The iPhone 17 and Galaxy S24 Ultra are also aimed at different kinds of premium buyer. The iPhone 17 is the lighter, cheaper, more compact option, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra still offers Samsung's large-screen Ultra formula with Ultra-class zoom hardware and a broader feature sheet.
This comparison breaks down the key differences between the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S24 Ultra across price, design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software features, and overall buying logic.
TL;DR: The iPhone has the cleaner price-and-size argument, but the Galaxy still has the more ambitious Ultra-style hardware package.
iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra Specs Table
The table below shows the central tradeoff. The iPhone 17 is the lighter, lower-priced, and more compact option, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra answers with a much larger display, a more zoom-focused camera system, and a broader flagship feature sheet.
| Specifications | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $799 | $1,299.99 |
| Dimensions | 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in | 6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in |
| Weight | 177 g | 232 g |
| Processor | A19 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Display | 6.3 in (Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion) | 6.8 in (Dynamic AMOLED 2X) |
| Resolution | 2622 x 1206 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, NFC, Ultra Wideband | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB |
| Rear Cameras | Dual 48MP Fusion camera system | Quad rear camera |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours video playback | Up to 30 hours video playback |
| Colors | Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, Black | Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange |
iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Price
The iPhone 17 starts at $799, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra launched at a meaningfully higher Ultra-tier price. That gives the iPhone the cleaner price argument. The Galaxy only earns the premium if you specifically want the larger display, more flexible zoom hardware, and the heavier feature load that comes with Samsung's Ultra line.
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Design
The iPhone 17 measures 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in and weighs 177 g, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra measures 6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 and weighs 232 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 is the more manageable design because it is much narrower, lighter, and less bulky overall than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Samsung Ultra format gives you more screen area, but it also asks you to accept more weight and a larger footprint every day.
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Display
The iPhone 17 has a 6.3 in panel at 2622 x 1206, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra gives you a 6.8 in panel at 3120 x 1440. Both are strong displays, but the Samsung phone clearly wins on sheer size and sharpness. If you want the more expansive panel, the Ultra takes this round.
Winner: Galaxy S24 UltraiPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Performance
The iPhone 17 uses the A19, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. Both are current flagship chips designed for very fast performance in their own ecosystems. Because this is a cross-platform comparison and both phones already sit near the top end of their categories, there is no clean verified reason to force a winner here from the listed specs alone.
Winner: TieiPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Camera
The camera hardware leans strongly toward Samsung here. The iPhone 17 uses a dual 48MP camera system, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra gives you a Quad rear camera with both 5x and 3x telephoto options alongside a 200MP main camera. If your priority is reach and rear-camera flexibility, the Ultra keeps the edge.
Winner: Galaxy S24 UltraiPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Battery
The iPhone 17 and Galaxy S24 Ultra are both rated for up to 30 hours of video playback. On the listed battery claims alone, there is no clear winner to separate them. That makes this category a tie unless your real preference comes from other factors like size or charging ecosystem.
Winner: TieiPhone 17 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Software, Storage, and Features
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the stronger practical features sheet overall. It reaches 1TB and lists USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (typically up to 5Gb/s), while the iPhone only lists USB 2. That gives Samsung the cleaner edge for wired transfers and higher-end storage options.
Winner: Galaxy S24 UltraSwitching to a New Phone? Use MobileTrans to Transfer Your Data
If you are moving between the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S24 Ultra, 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 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 17 if you want the lighter, cheaper, more compact phone and do not need Ultra-style zoom hardware. Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if the bigger display and more flexible rear-camera system matter more to you than price and portability.
The iPhone is the easier value pick, but the Ultra is the more feature-heavy device.
Winner: Galaxy S24 UltraFinal Verdict
Overall, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the more feature-rich device in this comparison because it brings the larger display, more flexible zoom-heavy rear camera system, and the stronger transfer-and-storage spec sheet.
The iPhone 17 still deserves attention if you want the much cheaper, lighter, and simpler premium-phone option.
