Compare Phone Specs: iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S24

This article compares the specifications of two popular smartphones: the Apple iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S24. You will get a side-by-side breakdown of their displays, processors, cameras, batteries, and more, helping you decide which one fits your needs.

Display and Design

The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi). It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, with a typical peak brightness of 1000 nits (1600 nits for HDR). The Galaxy S24 has a slightly larger 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels (416 ppi). It also supports HDR10+ and offers a peak brightness of 2600 nits. The S24’s display has a variable 1-120Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 15 is fixed at 60Hz. Both phones have flat edges and aluminum frames, but the S24 uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, while the iPhone 15 uses Ceramic Shield. The S24 is slightly lighter (167g vs 171g) and thinner (7.6mm vs 7.8mm).

Processor and Performance

The iPhone 15 is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic chip, built on a 4nm process, with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU. The Galaxy S24 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in the US) or the Exynos 2400 (in other regions), both also 4nm. In real-world use, both phones handle demanding apps and games smoothly. The A16 Bionic is still a top-tier chip, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a slight edge in raw multi-core performance and ray-tracing for games. The iPhone 15 has 6GB of RAM (LPDDR5), while the S24 has 8GB (LPDDR5X). Both come with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB, but neither supports microSD expansion.

Camera System

The iPhone 15 has a dual-camera setup: a 48MP main sensor (f/1.6, 26mm, sensor-shift OIS) and a 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4, 13mm, 120° field of view). It can capture 4K video at 60fps and offers features like Smart HDR 5 and Photonic Engine. The Galaxy S24 has a triple-camera system: a 50MP main sensor (f/1.8, 24mm, OIS), a 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 13mm, 120°), and a 10MP telephoto (f/2.4, 67mm, 3x optical zoom). The S24 also records 4K at 60fps and has a 12MP front camera. The iPhone 15’s front camera is 12MP with autofocus. In low light, the iPhone 15 tends to produce more natural colors, while the S24 boosts contrast and saturation. The S24’s telephoto lens is a clear advantage for zoom shots.

Battery and Charging

The iPhone 15 has a 3349mAh battery, while the Galaxy S24 has a 4000mAh battery. Despite the smaller capacity, the iPhone 15’s efficient A16 chip and lower refresh rate often result in similar or better battery life than the S24. Both support wired charging (iPhone 15: 20W, S24: 25W) and wireless charging (both 15W with MagSafe or Qi2 for iPhone, and Qi for Samsung). The S24 supports Wireless PowerShare for reverse wireless charging, while the iPhone 15 has a reverse wired charging via Lightning (though it’s not a standard feature). Both have USB-C ports, but the iPhone 15 uses USB 2.0 speeds (480Mbps) while the S24 uses USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps).

Software and Updates

The iPhone 15 runs iOS 17, with Apple promising 5-6 years of software updates. The Galaxy S24 runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1, and Samsung promises 7 years of OS updates and security patches. Both phones have clean, fast interfaces, but iOS is more closed and integrated, while Android offers more customization. The S24 includes Galaxy AI features like live translation and generative photo editing, while the iPhone 15 relies on standard iOS features like Focus modes and widgets.

Connectivity and Extras

Both phones support 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. The iPhone 15 has a U2 ultrawideband chip for precise finding, while the S24 has a UWB chip too. The S24 has an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, while the iPhone 15 uses Face ID. The S24 is IP68 rated (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes), and the iPhone 15 has the same rating. The S24 has stereo speakers tuned by AKG, while the iPhone 15 has stereo speakers with spatial audio. Neither phone includes a headphone jack.

Price and Value

The iPhone 15 starts at $799 for 128GB, while the Galaxy S24 starts at $799 for the same storage. However, the S24 often goes on sale for less. The iPhone 15 retains its value better over time. If you want the best zoom, a higher refresh rate, and more RAM, the S24 is the better value. If you prefer iOS, longer software support, and a more polished camera experience, the iPhone 15 is worth the premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone has a better battery life?

In real-world tests, the iPhone 15 often edges out the Galaxy S24 in video playback and web browsing, despite having a smaller battery. The S24’s larger battery compensates for its power-hungry display and processor, but the iPhone’s efficiency wins out. Expect about a day of heavy use on both.

Is the Galaxy S24 worth the extra cost over the iPhone 15?

If you value the 120Hz display, telephoto zoom, and faster charging, yes. If you prefer iOS, the iPhone 15 is a better fit despite the lack of a high refresh rate. Both are flagship-level, so the choice depends on your ecosystem.

Can I use the same charger for both phones?

Yes, both use USB-C, but the iPhone 15 supports USB 2.0 speeds, so a high-speed cable won’t make file transfers faster. For charging, a 20W or 25W USB-C PD charger works for both.

Which phone takes better low-light photos?

The iPhone 15 generally produces brighter, more natural low-light shots with less noise, thanks to its larger sensor and Smart HDR. The S24 tends to over-sharpen and boost contrast, which some may find more appealing. It’s a matter of taste.

Do both phones support wireless charging?

Yes, both support 15W wireless charging. The iPhone 15 is compatible with MagSafe and Qi2, while the S24 supports standard Qi. You’ll need a compatible charger for the fastest speeds.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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