iPhone 15 vs. Galaxy S24 series: Battle of brains, lenses, and next-gen power

Verdict: Galaxy S24 series is the winner  

The Galaxy S24 series has a slight advantage over the iPhone 15 series 

When it comes to which smartphone series is the better choice, the Galaxy S24 series just slightly wins out over the iPhone 15 series. This is thanks to its high-quality display, impressive battery life, and cutting-edge Galaxy AI features that are present even in its base model, the S24. While the iPhone 15 series is a great choice, AI features and a high-quality display to match the S24’s screen refresh rate of 120Hz aren’t introduced until you reach the mid-range model (iPhone 15 Pro) at a higher price tag. In addition, Samsung’s top-tier model, the S24 Ultra, is a productivity powerhouse with 1TB of storage, 12GB of RAM, and S Pen stylus support. The only tier in which the iPhone 15 series wins out is the mid-range model, as the iPhone 15 Pro is a significant improvement upon the base models, whereas Samsung’s mid-range phone (S24+) seems to be just a bigger version of the base model with only a few more bells and whistles. That said, the S24 series just edges out the iPhone 15 series in our book. However, if you’re prioritizing camera performance or you want to stay within the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 15 series may be the better choice.  

Why you can trust this comparison 

At Back Market, we live and breathe tech. As a leading global marketplace for refurbished technology, we know the ins and outs of smartphones, including the S24 series and the iPhone 15 series. We work closely with experts in the field to refurbish devices, which go through a rigorous testing process before they’re ever put up for sale on our pages. The processes we follow include comprehensive quality checks, aesthetic checks, repair of any damaged or broken pieces, and final testing to ensure each device is restored to premium functionality. 

The certified refurbishers we work with know these devices inside and out. This valuable knowledge, combined with real user insights, allows us to provide you with trustworthy reviews and comparisons when it comes to not only the iPhone 15 vs the Samsung S24, but to all kinds of tech. That’s why you can trust this comparison. But don’t take it from us — take it from this user: 

“I received my IPhone 15 plus about a week ago and it has been well worth the purchase. The phone came with barely any visible scratches (excellent condition selected) and is at 100% battery capacity. I highly recommend refurbished phone markets like the back market. It just seems like a much smarter purchase.” 

- Connor G. 

iPhone 15 vs Samsung S24 comparison 

Both the iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy 24 series are powerful upgrades from their predecessors, with updated designs, better camera systems, and increased performance capabilities. With the S24 series, ​​Samsung has ushered in what it calls “the new era of mobile AI” for better creativity and productivity features. The iPhone 15 series, on the other hand, has finally ditched its Lightning port for USB-C charging and includes a range of features to make the user experience within the Apple ecosystem even more seamless. While both series have much to offer, there are some key differences that may make one series better than the other for some users. Let’s dive in.  

Base models: Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Plus 

Winner: Galaxy S24 

When it comes to the S24 and iPhone 15 base models, that Galaxy S24 just slightly wins out over the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. This is due to the Galaxy S24’s better display, longer battery life, and innovative AI features. While it comes at a slightly higher price tag, it’s worth it if you’re prioritizing more bells and whistles in a base model phone. However, the Apple iPhone 15 or 15 Plus may still be better choices for those prioritizing camera performance or who don’t want to stray outside the Apple ecosystem. 

The base models of the S24 series and the iPhone 15 series are the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Plus is considered a base model here because all of its features are the same as the iPhone 15, except the size and battery life. 

These base models offer different features that can make or break the choice between them for some users. The Samsung Galaxy S24, for instance, stands out for its larger AMOLED display and 120Hz screen refresh rate, making swiping and switching between apps silky smooth. The triple-camera lens system at the back beats out the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus’s dual-camera lens setup, offering more diverse photo and video capabilities. The Galaxy S24 also incorporates Galaxy AI features for the first time in the Samsung Galaxy lineup, making common smartphone tasks even quicker and easier with artificial intelligence built into the phone itself. Here’s what one Reddit user had to say about the S24:

“My S24 is great, great size, camera and battery life gives me 1-2 days, depending on time spent away from WiFi - very happy 😊”

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, on the other hand, still offer great photo and video capabilities with better low-light performance than the S24 on both the front and back cameras. The iPhone 15 may offer a slightly smaller display than the S24, but this issue can be solved by opting for the iPhone 15 Plus, which is the largest of the three base models. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are also both powered by the A16 Bionic chip, allowing seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, and support Dynamic Island, a feature that was new at the launch of the iPhone 15 lineup. These iPhone base models are also the first iPhones to support USB-C charging, which is a more common charging standard instead of the unique Lightning cable that only works with Apple products. This makes it easier to have one charger for all of your devices, but can take some adjusting for Apple enthusiasts. 

