Samsungjust dropped the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and we’re putting it head-to-head with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Google Pixel 8 Pro. We’re talking prices, specifications, and all the cool features. All these smartphones are best in their house and pack top-of-the-line spec sheets. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the new kid on the block, but can it hang with the latest and greatest iPhone and Pixel? Let’s break it down in this epic smartphone face-off!
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Specs at Glance
Specification
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Display
6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120 x 1440 (Quad HD+)
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796 x 1290 pixels
6.7-inch LTPO OLED, 1344 x 2992 pixels
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Price in India
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at Rs 1,29,999 for the 256GB variant, comes in at Rs 1,39,999 for the 512GB variant, and the 1TB variant bears a price tag of Rs 1,59,999.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: The top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in three storage variants, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, and it costs Rs 1,59,900, Rs 1,79,900, and Rs 1,99,900, respectively.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: The Pixel 8 Pro comes in two storage variants, 128GB and 256GB, and costs Rs 1,06,999 and Rs 1,13,999, respectively.
If you’re hunting for a flagship smartphone that won’t drain your wallet relatively, in that case, the Google Pixel 8 Pro appears to be the only choice that won’t push you past the Rs 1.5 lakhs mark. However, if you’ve got cash to burn and fancy top-tier cameras, killer zoom, and a bunch of AI perks to your requirements, then the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the way to roll. But, if you’re all about that Apple life and crave the ultimate iPhone experience, the answer is crystal clear.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Design
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The new Galaxy S24 Ultra looks almost the same as the old one. If you don’t inspect it closely, it’s hard to tell the difference between the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra. But that’s not bad – it still looks premium and will turn heads. Plus, it’s got a titanium frame now, making it extra tough.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: Apple kicked off the whole titanium frame thing. The top iPhones now have aerospace-grade titanium, making them strong but light. They’ve got a cool brushed texture, sleek edges, and the thinnest borders ever on an iPhone. There’s even an action button you can customise to make it your own. The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in four dope finishes: black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: On the flip side, the Google Pixel 8 Pro keeps the same Pixel look. It’s got a camera strip on the back, a hole-punch camera on the front, and an aluminium frame. The back is made of frosted glass, so it doesn’t get smudged with fingerprints like the older Pixels, especially if you go for the darker colours. You can get the Pixel 8 Pro in three cool shades: Obsidian, Porcelain, and Bay.
If you’re into large smartphones – and I mean seriously big ones – then the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the ideal device for you. Alternatively, if you’re seeking something that sets itself apart from the typical glass slabs and isn’t commonly seen in city centres, the Pixel 8 Pro is the way to go, as it boasts a distinctive presence. And if you’re after a smartphone that literally shines, then the top-of-the-line iPhone is your best bet.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Display
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Samsung is known for its top-notch displays, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra lives up to that reputation. It showcases a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED LTPO panel boasting QHD+ resolution and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: With a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn’t disappoint. The OLED panel boasts a resolution of 2796×1290 pixels, providing a pixel density of around 460 pixels per inch. Supporting ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, HDR display, True Tone, and wide colour (P3), it also features a remarkable contrast ratio of 20,00,000:1 and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits outdoors.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: The Pixel 8 Pro comes equipped with a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display featuring a resolution of 1344×2992 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 489 pixels per inch. Supporting a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and achieving a peak brightness of 2,400 nits.
If you’re all about that phone screen life, then the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the one for you. It rocks the classic borderless design, has a 120Hz refresh rate, and Samsung’s iconic AMOLED panel, which produces deep blacks and offers one of the best viewing experiences on a smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Performance And UI
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a punch when it comes to the performance. Sporting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Processor and a whopping 12 GB of RAM, it guarantees a seamless and efficient user experience. Running on the newest Android 14 operating system and showcasing Samsung’s One UI 6.1, this device comes loaded with AI features such as Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Chat Assist. Samsung has also assured that the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be in the loop for software updates for a seven-years.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: The powerhouse behind the iPhone 15 Pro Max is Apple’s A17 Pro chip. It packs a new 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, a fresh 6-core GPU, and a spanking new 16-core Neural Engine. This setup delivers a device that can handle games at mind-blowing frame rates and still keeps the battery going strong. Running on iOS 17, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a customisable UI, letting users pick different clock styles and change the shortcuts on the lockscreen’s bottom corners. Apple’s commitment to regular updates extends to 5 years, covering security boosts, new features, operating system updates, bug fixes, and more.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: The Google Pixel 8 Pro rocks Google’s Tensor G3 chip, featuring a single Cortex-X3 core, four Cortex A720 cores, and four Cortex A510 cores. The Pixel 8 Pro runs on the flexible and customisable Android 14. When it comes to software updates, Google was the first one to raise the bar with seven years of software support for the Pixel 8 Pro. This includes the latest Android OS, security updates, and ongoing Feature Drops.
