iPhone vs Samsung Which is Better 2024 latest comparison

Are you looking for a new phone but can’t decide between Apple and Samsung? You’re not alone! Picking between iPhone and Galaxy phones is like choosing your favorite superhero. Each brand has its own strengths, making the decision tricky.

This guide will help you compare the key features of both iPhone and Samsung phones, just like comparing the powers of your favorite heroes. We’ll look at things like speed, camera quality (think amazing slow-motion vs. clear night shots), design, and battery life.

Here’s the catch: there’s no one “best” phone for everyone. Apple might be popular in the US, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you. Maybe you love Samsung’s expandable storage, or perhaps you prefer Apple’s sleek design and easy-to-use features.

Whether you’re considering the latest high-end phone with a hefty price tag or a more affordable option, this guide will help you understand what makes both iPhones and Galaxy phones great. We’ll explore the different models from each brand, including the advanced Pro versions and the larger Ultra models—just like superheroes with special suits and powers

iPhone:

Strengths:

• Software: Smooth, user-friendly interface, timely updates, and strong app ecosystem.
• Hardware: Powerful A-series chips and high-quality displays.
• Camera: Great photo and video quality, especially for casual users.
• Build quality: Premium materials and sturdy construction.
• Resale value: iPhones tend to hold their value better than Samsung phones.

Latest iPhone 15 series

• iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• iPhone 15 Pro.
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15.

Weaknesses:

• Price: Generally more expensive than comparable Samsung models.
• Customization: Less open and customizable than Android-based Samsung phones.
• Ports: Limited to Lightning port, requiring adapters for some accessories.
• Battery life: Can be inconsistent compared to some Samsung phones.

Samsung:

Strengths:

• Price: Often offers more affordable options with similar features.
• Customization: Android offers extensive customization options for users who prefer it.
• Display: Some models have higher refresh rates and larger screens than iPhones.
• Battery life: Typically lasts longer than iPhones on a single charge.
• Ports: Many models have a USB-C port, the current standard for many devices.

Samsung Galaxy series

• Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Galaxy S24 Plus
• Galaxy S24
• Galaxy Z Fold 5

Weaknesses:

• Software: Updates can be slower and less consistent than iPhones.
• App ecosystem: While vast, some apps may be available on iPhone first or have exclusive features.
• Build quality: Some models may feel less premium than iPhones.
• Resale value: Typically depreciates faster than iPhones.

The Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24 series

Apple iPhone 15 series

The Apple iPhone 15 is the brand’s standard flagship phone in last year’s range, released in September 2023. It has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a high 2,556 x 1,179-pixel resolution and the Dynamic Island feature. It has an upgraded 48Mp main camera with new features. The iPhone 15 Plus is the same phone but with a bigger 6.7-inch screen and larger battery to match.

The two Pro models – the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – have a new titanium finish and are equipped with Apple’s top-of-the-line cameras. But the finest zoom software is reserved for the priciest Pro Max. You can click through to buy any of the latest iPhones below. 

Samsung Galaxy S24 series

The standard model from Samsung’s latest flagship range, the Samsung Galaxy S24, came out in January 2024. It looks similar to its predecessor with a few notable upgrades, such as new camera features, an upgraded processor and new recycled materials. However, the biggest upgrades are in its new built-in AI features. This includes new editing tools to get rid of people walking through your photos. You can use Live Translate to translate calls in real time or Chat Assist to change the tone of your phrase, like from ‘casual’ to ‘professional’.  Find out what happened when we put the Samsung Galaxy S24 AI features to the test.

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ has a larger 6.6-inch OLED display and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has the most advanced cameras as well as a useful built-in stylus called the S-pen.

Cheap Apple iPhones and Samsung phones

iPhone SE

The iPhone SE is Apple’s answer to a mid-range phone. In March 2022, Apple released the third SE model with a pleasant surprise – it’s fuelled by the same powerful A15 Bionic Chip as in the iPhone 13, but it only has one rear camera lens and (by modern standards) a small screen (4.7 inches). 

