iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 17 differ most in size, zoom-camera hardware, stylus support, and launch price. At their US 256GB launch prices, the S24 Ultra was $1,299.99 and the iPhone 17 was $799—a $500.99 difference. Those are historical launch prices, not current offers. The S24 Ultra suits buyers who want a large screen, dedicated long-range telephoto cameras, and an integrated S Pen; the iPhone 17 is the smaller, lighter option for buyers who prefer iOS and Apple’s camera approach.
At a glance: Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 17
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Apple iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| US launch price | From $1,299.99; 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB (Samsung, January 2024) | $799 for 256GB; $999 for 512GB (TechRadar, September 2025) |
| Display | 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; adaptive 1–120Hz | 6.3-inch OLED, 2622 × 1206, 460 ppi; adaptive ProMotion up to 120Hz |
| Weight | 8.22 oz for Samsung’s US mmWave launch specification | 177g (6.24 oz) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | Apple A19 |
| Rear cameras | 200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto; Space Zoom up to 100x | 48MP main and 48MP ultrawide; 2x optical-quality telephoto mode and up to 10x digital zoom |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB; 12GB RAM | 256GB or 512GB; RAM not stated on Apple’s reviewed specifications page |
| Battery information | 5,000mAh typical capacity; rated minimum capacity 4,855mAh | Up to 30 hours of video playback or up to 27 hours of streamed video playback |
| Stylus | Integrated S Pen | No built-in stylus listed in Apple’s specifications |
| Software-support commitment | Samsung announced seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the S24 series | A fixed support duration is not stated on Apple’s reviewed specifications page |
Sources: Samsung’s US Galaxy S24 announcement, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specifications, Apple iPhone 17 technical specifications, and TechRadar’s iPhone 17 launch-price report.
How much more did the Galaxy S24 Ultra cost?
At US launch, the 256GB Galaxy S24 Ultra cost $1,299.99 and the 256GB iPhone 17 cost $799. The S24 Ultra was therefore $500.99 more expensive at those launch prices. Samsung announced its price in January 2024; TechRadar reported Apple’s iPhone 17 launch pricing in September 2025. This comparison spans different release years and does not show what either phone costs today.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Current prices depend on seller, storage, condition, region, and promotions. As one dated carrier example, AT&T’s comparison page accessed in October 2026 lists the iPhone 17 at a $829.99 retail starting price and says the Galaxy S24 Ultra is no longer available from AT&T. Its financing promotion requires an eligible unlimited plan and trade-in, applies bill credits over 36 months, and has other restrictions. It is not a like-for-like comparison with an unlocked retail price. See AT&T’s phone comparison and terms.
#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.
No comparable current unlocked price for both phones is established here. For an up-to-date buying decision, compare the same storage capacity and condition, and note the seller, region, and date; separate outright prices from carrier offers that depend on service, trade-in, or installment credits.
Size and display: large canvas or lighter phone?
The S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch display, compared with the iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch screen. Both support adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, but the Samsung provides more screen area for reading, video, games, and split-screen work. The iPhone’s 177g weight makes it substantially lighter than the S24 Ultra’s 8.22 oz US mmWave launch specification. Samsung device variants can differ by region.
Choose based on how a phone feels in daily use: a larger screen can make content and on-screen controls more comfortable, while a lighter, smaller phone is easier to carry and handle. The measurements alone do not establish which display looks better; they describe size, resolution, and refresh-rate capability.
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.
Camera systems: dedicated telephoto lenses versus 2x optical-quality zoom
The S24 Ultra has separate 3x and 5x telephoto cameras in addition to its wide and ultrawide cameras. That gives it dedicated hardware for framing more distant subjects at those zoom levels. Samsung also advertises Space Zoom up to 100x, but the headline maximum does not by itself describe image quality at that range.
The iPhone 17 uses a dual 48MP rear-camera system: a main camera and an ultrawide camera. Apple lists a 2x optical-quality telephoto mode and up to 10x digital zoom. Its 2x mode is not a separate telephoto camera in the listed system; it differs from the S24 Ultra’s dedicated 3x and 5x telephoto hardware.
These specifications describe different camera designs, not a controlled photo comparison. Megapixel counts and zoom labels alone do not establish which phone takes better photographs. If long-distance framing is important, the S24 Ultra offers more dedicated telephoto options on paper; if you mostly use main and ultrawide views, compare the two systems in the context of your own subjects and preferences.
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.
Performance, storage, and battery information
Processors and storage
Samsung lists the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform and 12GB of RAM for the S24 Ultra. Apple lists its A19 chip, but the reviewed iPhone 17 specification page does not state a RAM figure. The processor names and differing disclosures are not enough to declare a performance winner; no comparable benchmark results are available here.
Recommended Free Tools
The S24 Ultra is offered with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. Apple lists 256GB and 512GB for iPhone 17. Buyers who keep large offline media libraries or substantial files on their phone have a 1TB S24 Ultra configuration to consider; there is no 1TB iPhone 17 option in Apple’s listed configurations.
Battery figures are measured differently
Samsung specifies a 5,000mAh typical battery capacity for the S24 Ultra and notes a rated minimum of 4,855mAh. Apple instead lists playback estimates: up to 30 hours of video playback or up to 27 hours of streamed video playback. These are different kinds of manufacturer disclosures, not directly comparable battery-life test results, so they do not show which phone lasts longer in everyday use.
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.
Samsung says wired charging can reach 65% in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable under its stated test conditions; the adapter is sold separately. Apple’s advertised fast-charge condition requires a 40W adapter, available separately, and a USB-C cable. Charger requirements and manufacturer estimates should not be treated as a direct charging-speed comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.S Pen, software, and platform choice
The S24 Ultra has an integrated S Pen, which can be useful for handwriting, annotations, or precise markup without carrying a separate stylus. Apple’s listed iPhone 17 specifications do not include a built-in stylus. That difference matters most if pen input is part of your regular phone workflow.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Samsung announced seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the S24 series. Apple’s reviewed iPhone 17 technical specifications page does not state a fixed support-duration commitment, so the available sources do not support a like-for-like duration comparison.
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.
The S24 Ultra runs Android with Samsung’s One UI; the iPhone 17 runs iOS. Neither platform is an objective winner for every buyer. Consider the devices, services, and workflows you already use, including how easily the phone fits with your other devices.
Water resistance and other practical specifications
Samsung rates the S24 Ultra IP68 based on submersion testing in freshwater and cautions that water resistance can diminish over time. Apple lists an IP68 rating under IEC 60529, with a stated maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. These manufacturer ratings use specified test conditions; they are not a guarantee that a phone will remain waterproof in every real-world situation.
Both phones use USB-C. For the S24 Ultra, Samsung says its 45W adapter is sold separately; Apple likewise says its 40W adapter is available separately. Check what is included with the exact phone listing you are considering.
Which phone should you choose?
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want
- A larger 6.8-inch screen.
- Dedicated 3x and 5x telephoto cameras.
- An integrated S Pen for handwriting or markup.
- A 1TB storage option.
- Samsung’s stated S24-series software-support commitment.
Choose the iPhone 17 if you want
- A smaller 6.3-inch phone that weighs 177g.
- iOS and a phone that fits your existing Apple devices and services.
- A dual 48MP rear-camera system with a 2x optical-quality telephoto mode.
- A 256GB or 512GB configuration at its historical US launch prices, which were below the S24 Ultra’s corresponding launch tiers.
For current value, compare dated, like-for-like offers rather than relying on launch MSRP: the S24 Ultra and iPhone 17 launched in different years, and the cited AT&T page no longer lists the Samsung model as available.
Quick Recap
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.
