Usage Experience and Impressions: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

In the competitive world of modern smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of their respective brands’ technology and innovation. After using all three for some time, I’ve gained a deep understanding of what each device offers. These phones each have clear strengths, offering exceptional performance, camera quality, battery life, and system fluidity. Below, I’ll share my detailed experience and impressions based on real-world usage, analyzing both the pros and cons of each.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Ultimate Android Flagship

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the most competitive flagship smartphones in the Android world. In terms of design, it follows Samsung’s signature high-end style, with a high-quality glass and metal body that feels robust and premium. While the phone’s size is large, featuring a 6.8-inch screen, the design is optimized for better handling, and it doesn’t feel overly bulky when held in one hand.

Display and Performance
The S24 Ultra boasts a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution, offering exceptional detail and vivid color reproduction. Even under bright sunlight, the display remains clear and easy to read, with excellent brightness levels. It also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring ultra-smooth scrolling and fluid transitions between pages, which is perfect for video viewing, gaming, or browsing. The visual experience on the S24 Ultra is top-notch, making it one of the best displays on the market.

In terms of performance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with the Exynos 2400 (or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, depending on the region) chipset, delivering a fast and smooth experience for both everyday tasks and high-demand applications like gaming and video editing. The device handles large games like Genshin Impact with ease, offering smooth frame rates and minimal lag. The GPU is highly capable, rendering game graphics in exquisite detail with high frame rates, even during extended play sessions. Thermal management is well-optimized, with the phone remaining cool during heavy usage.

Camera and Video Performance
The camera system on the S24 Ultra is one of its standout features. Equipped with a 200MP main camera, 10x optical zoom, and 120x space zoom, the device excels at long-distance photography and capturing fine details. Even in low-light conditions, the S24 Ultra’s camera produces outstanding shots with excellent noise control and rich color reproduction. The camera’s ability to zoom in without losing sharpness is particularly impressive, setting it apart from other flagship phones. The device also supports 4K and 8K video recording, providing crisp, high-quality video for both casual creators and professionals.

Battery and Charging
The S24 Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery and supports 45W fast charging. The battery life comfortably lasts throughout the day under regular usage, including browsing, video streaming, and moderate gaming. For those who demand quick recharges, the 45W fast charging is convenient, though it’s somewhat slower compared to the higher wattage chargers offered by other brands. Still, it can charge quickly enough to keep up with a busy schedule.

System Experience
The S24 Ultra runs on One UI 6, a Samsung custom skin based on Android. One UI offers a highly intuitive interface, with features like the Edge Screen for easy access to apps, and deep customization options to tailor the user experience. The system is fluid, even during multitasking, making switching between apps seamless. Samsung’s S Pen functionality is also a highlight, especially for business users or those who enjoy drawing or writing on their device.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a well-rounded flagship phone with outstanding performance, excellent camera quality, and a top-tier display. It’s perfect for users who prioritize photography and gaming performance, as well as those who want a premium Android experience.

Xiaomi 17 Pro: A Perfect Balance of Affordability and Innovation

As Xiaomi’s flagship device, the Xiaomi 17 Pro also has an impressive design, featuring a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 3200×1440 resolution. The display is vibrant and offers an excellent viewing experience, with true-to-life color reproduction and a 120Hz refresh rate. While it may not match the dynamic AMOLED screen of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Pro still provides smooth visuals and fluidity, making it great for both media consumption and daily tasks.

Performance and Fluidity
The Xiaomi 17 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and comes with 12GB of RAM. This setup ensures solid performance, handling both everyday tasks and more intensive applications like gaming or video editing with ease. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers smooth gameplay with high frame rates, even for demanding games. Multitasking is fluid, with the phone capable of running multiple apps simultaneously without noticeable lag. The overall experience is seamless, making it a great choice for those who need strong performance without breaking the bank.

