Which is best, Apple or Samsung? Whereas each present full ecosystems, together with merchandise, on-line companies, and distinctive working programs, this is not nearly private desire. This text goals that can assist you select correctly in your subsequent smartphone buy.
iPhone or Samsung: Catalog vary and costs
Apple is understood to be very completely different from its rivals. Whereas manufacturers like Oppo or Xiaomi have complicated ranges with loads of the fashions having nearly equivalent specs, the Cupertino big has all the time insisted on having the leanest catalog attainable. Thus, this 12 months is not any completely different with eight fashions on supply in its retailer.
The iPhone 15 launch also ditched the 13 mini variant. As an alternative, Apple will as soon as once more rely on the Plus, Professional, and Professional Max fashions along with the bottom mannequin.
Samsung’s benefits over Apple:
- Enormous catalog of units.
- Extra inexpensive handsets.
Apple’s benefits over Samsung:
- Clearly outlined product vary.
- Older fashions are nonetheless aggressive when it comes to options and efficiency.
A number of years in the past, the variety of merchandise from Apple’s smartphone line elevated just a little, with the addition of the mini mannequin. Since then, the mini was changed by the massive Plus mannequin, and Apple has stored the 2 previous-generation fashions as a less expensive various. Even so, the iPhone product vary is the smallest among the many high 5 smartphone producers at present.
iPhone catalog and costs
As talked about earlier, Apple’s September 2023 catalog contains eight fashions, 4 of which have been launched in 2023, three in 2022, and one in 2021. Along with the brand new iPhone 15, Apple additionally retains the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, iPhone 13, and iPhone SE (2022) in its lineup.
The entry-level iPhone SE (2022) which was launched in March 2022 can be there, providing many iPhone 11 options at a a lot cheaper price.
All present iPhones in contrast:
All eight fashions are 5G-compatible. As well as, all fashions, besides the iPhone SE (2022), have an OLED show.
Samsung’s smartphone catalog and costs
Whilst you can rely the iPhones in 2024 by yourself fingers (with two palms, in fact), Samsung’s catalog is way extra in depth. It begins with cheap entry-level smartphones and goes all the way in which to costly foldables with top-notch {hardware}.
Samsung’s line of smartphones is made up of the Galaxy household, which additionally contains wearables, headsets, tablets, notebooks, and different devices. The household is split into classes similar to:
- Galaxy Z (foldable telephones)
- Galaxy S (premium handsets)
- Galaxy A and M (entry-level and mid-range fashions)
- Galaxy XCover (rugged handsets that concentrate on the company section)
All present Galaxy in contrast:
Since Apple would not supply entry-level and mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A, M, and XCover ranges don’t compete immediately with the model’s fashions. Subsequently, for this comparability, we have now solely thought of fashions which can be in the identical worth vary because the iPhone vary bought by Apple.
There are additionally no foldable iPhones, regardless of years of rumors on the contrary, making the Galaxy Z range compete solely with its Android friends.
In 2024, the pricing argument is just not as related because it was, as Samsung is advertising smartphones which can be nearly as costly as Apple’s. Nevertheless, whereas the costs of Apple’s fashions normally stay steady till a brand new technology is launched, Samsung’s smartphone costs usually drop far too quickly after their launch. This makes the iPhone a pretty good purchase by any commonplace.
This has an affect on the depreciation and resale worth of its units, within the case of iPhones, as they usually obtain new operating system versions and security updates for an extended time frame, a niche one thing which Samsung has been making an attempt to slim lately.
iPhone or Samsung: The {hardware}
For example it proper from the beginning, Apple is clearly not a champion in relation to worth for cash. The Cupertino-based firm is understood for providing smartphones that do not push the envelope in relation to new applied sciences as their rivals however at larger costs.
As for Samsung, even when costs have risen currently to method these of Apple, the model strives to supply the newest technological improvements in every new technology of flagships.
For instance, if we have been to check the technical specs of the newest “vanilla” flagships of Apple and Samsung, i.e. the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15, we will clearly see that Samsung provides a way more fascinating smartphone, whether or not it’s the display screen, digicam, or the quick charging functionality.
