The compact flagship war continues, with the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24 representing the best of their respective ecosystems. With the iPhone 16 and 17’s arrival on the horizon, we take a long-term look at how the iPhone 15 has held up against its competitor, the Galaxy S24, sharing which device has proven to be the better long-term choice.
Design and Build Quality
Both phones feature excellent, premium designs. While the reviewer prefers the iPhone 15’s slightly more rounded edges and smoother feel, which makes it marginally more comfortable to hold, the S24 offers a sleek, slightly taller form factor.
In terms of material and build, both feature an aluminium frame and an IP68 rating. The iPhone 15 has a matte glass back that stays cleaner, but the Galaxy S24 has a slight edge in durability as it uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back and features Armor Aluminium Q, which offers improved drop and scratch resistance. The camera aesthetics are also a matter of preference; the S24’s stacked cameras are considered more symmetrical than the 15’s diagonal layout.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 15 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic (4nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (US/China) / Exynos 2400 (Global) (4nm) |
| RAM (Base) | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Display Type | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz (Fixed) | 1 Hz – 120 Hz (Adaptive) |
| Peak Brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Main Camera | 48 MP (with 2x digital quality zoom) | 50 MP |
| Zoom/Telephoto | None (uses 48MP main sensor for 2x) | 10 MP Telephoto (3x Optical Zoom) |
| Battery Capacity | 3,349 mAh | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 20 W | 25 W |
| Reverse Charging | Reverse Wired only | Reverse Wireless & Wired |
| USB-C Port Speed | USB 2.0 | USB 3.2 |
| Biometrics | Face ID (Dynamic Island) | Ultrasonic In-Display Fingerprint |
| AI Features | No Apple Intelligence (A16 limitation) | Galaxy AI (Full suite of features) |
| Software Update | Historically ~6 years of OS updates | 7 years of OS and Security updates |
Display
Both devices use Samsung-made OLED panels that are absolutely gorgeous. However, the S24 takes a clear lead in several specifications.
| Feature | iPhone 15 (6.1 inches) | Samsung Galaxy S24 (6.2 inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz (Static) | 120Hz (Dynamic, a major long-term advantage) |
| Peak Brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits (Brighter) |
| Always-On Display | No | Yes |
| Sharpness (PPI) | 461 ppi (Slightly sharper) | 460 ppi |
The reliance on a 60Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 15 is a significant, long-term disadvantage, making the S24’s scrolling and daily usage noticeably smoother and snappier due to its 120Hz panel.
However, the iPhone 15’s display offers better color reproduction; it is well-tuned, accurate, and saturated. Samsung’s S24 panel tuning for vivid mode was a minor disappointment to some power users, as it looks less saturated than previous Samsung models, even when the vivid mode is cranked up. The iPhone 15 also has the Dynamic Island, which has proven useful for apps like delivery trackers and timers. Overall, the S24 wins on specs, while the iPhone 15 wins on color tuning.
Software and Longevity
This is a major point of contention, especially from a long-term perspective. Both platforms are excellent, offering stable, reliable experiences. The choice comes down to simplicity versus feature richness:
- iPhone 15 (iOS): The software is super polished, refined, and simple it just works, which appeals to users who don’t want to constantly customize. However, a major letdown is that the iPhone 15 will not receive the Apple Intelligence AI features coming with iOS 18 (which will be exclusive to the Pro models), making the iPhone 15 feel obsolete barely a year after its release.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 (One UI): One UI is simple and fun to use but also offers a massive range of features and customization options, including Edge Panels, split-screen multitasking, and the Good Lock customization suite. Crucially, the S24 includes AI features built-in and the full suite of advanced capabilities, ensuring better longevity in terms of feature set.
For users who want more advanced features and greater freedom to customize, the S24 is the better choice. For those who prioritize a simple, tried-and-true experience, the iPhone 15’s iOS remains the default.
Performance
Both phones are incredibly fast and handle everyday tasks effortlessly. The difference lies in hardware specifications and perceived speed:
- The iPhone 15 has 6GB of RAM, which limits its long-term future compared to the S24.
