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iPhone vs Samsung: Which smartphone is right for you?
Explore the comprehensive comparison between iPhone and Samsung smartphones, considering factors like hardware, software and price-performance value.
If you want to buy a new smartphone in 2024, you may be faced with a decision: iPhone vs Samsung. The two smartphone giants have been in a neck-and-neck race for market leadership for years. Whether Apple or Samsung, both manufacturers offer different product ranges. Each has its strengths and features that set it apart.
Firstly, both the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15 are top devices with which you can do little wrong. However, when making the choice between Samsung or Apple, there are many factors to consider. After all, a new mobile phone is about more than just the hardware: The operating system, apps and ecosystem play a large part. And it has to suit your usage.
In this article, we show you the fundamental differences between iPhone and Samsung. We compare both brands in terms of their hardware, software and price-performance ratio so that you can easily find the best smartphone for your needs.
- iPhone vs. Samsung: The smartphones in comparison
- The software in comparison: iPhone vs Samsung
- Price-performance ratio: Who offers more?
- iPhone vs Samsung: The advantages at a glance
- Conclusion: iPhone vs Samsung
- iPhone vs Samsung FAQ
iPhone vs. Samsung: The smartphones in comparison
The iPhone
With the introduction of the first iPhone in 2007, Apple caused a revolution and laid the foundation for the success of the smartphone. Today, almost two decades later, the smartphone landscape has changed significantly. Year after year, all the major manufacturers launch new models with ever greater performance, better cameras and new features. When looking at the current portfolio of Apple and Samsung, one thing immediately stands out. Apple’s iPhone range offers a smaller product selection than the Galaxy range from South Korean rival Samsung.
Apple has always aimed its premium devices at a sophisticated target group that appreciates the benefits of high-end devices. The iPhone traditionally offers outstanding performance thanks to chips specially developed by Apple. It has an elegant design, is made of high-quality materials and offers long-term software support. With the iPhone SE, Apple has also had a mid-range smartphone in its range for several years. It lacks the more premium features such as multiple cameras or an OLED display and is significantly cheaper than the iPhone 15.
Are you about to decide which iPhone is best for you? If you’re looking for the best price, you can take a look at the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro offers at hotukdeals.
Current iPhone smartphones at a glance
| Category | Model | Price (RRP) |
| Budget | – | – |
| Mid Tier | iPhone SE | From £419 |
| Flagship | iPhone 15 | From £799 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | From £899 | |
| iPhone 15 Pro | From £999 | |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | From £1,199 | |
| Foldable | – | – |
Samsung Galaxy Smartphones
Samsung has a much broader product range than Apple’s iPhones. It ranges from affordable entry-level and mid-range smartphones in the Samsung Galaxy A and M series to foldable Galaxy Z models and the top models in the Galaxy S series. Here both smartphone beginners and demanding users will find what they are looking for, whether they want to play the latest games on their mobile phone or need a device with lots of camera features. Samsung always attaches great importance to incorporating the latest technology – be it displays with high refresh rates or quad camera systems – into entry-level smartphones and mid-range devices.
Unlike the iPhone, you can expand the storage space of some current Samsung Galaxy A-series smartphones with SD cards. In the premium segment, however, this has been a thing of the past since the Galaxy S22. Nevertheless, the option of a larger storage capacity with Samsung is inherently much cheaper than with Apple. So think carefully about how much storage space you need before buying a smartphone.
The premium models of the Galaxy S series from Samsung are direct competitors to Apple’s iPhone. For a long time, iPhones were far ahead of the competition in terms of performance, but Samsung has now caught up. Now a real performance difference between the iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 is barely noticeable in everyday use. A major focus of the Galaxy S24 series is on the practical AI functions. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it is possible to have Galaxy AI summarise voice recordings, circle objects in images and have Google search for them directly or have conversations translated in real time.
Current Samsung Galaxy smartphones at a glance
| Category | Model | Price (RRP) |
| Budget | Galaxy A15 | From £149 |
| Galaxy A25 5G | From £249 | |
| Mid Tier | Galaxy A35 5G | From £339 |
| Galaxy A55 5G | From £439 | |
| Flagship | Galaxy S24 | From £859 |
| Galaxy S24+ | From £999 | |
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | From £1,249 | |
| Foldable | Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | From £949 |
| Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | From £1,599 |
The software in comparison: iPhone vs Samsung
In the iPhone vs. Samsung duel, it’s not just the hardware that plays a decisive role, but also the software. Because without the right software, even the most powerful mobile phone is worth nothing. Both companies rely on different operating systems that each have their strengths and weaknesses and contribute significantly to the overall user experience. When choosing your new smartphone, you should therefore familiarise yourself with iOS and Android in advance and consider which operating system suits you better.
iOS – exclusively for Apple devices
Apple’s closed operating system is characterised by its intuitive operation, high level of user-friendliness and its focus on simplicity and consistency. Developed exclusively for Apple devices, iOS fully utilises the integration into Apple’s ecosystem from a single source. Moving files between Mac, iPad or iPhone is child’s play, apps synchronise instantly on all your devices and the use of iCloud services such as photos, calendars and notes is seamless.
In addition, iOS offers a high level of security and privacy. Apple strictly controls its own App Store, ensuring that only secure and trustworthy apps find their way onto your iPhone. For many years, it was not possible to install apps from other sources on the iPhone. With iOS 17.5, Apple has at least eliminated this disadvantage compared to Android and now also allows apps to be installed from other sources.
