iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Battle for Smartphone Photography Supremacy
When comparing the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung came out on top with a score of 6.5 to 4.5. But now, the question is: can the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with its faster capture button, improved ultra-wide camera, better microphones, and enhanced software features, reclaim the crown as the king of smartphone photography?
Or has Samsung, with its updates since launch, pulled even further ahead? Oh, and the kicker? The winning phone is the one I’ll be permanently switching to. Let’s dive into the comparison.
Feature Comparison: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Here’s a detailed side-by-side comparison of the key features:
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Quality | Four high-grade studio microphones and 360° sound recording. | Three microphones with decent audio, but lacks wind noise reduction. |
| Video Quality | Superior dynamic range, less noise, and consistently better 4K footage. | 8K video capability, but only performs well in ideal conditions. |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | New 48MP ultra-wide camera with sharp detail in macro shots. | 12MP ultra-wide camera, struggles to match iPhone in high-res shots. |
| Main Camera | 48MP default (24MP photos by default for convenience). | 200MP main camera, but 12MP is the default for most shots. |
| Zoom | 5x optical zoom, great for portraits but lower resolution than Samsung. | 5x and 3x optical zoom for better detail across the zoom range. |
| Slow Motion | 4K slow motion with less noise and higher quality. | 4K slow motion, but noisier and less consistent in detail. |
| Editing Features | Limited AI editing (basic cleanup tool coming in future updates). | Advanced AI features like generative editing and sketch-to-image. |
| Night Mode (Photos) | Grainier but more natural and detailed in most scenes. | Smoother images with aggressive sharpening, sometimes overly processed. |
| Night Mode (Video) | Clearer and less noisy in low-light conditions. | Struggles with noise and exaggerated colors in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | Wider field of view with consistent skin tones and less grain. | Vibrant colors, warmer tones, but struggles in low light. |
| Camera App | Faster capture speeds, intuitive interface, and smoother operation. | More controls and settings, with S Pen support for unique gestures. |
Sound Quality: A Clear Win for the iPhone
We start with sound quality. Both iPhones and Samsungs have been neck-and-neck for years, but this year, Apple pulls ahead. With four microphones (compared to Samsung’s three) and enhanced wind noise reduction, the iPhone delivers the best-sounding audio I’ve ever heard on a smartphone. It even records 360° sound by default, allowing you to focus audio on specific sources.
Last time, sound was a draw. Now, the iPhone 16 Pro Max decisively wins this round.
Video Quality: iPhone Still Reigns Supreme
The iPhone 15 Pro Max was already ahead of Samsung in video quality, and the 16 Pro Max takes it even further. The iPhone’s dynamic range is superior, capturing more detail in both bright and dark areas. For example, Samsung struggles with retaining detail in trees and tends to lose information in high-contrast scenes.
While the iPhone isn’t perfect—it sometimes overcompensates by brightening dark areas—it’s better on average. Noise is also less apparent in iPhone videos, with sharper detail even in action modes.
That said, Samsung does have 8K video, which can look amazing under ideal conditions. However, the iPhone’s 4K video is clean, consistent, and easier to work with, making it the better choice for most people.
Special Modes: iPhone Takes the Lead
Special modes like slow motion, macro photography, and cinematic video are fun extras. Last time, Samsung won this category thanks to its 4K slow-motion video. But now, the iPhone has caught up, offering 4K slow-mo that’s less noisy and more consistent.
The iPhone’s upgraded 48MP ultra-wide camera also improves macro shots, making close-ups noticeably more detailed. Samsung still does well with portrait cinematic videos, but the iPhone’s overall improvements give it the edge in this category.
Selfies: A Matter of Preference
Both phones offer wide and narrow selfie options, with the iPhone being slightly wider in wide mode. The choice comes down to personal preference:
- Samsung: Warmer skin tones, vibrant colors, and fantastic portrait selfies.
- iPhone: Consistently makes people look better, with less grain and better performance in low light.
When it comes to front-camera video, the iPhone wins again. Apple optimizes its cameras for apps like Instagram, while Samsung struggles with consistency due to Android’s fragmented ecosystem.
Editing Features: Samsung Pulls Ahead
Here’s where Samsung shines. With generative AI editing, you can:
- Remove and resize objects in photos.
- Use sketch-to-image to turn doodles into real objects.
Apple, on the other hand, is behind in the AI editing game. The only announced feature, cleanup, doesn’t feel as advanced. This category goes to Samsung.
Zoom: Samsung Wins Again
Both phones have a 5x optical zoom, but Samsung’s is higher resolution and uses aggressive software processing to enhance images. Samsung also has an additional 3x zoom camera, making its zoom range more flexible.
Portraits taken with the 5x zoom also favor Samsung, thanks to its realistic background blur and excellent edge detection. However, when using the main 1x camera, the iPhone’s 24MP portraits look sharper than Samsung’s 12MP shots.
Photo Quality: iPhone Edges Ahead
The iPhone 16 Pro Max introduces a 48MP ultra-wide camera, which significantly improves photo quality. While Samsung’s ultra-wide camera maxes out at 12MP, Apple’s new HEIF Max mode delivers sharp, detailed photos without taking up excessive storage.
Samsung’s 200MP main camera sounds impressive, but in most situations, the iPhone’s 24MP default shots look better. The iPhone captures more consistent, high-quality photos without needing ideal conditions or extensive settings adjustments.
Night Mode: A Decisive Win for the iPhone
When the lights go out, the iPhone pulls ahead:
- Samsung: Struggles with noise and exaggerated colors.
- iPhone: Handles low light more gracefully, delivering sharper, more natural results.
In video, Samsung’s graininess becomes even more apparent, while the iPhone maintains its clarity. Night photos are closer, but the iPhone’s consistency gives it the win.