Samsung A25

The A range is where you’ll find Samsung’s cheapest phones. One of the latest releases is the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G. It comes with a 6.5-inch screen with 2,340 x 1,080 resolution and three camera lenses with several settings and modes. Better yet, it has five years of security support guaranteed until December 2028, which gives you a lot of time for a handset that costs under £$.

iPhone vs Samsung: Hardware and Tech

Depending on what you look for in a phone, this section can be the real meat and potatoes in deciding what’s best for you. Here are some quick comparisons of Apple and Samsung phones’ important tech.

Chips

Previously, Samsung has tended to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets for certain parts of the world, including the US, and its first-party Exynos chips in others. This practice took a break with the Galaxy S23 phones, where you’ll only find the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, but this Qualcomm/Exynos divide has returned for the Galaxy S24 series, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and Exynos 2400 residing in different regional models.

Apple doesn’t engage in this practice. It usually offers two chipsets worldwide determined by the model itself. The base iPhone models usually get the previous year’s chipset, while the Pro models employ the bleeding-edge silicon. This is the case with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.

The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15 appears to beat the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 regarding CPU performance. The A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max is even better, although phones like the S23 Ultra lead in GPU scores. The base Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 puts up a much tougher fight, beating the A17 Pro in multi-core performance. We’ll soon know how the “for Galaxy” version of this chipset in the Galaxy S24 series stacks up against Apple’s silicon in the coming weeks.

The takeaway is that iPhone tends to offer better CPU performance, whereas Samsung tends to provide better GPU performance. So if you’re going to be playing lots of 3D games, go with Samsung. If you want to switch between a wide range of applications quickly, an iPhone may be better — although the overall speed between high-end devices is negligible. If you don’t really care about either of those factors and just want something cheap, Samsung has plenty of budget options that Apple doesn’t.

Cameras

Camera tech is increasingly more important than processors to the average person since only pros and hobbyists use standalone cameras going into 2024. Most Samsung phones have very versatile camera setups, with budget options having at least three rear cameras, including a primary (wide), macro, and ultrawide. Telephotos are entering Samsung’s budget space. With iPhones, you’re stuck with a wide and an ultrawide unless you’re willing to spring big for a Pro model.

In terms of sheer power, there is one clear winner in the camera department: Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra. Its megapixel might on both the front and back, combined with in-depth control, was enough for us to declare it the best phone camera available that we’ve tested so far. It has a quad-camera system including a stellar 200MP shooter, joined by a 10MP periscope camera, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. We expect the Galaxy S24 Ultra to push this threshold even higher with its upgraded zoom lens and additional AI features.

That being the case, Apple’s latest high-end model, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, is an admirable runner-up. You’re getting a 48MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5x telephoto, combined with Apple’s usual sensor and processing wizardry that lets the company punch above paper specs. Indeed most true professionals would probably rather shoot video on a Pro Max to take advantage of things like ProRes files, log recording, and support for the Academy Color Encoding System, even if they might need custom lenses.

Display

As for the screen you’ll be looking at, Apple and Samsung’s flagships have sharp HDR displays with similar peak brightness values, though Apple wins by the nits on the iPhone 15 lineup. If you’re looking at budget models, Samsung tends to win. Even cheaper Galaxy A-series phones have decently-sized AMOLED panels, whereas Apple’s iPhone SE is frozen in time with a 4.7-inch LCD that can never go completely black.

Samsung relies on Gorilla Glass protection for most of its phones, the strength of which usually goes up with the device’s price tag, the strongest material being Victus. Apple has used Ceramic Shield for its phones since the iPhone 12 series, a new type of glass developed by Corning, the same firm behind Gorilla Glass. Every non-SE iPhone gets the same Ceramic Shield protection regardless of cost, which is generally good even if you should still buy a case to prevent cracks.

The biggest difference between the two companies regarding screen specs is Samsung’s commitment to faster refresh rates. As mentioned, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus still have 60Hz panels, whereas less expensive Galaxy phones are hitting 120Hz. If you want ultra-smooth motion on an iPhone, you have to pay for a Pro. Ditto if you want always-on display tech, which is extremely common in the Android world.