Camera and Video
The Xiaomi 17 Pro is equipped with a 50MP main camera, and although it doesn’t quite reach the level of the Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max in terms of detail retention or dynamic range, its camera quality is still excellent. In low-light conditions, the Xiaomi 17 Pro stands out with its night mode, producing sharp images with minimal noise. The device also has excellent wide-angle and telephoto lenses, providing users with a variety of shooting options. For those who value a versatile camera experience at a competitive price, the Xiaomi 17 Pro is a great choice.

Battery and Charging
With a 5000mAh battery and 120W fast charging capabilities, the Xiaomi 17 Pro’s battery performance is among the best in its class. Under typical usage, the phone lasts throughout the day without issue, and the rapid charging capability is a game-changer. In just 30 minutes, the battery can be charged to 80%, ensuring users can quickly get back to using their phones without worrying about long charging times.

System Experience
The Xiaomi 17 Pro runs on MIUI 15, which offers a feature-rich, customizable user interface. MIUI allows for a variety of gesture controls, as well as helpful tools like super battery-saving mode and gaming mode for a better user experience. While MIUI is packed with features, it can sometimes feel a bit heavier compared to stock Android. However, the phone’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ensures the system remains responsive and smooth despite the additional features.

Xiaomi 17 Pro offers an exceptional balance of performance, camera quality, and fast charging at a relatively affordable price. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a high-performance phone without paying the premium price of a flagship device.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: The Ultimate Flagship Experience

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max continues Apple’s tradition of offering a top-tier, seamless experience with minimal compromise. Its 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display provides rich colors, excellent contrast, and true-to-life visuals, offering a stunning viewing experience with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. While the iPhone’s design has remained relatively consistent in recent years, the premium glass and metal construction ensure a luxurious feel, with an ergonomic hand-hold that is both comfortable and sleek.

Performance and Fluidity
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is powered by the A17 Pro chip, which offers outstanding performance across the board. Whether you’re browsing, gaming, or running professional applications, the iPhone 17 Pro Max handles it all with ease. The chip’s performance is optimally integrated with iOS, ensuring smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and effortless task switching. The device also excels in GPU-intensive tasks, ensuring flawless gaming performance, even for demanding AAA games. Apple’s approach to system optimization allows the iPhone to provide a consistently smooth experience with zero lag or stuttering.

Camera and Video
The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s camera system is exceptional, with a 48MP main camera and significant improvements in low-light performance. Apple has refined its image processing to produce natural-looking photos with excellent dynamic range. The video recording capabilities are another standout, supporting 4K ProRes video recording, making it a great option for aspiring filmmakers and content creators. The iPhone 17 Pro Max provides superb video stabilization, vibrant color reproduction, and excellent clarity, making it the ideal choice for capturing professional-quality video.

Battery and Charging
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, offering excellent endurance for daily tasks. Even with heavy use, it can easily last an entire day. While its charging speed is not as fast as some of its competitors, the A17 Pro chip and iOS optimization ensure that power consumption is efficient, and the phone lasts longer on a single charge.

System Experience
The iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on iOS 17, which is known for its seamless integration between hardware and software. The interface is intuitive, and the system feels extremely fluid with minimal bugs or glitches. Apple’s Face ID offers an additional layer of security, while also providing a faster and more convenient way to unlock the phone. iOS is well-optimized for multitasking, and the overall experience is consistent and reliable, with excellent app performance across the board.

iPhone 17 Pro Max is a reliable and polished flagship that combines top-tier performance, excellent photography and video capabilities, and system stability. It’s the go-to choice for users who value a smooth, premium, and professional experience.

Each of these three phones — the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Pro, and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — offers a unique set of features and experiences. The S24 Ultra is ideal for photography enthusiasts and gamers who need a premium Android experience with superb display quality and camera performance. The Xiaomi 17 Pro provides excellent value with its powerful chipset, fast charging, and solid camera performance at a competitive price point. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, on the other hand, offers a highly stable, smooth, and professional-grade experience, perfect for those who prioritize a seamless user experience, video recording capabilities, and a polished ecosystem.

The choice depends on your preferences and priorities, whether it’s camera quality, performance, or overall value.