1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | S24 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, making it feel a bit larger in hand. |
| Weight | 228g | 232g | Virtually the same, making both feel substantial but not unwieldy. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra offers superior scratch and impact protection for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Marginally larger screen on S24 Ultra provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra has a sharper display with noticeably more detail, better for reading text and viewing high-res content. |
| PPI | 458 | 505 | Higher pixel density on S24 Ultra results in a crisper and more detailed image. |
| Technology | OLED | iPhone 12 Pro Max's OLED display will offer deep blacks and vibrant colors; Display tech of S24 Ultra is not specified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra offers smoother animations and scrolling, a noticeable improvement in user experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra's significantly higher brightness makes it much more readable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 Ultra's chipset is newer, offering superior performance and efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra is much faster in real-world performance, opening apps quicker, handling more demanding tasks, and better for gaming. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | S24 Ultra's GPU is more powerful, leading to better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70 µm pixel size, Sony IMX603 | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", 1.00 µm pixel size, Samsung ISOCELL HP2 | S24 Ultra's 200MP main sensor allows for highly detailed photos and better digital zoom, while the iPhone has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | N/A | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56", 1.00 µm pixel size, Sony IMX854 | S24 Ultra's dedicated Telephoto + Portrait lens offers superior versatility for portrait and zoom photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514 | 12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K3LU | Both offer comparable selfie performance, suitable for social media and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", 1.00 µm pixel size, Sony IMX590 | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52", 1.12 µm pixel size, Sony IMX754 | iPhone has a higher resolution and wider aperture, but the S24 Ultra has larger pixels |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm pixel size, Sony IMX372 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm pixel size, Sony IMX564 | The S24 Ultra has a wider aperture for better low-light performance with the wide angle lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 60fps | 8K up to 30fps, 4K up to 120 fps | S24 Ultra supports higher resolution video (8K), offering more flexibility for professional-grade content creation and 4K up to 120fps for great slow motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 131 (Photo 131, Video 130) | 144 (Photo 144, Video 137) | S24 Ultra has a significantly higher score overall, indicating better real-world photo and video quality. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 (Photo 127, Video 140) | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro Max is better in overall selfie performance. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 4K video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Ultra stable video, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | OIS, 8K/4K video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Night Mode 2.0, Digital image stabilization, PDAF, RAW | S24 Ultra offers more advanced features such as 8K video and Night Mode 2.0, while the iPhone offers Ultra stable video. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | S24 Ultra's much larger battery means longer battery life, more suitable for users needing all-day power. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S24 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime and keeping you mobile. |
| Features | Non-removable, MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | S24 Ultra offers bypass charging allowing you to use the phone while plugged into power and other useful features like reverse charging, and faster wireless charging. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 14.1 (max v18) | Android 14 (max v21) | Different ecosystems. iOS has a simpler, more controlled user experience, while Android provides greater customization and flexibility. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | S24 Ultra's WiFi 6E support means potentially faster and more reliable connections with compatible routers and access to 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S24 Ultra has a newer version of Bluetooth with better audio quality and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S24 Ultra's more robust GPS with dual-band support means more accurate location tracking in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Both offer dual SIM capability for managing two phone numbers. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 256/512/1024GB | S24 Ultra has more storage space available in the higher end model, for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | S24 Ultra has twice the RAM allowing for smoother multitasking and better app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage; users need to carefully consider their storage needs when purchasing. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides more premium spatial audio experience and sound quality, while the S24 Ultra has better mic quality for calls and recordings. |
| Security | Basic security features | Basic fingerprint sensor | S24 Ultra provides biometric security through a fingerprint sensor, while the iPhone relies on FaceID as its biometric authentication. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S24 Ultra has more sensors for better responsiveness and advanced capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Ecosystem: iOS is preferred by some for its simplicity, tight integration with other Apple devices, and robust app ecosystem.
- Spatial Audio Quality: Slightly better audio quality with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus.
- Selfie Camera: Slightly better overall selfie camera performance based on DxOMark scores.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages:
- Display: Significantly higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, making for a superior visual experience.
- Performance: Newer and significantly faster processor and GPU, leading to better app performance and gaming capabilities.
- Camera: More versatile and higher-resolution cameras with 8K video capabilities and higher DxOMark score for main camera system.
- Battery: Much larger battery capacity and faster charging, offering longer battery life and shorter charging times.
- Connectivity: Superior connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Features: More features like a fingerprint sensor, reverse charging, and bypass charging for improved user convenience.
Practical Implications and Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Offers a premium experience within the Apple ecosystem. It's a good phone for users deeply invested in Apple products and services. However, it falls behind in display, performance, camera versatility, and battery life compared to the S24 Ultra.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Provides the latest and best hardware with a focus on display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. Its drawback may be a larger, heavier design, a higher price, and Android OS rather than iOS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ideal Users: Apple ecosystem enthusiasts, those comfortable with iOS, those who prioritize a user-friendly and consistent experience.
- Use Cases:
- Users who heavily rely on Apple services and devices.
- Those who prefer a simpler user interface.
- Users who want to make and receive calls with good audio quality.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Ideal Users: Power users, photographers, gamers, content creators, and those who demand the latest technology and performance.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers needing top performance.
- Photographers and videographers needing high resolution and versatility.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Professionals needing cutting-edge features for productivity.
- Price-to-Value: The S24 Ultra is typically pricier, but its technology and features justify the higher price point for users who require its capabilities. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is generally cheaper, but might feel outdated for some users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem (and comfortable with iOS), or do you prefer the flexibility and customization of Android?
- Primary Use Case: Will you primarily use your phone for content creation, gaming, or general use? If gaming or photo/video editing, the S24 Ultra is preferable.
- Battery Life & Charging Needs: Do you require all-day battery life and fast charging for extended usage, or are you comfortable with a less robust battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Content Creation): If you frequently record video content, or need versatile photo capabilities and a high-resolution screen for editing, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Scenario 2 (Gaming): For gamers wanting the best performance and a smoother experience, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice due to its more powerful processor, GPU, and 120Hz display.
- Scenario 3 (Apple Ecosystem): If you are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and prefer a seamless user experience with other Apple devices, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max will still function adequately.
- Scenario 4 (Budget Conscious): If you are seeking a more budget friendly option, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a good user experience, the S24 Ultra is superior in technology and functionality.
What I would choose and why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: As someone who consumes a lot of media and spends time reading on my phone, the higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness of the S24 Ultra make a huge difference in daily use.
- Cutting-Edge Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB of RAM in the S24 Ultra provide a noticeably faster and smoother experience in demanding apps and gaming.
- Camera Versatility: The S24 Ultra's camera system with its 200MP main sensor and multiple zoom lenses is far more versatile.
- Better Battery Performance: I value the larger battery, as well as the faster charging times. I would prefer not having to worry about my battery running out during the day.
- Additional Features: The fingerprint sensor, reverse charging, and other features on the S24 Ultra add a lot of convenience and value.
While I appreciate the simplicity and ecosystem of iOS, the technological superiority of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra outweighs those benefits for me. The S24 Ultra would be the better choice.