Battery

Samsung batteries tend to run longer than iPhones based on our testing, sometimes well over a day, and that’s what you’d expect based on specs. Multiple Samsung devices have 5,000mAh battery packs, whereas even the iPhone 15 Pro Max tops out at 4,441. Apple does its best to optimize power usage, but there’s only so far that can go. Neither company is putting out something that can last more than two days, despite longer life being a frequent public demand.

Samsung often triumphs when it comes to charging speeds, at least on high-end models. The S24 Ultra supports 45W wired charging, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro Max can’t do any better than 27W. Even the older S23 manages 25W versus the iPhone 15’s 20W (or less).

S24 models also offer faster 15W Qi charging, twice what iPhones are usually capable of. Apple users can hit those speeds when using MagSafe, however, and the iPhone 15 lineup is poised to get Qi2, which is actually based on Apple’s technology.

Reverse wireless charging is present on a number of Samsung phones, whereas iPhone 15s can only perform reverse wired charging. In both cases the tech is limited to 4.5W, so don’t expect to top up your AirPods or Galaxy Watch in a hurry.

iPhone vs Samsung: Software and ecosystem

Here at Android Authority, we can’t help but be a little biased toward Google’s operating system. Android is an open platform offering more choice, versatility, and customization, to name a few benefits. Samsung’s One UI adds a lot of bloatware on top of stock Android, making it easy to get lost in all the icons, endless settings, and pre-installed apps you likely won’t ever use. On the flip side, it does enable even more customizability with exclusive apps such as GoodLock.

There are a few things that even we admit iOS does better. For starters, iOS tends to be a simpler and smoother experience. This is partly due to Apple’s highly optimized hardware, but the user interface is an example of the saying “less is more.” There are no app drawers to hide things, and controls are frequently more intuitive.

Samsung tends to offer four OS updates and five years of security updates for many of its models, while Apple averages six OS updates.

Regarding software support, Samsung offers up to four OS updates and five years of security updates for many of its models, including the older Galaxy S series, Z series, and select A-series devices. Past devices like the Galaxy S20 and Note series have received three years of OS updates and four years of security updates. As of the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung’s flagships will now receive seven years of software updates — patches and full Android versions.

In comparison, Apple offers up to six OS updates on average. iPhone owners can also download these as soon as they launch, whereas Samsung has to get an Android update from Google, optimize it for specific products, and only then seed it. The process can take months.

Because iOS is Apple’s proprietary software, the company gets more control over the end-user experience. That translates to better memory management, software integration, and user security. The downside is that this puts users within Apple’s walled garden, unlike Android, which is open-source. You can only ever get iPhone apps from the Apple App Store unless you’re a hacker or developer, and some features are reserved for Apple apps, accessories, and services — even Garmin‘s most expensive fitness watches can’t be used to reply to iPhone messages the way an Apple Watch can.

iOS is simpler and smoother to use, but the complexity of One UI allows for much more customization.

Many apps are available on both operating systems. There’s a higher quantity on the Android side, but iPhone apps tend to have higher quality, since Apple enforces a strict testing system and developers know they’re more likely to cash in. You have to be doing pretty well financially to afford an iPhone 15 Pro, after all.

We’d talk more about specific features here, but Apple, Samsung, and Google are locked in a continual arms race, so things that were once an advantage of the Apple ecosystem can quickly become available to Samsung users and vice versa. SmartThings Find is Samsung’s version of Apple Find My, for example, and a growing of audio products (including the Apple-made Beats Studio Buds Plus) support Google’s Fast Pair and Audio Switch.

iPhone vs Samsung: Value for money

Ultimately, the value you get from a phone depends on what you’re looking for and how you want to use it. While Samsung sometimes has better raw specs, most shoppers should be satisfied with an iPhone 15 or S24, and even the companies’ cheaper models should function well in daily life. Anyone getting an iPhone 14 or S23 as their first smartphone will probably be delighted.

You’ll generally get better hardware and specs for the price with Samsung, but the phones can depreciate in value faster than an iPhone.

That being said, Android phones tend to depreciate faster. Samsung’s keep their value better than some competitors, but you typically get a higher trade-in value for an iPhone when it’s time to upgrade. Plus, you can usually sell them for more and faster, given how popular Apple products are.

