Overview
The market for smartphones in 2025 is dominated by the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 15, but which one is worth your money? We compare and contrast:
- Benchmarks for performance
- Tests of battery life
- Camera shootout
- Special features for 2025
Specifications for Head-to-Head Competition (2025 Models)
| Feature | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Winner |
| Chipset | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Tie (Benchmark scores within 5%) |
| Display | 6.7″ LTPO OLED | 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X | S24 (Brighter, 2600 nits) |
| Battery Life | 29 hrs (video) | 31 hrs (video) | S24 |
| Zoom Camera | 5x optical | 10x optical | S24 |
| Price (256GB) | $1,199 | $1,299 | iPhone |
Five Significant Changes in 2025
- Camera Functions for Daylight Images:
- iPhone: More organic hues
- S24: More detailed (200MP mode)
Low Light Winner: S24’s Nightography 3.0 outperforms the iPhone by 15% (DXOMARK 2025)
- iPhone 15 Gaming Performance:
- Improved long-term performance (no throttling)
- S24: Greater maximum frame rate (144 Hz vs. 120 Hz display)
Benchmark for Fortnite 2025:
| Device | Avg FPS | Thermal Throttling |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 58 FPS None | None |
| S24 Ultra | 62 FPS | After 25 mins |
Special Features
iPhone 15 for 2025:
- Action Button (Totally Customizable)
- 20% faster transfers via USB-C
- Six years of the longest software support
S24 Ultra Features:
Integrated S-Pen (With AI Note-Taking)
- Satellite Messaging (two years free)
- Uncropped 8K footage from a 200MP camera
Which Is Better to Purchase?
Select the iPhone 15 if you:
- Prioritize video recording
- Use other Apple devices
- Want the most robust phone
Select the Galaxy S24 if you:
- Need the best zoom camera
- Want a stylus
- Prefer Android customization
FAQs
Q1: In 2025, which has a longer battery life?
A: The iPhone charges more quickly, but the S24 Ultra lasts two hours longer (31 vs. 29 hours).
Q2: Does the 200MP camera on the S24 have any use?
A: Professional photographers only; most users won’t notice anything more than 50MP.
Q3: Which is more valuable over time?
A: According to BankMyCell 2025, the iPhone 15 maintains 68% of its value after a year, while the S24 does so at 59%.
Q4: Are there any problems with overheating?
A: Due to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 efficiency, the S24 runs 3°C cooler when gaming.
Free 2025 Buyer’s Guide:
- Daily Usage Tests
- Comparisons of Carrier Offers
- Trade-in Value Tracker