The iPhone 15 came out in September 2023 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 in January 2024: in autumn 2026, the first is three years old and the second more than two and a half. This iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S24 comparison does not try to name an absolute winner. It explains who each one is still a good choice for today, and when it is better to look at a more recent generation. The answer depends on your ecosystem, on what you expect from the camera, and on your shopping profile.
What sets them apart on paper
The specifications below are those announced by Apple and Samsung when the two models were launched, not measurements by Picksly. Always check the exact version (storage, chip) on the retailer's listing before buying.
| Specification | iPhone 15 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Release | September 2023 | January 2024 |
| Screen | 6.1-inch OLED, 60 Hz | 6.2-inch AMOLED, up to 120 Hz |
| Chip | Apple A16 Bionic | Exynos 2400 in Europe (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in other markets) |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide | 50 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, 10 MP telephoto (3x optical zoom) |
| Updates | at least 5 years of security updates (Apple's UK PSTI statement) | 7 years of OS and security updates announced by Samsung |
| Charger in the box | no | no |
Two differences stand out straight away: the Galaxy S24's screen goes up to 120 Hz while the iPhone 15 stays at 60 Hz, and only the Samsung has a telephoto lens. In the other direction, the iPhone 15 benefits from its integration with other Apple devices, which no spec sheet sums up.
What Picksly measures, and what it does not
Picksly does not test phones itself. It rates each smartphone from 0 to 100 on nine criteria, using public sources detailed on the smartphone method page:
- Performance: the Geekbench 7 multi-core score, on a scale shared by iPhones and Android phones (AnTuTu as a fallback for models missing from the Geekbench ranking).
- Camera and screen: the Camera and Display scores published by DXOMARK.
- Battery life: the Battery score measured by DXOMARK when it exists, otherwise the battery capacity announced by the manufacturer.
- Memory: the RAM, from 6 GB (score 0) to 16 GB (score 100).
- Storage, fast charging, peak brightness and promised updates: values announced by the manufacturer, which weigh little (2 to 6% of the "Market" score).
The memory criterion weighs on the comparison: according to the published formula, the iPhone 15's 6 GB are worth 0 out of 100 and the Galaxy S24's 8 GB are worth 20. This is RAM, not storage: 128 or 256 GB of storage change nothing in this score.
Conversely, Picksly does not rate screen smoothness (the hertz), weight or the quality of the operating system. The length of updates is rated, but with a small weight: if 120 Hz or the seven years of support announced by Samsung matter a lot to you, you have to weigh them more heavily yourself. To see the current scores of both brands, open the iPhones tracked by Picksly and the Samsung phones tracked by Picksly.
iPhone 15: who is it for
The iPhone 15 is first and foremost for people who already own a Mac, an iPad, an Apple Watch or AirPods: continuity between devices (copy and paste, calls, AirDrop sharing) is the real reason to choose it.
Strengths
- Apple ecosystem: everything works together without any setup.
- USB-C port, a first for a standard iPhone, so you can share cables with other devices.
- Software support: the iPhone 15 is supported by iOS 26, the version of iOS released in 2025.
Weaknesses
- 60 Hz screen, less smooth than the Galaxy S24's when scrolling and in animations.
- 6 GB of RAM, the floor of the Picksly scale.
- No telephoto lens: beyond the 2x zoom obtained by cropping the main sensor, quality drops.
Galaxy S24: who is it for
The Galaxy S24 suits people who want a compact Android phone, a smooth screen and real optical zoom.
Strengths
- Screen up to 120 Hz on the standard model.
- 3x telephoto lens, useful for portraits and distant subjects.
- Seven years of updates announced by Samsung, a rare figure-backed commitment on Android.
- Customisable Android: home screen, default apps, multitasking.
Weaknesses
- Different chip depending on the market: in Europe it is the Exynos 2400, not the Snapdragon of the American versions, so published tests do not always carry over from one version to the other.
- Less integrated ecosystem if your other devices are not Samsung.
Which one to choose for your profile
Picksly does not recommend a phone in the absolute: it picks the best one for your profile, according to public rules.
🟢 Budget profile
The Budget profile keeps smartphones whose price, new or refurbished, does not exceed €350, and among them the best Budget score, in which value for money counts for 35%. The iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24 only enter if an offer drops below this ceiling, most often refurbished. They then face every other model in that range, including more recent mid-range phones: compare smartphones at €350 or less before deciding, and read our guide refurbished or new to choose the seller and the grade.
🟣 Smart profile
The Smart profile only looks at new offers with a Smart score of at least 50 out of 100; value for money counts for 20%. A 2023 or 2024 model still sold new is therefore judged against more recent models sold at the same price. If the two remain close, the deciding factor becomes the ecosystem again: the iPhone 15 if you use Apple devices, the Galaxy S24 if you want the 120 Hz screen and optical zoom.
🔵 Premium profile
The Premium profile ignores price, but it only keeps new phones released within the last 24 months, with a Premium score of at least 60. In September 2026, neither the iPhone 15 nor the Galaxy S24 meets this condition. If you are looking for the best possible quality, look at a more recent generation instead; in a comparison, Picksly says so ("no recent high-end model") and, when it finds one with a verified offer, suggests the best recent model in its catalogue rather than naming a winner by default.
How to compare with Picksly
- Open the smartphones page, choose your profile and filter by brand or price.
- Select the iPhone 15, the Galaxy S24 and one or two more recent models: Picksly names a choice per profile, with the reason.
- Check on the retailer's listing what the score does not see: storage capacity, battery condition when refurbished, warranty.
To go further, see also what smartphone chips are worth in 2026 and which screen size to choose.
FAQ
iPhone 15 or Galaxy S24: which has the better camera?
On paper, the Galaxy S24 has an advantage the iPhone 15 lacks: a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. For the rest, Picksly's camera score uses the Camera score published by DXOMARK; compare it on the smartphones page.
Should you buy them refurbished?
It is often the only way to bring them into the Budget profile, which accepts refurbished phones under €350. Choose a professional seller who gives a written warranty and the battery condition; our guide refurbished or new details what to check.
Are they still updated?
Yes. Samsung announced seven years of OS and security updates for the Galaxy S24. Apple commits to at least five years of security updates in its UK compliance statement (PSTI), and the iPhone 15 is supported by iOS 26, released in 2025.
Is Picksly paid by retailers?
Picksly may earn a commission when you buy through one of its links, at no extra cost to you. The scores come from public sources and do not depend on affiliation; what affiliation can change is explained on our transparency page.
Install the Picksly extension: it recognises the phone you are looking at, searches for verified alternatives suited to your profile — Budget, Smart or Premium — and tells you when the listing on screen is not the best choice for you.
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