iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
Cross-brand comparisons are where priorities show. Apple’s iPhone 15 and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 target the same flagship smartphone space in different ways. There is a favorite. The Galaxy S24 beats the iPhone 15 in 2 of 5 areas, and display is its biggest advantage.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S24 wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 15 wins
- Display2.6
- Camera1.7
- Display5.8
- Camera2.4
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 S24 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 120 Hz for the Galaxy S24 versus 60 Hz for the iPhone 15. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
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The Galaxy S24 has 30% higher peak brightness
The iPhone 15 lists 2,000 nits; the Galaxy S24 comes in at 2,600 nits. That’s not a rounding error. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
-
The Galaxy S24 has an extra rear camera
At 3 versus 2, this is a decisive lead for the Galaxy S24, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The Galaxy S24 has
At 8 against 6, the Galaxy S24 is the larger of the two on cpu cores. Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
-
The iPhone 15 has 11% sharper pixel density
A modest but measurable lead goes to the iPhone 15: 460 ppi compared with 416 ppi. The iPhone 15 packs its pixels more tightly, which shows most in small text, fine patterns and zoomed-in photos.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S24 5.79 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
Their dimensions are close enough that size should be one of the last things you weigh. The iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24 are within a few percent of each other on weight.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.79 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
Galaxy S24 leads
This section belongs to the Galaxy S24. In display, it leads the iPhone 15 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Galaxy S24 scores with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison. The iPhone 15 pulls ahead with 11% sharper pixel density. For display, the Galaxy S24 is the one to beat.
Refresh rate
iPhone 15: 60 Hz Galaxy S24: 120 Hz You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S24 feels more fluid in everyday use.
Peak brightness
iPhone 15: 2,000 nits Galaxy S24: 2,600 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S24’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Performance
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the performance section; the two are too close to separate. Don’t let performance decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
CPU cores
iPhone 15: 6 Galaxy S24: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if memory & storage was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. Bottom line for memory & storage: it’s a wash.
Camera
Galaxy S24 leads
The camera numbers lean toward the Galaxy S24, not dramatically but consistently. Point to the Galaxy S24 for an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S24 gives you more lenses to choose from. Net result: the Galaxy S24 leads this part of the comparison.
Rear cameras
iPhone 15: 2 Galaxy S24: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S24’s extra lens adds.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
The battery & charging specs are close enough that neither gets the point. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Software & Updates
On software & updates, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.2 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 416 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,000 mAh |
| 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 S24 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 17 | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.79 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 S24 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Price is almost a tie, with the iPhone 15 launching $1 below the Galaxy S24. The Galaxy S24 asks for $1 more and delivers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 30% higher peak brightness in return.
These are US launch prices, recorded January 2024; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 15 if…
- you want the sharper screen (460 ppi vs 416 ppi)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $1 matters
- you prefer staying with Apple
Choose the Galaxy S24 if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you want an always-on display
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 15 or the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you specifically want 11% sharper pixel density, where the iPhone 15 has the edge.
Which is larger, the iPhone 15 or the Galaxy S24?
Neither by much. The iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the iPhone 15 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 leads on camera specs thanks to an extra rear camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Is the iPhone 15’s display better than the Galaxy S24’s?
The Galaxy S24 has the edge here, offering a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 30% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 15 cheaper than the Galaxy S24?
Going by launch prices, the iPhone 15 costs $1 less than the Galaxy S24. Prices as of January 2024; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 15 or the Galaxy S24?
Their weights are practically identical, so neither has a real advantage.
Executive Summary
If it were just about the brand, you wouldn’t be here. So let’s talk about the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24 on their merits. The Galaxy S24 earns my vote first and foremost with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. There’s a bonus as well: the Galaxy S24 has an extra rear camera. The iPhone 15’s strongest argument is 11% sharper pixel density.
Who should get which? The iPhone 15 for screen sharpness, the Galaxy S24 for display.
My pick: the Galaxy S24, and I’d only look at the iPhone 15 if having 11% sharper pixel density matters more to you than the rest.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.