Nevertheless, we have now to confess that the technical specs usually are not all the things, and that exhibits with the software program optimization carried out on the Apple iPhone. Nevertheless, it’s exceptional that Apple has lowered its costs in comparison with final 12 months, at the least in Europe. Thus, the iPhone 15 is strictly as costly/low-cost because the Galaxy S23/S24, at the least when one appears to be like on the respective beneficial retail costs.
Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
| Apple | Samsung | |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Picture |  |
 |
| SoC | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (US) Samsung Exynos 2400 (World) |
| Reminiscence | 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB |
128 GB 256 GB 512 GB |
| Expandable reminiscence | No | |
| Show | 6.1-inch OLED “Tremendous Retina XDR”. 1170 x 2532 pixels, 460 DPI 60 Hz refresh charge Most brightness of two,000 nits |
6.1-inch OLED “Dynamic AMOLED 2X”. 1080 x 2400 pixels, 422 DPI 120 Hz refresh charge Most brightness of two,600 nits |
| Digital camera | 48 MP fundamental digicam: f/1.6 aperture / Twin Pixel PDAF / OIS sensor-shift 12 MP ultra-wide angle digicam: f/2.4 aperture / 120° FOV 12 MP selfie digicam: f/2.2 aperture / 1/3.6″ / 120° FOV |
50 MP fundamental digicam: f/1.8 aperture / Twin Pixel AF / OIS 12 MP ultra-wide angle digicam: f/2.2 aperture / Twin Pixel PDAF / 120° FOV 10 MP telephoto digicam: f/2.4 aperture / OIS / 3x optical zoom / 36° FOV 12 MP selfie digicam: f/2.2 aperture |
| Battery |
3349 mAh |
4000 mAh Wired charging: 25 W USB PD 3.0 Wi-fi charging: 15 W Qi Reverse wi-fi charging: 4.5 W Charger not included |
| Audio | Stereo No headphone jack |
|
| Worth | from $799 | from $799 |
Apple iPhone 15 Professional Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
| Apple | Samsung | |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Determine |  |
 |
| SoC | Apple A17 Professional | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Reminiscence | 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB |
256 GB 512 GB 1 TB |
| Expandable reminiscence | None | |
| Display screen | 6.7-inch OLED “Tremendous Retina XDR” 2796 x 1290 pixels, 460 DPI 120 Hz refresh charge Most brightness of two,000 nits |
6.8-inch OLED “Dynamic AMOLED 2X” 1440 x 3088 pixels, 515 DPI 120 Hz refresh charge Most brightness of two,600 nits |
| Digital camera | 48 MP fundamental digicam | F1.78 aperture | 2.44 µm pixels | 24 mm focal size | sensor-shift OIS 12 MP ultra-wide angle digicam: f/2.2 aperture / 120° FOV / PDAF 12 MP | F2.8 | 77 mm focal size | 3x optical zoom | sensor-shift OIS 12 MP | F2.8 | 120 mm focal size | 5x optical zoom | sensor-shift OIS 12 MP selfie digicam: aperture f/1.9/ 1/3.6″ / 120° FOV |
200 MP fundamental digicam: f/1.7 aperture / multidirectional PDAF / OIS 12 MP ultra-wide angle digicam: f/2.2 aperture / 120° FOV / Tremendous Regular Video 10 MP telephoto lens: f/2.4 aperture / twin pixel PDAF / OIS / 3x optical zoom 50 MP telephoto lens: f/3.4 aperture / Twin Pixel PDAF / OIS / 5x optical zoom 12 MP selfie digicam: f/2.2 aperture / Twin Pixel PDAF |
| Battery | 4441 mAh 20 W wired charging USB PD 2.0 15 W Qi/MagSafe wi-fi charging Charger not included |
5000 mAh 45 W USB PD 3.0 wired charging 15 W Qi wi-fi charging 4.5 W reverse wi-fi charging. Charger not included |
| Audio | Stereo No headphone jack |
|
| Worth | from $1,199 | from $1,299 |
After adopting the 120 Hz refresh charge with its ProMotion mode in 2021, Apple marked the event in 2022 with a brand new digicam in addition to a alternative for the notch, calling it Dynamic Island. In 2023, USB Kind-C ports have been lastly launched for all new iPhones.
The brand new Professional iPhones launched in 2023 additionally function a titanium case, slimmer bezels, and are powered by the A17 Professional chipset. The motion button can be new and replaces the mute button.
