iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S22
Brand preference aside, the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S22 are close competitors, both pitched at flagship smartphone buyers. This is a genuine trade-off. The iPhone 15 is stronger when it comes to memory & storage, while the Galaxy S22 pulls ahead on camera.
At a glance
- Display Trade-off
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 15 wins
- Camera Galaxy S22 wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 15 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Display5.1
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Camera2.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy S22 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
For refresh rate, the Galaxy S22 leads by a wide margin: 120 Hz versus 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S22 feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The iPhone 15 has 54% higher peak brightness
This is a headline difference. With 2,000 nits to the Galaxy S22’s 1,300 nits, the iPhone 15 has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the iPhone 15’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
-
The Galaxy S22 has an extra rear camera
Put simply, the Galaxy S22 is far ahead here: 3 compared with 2. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S22 gives you more lenses to choose from.
-
The iPhone 15 has a bigger top storage option
The iPhone 15’s 512 GB leaves the Galaxy S22’s 256 GB well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
-
The Galaxy S22 has
On cpu cores, the Galaxy S22 comes in at 8 and the iPhone 15 at 6. Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S22 5.75 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
The official dimensions put the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S22 within a whisker of each other. The scale doesn’t pick a winner between these two.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.03 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Trade-off
What you gain in one place you lose in another: 54% higher peak brightness with the iPhone 15, a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz with the Galaxy S22. In short, display splits the vote, and your use case casts the deciding one.
Refresh rate
iPhone 15: 60 Hz Galaxy S22: 120 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Peak brightness
iPhone 15: 2,000 nits Galaxy S22: 1,300 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Performance
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On performance, both deliver about the same. Bottom line for performance: it’s a wash.
CPU cores
iPhone 15: 6 Galaxy S22: 8 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 15 leads
A modest lead on memory & storage belongs to the iPhone 15. On the iPhone 15, you get a bigger top storage option. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 15’s bigger maximum. The takeaway: on memory & storage, the iPhone 15 is the stronger phone.
Max storage
iPhone 15: 512 GB Galaxy S22: 256 GB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
Galaxy S22 leads
The Galaxy S22 takes camera by a nose. The Galaxy S22 pulls ahead with an extra rear camera. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S22’s extra lens adds. The iPhone 15 delivers a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. For camera, the Galaxy S22 is the one to beat.
Rear cameras
iPhone 15: 2 Galaxy S22: 3 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Front camera
iPhone 15: 12 MP Galaxy S22: 10 MP If you mainly use the front camera for calls, the gap is minor; if you post selfies often, the iPhone 15’s extra resolution helps.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
The battery & charging specs are close enough that neither gets the point. Net result on battery & charging: level.
Software & Updates
The iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S22 differ on software & updates in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 425 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits (winner) | 1,300 nits |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 3,700 mAh Smallest battery in class |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 20 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 17 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.03 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $800 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The iPhone 15 has a small price advantage of $1 at launch. With strengths on both sides, the $1 price gap becomes a useful tiebreaker.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2023. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 15 if…
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,000 nits vs 1,300 nits)
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (512 GB vs 256 GB maximum)
- you want the sharper screen (460 ppi vs 425 ppi)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (12 MP vs 10 MP front camera)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $1 more
Choose the Galaxy S22 if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you like checking the time and alerts without waking the phone
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 15 or the Galaxy S22?
The iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S22 split the comparison (memory & storage for the iPhone 15, camera for the Galaxy S22), so pick the strength you’ll use.
Which is larger, the iPhone 15 or the Galaxy S22?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S22 is too small to matter.
Does the iPhone 15 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S22?
Going by the hardware, the Galaxy S22 comes out ahead: an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 15 cheaper than the Galaxy S22?
The iPhone 15 is the cheaper option, launching at $1 less than the Galaxy S22 (launch prices as of September 2023).
Which weighs less, the iPhone 15 or the Galaxy S22?
Neither by much. The iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S22 weigh almost the same.
Executive Summary
Whenever Apple and Samsung go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S22 are no exception. To me, the standout is that the iPhone 15 offers 54% higher peak brightness. Then there’s a bigger top storage option, another point for the iPhone 15. On the other side, the Galaxy S22 brings a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
A quick self-test: do you care more about memory & storage or camera? The first answer means the iPhone 15, the second means the Galaxy S22.
My pick: it depends. Go for the iPhone 15 if memory & storage comes first for you, or the Galaxy S22 if camera does.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.