iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Flagship camera face-off reveals interesting results, Apple may have Samsung beat
Apple's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max pack some serious camera chops, with both versions sporting superior camera hardware than the prior generations. In DxOMark's ranking, the iPhone 16 Pro Max clinched the top position in videography but failed to move past the fourth spot in the photography ranking, losing to the Pixel 9 Pro XL by a single point.
Speaking of rivalries, Samsung's S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max continue their tussle in the smartphone camera arena. A recent side-by-side comparison published by the YouTube channel MrWhosetheboss reveals some interesting developments. Before we dive into the results, do keep in mind that camera performance is subjective, with different people preferring distinct styles.
Starting off with video performance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max absolutely smokes the S24 Ultra in this regard, as we have come to expect. The iPhone's video capabilities continue to be superior to any other smartphone on the market - a fact that is reflected by DxOMark's ranking as well. According to Arun, the iPhone boasts superior audio capabilities, and its ultra-wide camera captures more details with better dynamic range while also being less noisy than the S24 Ultra (currently $1,074 on Amazon). The S24 Ultra's 8K video capability does show its strength in certain scenarios, but such scenarios are few and far between, and the iPhone is generally more reliable and better-performing in terms of video recording.
Moving to photography performance, the S24 Ultra shines in portrait and selfie modes, particularly with warmer tones and superior edge detection. However, the iPhone does fight back with photography styles that allow users to tweak skin tones. Moreover, Apple's selfie videos are also superior, with the S24 Ultra lagging behind despite boasting better hardware, struggling in low-light conditions. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also takes the crown in slow-mo footage, now supporting 4K at 120 FPS.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max's upgraded 48 MP ultra-wide camera did not particularly impress DxOMark, although it did manage to handily outshine the S24 Ultra's 12 MP unit, packing far more details for an overall crisper image. However, the tables turn in zoom performance, where the S24 Ultra has a clear edge. Shooting videos in night mode is a much better experience with the iPhone than the Galaxy, while still photos differ primarily in terms of image processing - Apple tends to allow for slightly grainer images, while Samsung smoothens the image to solve the noise problem, and adds sharpening thereafter.
Overall, Arun's video indicated that the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes the lead in most categories this year, outperforming the S24 Ultra. However, Samsung's upcoming S25 Ultra is likely to be revealed sometime in January of next year, which may turn the tables on the iPhone. Until then, it is safe to say Apple's latest leads Samsung's best in the camera department.
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