On the other hand, iPhones are more expensive to repair than Samsung devices. Apple Stores are notorious for charging high fees, primarily because only Apple and authorized repair shops have the tools capable of opening and fixing iPhones. There is a self-repair service, but it requires skills most people would rather pay someone for. Conversely, you can typically take Samsung phones to any trusted technician to repair, and their latest iFixit program looks like a promising, efficient repair solution.

iPhone vs Samsung: Data security and privacy

Thanks to Google’s security updates becoming more consistent, this topic isn’t as one-sided as it once was. Google has continued to secure the Google Play Store and add measures to ensure the information on your phone stays safe. These include sandboxing, two-step verification, Google Play Protect, further controlled app permissions, and more. These upgrades, along with more educated users, make for robust Android security that begins to rival iOS.

Whether iOS is better than Android in security is now up for debate, but the consensus still gives Apple the upper hand. iOS has more consistent updates for all devices, a closed ecosystem that is harder to penetrate, and a stricter app store. These factors combined make it harder for attackers to target iOS users.

iPhone vs Samsung: Who wins?

So, which brand comes out on top? If you were expecting this article to settle the iOS vs Android debate forever, well, sorry. This question is asked annually; the answer remains the same — it depends. Apple and Samsung’s phones are some of the best in the business, but which is the best for you depends on what you want to use the phone for, which ecosystem you want to be a part of, and which operating system you prefer.

By highlighting all the pros and cons of iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices, we hope you have enough information to determine which side better suits your needs. For the most part, Samsung Galaxy phones have better cameras, battery life, and display tech for the money than the iPhone offers. Despite that, a Samsung phone may depreciate in value faster, and Apple’s optimization counts for a lot.

Samsung phones have better cameras, battery life, and display tech for the price, but iPhones have better software support, security, and a proven ecosystem.

iPhones also tend to offer better security, more frequent updates, and a more integrated ecosystem, though Samsung is quickly catching up. Of course, that all comes at the cost of staying within Apple’s proprietary universe. If you want to customize your phone to look exactly the way you want, and have any option in where you shop for apps, then Samsung is the way to go. Additionally, if you’re shopping on a budget, Samsung has some great mid- to low-range options, whereas most iPhones will cost you a pretty penny, even when they’re two or three years old.

Other brands to consider

There’s plenty of choice in the smartphone market beyond Samsung and Apple, and plenty of quality too. We regularly reveal Best Buys from rival brands.

Google

Google aims for quality over quantity – it has a limited range, but they’re popular with budding smartphone photographers and those who appreciate timely operating system updates, as Google owns Android. Its flagship phones are cheaper than those from Apple and Samsung and they have a long security support policy. Browse our Google smartphone reviews to see if they tick the boxes elsewhere.

Xiaomi

If you’re after a brand that provides value for money, look no further than Xiaomi. While it does produce high-end phones, it offers a wide range of cheap yet feature-packed models as well, and these have seriously impressed. It’s capable of also producing a stinker, though, so read our Xiaomi reviews before you buy.

Other mobile phones

We’ve tested nearly 200 phones to bring you a definitive verdict on your next model. From old-hands Motorola – the popular budget brand, to Sony – who focus on creating phones for serious gamers. We also review phones from the new kids on the block Nothing – with its unique phone designs, and Fairphone – which shouts about its eco-credentials over anything else. Browse all our mobile phone reviews to find your perfect model.

How do we rate smartphones?

Each and every mobile phone that passes through our lab is subjected to the same set of tough tests. This enables us to compare them and tell you which are worth the money. You can then avoid slow phones that take rubbish photos, and spend your money on a good-quality model that won’t constantly need recharging instead.

We examine everything, including processor speed, screen and camera quality, battery life and call quality.

Our tests are unique. For example, when testing how quick each phone is, we don’t just use the industry-standard speed tests, we also rate what it’s like in everyday use. Our testers assess whether the phone is sluggish when swiping through menus and how quickly it opens webpages. All these factors enable us to generate our star ratings and give every phone a score.

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