Product specs  

Samsung Galaxy S24: 

• Casing: Armor Aluminum 

• Screen size: 6.2 in 

• Display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display 

• Dimensions: 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 in 

• Weight: 5.93 oz 

• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB 

• Memory (RAM): 8GB 

• Rear camera: Triple-camera setup with 50MP wide-angle (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), and 10MP telephoto (f/2.4) 

• Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2) 

• Battery: 4000mAh (up to 29 hours of video playback) 

• Operating system: Android 14, up to seven major Android upgrades 

• AI: Galaxy AI 

• USB interface: USB Type-C 

• Wi-Fi Direct 

• Colors available: Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, Cobalt Violet, Jade Green, Marble Gray, Onyx Black, Amber Yellow 

Apple iPhone 15: 

• Casing: Aluminum 

• Screen size: 6.1 in 

• Display: Super Retina XDR display 

• Dimensions: 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in 

• Weight: 6.02 oz 

• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB 

• Memory (RAM): 6GB 

• Rear camera: Dual-camera setup with 48MP main (f/1.6), and 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.4) 

• Front camera: 12MP (f/1.9) 

• Battery: 3349mAh (up to 20 hours of video playback) 

• Operating system: iOS 18 

• USB interface: USB Type-C 

• Siri 

• Wi-Fi 6 

• Colors available: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink

Apple iPhone 15 Plus: 

• Casing: Aluminum 

• Screen size: 6.7 in 

• Display: Super Retina XDR display 

• Dimensions: 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in 

• Weight: 7.09 oz 

• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB 

• Memory (RAM): 6GB 

• Rear camera: Dual-camera setup with 48MP main (f/1.6), and 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.4) 

• Front camera: 12MP (f/1.9) 

• Battery: 4383mAh (up to 26 hours of video playback) 

• Operating system: iOS 18 

• USB interface: USB Type-C 

• Siri 

• Wi-Fi 6 

• Colors available: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink 

Product features and benefits 

The Samsung Galaxy S24’s main benefit is undeniably the implementation of Galaxy AI, which allows everyday tasks to run even smoother. From Circle to Search to smart photo editing and Live Translate, these AI-powered features are impressive to say the least. These, combined with the adaptive 120Hz screen refresh rate, make for a smooth experience whether you’re gaming, streaming video, or messaging with friends.  

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, however, offer the benefit of seamless integration with Apple’s famously intuitive and user-oriented ecosystem. The A16 Bionic chip that powers both of these base models makes apps run even more smoothly, and the introduction of features like Dynamic Island enhances productivity without interrupting the user experience. The iPhone 15 Plus has all these same features, but in a bigger body. If you’re in the market for an iPhone 15 but you’re frustrated by the small size or battery life, the 15 Plus would be perfect for you.  

Product pros and cons  

Mid-range models: Samsung Galaxy S24+ vs. iPhone 15 Pro 

Winner: iPhone 15 Pro 

We think the iPhone 15 Pro has a slight advantage over the Samsung Galaxy S24+. This is because generally, these mid-range models should be a step up from the base models. The S24+, however, only gets minor improvements over the S24 base model with increased RAM. The iPhone 15 Pro, on the other hand, makes major jumps up in RAM, storage, camera capabilities, and display quality from the base model. Its performance rivals the S24+ in everything but battery life, so the iPhone 15 Pro grabs the title of the better mid-range option.  

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ and the iPhone 15 Pro both offer a step up from their respective base models in processing power and RAM, making their performance even better. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ gets an upgrade from 8GB to 12GB of RAM, while the iPhone 15 Pro also moves from 6GB up to 8GB of RAM. Both phones have excellent camera capabilities, with the S24+ not being much of a step up from the S24, but with the iPhone 15 Pro receiving the triple-camera system this time. Display-wise, the iPhone 15 Pro joins the Galaxy with its adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and seamless task management.  

Product specs  

Samsung Galaxy S24+: 

• Casing: Armor Aluminum 

• Screen size: 6.7 in 

• Display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display 

• Dimensions: 6.24 x 2.99 x 0.30 in 

• Weight: 6.91 oz 

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB 

• Memory (RAM): 12GB 

• Rear camera: Triple-camera setup with 50MP wide-angle (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), and 10MP telephoto (f/2.4) 

• Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2) 

• Battery: 4900mAh (up to 31 hours of video playback) 

• Operating system: Android 14, up to seven major Android upgrades 

• AI: Galaxy AI 

• USB interface: USB Type-C 

• Wi-Fi Direct 

• Colors available: Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, Cobalt Violet, Jade Green, Marble Gray, Onyx Black, Amber Yellow 

Apple iPhone 15 Pro: 

• Casing: Titanium 

• Screen size: 6.1 in 

• Display: Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology and Always-On display 

