Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the flagship option here, delivering serious performance and features that are hard to ignore. With a massive 200MP camera and a 5000mAh battery capable of lasting up to 30 hours on video playback, it's a powerhouse for anyone who demands the best. In contrast, the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) offers a more budget-friendly entry into the Apple ecosystem, but you'll need to compromise on features like display size and camera quality. Key specs: Display: 6.8" vs 4.7" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (premium flagship) and Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) (budget-friendly) 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 | Samsung Galaxy | Apple iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.6★ (3,377 reviews) | 4.5★ (225 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections | Most affordable entry point into the new iPhone ecosystem |
| Main Drawback | Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms | Dated design with thick top and bottom bezels |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Budget |
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)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
iOS
Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
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: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy | ★4.5(225)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 4GB |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) | 4.7" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | Retina HD LCD (IPS) |
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) | 1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 1–120 Hz | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) | 625 nits (Typical) |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS | 12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | No (Not supported) |
Telephoto Camera | 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 | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps | 4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps |
Battery | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback | 2,018mAh (Approximate) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately) | 20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | 7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC | 5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2 | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back | IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass |
Dimensions | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) |
Weight | 8.18 oz (232 g) | 5.09 oz (144 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button) |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG | Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support |
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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
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
iOS
Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
4GB
64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe
Pros
- Most affordable entry point into the new iPhone ecosystem
- Compact and lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
Cons
- Dated design with thick top and bottom bezels
- Small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacks the vibrancy of OLED competitors
Which one is better?
Battery life: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is rated for up to 30 hours. That said, grab the iPhone SE if you want a compact, lightweight phone that's easier to handle at just 5.09oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you prioritize photography with a 200MP camera, need long battery life for travel, or want a larger display for media consumption.
Choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) if: you want an affordable iPhone, prefer a lightweight design for one-handed use, or appreciate the classic Touch ID feature. (4.7" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.6★ vs 4.5★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,377 reviews vs 225
→ 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
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra edges ahead with a 4.6★ rating compared to 4.5★. However, Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice if you prioritize exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) wins if you value most affordable entry point into the new iphone ecosystem. Both are rated highly (4.6★ vs 4.5★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)?
Key differences: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections, while Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) stands out with most affordable entry point into the new iphone ecosystem. Consider that Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms. Meanwhile, Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) dated design with thick top and bottom bezels. 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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