Whereas Samsung stands out with superlative figures in its extravagant specs, Apple’s robust level could be the combination of its parts, particularly its SoCs. Apple’s iPhones are usually essentially the most highly effective in the marketplace, and the model doesn’t hesitate to indicate it by evaluating its SoCs with the competitors.
As an example, the A16 Bionic is alleged to be 40% extra highly effective than its direct competitor on Android (the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that has been tailored as ‘For Galaxy’).
iPhone 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 & S24
| Take a look at | iPhone 15 (A16) | Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon) | Galaxy S24 (Exynos) | Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Geekbench |
Single: 2,623 Multi: 6,605 |
Single: 2,252 Multi: 7,107 |
Single: 2,131 Multi: 6,676 |
Single: 1,614 Multi: 4,073 |
| Wild Life Excessive Stress Take a look at |
Finest Loop: 3,253 Worst Loop: 2,271 |
Finest Loop: 5,160 Worst Loop: 2,637 |
Finest Loop: 4,242 Worst Loop: 2,637 |
Finest Loop: 2,370 Worst Loop: 1,809 |
In brief, the very best smartphone is just not essentially the one with the very best technical specs as a result of having the newest modern parts is just not all the time sufficient. That is additionally true for the value as a result of the most costly flagship is just not all the time the very best. Nevertheless, the 128 GB iPhone 15 is equally priced to the Samsung Galaxy S23/S24, however not drastically higher.
On the high finish of the market, Apple and Samsung supply kind of the identical. It’s particularly stark within the mid-range that Samsung has a transparent benefit since Apple is just not well-represented in that section in any respect. And the place does the iPhone SE 2022 stand in all this? I do not actually take into account it a mid-range/entry-level machine just like the Galaxy A55, so it’s a moot level.
Conclusion
Samsung’s benefits over Apple:
- Extra superior specs.
- A robust and extra inexpensive mid-range machine.
- Higher screens for all its smartphones.
Apple’s benefits over Samsung:
- Not excessively larger costs on the prime quality section.
- Efficiency is commonly higher than the technical specs recommend.
- Essentially the most highly effective smartphones in the marketplace, all manufacturers included.
iPhone or Samsung: The person interface
The person interface has all the time been Apple’s robust level in its battle in opposition to Samsung. iOS is praised for its good optimization and its nearly excellent integration with the Apple ecosystem. By shopping for an iPhone, you’ll profit from the profitable interconnectivity between the completely different Apple merchandise.
However, over time, Samsung has caught up with Apple and now provides an ecosystem that whereas not as well-developed, remains to be practical and environment friendly. Because of components similar to your Samsung account, SmartThings, and even unique options for its units similar to DeX mode, Samsung tries to supply an identical expertise to Apple however with a barely much less closed ecosystem.
Nowadays, Apple and Samsung are shifting in related instructions, and customers from each camps can take pleasure in an important software program expertise on both model’s merchandise.
This 12 months, relying on whether or not you select an iPhone or a Galaxy, you may be integrating with iOS 17 or One UI 6. Each working programs supply well-thought-out person experiences which can be fairly common with followers of every facet.
Launched in September 2023, the iOS 17 added options just like the contact poster or NameDrop for fast data sharing together with your contacts.
Apple has thus caught up with Android and as typical, the Cupertino firm has taken its time however has managed to implement in a really considerable approach, options which were obtainable on Android for some time. I invite you to learn our complete guide to iOS 17 to be taught extra.
As for One UI, it is one of the crucial common Android skins, together with Xiaomi’s MIUI. For instance, it’s extra broadly used than inventory Android, Google’s authentic Android interface. Visually, One UI is kind of a departure from inventory Android and is a slightly heavy pores and skin, however it is vitally full.
Samsung’s One UI provides an excellent multitasking expertise because of options like break up display screen, floating home windows, or the flexibility to clone purposes to have two accounts. To be taught extra about its options, learn our full One UI 6 review.
iOS and One UI are beginning to get an increasing number of related, so the ultimate alternative will finally boil right down to your private preferences. Do notice, nonetheless, that iOS is unique to Apple whereas One UI will depend on Android updates, so you’ll not obtain the newest model as rapidly on a Samsung in comparison with an Apple iPhone.
