PhoneLifespan

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

vs

It depends

Too close to call outright

These two are within 1 point overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The iPhone 17 Pro Max edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.

Value Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 69 · Galaxy S24 Ultra 70 methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max $1199
Safe to buy$15.94/mo
2025◆ Buy-by Sep 20302032
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $949
Safe to buy$17.07/mo
2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20292031

Category by category

Display
iPhone 17 Pro Max 90Galaxy S24 Ultra 100

The Galaxy S24 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.8-inch dynamic amoled 2x, qhd+ (3120×1440), 1–120hz, up to 2600 nits.

Performance
iPhone 17 Pro Max 100Galaxy S24 Ultra 92

The iPhone 17 Pro Max's Apple A19 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera
iPhone 17 Pro Max 74Galaxy S24 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 3).

Battery
iPhone 17 Pro Max 82Galaxy S24 Ultra 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity
iPhone 17 Pro Max 90Galaxy S24 Ultra 66

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is supported until Sep 2032 — 20 months longer than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Value
iPhone 17 Pro Max 69Galaxy S24 Ultra 70

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 17 Pro MaxGalaxy S24 Ultra
Price (street)$1199$949
Display6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 3000 nits peak6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ (3120×1440), 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits
ChipsetApple A19 ProSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
RAM12GB12GB
Storage256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery5,088 mAh5,000 mAh
ChargingWired fast charge — 50% in ~20 min with a 40W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W (Qi2.2)45W wired, 15W wireless
Rear cameras48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto 4x200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 50MP telephoto 5x periscope
Dimensions163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm162.3 × 79.0 × 8.6 mm
Weight233 g232 g
Water resistanceIP68IP68
Supported untilSep 2032Jan 2031

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.