iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Detailed Camera Showdown

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera Comparison: Which One Wins?

It’s always a fun challenge to see how two of the best smartphone cameras stack up. I spent a week shooting photos and videos with the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to compare everything from sharpness to color contrast to zoom capabilities. Both phones certainly pulled their weight, but there were moments when each stole the spotlight.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48-megapixel main camera with a wide-angle lens, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. It also has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera and can shoot up to 4K video at 120fps. The Galaxy S24 Ultra sports a 200-megapixel wide camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, 10-megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. It also has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera and can shoot up to 8K video. It’s important to note that more megapixels don’t automatically mean better photos, as a phone’s software plays an important role, too.

Price-wise, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,200 for 256GB of internal storage, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra will cost $100 more for the same storage amount. The iPhone lineup introduces a new Camera Control button, which lets users trigger the camera, snap photos, and adjust settings like exposure, aperture, and zoom.

Favorite iPhone 16 Pro Max Photos

Before jumping into the comparison, here are some shots from the iPhone 16 Pro Max. A daytime shot at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco highlighted crisp reflections on the water. A nighttime photo showcased vibrant colors and a rich dark sky. The 5x optical zoom was tested at a Hans Zimmer concert in Oakland Arena, showing impressive detail from a distance.

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra Photo Comparisons

Both phones were used to capture various scenes in San Francisco, including Yerba Buena Gardens and murals. The S24 Ultra images appeared slightly brighter, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max produced darker but more detailed photos. Portrait mode comparisons revealed the S24 Ultra’s higher brightness and reduced shadows, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max provided more true-to-life colors.

Zoom capabilities were also compared, with the S24 Ultra offering 10x optical zoom and the iPhone 16 Pro Max providing up to 5x. The S24 Ultra delivered a bright and detailed shot, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max captured sharpness, especially in distant objects.

Selfie and Night Mode Comparison

Selfies showed the S24 Ultra brightening subjects more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which captured deeper colors and detail. Both devices delivered sharp, focused front-facing images. Nighttime shots were similarly effective on both phones, though the S24 Ultra offered a more vivid sky.

Video Performance

Both phones performed well during video recording, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s new 4K slow-motion feature at 120fps delivering detailed footage. The S24 Ultra’s 10x optical zoom proved useful at a Hans Zimmer concert, allowing clear video capture from far away.

Final Thoughts

The comparison shows that the choice between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra largely depends on personal preference. The S24 Ultra’s vibrant colors and 10x optical zoom are impressive, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s true-to-life colors and sharpness make it a strong contender. Night mode improvements have made both devices nearly indistinguishable in low-light conditions, and Portrait mode has also become comparable across both models.

No matter which phone you choose, you can expect excellent camera performance.