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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S24 vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Apple iPhone 17 Air: which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
Ratings: 4.6★ vs 4.9★
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Samsung Galaxy S24
★4.6
(1,055)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
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)
Graphics:Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
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Apple iPhone 17 Air
★4.9
(13)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Apple iPhone 17 Air
Samsung Galaxy S24
★4.6(1,055)Amazon
Apple iPhone 17 Air
★4.9(13)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Apple iPhone 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(1,055)Amazon | ★4.9(13)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.2" (6.17" measured diagonally as a full rectangle; 6.0" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 416 ppi) | 2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 1–120 Hz | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display |
Peak Brightness | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video | No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software) |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | 3x optical zoom; 2x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) | 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x (Space Zoom) | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps | 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 |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 4000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback | 3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC | 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 |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum 2 frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back | 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 |
Dimensions | 5.79" x 2.78" x 0.30" (147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm) | 6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm) |
Weight | 5.93 oz (168 g) (mmWave model) | 5.82 oz (165 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Face ID |
Extras | Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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Samsung Galaxy S24
Rating:★4.6(1,055)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
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)
Graphics:Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.2" (6.17" measured diagonally as a full rectangle; 6.0" accounting for rounded corners)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 416 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Adaptive 1–120 Hz
Peak Brightness:2600 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
Optical Zoom:3x optical zoom; 2x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor)
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x (Space Zoom)
Video Recording:8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps
Battery:4000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum 2 frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back
Dimensions:5.79" x 2.78" x 0.30" (147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm)
Weight:5.93 oz (168 g) (mmWave model)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition
Extras:Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support
✓ Pros:
- • Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates
- • Bright 2600-nit LTPO display adjusts down to 1Hz
- • Compact form factor without compromising on build quality
- • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip provides top-tier performance
- • Galaxy AI features integrated directly into the OS
✗ 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)
- • Lacks Wi-Fi 7 support (limited to Wi-Fi 6E)
- • No UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support on the base model
- • 8GB RAM is lower than competitors' standard offerings
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Apple iPhone 17 Air
Rating:★4.9(13)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
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)
Ultra-Wide Camera:No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
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
Front Camera:24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
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
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
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
Dimensions:6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Weight:5.82 oz (165 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
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
✓ Pros:
- • Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
- • 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
- • Powered by the A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM for full Apple Intelligence support
- • Upgraded 24MP front camera for superior selfies and video calls
- • Excellent main camera performance with 2x lossless crop
✗ 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
- • USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No mmWave 5G support (Sub-6 GHz only due to Apple modem restrictions)
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Based on ratings and feature balance, Apple iPhone 17 Air has a slight edge for specific features. Samsung Galaxy S24 remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Samsung Galaxy S24 suits buyers who need Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates, Bright 2600-nit LTPO display adjusts down to 1Hz
- Apple iPhone 17 Air suits buyers who want Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis, 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S24 excels if you value commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Apple iPhone 17 Air is better if you prioritize thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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