Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S24
The Apple iPhone 17 Air is the premium choice here, boasting a sleek design at just 5.6mm thick and a vibrant 6.6" display. However, its single-camera system and shorter battery life might make you reconsider your options for 2026. So, if you're all about that battery life, the S24 might be the smarter buy. Key specs: Display: 6.6" vs 6.2" and Battery: 3150 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
Why compare these? Both the Apple iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S24 are high-end smartphones competing in the same market segment. This makes them direct rivals for buyers looking for high-end features and performance in 2026. Understanding their differences helps you choose the right one for your specific needs.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.9★ (13 reviews) | 4.6★ (1,055 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis | Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Main Drawback | High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses) | Wired charging capped at 25W (slower than Plus/Ultra models) |
| Market Position | Premium | Premium |
Apple iPhone 17 Air
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S24
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Samsung Galaxy S24
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Air | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(13)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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 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 with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.6" (6.55" 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 | 2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi) | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 416 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | Adaptive 1–120 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (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 | No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software) | 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 Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
Optical Zoom | 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x 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 | 24MP Center Stage (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 | 3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 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 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; 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 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum 2 frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back |
Dimensions | 6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm) | 5.79" x 2.78" x 0.30" (147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm) |
Weight | 5.82 oz (165 g) | 5.93 oz (168 g) (mmWave model) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; 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 17 Air
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
- 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
Cons
- High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses)
- Battery life is shorter than the 'Plus' model it replaces due to thinness
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 crushes the iPhone 17 Air's 3150mAh. That said, grab the iPhone 17 Air if you want a premium design and lighter weight at just 5.82 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Air if: you value a sleek design, want superior selfies with a 24MP front camera, or prefer a powerful processor with 12GB RAM.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 if: you need all-day battery life, enjoy versatile photography with a 50MP camera, or want up to 7 years of software updates.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.9★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,055 reviews vs 13
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Thinnest iPhone ever Priority
Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Commitment to 7 Priority
Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
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 17 Air edges ahead with a 4.9★ 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 17 Air or Samsung Galaxy S24?
Apple iPhone 17 Air is the better choice if you prioritize thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. Samsung Galaxy S24 wins if you value commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Both are rated highly (4.9★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S24?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 17 Air offers thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis, while Samsung Galaxy S24 stands out with commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Consider that Apple iPhone 17 Air high price for a single-camera system (no ultra wide or telephoto lenses). 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.
Affiliate disclosure
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