Launched within the second half of 2023, neither iOS 17 nor Android 14 introduced tons of visible modifications for the final interface, however each continued their earlier variations’ development of including extra customization to the lock display screen. iPhone’ homeowners can create custom caller ID images with Contact Posters, whereas Android customers on the Pixel launcher have extra clock designs to select from.
iOS 17 additionally introduced a smart display-like interface when docked, whereas Android 14 provides extra granularity to privateness settings. To see all of the options in 2023’s iOS and Android updates, test our overview pages with all of the confirmed modifications to each working programs within the linked articles beneath:
Conclusion
Samsung’s benefits over Apple:
- Extra customizable interface.
- Far more superior multitasking optimization.
Apple’s benefits over Samsung:
- Easy and seamless expertise inside the Apple ecosystem.
- Very excessive knowledge safety.
- Excessive-quality native purposes.
- Longer safety updates offered.
- Clear and uncluttered design.
iPhone or Samsung: Replace coverage
The replace coverage was one of many fundamental promoting factors of Apple’s iPhones, however over time, Samsung has additionally been capable of enhance on this side by decreasing the hole. The iPhone is usually stored up-to-date for 5 years, and all fashions obtain the replace nearly on the similar time. Samsung now guarantees seven years of features and security updates for its Galaxy S24 phones, with 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety patches for its 2023 flagships.
Apple’s replace coverage
In line with the official Apple page, we will see that iOS 17, for instance, is obtainable for even the iPhone XS which was launched in 2018. These fashions have subsequently acquired 5 iOS variations since their launch (not counting the model current by default at launch). Till 2023, no Android producer supplied such in depth software program upkeep.
The graph above illustrates this hole fairly effectively, though the methodology used to rely the length of software program upkeep is misguided. Certainly, the graph assumes that one 12 months is equal to at least one replace. This works for iPhones since every new mannequin is launched concurrently every new (main) model of iOS. However for Samsung, its flagships are launched at first of the 12 months with the earlier 12 months’s Android model after which up to date inside the similar 12 months as soon as a brand new Android model is launched.
Samsung’s replace coverage
Lately, Samsung has made nice strides with its replace coverage. Whereas most Android producers are content material to supply 2 or hardly ever 3 variations of Android and three years of safety patches, the South Korean producer guarantees for its flagship S and Z 2024 fashions seven years of Android upgrades and safety patches, with 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety patches for its earlier high-end smartphones.
So, with a Galaxy S23 for instance, it is best to be capable of obtain Android 17 in 2026. Initially, this promise only catered to high-end models, however it was later utilized to higher mid-range fashions such because the Galaxy A54 and A34 launched in 2023. As for the Galaxy S24, it ought to obtain as much as “Android 21” in 2031.
Conclusion
- With the Galaxy S24 fashions, Samsung primarily matched the best-supported iPhone fashions in relation to function updates.
- Nevertheless, some iPhone fashions acquired safety updates after seven years of launch in extraordinary circumstances.
iPhone or Samsung: Information safety
iOS is safer than Android, that is a truth. Information safety is without doubt one of the factors the place Apple is forward of Samsung, nevertheless it must be famous that lately, thanks particularly to the advances of Android 12 in terms of data security, the hole has narrowed.
On the subject of safety, the variety of standards to be thought of is way too giant for the scope of this text. That is why I’ve restricted myself to the privateness and security measures of every producer.
Samsung’s privateness options
One UI 4 briefly launched the brand new options present in Android 12, together with the brand new privateness controls. The privateness panel is accessible from the privateness menu, and like iOS 15 (and MIUI earlier than each), you may be notified every time apps use options like geolocation, digicam, and microphone.
Not instantly enabling background activation of geolocation can be a plus. It should be carried out from the web page devoted to the appliance in query from the system settings. Further steps which can be purported to discourage or at the least make you suppose twice earlier than letting an software monitor you even while you’re not utilizing it make issues safer.
Scoped storage (launched on Android 10) which lets you compartmentalize knowledge based mostly on the completely different purposes was fascinating. This implies one app has entry to a selected silo with out one other app sharing the identical house. In sensible phrases, this limits app entry to only some folders in inner storage, so apps cannot see your different information.
For file managers, One UI 4 has introduced a brand new permission “Entry to all information”, which permits them to work as in earlier variations. Nevertheless, the appliance should meet sure situations to obtain this permission. All different purposes are restricted to “Entry to media solely”.