Long-term update supply and software support
Regular updates with new functions as well as around five years of software support for older iPhones are Apple’s great strengths. While many manufacturers provide their devices with updates for just two years, Samsung has been able to catch up with the competition over time and promises to provide its new flagship smartphone Galaxy S24 with updates for as long as seven years. However, Samsung has been providing entry-level and mid-range devices with Android updates for four years and even security updates for five years since 2023.
To summarise, we can say that iOS is a powerful and easy-to-use operating system that is perfectly designed to meet the needs of Apple users and works brilliantly with other Apple devices.
One UI – Samsung’s own Android
One UI is Samsung’s own version of the open Android operating system. It is characterised by a modern design with many functions and customisation options and is almost the most widely used operating system for smartphones alongside Apple’s iOS. With bold colours, lots of widgets, split-screen function and new AI features OneUI is very different from Apple’s iOS even at first glance. However, the freedom that One UI offers its users can also lead to the operation appearing more complex and less accessible for inexperienced users. Apple has caught up significantly in terms of customisation options in the latest iOS versions, so that iOS has also become increasingly interesting for users who want to tailor their smartphone to their needs.
Large selection of apps and high security standards
With the Google Play Store Android probably offers the largest platform for apps. However, it is much less strictly controlled than Apple’s App Store, which is why a larger number of inferior apps and potentially unsafe apps can be found here. The openness of the Android system also makes it more susceptible to security vulnerabilities. Regular updates are therefore particularly important However, Samsung sets very high standards here and is regularly one of the first manufacturers to bring Android updates to its devices.
If you use a lot of Google applications or devices and are faced with the choice between iPhone and Samsung, your decision might be in favour of Samsung. As part of Google’s ecosystem, Android integrates all Google applications very well and may therefore be easier to integrate into your everyday life. One UI is also optimised for use with Samsung services and harmonises well with other Samsung devices such as smartwatches or televisions.
We can say that the choice between One UI and iOS can depend entirely on your personal preferences and needs. If you prefer freedom, customisation options and the largest selection of apps, Samsung is the right choice for you. If you appreciate Apple’s design, ease of use and seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem, you might be better off with the iPhone.
Price-performance ratio: Who offers more?
Apple has a reputation for being particularly expensive compared to other electronics manufacturers. The iPhone division is no exception. Samsung covers a broader price range with its Galaxy smartphones, with models for every budget. However, if you only compare the two flagship models, the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S24, you will notice that the RRP of the Galaxy S24 is even slightly higher than the recommended retail price of the iPhone. No wonder, as both devices offer similar performance with high-quality features. In reality, however, the Samsung Galaxy S24 can be found at significantly lower prices. And other Android smartphones are also usually significantly reduced just a few months after their release.
Big differences in resale
If you change your smartphone every two to three years, the resale value may also be important for you. Here it is clear that the iPhone is ahead. No other smartphones are as stable in value over longer periods of time, as a study from 2023 makes clear. However, it is often worth buying Samsung Galaxy smartphones a few months after release at a lower price.
This is because Android smartphones fall in price faster on the second-hand market than new devices at retailers such as Back Market, musicMagpie and Mozillion. It can also be worthwhile to visit Samsung directly, as there are some exclusive models and discount campaigns several times a year.
iPhone vs Samsung: The advantages at a glance
Advantages of an iPhone
- Intuitive operating system: iOS is known for its user-friendliness and ease of use.
- Long-term software support: iPhones receive feature and security updates for years.
- High security: iPhones are considered to be particularly secure against malware and viruses.
- Interplay with Apple devices: iPhones can be seamlessly connected to other Apple products.
- High-value stability: iPhones have a high resale value and lose less value compared to other smartphones.
Advantages of a Samsung Galaxy smartphone
- Large range: Thanks to a wide product range in various price categories, everyone can find a suitable smartphone.
- Flexible operating system: Android offers more customisation options to design the system according to your wishes.
- Slightly cheaper: Due to the faster price decline, good offers can be found more quickly.
Conclusion: iPhone vs Samsung
Modern technology, top performance and great cameras: Both Samsung and Apple are in a neck-and-neck race in the smartphone market, which remains without a clear winner. The differences in terms of performance and features are minimal, so the decision ultimately depends on your preferences and needs.
The biggest difference between the iPhone and Samsung is probably the operating system and therefore remains a question of habit. If you are already familiar with iOS and prefer the Apple ecosystem, you’ll likely choose the iPhone. If you prefer the flexibility of Android, a Samsung Galaxy smartphone could be the obvious choice.
iPhone vs Samsung FAQ
Is iPhone or Samsung better?
Both iPhone and Samsung Galaxy offer high-quality smartphones in the premium tier that are technically on par. The biggest difference is the operating system. Which one you prefer is largely a matter of personal taste.
Does an iPhone or a Samsung smartphone have a better camera?
Both Apple and Samsung use top-class cameras in their smartphones and have built-in image enhancers. In some situations, an iPhone 15 can deliver better images, in others the Galaxy S24. Samsung tends to deliver slightly more contrasting and vivid images, while the iPhone captures colours and contrast more realistically.
When will new iPhones and Samsung Galaxy smartphones be released?
Both Apple and Samsung usually launch new flagship smartphones once a year. The Samsung Galaxy S25 is expected to be released in early 2025. The new iPhone 16 is expected to be released in September.
Where does Samsung come from?
Samsung is one of the world’s largest electronics manufacturers and is based in South Korea. Samsung’s smartphones are mostly manufactured in Vietnam and India.
Can I switch from iPhone to Samsung?
Yes, switching between iPhone and Samsung Galaxy is now possible without any problems. Both manufacturers provide software that makes the switch easier for you, allowing you to move your data with you.
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