iPhone 15 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24+: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Apple and Samsung continue their annual battle for smartphone supremacy. The iPhone 15 Pro, with its cutting-edge A17 Pro chip and titanium build, faces off against the Samsung Galaxy S24+, boasting the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in select regions) and a refined software experience. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right flagship for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and prioritizing consistent performance and video recording, the iPhone 15 Pro is the better choice. However, the Galaxy S24+ offers faster charging, a brighter display, and broader software customization, making it a compelling alternative, especially for Android enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 15 Pro Samsung Galaxy S24+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A31021, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A31021, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, September 122024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 22Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, titanium frame (grade 5)Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm (5.77 x 2.78 x 0.33 in)158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.99 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)196 g or 197 g (6.91 oz)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~513 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)10-core (1x3.2GHz Cortex-X4 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.6GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.95GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetApple A17 Pro (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) - USA/Canada/ChinaExynos 2400 (4 nm) - International
GPUApple GPU (6-core graphics)Adreno 750 (1 GHz) - USA/Canada/ChinaXclipse 940 - International
OSiOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 77mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec.8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, Dolby Vision HDRHDR, HDR10+
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3274 mAhLi-Ion 4900 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural TitaniumOnyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue
ModelsA2848, A3101, A3102, A3104, iPhone16,1SM-S926B, SM-S926B/DS, SM-S926U, SM-S926U1, SM-S926W, SM-S926N, SM-S9260, SM-S926E, SM-S926E/DS
Price$ 489.68 / C$ 849.99 / £ 559.99 / € 648.47$ 429.50 / € 549.00 / £ 445.98
SAR1.14 W/kg (head)     1.16 W/kg (body)1.16 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.74 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

  • Superior video recording capabilities with ProRes
  • A17 Pro chip delivers consistent high performance
  • Long-term software support and ecosystem integration

  • Slower wired charging speed
  • Less customization options compared to Android

Samsung Galaxy S24+

  • Faster 45W wired charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • More flexible Android operating system

  • Exynos variant may exhibit thermal throttling
  • Image processing can be overly saturated for some users

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a peak brightness of 1786 nits, while the Galaxy S24+ reaches 1452 nits. While the iPhone is brighter, the difference isn't massive. Both displays are excellent, but the S24+’s higher peak brightness provides a slight advantage in direct sunlight. Neither specification details refresh rate, but both are expected to have adaptive refresh rates. The S24+’s larger screen size may appeal to users who consume more video content, but the iPhone 15 Pro’s color accuracy is typically lauded by professionals.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are equipped with capable camera systems, focusing on photo and video. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Apple’s computational photography is renowned for its natural-looking images and exceptional video stabilization. Samsung typically leans towards more vibrant, saturated colors. The iPhone 15 Pro’s ProRes video recording capabilities cater to professional videographers, a feature not explicitly matched by the S24+. The absence of detailed sensor specs makes it difficult to assess low-light performance, but Apple’s larger sensors in recent years have given it an edge.

Performance

The core of the debate lies in the chipsets. The iPhone 15 Pro’s 3nm Apple A17 Pro (hexa-core) is a powerhouse, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (octa-core) in the S24+ (USA/Canada/China) is a formidable competitor. International versions of the S24+ utilize the Exynos 2400 (decacore), which historically has lagged behind Snapdragon in thermal efficiency. The A17 Pro’s architecture, with its 2 high-performance cores clocked at 3.78 GHz, is designed for bursty workloads, while the Snapdragon’s multi-core setup excels in sustained tasks. Both phones utilize LPDDR5X RAM, but the real-world impact of this is minimal. The A17 Pro’s integrated GPU is likely to offer superior graphics performance, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Adreno GPU is no slouch.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S24+ edges out the iPhone 15 Pro in active use battery life, achieving 12:30h compared to the iPhone’s 12:58h. However, the iPhone 15 Pro boasts a superior endurance rating of 86h, suggesting better standby efficiency. The S24+’s 45W wired charging (PD3.0, 65% in 30 min) is significantly faster than the iPhone 15 Pro’s 50% in 30 min charging. Both support 15W wireless charging, but the iPhone 15 Pro gains an advantage with Qi2 support (requiring iOS 17.2), offering potentially more efficient wireless charging. Both offer 4.5W reverse wired charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro if you need a seamless iOS experience, professional-grade video capabilities, and long-term software support. Its A17 Pro chip delivers consistent performance for demanding tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24+ if you prefer the flexibility of Android, faster charging speeds, and a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and value the broader ecosystem of Samsung devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2400 chip in the international Galaxy S24+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
Historically, Exynos chips have been prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While Samsung has made improvements with the Exynos 2400, it's likely the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 variant will offer better sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. Users in regions receiving the Exynos variant should be mindful of potential throttling.
❓ Is the 4.5W reverse wireless charging on either phone useful for anything beyond emergencies?
4.5W reverse wireless charging is primarily useful for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in a pinch. It's too slow to significantly charge a phone, and will drain the host device's battery considerably. Consider it a convenience feature rather than a primary charging method.
❓ With the iPhone 15 Pro's move to USB-C, does it support faster data transfer speeds than previous iPhones?
Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro utilizes USB 3, enabling significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to previous Lightning-equipped iPhones. This is particularly beneficial for transferring large video files recorded in ProRes format.
❓ How does the A17 Pro's Neural Engine compare to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's AI capabilities?
Both chips feature dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) for AI tasks. Apple's A17 Pro Neural Engine excels in on-device machine learning, powering features like advanced image processing and Siri. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also boasts impressive AI capabilities, focusing on generative AI and on-device language models. The practical difference for most users will be subtle, but developers can leverage these NPUs for more advanced AI-powered applications.