When it comes to premium phones, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Titanium Gray and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Natural Titanium stand out for their exceptional design. While both phones boast impressive features and specifications, it’s their unique designs that set them apart. In this Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max design comparison article, we will see how they differ and what makes them so interesting.
Apple’s use of Titanium in design has created a fever in the phone industry, with the most recent example being the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which Apple just launched in early 2024.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Design Comparison
Appearance
When comparing the two handsets, the most noticeable difference is their designs. Each device has its unique style, making it exciting to hold. Samsung’s Ultra version has square corners and a large size, while the iPhone is more curved and slightly smaller than the Ultra.
The square design of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra gives it a luxurious and modern feel, similar to a businessman taking notes on work documents with a pen. However, the large screen size combined with the squareness can be a bit inconvenient. It feels uneasy to put the Galaxy S24 Ultra in my pocket, both in the front and back, and it makes sitting down or standing up a bit difficult.
On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a more delicate curve, even though it may seem boring due to the abundance of similar products. But it is practical and more convenient than the Galaxy S24 Ultra because it avoids the discomfort of the square corners poking the skin.
Concerning the edges, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has an advantage over the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple stubbornly insists on a square design, causing the back and frame to meet with harsh square corners and almost no curvature. This lack of innovation has been consistent since the iPhone 12, and users have even jokingly tried cutting an apple with their iPhones to highlight the squareness issue.
In contrast, Samsung’s attention to user feedback is evident in the Galaxy S24 Ultra. A closer examination reveals that the device features a slightly curved border that strikes a balance between a comfortable grip and a modern square shape. This aspect deserves recognition and praise.
Regarding the screen, Samsung has opted for a lighter touch rather than curving it as they did in previous generations. In contrast, the iPhone has a flat-screen with no curvature at all. I prefer the touch and swipe experience of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, as its screen border is also thinner. Apart from Dynamic Island, one could consider the iPhone 15 Pro Max as “ageless”.
Camera module
The design language of the camera modules on each device in my hand is distinct and captivating. The iPhone’s camera cluster stands out with its balanced composition, while Samsung adopts a more unconventional approach, with sensors placed individually and without a set pattern.
Determining which device has the nicer and more luxurious camera cluster is subjective and depends on personal emotions. I find the camera cluster of the Galaxy S24 Ultra more appealing, impressive, and suitable, as it exudes a strong and aggressive aesthetic that resonates with the nature of men.
You may wonder why Samsung chooses not to arrange their sensors in a single cluster in their recent product lines, including the Galaxy S24 Ultra. I speculate that Samsung aims to maintain a minimalist and elegant appearance for their products. Compared to the iPhone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a greater number of sensors, and clustering them together would result in a larger area on the back, which could disrupt the balance and diminish the device’s luxurious appeal.
However, there is one aspect of the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera design that I dislike: it protrudes more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Although it may not be visually pleasing, the raised design does not necessarily make it more prone to scratches on the camera cluster, as commonly believed.
Both devices feature a metal ring surrounding the camera, slightly elevated above its surface, which helps prevent scratches when placed on a desk.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max come in quite similar colors, as their names suggest – Titanium Gray and Natural Titanium, respectively. Both options effectively convey the essence of a titan-like handset. However, whether the devices are the same, as speculated in recent days, remains to be seen.
It is important to keep in mind that environmental lighting and camera angles can influence the color of the phone, leading to slight variations from the official visual representations. During my comparison by taking these two devices outside in the late afternoon, I noticed some differences. The titanium color on the Galaxy S24 Ultra tends to have a slight yellowish tint, while on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it appears more grayish-white.
When exposed to afternoon sunlight, both devices exhibit a brighter titanium color and appear almost identical, with a similarity of about 95 – 98%. However, I observed that the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s bezel reflects light more effectively, enhancing its vibrance and making it look exceptionally beautiful in the sunlight.
Weight and button layout
In terms of thinness, the iPhone 15 Pro Max edges slightly ahead with a thickness of only 8.25 mm, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra measures 8.6 mm. Both devices, however, cannot be considered thin and light, as phones over 8mm are generally perceived as bulky.
The layout of the volume up and down keys differs between the two companies, adding diversity to phone design. On the iPhone, you can find the volume keys, Action Button, and SIM tray on one side, while the power button is positioned on the other side. On the other hand, Samsung has placed these buttons entirely on one edge of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, with the SIM tray now below rather than on the side.
The bottom edge of the Galaxy S24 Ultra appears somewhat unusual as it hosts a microphone, a SIM slot, a charging port, an integrated S-Pen, and a speaker. In contrast, the iPhone has a simpler layout, featuring only a charging port and dual speakers.
It’s worth noting that the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s SIM slot and phone microphone are located close to each other, so users should exercise caution when opening the SIM slot to avoid accidentally inserting an object into the wrong hole.
Final line: Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: Design Comparison
In conclusion, when comparing the designs of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, both phones offer durability with titanium frames and premium back materials. However, the ultimate decision should be based on individual needs and preferences.
If robustness and convenience in design are important to you, the Galaxy S24 Ultra may be the ideal choice. Conversely, if you are an enthusiastic member of the Apple ecosystem seeking a beautiful and trendy phone, you should consider the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Also see: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra hands-on: First Impression
Samsung S24 Ultra price and release date
Priced at $1,299.99 for the 256GB variant, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a limited-time opportunity to acquire the 512GB version at the same cost until January 30th on both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk online stores.
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