Explore a comprehensive, in-depth comparison of the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24 covering design, display, performance, camera, battery, software, and key features to determine the top flagship smartphone of 2025.
As 2025 advances, Apple and Samsung face off again with their flagship smartphones: the iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S24. Both phones represent the pinnacle of mobile technology, delivering impressive specs, eye-catching designs, and powerful software ecosystems. This in-depth comparison will analyze every critical aspect—from design and display to performance and camera systems—to help you decide which flagship reigns supreme this year.
The iPhone 15 maintains Apple’s iconic design language with aerospace-grade aluminum and Ceramic Shield glass for superior durability. The flat edged design is sleek yet robust, with IP68 water and dust resistance. It weighs 171 grams, striking a balance between premium feel and portability.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 features an Armor aluminum frame paired with Gorilla Glass Victus 3, emphasizing scratch and drop resistance. Its curved edges offer a comfortable grip, and it also carries IP68 certification. The phone weighs 168 grams, slightly lighter, aiding ease of use throughout the day.
The iPhone 15 sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion support, enabling refresh rates up to 120Hz for buttery smooth scrolling and animations. It delivers peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content, vibrant color accuracy, and excellent outdoor visibility.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 ups the ante with a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, also boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness exceeding 1750 nits. The display supports HDR10+ and offers deeper blacks and exceptional contrast, often regarded as the best smartphone display in 2025.
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 is powered by Apple's A17 Bionic chip fabricated using a 3nm process, delivering top-tier CPU and GPU performance along with enhanced energy efficiency. The phone integrates tightly with iOS 17, known for its smooth interface, advanced privacy features, and ongoing software support for years.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 uses the Exynos 2400 (worldwide) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in select markets), both built on a 3nm manufacturing process. These chipsets provide blistering speed and advanced AI processing. Running One UI 6 on Android 14, Samsung offers extensive customization and multitasking features, along with wide compatibility with Google services.
| Feature | iPhone 15 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48 MP wide sensor with sensor-shift OIS | 50 MP wide sensor with OIS and Dual Pixel AF |
| Ultra Wide Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto Camera | No telephoto | 10 MP with 3x optical zoom |
| Front Camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, autofocus | 12 MP with autofocus |
| Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision HDR up to 60fps | 8K at 30fps, Super Steady stabilization |
| Display Size & Type | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Processor | A17 Bionic (3nm) | Exynos 2400 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (3nm) |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB / 12GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (expandable via microSD) |
| Battery Capacity | Approx. 3,300mAh | Approx. 3,900mAh |
| Charging | USB-C 20W fast charging, MagSafe wireless | 45W wired fast charging, wireless and reverse wireless charging |
| Operating System | iOS 17 | Android 14 with One UI 6 |
| Biometric Security | Face ID (Face Recognition) | Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint, face unlock |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, UWB | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, UWB |
The iPhone 15 emphasizes superior video capabilities with its 4K Dolby Vision HDR support, making it a favorite for content creators and videographers. The 48MP main sensor supports sensor-shift optical image stabilization for crisp photos even in low light. The lack of a telephoto lens is a slight drawback but is somewhat compensated by advanced computational photography.
Samsung's Galaxy S24 offers a versatile triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and an added 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, ideal for portrait shots and distant subjects. The ability to record in 8K video resolution is a standout, albeit with increased storage needs. Samsung’s camera software includes advanced AI features that intelligently optimize settings per scene.
The Galaxy S24 generally outperforms the iPhone 15 in battery capacity with its larger 3,900mAh battery, enabling longer usage on a single charge. Samsung’s 45W wired fast charging charges the phone faster compared to iPhone’s 20W. Both support wireless charging, with Samsung also offering reverse wireless charging to power accessories wirelessly.
However, real-world battery life depends on usage patterns, brightness levels, and network conditions, and the iPhone’s tight hardware-software optimization helps it compete closely despite the smaller battery.
The iPhone 15’s iOS 17 is noted for its seamless user interface, tight integration with Apple services (like iMessage, FaceTime, and iCloud), and robust privacy protections. Apple’s ecosystem creates a unified experience across devices, from Mac to Apple Watch, making it an attractive choice for existing Apple users.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 runs on Android 14 with the One UI 6 skin, offering excellent customization and productivity features such as split-screen multitasking and Knox security. Samsung also provides deeper compatibility with Windows and other Android devices, along with a wide range of pre-installed Google services.
The iPhone 15 starts at around $799 for the base model, with prices increasing as storage rises. It is widely available globally through Apple’s online store, authorized retailers, and carriers.
The Samsung Galaxy S24’s base price begins near $849, slightly higher but justified by additional hardware such as expandable storage and Zoom lens. Samsung’s model is also broadly available worldwide via carriers, retail stores, and online platforms.
Choose the iPhone 15 if you prefer exceptional video performance, a sleek unibody design, and enjoy the benefits of Apple’s ecosystem and long-term software support. It’s ideal for users desiring a straightforward, powerful phone with excellently optimized apps.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the better pick if you want a superior display, more versatile camera hardware with telephoto zoom, faster charging, and greater customization. It suits power users who appreciate Android’s flexibility and higher RAM options.
Final ThoughtsBoth the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24 stand out as top flagship smartphones with plenty to offer. Your choice boils down to ecosystem preference, camera priorities, design taste, and feature priorities. In 2025, buyers are truly spoiled for choice with these technological marvels pushing mobile innovation forward.
