The iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 FE may share the same general flagship look, but they are aimed at different buyers. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's premium Pro model with stronger cameras, faster USB 3 transfer, and a higher storage ceiling, while the Galaxy S24 FE is the cheaper Fan Edition option built around a bigger display and lower entry price.
In this comparison, we break down the differences between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 FE across price, design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software features, and overall value to help you pick the right fit.
TL;DR: The Galaxy S24 FE only really wins if budget matters most. If you want the more premium all-around device, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is easier to recommend.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE Specs Table
The table below shows why this matchup is mostly about price versus polish. The Galaxy S24 FE is far cheaper and gives you a large display, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max answers with better camera hardware, faster transfer speeds, and more storage headroom.
| Specifications | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1,199 | $649.99 |
| Dimensions | 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.34 in | 6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 in |
| Weight | 233 g | 213 g |
| Processor | A19 Pro | Exynos 2400e |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 128GB / 256GB |
| Display | 6.9 in (Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion, Always-On) | 6.7 in (Dynamic AMOLED 2X) |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, NFC, Ultra Wideband | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
| Rear Cameras | Triple 48MP Pro camera system | Triple rear camera |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage | 10MP |
| Battery Life | Up to 39 hours video playback | Up to 28 hours video playback |
| Colors | Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, Silver | Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, Yellow |
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Price
The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199, while the Galaxy S24 FE starts at $649.99. That means Samsung undercuts Apple by about $549 at launch. If price is one of your top filters, that gap matters. The extra spend on the iPhone 17 Pro Max mainly buys you the triple 48MP camera system, a 1TB storage option, and USB 3 transfer up to 10Gb/s.
The Galaxy S24 FE is the obvious budget winner. The iPhone 17 Pro Max only justifies its premium if you care enough about camera flexibility, battery claims, and faster file movement to pay for them.
Winner: Galaxy S24 FEiPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Design
The iPhone 17 Pro Max measures 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.34 in and weighs 233 g, while the Galaxy S24 FE measures 6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 and weighs 213 g. That means this section is not just about looks. It is about footprint, thickness, and how heavy the phone feels over a full day.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the cleaner design advantage because it is shorter, narrower, thinner, and much lighter than the Galaxy S24 FE. The FE model gives you a big display for less money, but it is also the chunkier device.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Display
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a 6.9 in Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion, Always-On panel at 2868 x 1320, while the Galaxy S24 FE uses a larger 6.7 in Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at 2340 x 1080. The FE gives you more physical screen area, but the iPhone keeps the stronger overall display pitch thanks to its higher pixel density and more premium Pro positioning.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Performance
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the A19 Pro, while the Galaxy S24 FE uses the Exynos 2400e. Both are flagship chips designed for top-tier performance on their own platforms. For most buyers, that means you should expect fast everyday use, strong gaming headroom, and enough power for demanding camera and editing workflows. Because this is a cross-platform comparison and both phones already sit at the top end of their ecosystems, there is no clean verified reason to force a winner here from the listed specs alone.
Winner: TieiPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Camera
The camera gap is one of the easiest differences to explain in this comparison. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a Triple 48MP Pro camera system with 48MP main, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras, while the Galaxy S24 FE uses a Triple rear camera built around a 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 8MP 3x telephoto. The FE setup is solid for the money, but the iPhone's Pro camera package is more ambitious overall. The front camera also favors Apple at 18MP Center Stage versus 10MP.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Battery
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is rated for up to 39 hours of video playback, while the Galaxy S24 FE is rated for up to 28 hours. That gives the iPhone a 11-hour advantage on the listed video playback claims. That difference matters because the FE is the larger and heavier phone, yet the iPhone still posts the stronger claim. If you want the better battery promise from the published specs, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the safer choice.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Software, Storage, and Features
This section still favors the iPhone because the practical workflow differences are easy to explain. The iPhone 17 Pro Max goes up to 2TB and supports USB 3 up to 10Gb/s, while the Galaxy S24 FE tops out at 256GB and lists USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (typically up to 5Gb/s). If you care about long-term storage flexibility or moving large files more quickly, the iPhone is the stronger option.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro MaxSwitching to a New Phone? Use MobileTrans to Transfer Your Data
If you are moving between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 FE, the practical challenge is not just choosing a winner. It is also making sure your photos, videos, messages, contacts, and app data move over cleanly without wasting time.
That is where MobileTrans - Phone Transfer can help. It is useful whether you are jumping from iPhone to Samsung, Samsung to iPhone, or just setting up a second device while keeping your files organized.
How to transfer data using MobileTrans
If you decide to upgrade to either model, moving your data can be quick and simple with MobileTrans.
Step 01
Connect Your Phones
Install MobileTrans on your computer, then click the Phone to Phone tab and connect both Phones via USB.
Step 02
Choose What to Transfer
Select the data you want to move, such as contacts, photos, messages, videos, and other important files.
Step 03
Start the Transfer
Click the transfer button and wait for the process to finish. Once done, check your new phone to make sure everything has been copied successfully.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 FE: Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S24 FE if your main goal is spending much less while still getting a large-screen Samsung phone. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the better cameras, stronger battery claim, faster file transfer, and more premium all-around hardware.
For most buyers who can afford both, the iPhone is the easier recommendation.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro MaxFinal Verdict
Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro Max wins this comparison by giving you more premium hardware in the areas that matter most: cameras, battery claims, transfer speed, and storage flexibility.
The Galaxy S24 FE is still worth considering if your main goal is paying much less for a big-screen Samsung phone.
