Looking for an honest Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 comparison in 2026? We scored both smartphones on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. In our overall scoring the Samsung Galaxy S24 comes out ahead 67/100 to 76/100 — a 9-point gap. The widest gap is in design and build, where the Samsung Galaxy S24 pulls noticeably ahead. On price the Samsung Galaxy S24 undercuts the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max by 25% ($799 vs $999), which materially changes the value calculus for budget-conscious buyers.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 edges out the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max in the smartphones category, especially in design, scoring 76 vs 67. If you want the better overall smartphones, Samsung Galaxy S24 is the recommended choice.
Picking Samsung Galaxy S24 over Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max means trading these off.
$999
Scores are relative within the smartphonescategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24W |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7"✓ | 6.2" |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED ProMotion | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 pixels | 2340 x 1080 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness | 2000nits✓ | 1750nits |
| HDR | HDR10, Dolby Vision | HDR10+ |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| CPU | Hexa-core 3.78 GHz | Octa-core |
| GPU | — | Mali-G78 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB✓ | 128GB |
| Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Main Camera | 48MP | 50MP✓ |
| Aperture | f/1.78 | f/1.8 |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
| Video | 4K@120fps (ProRes) | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 4422mAh✓ | 4000mAh |
| Charging | 27W✓ | 25W |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W |
| OS | iOS 17 | Android 14 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C (USB 3) | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Under-display fingerprint |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm | 146.6 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 221g | 167g✓ |
| Colors | — | Phantom Black, Phantom White, Phantom Green, Phantom Violet |
| Price | 999$ | 799$ |
Buy Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S24 if…
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Samsung Galaxy S24 edges out the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max in the smartphones category, especially in design, scoring 76 vs 67. If you want the better overall smartphones, Samsung Galaxy S24 is the recommended choice.
No, Samsung Galaxy S24 scores higher (76 vs 67).
Samsung Galaxy S24 is cheaper at $799 vs $999 for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a larger battery (4,422mAh vs 4,000mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S24), which generally means longer use between charges.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has the larger display (6.7" vs 6.2").
Samsung Galaxy S24 has a higher-resolution main camera (50MP vs 48MP). Note that megapixels are one factor — sensor quality and processing also matter.
Samsung Galaxy S24 is lighter at 167g vs 221g.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.