• Dimensions: 5.77 x 2.78 x 0.32 in 

• Weight: 6.6 oz 

• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB 

• Memory (RAM): 8GB 

• Rear camera: Pro triple-camera setup with 48MP main (f/1.78), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 12MP telephoto (f/2.8) 

• Front camera: 12MP (f/1.9) 

• Battery: 3274mAh (up to 23 hours of video playback) 

• Operating system: iOS 18 

• USB interface: USB Type-C 

• Siri and Apple Intelligence 

• Wi-Fi 6E 

• Colors available: Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium 

Product features and benefits 

The Galaxy S24+ provides the perfect balance between work and pleasure with its large screen size, Galaxy AI features, and excellent battery life. It also contains 12GB of RAM, making switching between apps and gaming even faster. It's available in seven colors, but the main drawback is that its storage options only go up to 512GB, with higher storage capacities reserved for the S24 Ultra. 

The iPhone 15 Pro, however, was truly built with the professional in mind. Its fairly compact size makes it easy to carry in your pocket or use one-handed, but the ProMotion display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate makes sure the smaller display doesn’t compromise on quality or speed. Its Pro triple-camera provides a nice upgrade to the already incredible iPhone 15 dual-camera setup, and it includes support for macro photography and Apple ProRAW - so you’re essentially carrying a professional camera in your pocket. It may only be available in four colors, but it has the S24+’s storage capacity beat with a 1TB option.  

Product pros and cons 

Top-tier models: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max 

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra slightly wins out over the iPhone 15 Pro Max when it comes to the top-tier models thanks to its expanded storage capacity, its quad-lens camera upgrade, and its support of the S Pen removable stylus. These improvements combined with the already impressive Galaxy AI features and long battery life make it the perfect top-tier phone for productivity. While the iPhone 15 Pro Max is still impressive, it’s lacking in RAM and stylus support and charges a little more slowly than the S24 Ultra. It’s worth noting, however, that the S24 Ultra’s quad-camera setup may be more versatile, but its lenses still aren’t as high-quality as the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s lenses. As a result, photographers may still prefer the iPhone 15 Pro Max.  

The Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max serve as the top-of-the-line models of these popular smartphone series. The S24 Ultra gets a major camera upgrade with a quad-lens setup and a 200MP main camera. It also expands its storage capabilities to 1TB and comes with an even bigger display and more powerful battery than the S24+. In addition, the S24 Ultra has something that the rest of the models in the S24 lineup don’t: it supports the S Pen for even better productivity. The S Pen can be used for drawing, taking notes, and other creative activities using the phone as your paper and the S Pen as your pen, pencil, paintbrush, and everything in between. The S24 Ultra is also the only S24 phone to get a titanium build, which means it comes in its own set of colors.  

The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, comes with a much larger display than its Pro sibling and is powered by the same A17 Pro chip, ensuring fast performance and a smooth display experience. Because of its size, it’s also able to fit a larger battery, guaranteeing a much longer battery life than the iPhone 15 Pro (although it’s still a bit shorter than the S24 Ultra). Its charging speed is also a little slower.  

Product specs  

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 

• Casing: Titanium 

• Screen size: 6.8 in 

• Display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display 

• Dimensions: 6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in 

• Weight: 8.18 oz 

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB 

• Memory (RAM): 12GB 

• Rear camera: Quad-camera setup with 200MP wide-angle (f/1.7), 10MP telephoto (f/2.4), 50MP (f/3.4) periscope telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) 

• Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2) 

• Battery: 5000mAh (up to 30 hours of video playback) 

• Operating system: Android 14, up to seven major Android upgrades 

• AI: Galaxy AI 

• USB interface: USB Type-C 

• Wi-Fi Direct 

• Colors available: Titanium Gray, Titanium Orange, Titanium Green, Titanium Blue, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Violet, Titanium Black 

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max: 

• Casing: Titanium 

• Screen size: 6.7 in 

• Display: Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology and Always-On display 

• Dimensions: 6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 in 

• Weight: 7.81 oz 

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB 

• Memory (RAM): 8GB 

• Rear camera: Pro triple-camera setup with 48MP main (f/1.78), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 12MP telephoto (f/2.8) 

• Front camera: 12MP (f/1.9) 

• Battery: 4441mAh (up to 29 hours of video playback) 

• Operating system: iOS 18 

• USB interface: USB Type-C 

• Siri and Apple Intelligence 

• Wi-Fi 6E 

• Colors available: Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium 

Product features and benefits  

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes in a whole new outfit — it gets titanium casing instead of aluminum like its siblings, and with this titanium casing comes seven new and exclusive colors to choose from. This durable smartphone also has the biggest screen of any of the models mentioned in this article at 6.8 in, so gaming, switching apps, and multitasking is easy, especially with the addition of the S Pen. Its 12GB of RAM also assists in speeding up everyday tasks. The upgraded camera is also notable, as we see a quad-camera setup on the back with a 200MP main camera.   

