When it comes to flagship smartphones, few match the rivalry between Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. These two devices represent the best of iOS vs Android, combining cutting-edge performance, premium design, and advanced camera systems.
If you’re a US consumer trying to decide between them, this deep, carefully prepared comparison guide breaks down everything—from specs and performance to camera quality, battery life, and real-world usability.
iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro is Apple’s compact flagship, built with a titanium frame, powered by the A17 Pro chip, and optimized for performance and ecosystem integration.
Key Highlights
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display
- A17 Pro chip (industry-leading efficiency)
- 48MP main camera with advanced computational photography
- USB-C with high-speed data transfer
- iOS 17 with tight ecosystem integration
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s most powerful Android flagship, featuring a massive display, S Pen support, and a 200MP camera system with unmatched zoom capabilities.
Key Highlights
- 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor
- 200MP quad-camera system
- Built-in S Pen
- AI-powered features and One UI
PRODUCT COMPARISON TABLE
| Attribute | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED, 120Hz | 6.8″ AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Resolution | 2556 × 1179 | 3120 × 1440 |
| Processor | A17 Pro chip | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB–1TB | 256GB–1TB |
| Camera | 48MP + 12MP + 12MP | 200MP + 50MP + 10MP + 12MP |
| Battery | ~3274 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | ~20W wired | 45W wired |
| OS | iOS 17 | Android 14 (One UI) |
| Weight | ~187g | ~232g |
Key takeaway: The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins on hardware specs, while the iPhone 15 Pro excels in optimization and efficiency.
Design & Build Quality
Both phones feature premium titanium builds, making them more durable than previous generations.
- iPhone 15 Pro is lighter and more compact, ideal for one-handed use
- Galaxy S24 Ultra is larger and heavier, designed for power users
If you prefer portability → iPhone wins
If you want a big-screen experience → Samsung wins
Display Comparison
The display is one of the biggest differences:
iPhone 15 Pro
- 6.1-inch OLED
- Color accuracy is industry-leading
- Peak brightness up to ~2000 nits
Galaxy S24 Ultra
- 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED
- Higher resolution and sharper visuals
- Up to ~2600 nits brightness
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (bigger, sharper, brighter)
Performance & Gaming
iPhone 15 Pro
- Powered by A17 Pro chip
- Exceptional single-core performance
- Optimized for gaming and AR
Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
- Better multitasking (12GB RAM vs 8GB)
- Strong AI processing
Benchmarks show Samsung can outperform in raw multi-core workloads, while Apple leads in efficiency and app optimization
Winner: Tie (depends on usage)
- Gaming & iOS apps → iPhone
- Multitasking & heavy workloads → Samsung
Camera Comparison
iPhone 15 Pro Cameras
- 48MP main sensor
- 3x optical zoom
- Industry-leading video (ProRes, Cinematic mode)
Galaxy S24 Ultra Cameras
- 200MP main sensor
- 5x + 3x optical zoom system
- 8K video support
Samsung clearly dominates zoom photography, while Apple excels in video and color accuracy.
Winner:
- Photography flexibility → Samsung
- Video & consistency → iPhone
Battery Life & Charging
- Galaxy S24 Ultra: 5000 mAh battery
- iPhone 15 Pro: ~3274 mAh battery
Samsung also supports faster charging (45W vs ~20W).
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (longer battery + faster charging)
Software & Ecosystem
iPhone 15 Pro (iOS)
- Seamless Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, AirPods)
- Longer software support
- Better app optimization
Galaxy S24 Ultra (Android)
- More customization
- AI features (Galaxy AI tools)
- S Pen productivity
Winner:
- Simplicity & ecosystem → Apple
- Customization & features → Samsung
Unique Features
iPhone 15 Pro
- Action Button
- Spatial video recording
- Tight ecosystem integration
Galaxy S24 Ultra
- S Pen (huge productivity boost)
- Advanced zoom (up to 100x digital)
- AI features like live translation
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (more features)
Price (US Market)
Typical US pricing (approximate):
- iPhone 15 Pro: starts around $999
- Galaxy S24 Ultra: starts around $1,199
iPhone is more affordable, but Samsung offers more hardware.
Final Verdict – Which One Should You Buy?
Choose iPhone 15 Pro if:
- You’re invested in the Apple ecosystem
- You want the best video quality
- You prefer compact phones
- You value long-term software support
Choose Galaxy S24 Ultra if:
- You want the best display and battery
- You need powerful zoom photography
- You prefer Android customization
- You want S Pen productivity
Overall Winner
There’s no single winner—it depends on your priorities:
- Best for most users: iPhone 15 Pro
- Best power-user phone: Galaxy S24 Ultra
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra battle is really about ecosystem vs hardware dominance.
- Apple focuses on refinement, efficiency, and integration
- Samsung pushes innovation, features, and versatility
Note: If you’re switching platforms, your choice should depend more on iOS vs Android than specs alone.
