Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max has been the center of attention since its reveal a little bit ago, but we've yet to hear from one of its top competitors: Samsung. The South Korea-based consumer electronics company has already announced its lineup of foldable phones, but if that doesn't do it for you, its flagship Galaxy series is set for release some time next year before the Mobile World Congress. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best non-iPhones on the market right now, but it doesn't hurt to look ahead — especially if you're undecided on whether to get a 15 Pro Max. (You might not be able to get one anytime soon anyway.)
1. Design and Display
Similar to how Apple decided to go the titanium route with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, there are whispers that Samsung plans to follow the Cupertino-based tech giant's footsteps. These rumors got stronger after Apple confirmed it at its "Wonderlust" event earlier this month.
While the Galaxy S24 Ultra won't look too different from its predecessors, it's been rumored that the company will be ditching its iconic curved display for a flatter design to compliment its new titanium frame. One leaker said that while the sides will still be curved, the screen will be completely flat.
This modern design doesn't mean added weight, in case you were wondering. Prolific leaker Ice Universe says the S24 Ultra is expected to weigh in at a reasonable 223g or four cinnamon Pop-Tarts.
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Even more impressively, while maintaining its 6.8-inch, 1440p resolution, the S24 Ultra's screen might boast a whopping 2,500 nits brightness level, a considerable step from the previous model's 1,750 nits. Both iPhone 15 Pro models only offer a max brightness of 2,000 nits.
2. Camera Innovations
Samsung's camera tech for the S24 Ultra might not see big changes, but there's a heavy focus on optimizing the experience from the S23 Ultra. It's been suggested that the S24 Ultra will use an optimized version of its 200MP primary lens. Plus, the S24 Ultra will more than likely also keep its 12MP ultrawide and selfie cameras as well.
The biggest change might be a new telephoto lens for increased clarity on zoomed photos. A beefed-up 50MP lens with 3X optical zoom is said to replace the Ultra's 10MP 3X telephoto sensor. However, and this may be a dealbreaker, according to Ice Universe, Samsung may nix the other telephoto sensor — the one with 10x optical zoom. In other words, you're reportedly getting a new 50MP, 3X optical zoom that should beget sharper, crisper details, but unfortunately, you may be losing out on Samsung's popular 10MP 10X optical zoom telephoto sensor.
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If this rumor is true, on paper, the Galaxy S24 Ultra should deliver higher-resolution images compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 12MP, 5X optical zoom periscope camera. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max will give you more optical zoom range before the software kicks in.
3. Power and Performance Enhancements
The S24 Ultra is expected to pack some serious power. It's rumored to house Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Chip, having ditched the Exynos chips last year for the S23 Ultra. According to Pocket-Lint, this upgrade should "deliver an equal amount of efficiency while providing plenty of extra power under the hood."
Powered with One UI 6, the S24 Ultra is said to have a faster GPU that will bring a major graphics upgrade for those who love playing mobile games. This upgrade is complemented by a rumored 16GB RAM, doubling the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 8GB. Charging won't be a long affair either, with an anticipated 65W fast charging capability — triumphing over S23 Ultra's 45W capabilities. The same probably can't be said about the base models, unfortunately.
If these rumors are anything to go by, the Galaxy S24 could very well be the best Samsung has to offer, but don't be surprised if it costs just as much as an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Topics Samsung Smartphones