- The S24 has 8GB of RAM (the same as the iPhone 15 Pro) and a 120Hz display.
While both phones’ chips are powerful, the S24 feels snappier and smoother in daily use due to the high refresh rate and its quicker animation settings in developer options. The reviewer’s conclusion is that for the average consumer, the Samsung S24 is the faster-feeling phone in a long-term comparison.
Cameras
The camera systems offer different strengths:
- iPhone 15: Simple to use, excellent video quality (the preferred choice for video), and a very capable main and ultrawide camera. The front-facing camera produces great results but tends to look overly sharp, highlighting every detail.
- Samsung Galaxy S24: Offers a more versatile camera package, including a dedicated 3x optical zoom telephoto lens (a feature the base iPhone 15 lacks) and up to 30x digital zoom. The photos are very sharp, though sometimes “too sharp,” and selfies are aesthetically more pleasing, giving a softer look to the face. The S24 also provides more features and options within its camera app.
Battery and Audio
The iPhone 15 wins on battery life, offering roughly 1 to 2 hours more longevity than the S24 despite the S24 having a larger 4,000 mAh battery (vs. 3,349 mAh). Both phones are daily chargers, however, and neither will consistently last two full days. The S24 does have a minor advantage with reverse wireless charging, while the iPhone 15 only offers reverse wired charging.
In terms of audio, the S24 is the preferred choice due to its AKG tuning and the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, offering greater versatility in sound performance.
Phone Call Quality and Signal Strength
Surprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy S24 proved better at holding a signal in areas where the iPhone 15 would cut out, such as a garage. The S24 also showed faster 5G speeds and better signal strength overall.
Price and Value
When considering price and long-term value, the Samsung Galaxy S24 comes out ahead. The iPhone 15 typically sells at retail price, and while carrier deals exist, major discounts are rare. The Galaxy S24, however, is frequently available at a discount, sometimes selling for $200–$300 less than the iPhone 15. Given the specifications the S24 offers for a lower cost, it is deemed the better value for money.
Final Verdict
Both the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24 are exceptionally good, mature products that will last a user for years. However, both base models also show a degree of stagnation, with minimal or “lazy” yearly hardware changes.
Ultimately, if forced to choose based on long-term value, the Galaxy S24 is the recommended choice. It offers a better overall package of specs (120Hz display, 8GB RAM, dedicated telephoto, AI features) for typically a lower price than the iPhone 15. To match the hardware level of the S24, an iPhone user would need to upgrade to the more expensive iPhone 15 Pro model.
See Also iPhone 17 vs Samsung s25: Which Flagship Offers Better Value in 2025?
FAQs (Samsung S24 vs iPhone 15)
Which phone has a better display, iPhone 15 or Samsung S24?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 offers a 120Hz AMOLED display with higher brightness (up to 2600 nits), making it smoother and more vibrant than the iPhone 15’s 60Hz OLED screen.
Which one performs better in gaming?
Both perform well in gaming, but the Galaxy S24 handles graphics-heavy games more efficiently thanks to its newer chipset and cooling system. The iPhone 15, however, maintains stable temperatures during long gaming sessions.
Which phone has better cameras?
The iPhone 15 delivers more natural colors and stable videos, while the Galaxy S24 offers a more versatile setup with a telephoto lens and better night mode performance.
Which phone charges faster?
The Galaxy S24 supports faster charging and includes reverse wireless charging. The iPhone 15 has slower charging but better battery optimization overall.
Is the iPhone 15 better optimized than the Galaxy S24?
Yes, iPhones are known for better software optimization and long-term stability, while Samsung offers more features and customization options.
Which one should I buy: iPhone 15 or Samsung S24?
If you prefer the iOS ecosystem, long-term updates, and simplicity, go for the iPhone 15. If you want advanced features, higher refresh rate, and AI tools, the Galaxy S24 is the better choice.
Which phone has better AI features?
The Galaxy S24 leads here with Samsung’s new AI-powered tools like real-time translation, note summarization, and enhanced photo editing.
Is the Galaxy S24 more durable than the iPhone 15?
Both phones are well-built, but the S24’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offers slightly better protection against drops and scratches.
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