Galaxy S24+ vs iPhone 15 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the iPhone 15 Plus, launched in September 2023, represent two prominent large-screen smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both devices offer expansive displays and robust performance, they diverge in their operating systems and core hardware philosophies. The Galaxy S24 Plus runs on Android with Samsung's One UI, while the iPhone 15 Plus operates on Apple's iOS, leading to distinct user experiences and ecosystem integrations.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus offer substantial software support and durable builds.

• Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is notable for its commitment to seven years of operating system and security updates, extending its software support through Android 21. This matches the longest support period currently offered in the Android ecosystem. The iPhone 15 Plus typically receives major iOS updates for approximately five to seven years from its release, with security patches often continuing for an additional period.
• Physical Durability: Both phones feature robust construction. The iPhone 15 Plus incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover and an aluminum frame, alongside IP68 water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S24 Plus also boasts an aluminum frame, glass front and back, and IP68 water and dust resistance.
• Repairability Aspects: The Galaxy S24 Plus has demonstrated a high repairability score in various assessments, often rated around 8 or 9 out of 10. This is partly due to features like easily removable batteries with pull tabs and modular internal components. While the iPhone 15 Plus also offers a durable design, specific repairability scores are less commonly highlighted, with Apple generally maintaining a more controlled repair ecosystem.

Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus deliver strong performance for daily tasks, demanding applications, and mobile gaming, though they achieve this through different hardware architectures.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a powerful processor that ensures smooth operation across applications, efficient multitasking, and capable handling of graphically intensive games. The Galaxy S24 Plus features a current-generation processor, either a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or an Exynos 2400 depending on the region, which also provides responsive performance for demanding apps and seamless multitasking.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S24 Plus typically comes with 12GB of RAM, which contributes to its ability to manage numerous applications simultaneously without slowdowns. Storage options for the Galaxy S24 Plus generally start from 256GB. The iPhone 15 Plus includes 6GB of RAM and offers storage configurations starting from 128GB, with options up to 512GB.
• Battery Performance: The iPhone 15 Plus is widely recognised for its exceptional battery longevity, often lasting over a full day of heavy use and potentially two days with lighter usage. The Galaxy S24 Plus also offers impressive battery life, with its 4900 mAh battery often providing 1.5 days or around 41 hours of use on a single charge for many users. Both devices support fast wired charging, with the Galaxy S24 Plus offering up to 45W and the iPhone 15 Plus supporting 20W charging.

The display is a central feature for both large-screen smartphones, and the Galaxy S24 Plus and iPhone 15 Plus offer vibrant and clear viewing experiences with some key differences.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2796x1290 pixels, resulting in sharp images and text. The Galaxy S24 Plus also has a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, but with a higher QHD+ resolution of 3120x1440 pixels, offering a slightly denser pixel count.
• Brightness and Clarity: Both devices provide excellent brightness levels, making them suitable for outdoor viewing. The iPhone 15 Plus can reach a peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, while the Galaxy S24 Plus can achieve an even higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring content remains visible even under direct sunlight.
• Refresh Rate: A notable difference lies in the refresh rate. The Galaxy S24 Plus features an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and fluid animations while optimising battery consumption. The iPhone 15 Plus maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions, though their approaches and specific features differ.

• Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 15 Plus features a dual-camera setup with a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The 48MP main camera utilises pixel binning to produce detailed 24MP photos and offers a 2x optical-quality zoom by cropping the sensor. The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with a triple-camera array, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The iPhone 15 Plus is praised for its vibrant colours, accurate exposure, and improved low-light performance, with its main camera delivering sharp and detailed images. The Galaxy S24 Plus also performs well in daylight, producing bright and natural-looking photos. While its 50MP main camera is capable, some users have noted that images can sometimes appear softer compared to expectations, and its low-light performance is generally good.
• Video and Audio: Both devices offer high-quality video recording capabilities. The iPhone 15 Plus provides excellent video stabilisation and clean detail, though features like ProRes are reserved for Pro models. The Galaxy S24 Plus supports 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K at 60fps. Both phones generally offer good microphone quality for calls and recording, and their stereo speakers provide a satisfactory media consumption experience.