One UI additionally permits you to give solely your approximate location. So when an app first asks for permission to entry your location, along with selecting when the situation will be shared, it is possible for you to to decide on to not share your exact location. Nevertheless, the appliance will be capable of request permission to entry the exact location for a given function later.
Samsung additionally provides its Secret Folder which lets you retailer all of your pictures, movies, information, purposes, and knowledge away from prying eyes in a folder secured by a password or the fingerprint sensor. This folder is protected by Samsung Knox which ensures that your knowledge is protected in opposition to any malicious assaults.
Additionally, One UI provides a helpful function within the Samsung browser. Certainly, Samsung Web mechanically begins in non-public shopping mode you probably have used this mode throughout your final shopping.
Apple’s privateness options
Apple has additionally put plenty of emphasis on safety lately with the ATT or App Tracking Transparency, which strictly controls the entry of third-party and native purposes to your private knowledge. You may be taught extra by studying our tutorial which exhibits how to activate the ATT function on your iPhone.
iOS 15 launched a number of different new privacy-related options. I invite you to learn our full guide to iOS 15 to be taught extra about it if you have not already.
With iOS 16, Apple has continued its momentum by launching Safety Check and computerized verification. With Security Verify, Apple desires to supply extra management to customers who share passwords or entry sure apps and knowledge like geolocation. Security Verify helps fight abuse in poisonous relationships by rapidly revoking entry to knowledge and the situation that was beforehand shared with others.
Automatic verification is a brand new function from Apple that bypasses CAPTCHAs, these annoying verification instruments that be sure you’re not a robotic. To attain this, iCloud mechanically verifies your Apple ID and machine within the background, so you do not have to fill out a Captcha when authenticating to an internet site or app.
Conclusion
- Each iOS and Android/One UI have come a great distance in relation to knowledge safety. Producers perceive that an increasing number of customers worth it and make it a purchase order criterion for his or her new smartphones.
- However in any case, regardless of how a lot management an interface offers you over your knowledge, the extent of menace will depend on elements past your management, such because the irregularity of updates and the benefit and pace with which hackers can exploit vulnerabilities.
- Apple provides extra frequent and common updates for all its units, a closed ecosystem that’s tougher to penetrate, and an app retailer with a stricter verification course of. All these elements are nonetheless lacking in Android. Whereas the stability of energy is just not as vastly skewed because it was prior to now, Apple remains to be a step above.
iPhone or Samsung: Resale worth
When selecting a brand new smartphone, it is vital to remember when you are going to half with it at some point. The common person retains his or her smartphone for two to three years earlier than reselling it to finance the acquisition of its alternative.
In line with a study commissioned and published in January 2022 by Bankmycell, Android smartphones shed a median of greater than 33% of their worth in 2020, in comparison with about 16% for iPhones. This decline accounts for over 50% of its worth for a mid-range/entry-level smartphone.
Android smartphones drop in worth a lot quicker than iPhones. Certainly, iPhones retain their worth higher over time than Samsung’s Galaxy vary. It is possible for you to to resell an iPhone for a much better worth than a Galaxy smartphone. Nevertheless, this isn’t a nasty factor in itself.
To purchase the newest Samsung flagship, you normally solely have to attend a couple of months to see its worth drop, whereas to interchange your iPhone with the newest mannequin, it’s a must to wait for much longer for its worth to drop.
Conclusion
Benefits of Samsung in comparison with Apple:
- The likelihood to seek out smartphones at a greater worth only some months after their launch.
- Flagships expertise good worth drops, in contrast to iPhones.
- The second-hand market forces e-tailers to make promotions usually.
Benefits of Apple in comparison with Samsung:
- Chance to resell your iPhone at an excellent worth one or two years after buy.
To those that’ve learn by way of, I hope this Apple vs. Samsung comparability was insightful. Your suggestions on this format is welcome, and if you would like related guides for different manufacturers, please inform me. I aimed for thoroughness with out making it excessively lengthy. If I missed or erred on any level, kindly level it out within the feedback.
The article was up to date in July 2024 with modifications to replace insurance policies and lineup streamlining. Feedback earlier than the replace have been retained and should learn as if they’re out of context.