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is just slightly smaller than the S24 Ultra with a 6.7-inch screen size, but as it’s equipped with ProMotion technology and the same adaptable 120Hz refresh rate, the differences in display are minimal. With the same plentiful storage options, durable titanium build, and only one hour less of battery life than the S24 Ultra, this phone holds its own next to the Samsung giant. Even though it sticks with the Pro triple-camera setup, it still performs better in low light conditions, and the overall user experience is streamlined within the Apple ecosystem. The only things that are missing here are more RAM and the addition of an external stylus, like the Apple Pencil.  

Product pros and cons  

Shopping tips for Samsung S24 and iPhone 15 series phones 

If you’re looking for a good deal on a Samsung S24 or an iPhone 15 series phone, there are several ways to accomplish this. First, you can wait for sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when a lot of retailers put their electronics on sale or offer bundle deals. The other option is to wait until newer models of these smartphones are released, as older models like the S24 and iPhone 15 will then see markdowns in price.  

Sometimes these timing elements are unreliable, and it’s just impossible to wait. That’s where we at Back Market can step in to help. We sell Verified Refurbished S24 and iPhone 15 models at a discount all year round. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, all of our devices go through rigorous testing and certification processes before being put up for sale, so you can be sure the device you’re getting has been restored to premium functionality.

Why buy refurbished smartphones  

Buying refurbished smartphones is good for both your wallet and the planet. As we mentioned, we provide all time low prices on S24 and iPhone 15 models all year round, and you can usually save 30% to 50% off the price of new when you buy with us.   

To give you a better idea of how we refurbish our smartphones, you should know that we work with certified third-party refurbishers that have years of industry experience. Each phone is disassembled and inspected for damaged or worn parts, which are then replaced and tested to ensure they function as they should. Once the phone is completely repaired, restored, and cleaned, it goes through another round of testing to be sure it performs up to its original specifications before it’s offered to you. In addition, all of our devices come with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.  

Buying refurbished electronics is also good for the planet. Whenever you buy a smartphone from us, you reduce the need for new manufacturing and keep another item from ending up in a landfill as e-waste. We pride ourselves on focusing on sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Every time you buy from us, you support these values while doing your part to reduce your personal carbon footprint, so the earth thanks you for doing your part.  

Trade in your old devices for cash  

Got old smartphones or even laptops or tablets that you no longer use? Don’t let them sit there collecting dust – trade them in with Back Market’s Trade-in program. The process is simple. First, enter your device’s details into our online form and we’ll give you a quote from one of our refurbishers. If you choose to accept, you’ll then ship your device to us for free and once it’s verified, you get paid.  

Prices of new vs. refurbished Samsung S24 models and iPhone 15 models  

*Prices are subject to change.  

Final thoughts: Samsung S24 series vs. iPhone 15 series 

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series is made for anyone who wants a multitude of customization options and prioritizes display quality over anything else. The S24, the S24+, and the S24 Ultra are three tiers of an excellent smartphone, with even the S24 base model offering innovative Galaxy AI features that take its performance to the next level – the first Galaxy smartphone to do so. The S24+ elevates this even more with 12GB of RAM and an impressively long battery life, while the S24 Ultra takes the cake for productivity with the biggest screen of all and the addition of S Pen support.  

The iPhone 15 series, on the other hand, is perfect for those already entrenched in the Apple ecosystem or those looking to switch to a more streamlined user experience across all their electronics. It’s also perfect for photographers and content creators, as even the base model’s camera system outperforms the S24 series cameras with excellent low-light performance. This is taken to the next step with the Pro and Pro Max models, which offer ProRAW support. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are powered by the A16 Bionic chip, a powerful upgrade from the iPhone 14 series, but the Pro and Pro Max models get the A17 Pro chip along with Apple Intelligence features, rivaling Galaxy AI.  

Overall, we think the Samsung Galaxy S24 just slightly edges out the iPhone 15 series thanks to its Galaxy AI features and high-quality display that are present even in the base model. The iPhone 15 series only starts to compete with the S24 at the mid-range level, where the iPhone 15 Pro is a huge jump up from the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. When it comes to the top-tier models, the S24 Ultra is the ultimate powerhouse with its expanded RAM, prolonged battery life, and stylus support. As a result, the S24 series offers a better range of high-quality features throughout its three tiers. If your priority, however, is better camera quality or seamless integration with the rest of the Apple ecosystem (we see you, Mac and Apple Watch users), the iPhone 15 series will still be exceptional for your needs.  

Even though both of these lineups are about a year (or so) old now, they are still incredibly modern and will be supported by several more years of software updates, making them good investments for the future. The model you buy will ultimately depend on your preferences for the price tag, AI features, camera systems, and customization capabilities.