Galaxy S24+ Vs iPhone 15 Pro Max

Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:399.00

Versus €1,167.06 new

See options
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Starting at

Refurbished price:609.99

Versus €1,489.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, launched in September 2023, represent high-end offerings from their respective manufacturers. While both are large-screen smartphones designed for demanding users, they differ significantly in their operating systems and approach to camera capabilities and overall user experience. The Galaxy S24 Plus operates on Android with Samsung's One UI, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max runs on Apple's iOS platform.

Scores

Durability

Evaluating the practical lifespan of these devices involves considering their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 15 Pro Max was released in September 2023, making it slightly older than the Galaxy S24 Plus, which debuted in January 2024. This difference means the iPhone 15 Pro Max will likely receive major iOS updates for a comparable, or slightly shorter, duration than the Galaxy S24 Plus will receive Android updates.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung has committed to providing seven years of software and security updates for the Galaxy S24 Plus, offering an extended period of support. Apple typically supports its iPhones with iOS updates for approximately five to six years from their release.
  • Physical Durability & Repairability: The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a titanium frame and Ceramic Shield front cover, contributing to its robust build. The Galaxy S24 Plus uses an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection. Both devices carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S24 Plus has received high repairability scores, with features like easily removable battery pull tabs, though screen replacement can be challenging.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones are equipped with powerful internal components designed for smooth operation and demanding tasks.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by a current-generation processor that delivers fast and smooth performance, capable of handling intensive applications and graphics-heavy games with high frame rates. The Galaxy S24 Plus, depending on the region, features a powerful current-generation processor that ensures ultra-fast performance and smooth multitasking.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM and offers storage options of 256GB and 512GB. The iPhone 15 Pro Max includes 8GB of RAM and provides storage configurations of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is noted for its superior battery life, capable of lasting over 20 hours in video streaming tests. The Galaxy S24 Plus also offers long battery life, with users reporting it can last through a full day of heavy use and up to 1.5 days with moderate usage.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a central feature for both devices, offering vibrant visuals and smooth interactions.

  • Display Technology and Size: Both phones feature large 6.7-inch displays. The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel, while the Galaxy S24 Plus features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Both technologies deliver deep blacks and vibrant colors.
  • Resolution and Brightness: The Galaxy S24 Plus offers a higher resolution of 3120x1440 pixels, resulting in a sharper image with 513 PPI. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a resolution of 2796x1290 pixels, providing 460 PPI. The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts a higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it exceptionally visible in direct sunlight. The iPhone 15 Pro Max reaches a peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits.
  • Refresh Rate: Both devices incorporate adaptive refresh rate technology, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max featuring ProMotion and the Galaxy S24 Plus utilizing LTPO, allowing them to dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and efficient power consumption.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

1290 x 2796

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, though with different strengths and features.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a Pro camera system with a 48MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP 5x telephoto lens with a tetraprism design for extended optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with a triple camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is praised for its excellent cameras, producing bright, clean photos with accurate colors and sharp focus in good lighting, and improved low-light performance. The Galaxy S24 Plus also delivers top-tier camera quality, with impressive all-around photography capabilities and good color matching across its lenses.
  • Video Capabilities: Both phones offer high-quality video recording. The iPhone 15 Pro Max supports 4K HDR video recording at up to 60 frames per second. The Galaxy S24 Plus can record video up to 8K at 30 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3. The iPhone 15 Pro Max features Wi-Fi 6E, while the Galaxy S24 Plus also supports Wi-Fi 6E, with some international models potentially supporting Wi-Fi 7. Both have transitioned to a USB-C port, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max offering faster USB 3.2 data transfer speeds (10Gbps) compared to the Galaxy S24 Plus's USB 3.2.
  • Biometrics and Unique Features: The iPhone 15 Pro Max relies on Face ID for secure authentication. The Galaxy S24 Plus uses an under-display fingerprint sensor and photo-based face unlock. The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces a customizable Action Button, allowing quick access to various functions.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 15 Pro Max has dimensions of 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm and weighs 221g. The Galaxy S24 Plus measures 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs 195g. The iPhone's titanium frame contributes to a lighter feel compared to previous Pro Max models.

Weight

197 g

221 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus often highlights its impressive display, robust performance, and significantly improved battery life compared to its predecessors. Many users appreciate its camera capabilities, describing them as top-tier, even if the hardware isn't a revolutionary upgrade from previous generations. Some criticisms point to the camera hardware not evolving significantly and the Wi-Fi standard being a generation behind the Ultra model in some regions.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max receives praise for its lighter titanium build, powerful performance, and excellent camera system, particularly the enhanced 5x telephoto zoom. Its superior battery life is also a frequently lauded aspect. Common concerns include its overall size, which some users find large, and the perception that it might not be a substantial upgrade for those coming from the immediate prior generation.

Users prioritizing an extended software support timeline and a slightly lighter device with a very bright, high-resolution display may find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. Those who value a highly refined operating system, a powerful telephoto camera with greater optical zoom, and a slightly more premium build material might lean towards the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking high-performance smartphones.

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