Apple iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 14 is the mid-range option, but it's surprisingly powerful with its A15 Bionic chip. In my testing, this phone lasts up to 20 hours of video playback thanks to its 3279mAh battery, making it a strong fit for casual users. However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its impressive 5000mAh battery, can go up to 30 hours, perfect for media bingers or those who travel frequently. Key specs: Display: 6.1" vs 6.8" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 14 (mid-range) and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (premium flagship) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (1,511 reviews) | 4.6★ (3,377 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Affordable entry point into the modern mainline iPhone ecosystem | Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections |
| Main Drawback | Uses the older Lightning port instead of USB-C | Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms |
| Market Position | Mid-range | ✓Flagship |
Apple iPhone 14
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Apple iPhone 14
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 14 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(1,511)Best Buy | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) |
Processor | Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 6 GB (LPDDR4X) | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.06" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) |
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | Adaptive 1–120 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 800 nits max (typical); 1200 nits peak (HDR) | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 12MP Main (26 mm, f/1.5), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, Photonic Engine for better low-light performance | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view) | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; Digital zoom only beyond 1x | 50MP Telephoto (111 mm, f/3.4), periscope lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x (2x optical zoom out range) | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps |
Battery | 3279 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC |
USB | Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s) | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Glass back | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back |
Dimensions | 5.78" x 2.82" x 0.31" (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm) | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) |
Weight | 6.07 oz (172 g) | 8.18 oz (232 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition |
Extras | Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Dual eSIM (US models); Ring/Silent switch | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG |
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Apple iPhone 14
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic)
6 GB (LPDDR4X)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Pros
- Affordable entry point into the modern mainline iPhone ecosystem
- Reliable A15 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU still performs well
Cons
- Uses the older Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
- Versatile quad-camera system with high-resolution 50MP 5x zoom
Cons
- Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms
- 45W charging speed has plateaued compared to competitors
Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the iPhone 14's 12MP setup. That said, grab the iPhone 14 if you want a lighter phone at 6.07oz and prefer Apple's ecosystem.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 14 if: you want an affordable entry into the iPhone world, prefer a lighter device at 6.07oz, or need reliable performance for everyday tasks.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you shoot a lot of high-resolution photos, need a battery that lasts 30 hours for video, or want top-tier performance with 12GB of RAM.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,377 reviews vs 1,511
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 14 edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 14 or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Apple iPhone 14 is the better choice if you prioritize affordable entry point into the modern mainline iphone ecosystem. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins if you value exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 14 offers affordable entry point into the modern mainline iphone ecosystem, while Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out with exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Consider that Apple iPhone 14 uses the older lightning port instead of usb-c. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
Affiliate disclosure
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