Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
Get the Samsung Galaxy S24 unless you want a budget-friendly option. The numbers: 4000mAh battery delivers up to 29 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 15's 3349mAh lasts up to 20 hours. What matters most here is the S24's 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling feel twice as smooth compared to the 60Hz of the iPhone 15, especially in gaming and browsing. In real-world use, you'll notice that the Galaxy S24's 30x zoom capability crushes the iPhone 15's 10x zoom for photography enthusiasts. Plus, the S24's bright 2600-nit display shines in direct sunlight, while the iPhone 15's peaks at 2000 nits. If you're serious about performance and longevity, the S24's 7 years of updates is a game-changer in today's tech landscape. Key specs: Display: 6.1" vs 6.2" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 15 (mid-range) and Samsung Galaxy S24 (high-end) 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★ (951 reviews) | 4.6★ (1,055 reviews) |
| Top Strength | High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop | Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Main Drawback | Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz) | Wired charging capped at 25W (slower than Plus/Ultra models) |
| Market Position | Mid-range | ✓Premium |
Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
Samsung Galaxy S24
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 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
Apple iPhone 15
Samsung Galaxy S24
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 15 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(951)Best Buy | ★4.6(1,055)Amazon |
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 A16 Bionic chip (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 (A16 Bionic) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 6 GB (LPDDR5) | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.2" (6.17" measured diagonally as a full rectangle; 6.0" accounting for rounded corners) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) |
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 416 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | Adaptive 1–120 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor) | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Main (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, 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), Super Steady video |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP quad-pixel sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) | 3x optical zoom; 2x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 30x (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 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 | 3349 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) | 4000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi2 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 (Second-generation); NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum 2 frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back |
Dimensions | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) | 5.79" x 2.78" x 0.30" (147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm) |
Weight | 6.02 oz (171 g) | 5.93 oz (168 g) (mmWave model) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition |
Extras | Dynamic Island; Ring/Silent switch; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support |
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Apple iPhone 15
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A16 Bionic chip (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
6 GB (LPDDR5)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Pros
- High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop
- Bright, color-accurate OLED display (up to 2000 nits outdoor)
Cons
- Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
Samsung Galaxy S24
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)
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates
- Bright 2600-nit LTPO display adjusts down to 1Hz
Cons
- Wired charging capped at 25W (slower than Plus/Ultra models)
- Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0)
Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the better buy for most people - its 4000mAh battery lasts 29 hours of video compared to the iPhone 15's 20 hours. That said, grab the iPhone 15 if you prefer Apple's ecosystem and want a device at 6.02 oz compared to the S24's 5.93 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 if: you want a design at 6.02 oz, appreciate Apple's ecosystem, or need a high-resolution 48MP camera for photography.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 if: you want longer battery life at 29 hours, need a smoother 120Hz refresh rate for gaming, or require superior zoom capability with 30x options.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
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
High-resolution 48MP main Priority
High-resolution 48MP main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 15 edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, Samsung Galaxy S24 remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S24?
Apple iPhone 15 is the better choice if you prioritize high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop. Samsung Galaxy S24 wins if you value commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 15 offers high-resolution 48mp main camera with useful 2x optical-quality crop, while Samsung Galaxy S24 stands out with commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Consider that Apple iPhone 15 display limited to 60 hz (no promotion 120 hz). Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S24 wired charging capped at 25w (slower than plus/ultra models). 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.
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