It uses a special telephoto lens and special software to preserve detail and clarity so you can get closer to your subject and see it up close.
For large zooms, the S24 Ultra is the solution.
3… you like having a stylus
Since the demise of the Galaxy Note series, Samsung has kept the S Pen on its Ultra series, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the latest to ship with the accessory, this time with a slightly flatter screen for a smoother experience. easier writing.
It’s a handy tool for drawing on the go, signing a document, scrolling through social media images, or even taking a selfie using the S Pen as a remote trigger.
The presence of an S Pen can make a difference for many people, and if you’re in the camp that needs an S Pen on a daily basis, then you should opt for Samsung when making your purchasing decision.
You should buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
1… you are already part of the Apple ecosystem
It’s a no-brainer, but if you’ve already invested time and money in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the phone you should buy.
Not only will it match all your other Apple products, but it will work seamlessly with your other devices thanks to its tight integration with iCloud and other services.
All your photos, text messages, passwords, and more will sync automatically during setup, and you can continue using your Apple Watch and AirPods.
2. You want the fastest performance possible
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor in the Galaxy S24 Ultra is fast, but it can’t hold a candle to Apple’s A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Whether in benchmarks or daily use, the A17 Pro has nothing to envy of Qualcomm’s silicone, thanks to Apple’s own software optimizations.
The 15 Pro Max (and the 15 Pro, for that matter) is simply the fastest smartphone on the market, making it ideal for multitasking, gaming, and everything in between. If you’re looking for raw performance, the iPhone is for you.
3…you know magnetic wireless charging is superior
Apple iPhones have been compatible with MagSafe since 2020, allowing users to easily charge their devices wirelessly by aligning the coils using magnets.
This system is so effective that Qi2, the new version of the world’s most important wireless charging standard, has also opted for magnets in its design so that more devices benefit from it.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t take advantage of Qi2 charging, requiring you to perfectly align the phone with your wireless charger for it to charge.
Once you’ve opted for magnetic technology, there’s no going back, and anyone who wants to charge their smartphone wirelessly more easily will look to the 15 Pro Max.
Source: “ZDNet.com”