Highlights
- iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra face off in a durability test.
- Both phones feature titanium frames but differ in screen glass technology.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max outperforms in initial rounds, Galaxy S24 Ultra wins the final challenge.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra edges out iPhone 15 Pro Max with a narrow victory.
Smartphone durability has become a key factor for consumers in recent times.
As it so happens, the two titans of the smartphone world, Samsung and Apple, have recently locked horns with their latest flagships, the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, both boasting titanium frames.
Renowned YouTuber PhoneBuff has put these devices through some rigorous durability and drop tests, revealing some surprising and enlightening results.
Titanium, known for its strength and lightweight properties might give a promising edge in durability.
However, on the front, the Galaxy S24 Ultra takes it a notch higher with Gorilla Armor glass, as compared to the iPhone’s Ceramic shield.
Which one comes out on top?
Round One: The Back Drop Test
The first test was a simple yet revealing drop on their backs.
Despite both phones featuring robust titanium frames, the impact shattered the glass back panels, with the S24 Ultra showing more visible damage.
Surprisingly, the camera lenses on both phones also took a hit, but the round was tipped in favor of the iPhone 15 Pro Max for its slightly better resilience.
Round Two: The Side Drop Test
Skipping ahead to the second round, dubbed the “Face Drop,” both flagships faced a daunting challenge: a drop on a concrete floor, screen-first.
The S24 Ultra, despite its Gorilla Armor glass, suffered significant screen damage, affecting the selfie camera and fingerprint scanner’s functionality.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, emerged almost unscathed, functioning as intended and taking the win for this round.
The Ultimate Challenge: Repeated Face Drops
The third and bonus round escalated the test to repeated face-down drops on a metal surface from a higher height.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s resilience began to wane, developing a vertical line on the screen by the second drop and completely losing screen functionality by the seventh.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra, although also damaged, remained functional, clinching this round in its favor.
Final Verdict: A Narrow Victory
After a series of grueling tests, PhoneBuff tallied the scores, awarding the Galaxy S24 Ultra 37 points and the iPhone 15 Pro Max a close second with 36 points.
Despite the iPhone’s flawless performance in the first three rounds, it was the fourth round’s relentless challenge that determined the ultimate victor.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max: specs
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 162.56 x 78.99 x 8.64 mm (6.4 x 3.11 x 0.34 inches) | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm (6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 inches) |
| Weight | 233 grams (8.22 ounces) | 221 grams (7.81 ounces) |
| Screen |
6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with Super Smooth 120Hz refresh rate (1~120Hz) |
6.7-inch always-on Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz ProMotion |
| Screen resolution |
3120 x 1440 pixels at 550 pixels per inch
|
2796 x 1290 pixels at 460 pixels per inch |
| Operating system | Android 14 with One UI 6.1 | iOS 17 |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| MicroSD card slot | No | No |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Apple A17 Pro |
| Camera | Rear: 200-megapixel (MP) main camera (wide), 12MP Ultrawide, 50MP 5X telephoto, 10MP 3x telephoto.Front: 12MP | Rear: 48-megapixel (MP) main camera (wide), 12MP Ultrawide, 12MP 5X telephoto, LiDAR ScannerFront: 12MP TrueDepth |
| Video | UHD 8K (7680 x 4320) at 30 frames per second (fps)Slow motion UHD at 120 fps
Slow motion FHD at 240 fps |
4K at 24/25/30/60 frames per second (fps)1080p HD at 25/30/60 fps
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60fps Slow motion 1080p at 120/240 fps ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60fps with external recording Macro video recording |
| Cellular | 5G mmWave (U.S. models only), 5G (sub-6GHz), | 5G mmWave (U.S. models only), 5G (sub-6GHz), Dual eSIM with Physical SIM on non-U.S. models only. |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh 45W fast charging (wired) Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare |
Video playback: 25 to 29 hours Audio playback: 95 hours 20W fast charging (wired) 15W MagSafe/Qi2 charging |
| Network support | All major carriers | All major carriers |
| Colors | Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow, plus Samsung exclusive Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange | Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium |
| Price | Starting at $1,299 | Starting at $1,199 |
FAQs
What makes the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s screen different from the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with Gorilla Armor glass, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a Ceramic Shield. This distinction plays a crucial role in their performance during drop tests.
How do titanium frames impact the durability of these smartphones?
Titanium frames offer enhanced strength and lightweight properties, contributing to the overall durability of both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Which phone performed better in the drop tests?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max showed superior resilience in the initial rounds, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra ultimately won the final, decisive round, leading to its narrow overall victory.
Can the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Armor glass guarantee no damage upon drops?
Despite its improved durability, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Armor glass did suffer damage in the tests, indicating no smartphone screen is invulnerable to drops.
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