Galaxy S24+ • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2022) • Locked AT&T

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Apple iPhone SE (2022), launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While both devices offer robust performance within their respective ecosystems, they cater to different user preferences through their form factors, display technologies, and camera capabilities. The Galaxy S24 Plus operates on Android, featuring Samsung's One UI, while the iPhone SE (2022) runs on Apple's iOS platform.

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline and Age: The Galaxy S24 Plus, introduced in January 2024, is a more recent device compared to the iPhone SE (2022), which launched in March 2022. This difference in release dates means the Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from newer hardware and a longer potential support window from its manufacturer.
• OS Support Duration: Samsung has committed to providing seven years of OS and security updates for the Galaxy S24 Plus, extending its software longevity until approximately 2031. The iPhone SE (2022) is expected to receive iOS updates for about five to seven years from its release, likely until 2028-2030, based on Apple's historical support for its devices. This gives the Galaxy S24 Plus a longer guaranteed period of software relevance.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its display, contributing to its overall resilience. The iPhone SE (2022) incorporates tougher glass on its front and back, similar to the iPhone 13 series, and both devices carry an IP67 or IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating protection against immersion. The Galaxy S24 Plus has an IP68 rating, offering slightly better water resistance than the iPhone SE's IP67 rating.

Performance in daily use, from app handling to multitasking, is a key differentiator between these two devices, largely driven by their internal components and software optimization.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor, either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Exynos 2400, depending on the region. This hardware enables it to handle demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, with users often reporting top-notch performance and a lack of lag. The iPhone SE (2022) features the A15 Bionic chip, which, despite being an older generation, still provides powerful and responsive performance for everyday tasks and many intensive applications.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM, allowing for efficient multitasking and keeping numerous applications open in the background without significant slowdowns. The iPhone SE (2022) has 4GB of RAM, which is sufficient for typical smartphone usage but may offer less headroom for extensive multitasking compared to the Galaxy S24 Plus. Both devices offer various internal storage options, but neither supports expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, which generally translates to good battery life, with some users experiencing up to two days of moderate usage on certain variants. The iPhone SE (2022) has a smaller 2018 mAh battery. While its efficient software helps optimize power consumption, heavy users may find themselves needing to charge more frequently.

The visual experience on a smartphone is heavily influenced by its display technology, resolution, and brightness, areas where these two models present notable differences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a large 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast. In contrast, the iPhone SE (2022) has a more compact 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD, which provides accurate colors but does not achieve the same level of contrast or black depth as an OLED panel.
• Resolution and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts a QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), resulting in a very sharp and detailed image, alongside an adaptive refresh rate that ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz. This variable refresh rate contributes to smoother scrolling and animations while also conserving battery life. The iPhone SE (2022) offers a 1334x750 pixel resolution at a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is clear for its size but less fluid than higher refresh rate displays.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: With a peak brightness of 2600 nits, the Galaxy S24 Plus display is exceptionally bright, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The iPhone SE (2022) has a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits, which is adequate for most indoor and outdoor conditions but may struggle in very bright environments compared to the Galaxy S24 Plus. The Galaxy S24 Plus also features a higher PWM refresh rate (492Hz), which can contribute to less eye strain for sensitive users.

The camera systems of these two smartphones offer different capabilities and user experiences, reflecting their distinct design philosophies.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This array allows for a wide range of photographic options, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots. The iPhone SE (2022) features a single 12 MP wide-angle camera with OIS. While capable of producing good images in well-lit conditions, it lacks the versatility of multiple lenses.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus generally delivers solid photo and video quality across various situations, with excellent detail and color reproduction in good lighting. It also incorporates advanced AI features for enhanced editing capabilities. The iPhone SE (2022) performs well in decent light, offering good color balance and dynamic range. However, it notably lacks a dedicated Night mode, which can result in darker and grainier images in low-light environments.
• Video and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video, with the Galaxy S24 Plus supporting up to 8K resolution and the iPhone SE (2022) offering 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second. For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy S24 Plus has a 12 MP front camera, while the iPhone SE (2022) features a 7 MP front camera.