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The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the larger phone, adds an S Pen and has separate 3x and 5x optical telephoto cameras. The iPhone 17 Pro is smaller and lighter, and its rear camera system uses three 48MP cameras. Choose based on the size and tools you want; the available specifications do not establish a winner for real-world speed, camera quality or battery life.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro specs
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Apple iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Announced January 17, 2024; US availability began January 31, 2024 | Introduced in 2025 |
| Display | 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; adaptive 1–120Hz | 6.3-inch OLED; 2622 × 1206 resolution, 460 ppi; ProMotion up to 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | A19 Pro; 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine |
| Rear cameras | 200MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 50MP 5x telephoto and 10MP 3x telephoto | 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide and 48MP 4x telephoto; Apple describes 8x optical-quality framing and up to 40x digital zoom |
| Front camera | 12MP | The cited Apple specifications do not establish a comparable front-camera figure |
| Battery specification | 5,000mAh typical capacity | Battery capacity is not listed on the cited technical-spec page |
| Dimensions | 6.40 × 3.11 × 0.34 inches | 5.91 × 2.83 × 0.34 inches |
| Weight | 8.22oz for the US mmWave configuration | 7.27oz (206g) |
| Storage options | 256GB, 512GB and 1TB | 256GB, 512GB and 1TB |
| Distinctive features | S Pen functionality, including writing in Samsung Notes | Apple Intelligence integrated into iPhone experiences |
Specifications are from Samsung’s US launch announcement, Samsung Support and Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro technical specifications. The weight listed for Samsung applies specifically to its US mmWave configuration.
Which phone has the bigger screen?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch display, compared with the iPhone 17 Pro’s 6.3-inch screen. The larger Samsung display gives you more viewing area for reading, video and onscreen work; the iPhone’s smaller body is the more compact choice. Both manufacturers list refresh rates up to 120Hz, though Samsung specifies an adaptive 1–120Hz range.
How do the cameras compare?
Compare the lens choices and zoom framing rather than treating megapixel counts as image-quality scores. Samsung lists a 200MP main camera alongside separate 3x and 5x telephoto cameras. Apple lists three 48MP rear cameras, including a 4x telephoto; it describes 8x optical-quality framing and up to 40x digital zoom.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Those specifications show different hardware approaches, not which phone takes better photos. The available evidence does not provide a controlled image-quality comparison, so camera preference cannot be settled by these figures alone.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra include an S Pen?
Yes. Samsung describes S Pen functionality for writing in Samsung Notes and composing messages or email. It is a practical distinction if you regularly handwrite, annotate or sketch on your phone. Apple’s listed differentiator here is Apple Intelligence; the available information does not compare AI quality or regional availability.
Rank #2
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
What is the price difference?
The prices available are historical launch or review-era figures, not a current like-for-like retail comparison:
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Galaxy S24 Ultra: Samsung announced a US starting price of $1,299.99 in 2024, with 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options.
- iPhone 17 Pro: Tom’s Guide reported a US starting price of $1,099 for the 256GB model in its 2025 review-era pricing. The same report listed $1,299 for 512GB and $1,499 for 1TB.
Although the iPhone’s reported 256GB starting figure is $200.99 below Samsung’s launch starting price, that difference compares figures from different release moments and is not today’s price gap. Current matched prices are not established. To compare offers, check both unlocked 256GB models in your country on the same day, and confirm storage, seller, condition, warranty and any carrier or trade-in requirements.
Rank #3
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Sources: Samsung’s 2024 launch announcement and Tom’s Guide’s iPhone 17 Pro review.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Rank #4
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Which phone should you choose?
- Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if a large display, an S Pen and distinct 3x and 5x telephoto cameras suit how you use a phone.
- Choose the iPhone 17 Pro if you prefer the smaller, lighter design and want Apple’s 4x telephoto with its stated 8x optical-quality framing.
- Let your existing setup count: consider the apps, services and devices you already rely on. The specifications alone do not establish a universal ecosystem winner.
- Do not use processor names or battery capacity as a verdict: comparable benchmark, sustained-load and battery-runtime evidence is not available here. Samsung lists a 5,000mAh typical battery, while Apple’s cited spec page does not publish capacity; that mismatch does not show which phone lasts longer.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