Choosing the best among these three is quite a challenge. They’re all top-tier smartphones, delivering robust performance and solid UI support. However, based purely on specifications, the Pixel 8 Pro seems slightly lagging behind with its Tensor G3 SoC compared to the other two powerhouses. If you’re after the most potent Android smartphone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra takes the lead. Similarly, if you’re an Apple enthusiast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the way to go.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Cameras
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Galaxy S24 Ultra flaunts an impressive camera setup, comprising a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 12MP telephoto camera, and a 10MP periscope lens. The 5x optical periscope zoom on a 50MP sensor stands out as a notable upgrade, promising enhanced image quality and maintaining visual fidelity even at substantial zoom levels. The device is also equipped with a suite of new AI-powered editing tools, capable of elevating your photos with a variety of effects and adjustments. The 12MP front camera ensures sharp and clear selfies. In essence, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera system is crafted to deliver professional-grade photography in a smartphone format.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: The camera setup on the iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a Pro system, consisting of a 48MP Main camera, a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, and two 12MP Telephoto cameras. The Main camera supports super-high-resolution photos at 24MP and 48MP, while the Telephoto cameras offer 2x and 3x optical zoom. The camera system is further enhanced with sensor-shift optical image stabilisation and 100% Focus Pixels.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: Turning to the Google Pixel 8 Pro, it rocks a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera. The primary camera features OctaPD and OIS, and the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras come with Quad PDAF. The telephoto camera offers approximately 5x zoom. The Pixel 8 Pro’s camera system is also equipped with a Multi-zone LDAF sensor.
When it comes to cameras, it’s nearly impossible to declare a single winner especially in the flagship category. All these smartphones provide a top-notch camera experience. However, if you’re seeking a phone with unparalleled zooming capabilities, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the way to go. For the best-in-class video features, your top pick should be the iPhone 15 Pro Max. And if your focus is purely on photography, there’s no substitute for the Pixel 8 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Battery
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a sturdy 5000mAh battery. It supports 45W wired charging and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, providing versatility in how you choose to replenish power. Additionally, the device boasts reverse wireless charging functionality, enabling it to charge other devices.
iPhone 15 Pro Max: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is fitted with a 4,422mAh battery. It facilitates wired charging with a 20W power adapter, purporting to juice up the device from 0% to 50% in roughly 30 minutes. A complete charge requires between 90 minutes to 2 hours. Interestingly, there’s an option in the Battery Health & Charging menu that’s designed to prevent the handset from charging beyond 80 per cent when enabled, potentially extending the battery’s lifespan.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: The Google Pixel 8 Pro comes with a larger 5,050mAh battery. It supports 30W wired charging, claiming to charge the device from 0% to 25% in approximately 13 minutes and reaching 50% in about 27 minutes. A full charge takes around 79 minutes. The Pixel 8 Pro also embraces 23W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand 2nd Gen.
When it comes to battery life, all these smartphones provide a relatively similar battery and charging experience. However, if we solely consider specifications, the Galaxy S24 Ultra might come out on top with a slightly higher margin, followed by the Pixel 8 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max trailing behind. Nevertheless, in actual usage, none of these three smartphones will let you down in terms of battery life. The exact battery life on a single charge depends on how you use your smartphone, so it will vary for all three devices and from person to person.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Verdict
If you’re on the lookout for an Android smartphone with top-notch hardware and software experience, the newly launched Galaxy S24 Ultra fits the bill perfectly. It makes no compromises and promises the best premium experience available on the Android side.
However, if you’re not keen on splurging that amount of money and seek a more budget-friendly option on the Android front, especially if you’re a die-hard stock Android fan, the Pixel 8 Pro is also an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you’re an Apple aficionado with no budget constraints and aiming for the ultimate iPhone experience, you already know what to pick.
