So you are completely sold on the promises of AI and want to upgrade to a phone that does all the cool stuff. Which one are you going to pick? Will it be a fresh-of-the-lot Google Pixel 9? Or do you think Samsung’s Galaxy S24 is still the best for the job? What about the humble iPhone 15 from almost a year ago?
Wait, the iPhone 15 has AI? Isn’t Apple considering the iPhone 15 incapable of running its highly hyped Apple Intelligence? Although that’s true (sadly), we figured out a way to experience most of the AI features that Apple Intelligence is bringing to the iPhone 15 Pro models with the iOS 18 update. Hence, the iPhone 15 qualifies for this comparison.
But why would you consider an iPhone 15, especially when the iPhone 16 is around the corner? With Google’s new Pixel 9 packing truckloads of AI features and a set of highly capable cameras, the iPhone 15 struggles to make a case for itself. In the company of Samsung’s Galaxy S24, which continues to set the benchmark in this price range with an unmatched collection of features and value, the iPhone 15 seems like a tough sell.
On-paper specifications, however, can always be deceiving. This is why our Google Pixel 9 vs Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 comparison aims to find out properly whether the iPhone 15 can still stand up to its AI-powered competition and be worthy of heading into your pockets this year.
We will be taking a thorough look into the specifications of these phones and base our verdict on the price you have to pay for these handsets.
Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S24: Comparing the specifications
First and foremost, let’s start with the design, a key criterion for phone buyers in this price segment.
Design
The iPhone 15 has been around for the longest time and despite its age, it still looks beautiful. It’s so attractive that Samsung and Google decided to take design cues from Apple for their 2024 flagships.
Take a closer look at the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9 and you are likely to see traces of the iPhone 15 here and there. The flat sides are a dead giveaway and the same can be said for the rear camera modules. The iPhone 15 seems fancy of the lot whereas the Galaxy S24 nails the minimalist theme. The Pixel 9, on the other hand, features a polarising design that some will love and others, hate.
Whichever phone you choose, you get a durable scratch-resistant glass and an aluminium frame as standard. All phones are rated to be IP68-certified for water and dust resistance.
Although we respect your subjective take on the designs of these phones, our pick here would be the iPhone 15, which still hits the right balance between a fancy and timeless look.
Winner: Apple iPhone 15
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Display
While the iPhone 15 won the design round, it is certainly not going to repeat the same stroke of luck in the display section. Despite featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display with 2,000 nits of peak brightness and that trendy Dynamic Island, its standard refresh rate of 60Hz holds it back.
The Pixel 9’s 6.3-inch Actua Display lacks an LTPO OLED panel but manages to vary the refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz. With a peak brightness of 2,700 nits in HDR, the Pixel 9 could have won this round easily had the Galaxy S24 not existed.
Samsung’s expertise in display panels gives the Galaxy S24 the best display of the three phones listed here. At 6.1 inches, it might have the smallest display here but the ultra slim bezels coupled with the LTPO OLED panel that allows the refresh rate to vary between 1Hz and 120Hz makes it the ideal phone to browse the internet or watch your web shows.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24
Performance
Considering its freshness in the market, you would expect the Pixel 9 to walk away with the honours in this round. Sadly, it struggles to do that here.
The Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 chip makes big promises when it comes to power efficiency and AI processing. However, a benchmark test revealed that 2020’s iPhone 12 still leaves the Pixel 9 in the dust when it comes to raw processing power. Hence, don’t expect a shattering performance with the Pixel 9.
However, the Pixel 9, similar to its predecessors, promises to deliver the best Android experience with smooth animations, effortless transitions and a host of advanced generative AI features. Gemini AI onboard the Pixel 9 promises to solve your daily digital conundrums to a larger extent. Add the promise of seven years of Android OS upgrades and the Pixel 9 should be good for use in the long run.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 also goes all in with the Galaxy AI suite of features. Its One UI 6.1 interface is loaded to the teeth with helpful and convenient features that you don’t find on other phones usually. Samsung also promises seven years of Android OS updates and a bucketload of new AI features in the future. However, its Exynos 2400 chip, despite being faster than the Tensor G4, has witnessed complaints regarding overheating and performance throttling.
This is where the year-old iPhone 15 shines. Its A16 Bionic chip may be from 2022’s iPhone 14 Pro but Apple’s masterful tuning of iOS 17 ensures that the iPhone 15 can outrun the Pixel 9 and the Galaxy S24 in raw performance. It lacks generative AI features and won’t get Apple Intelligence in the future but the general user experience is class-leading. Although Apple usually supports its iPhones for up to six years, you can count on Apple to loyally support the iPhone 15 seven years down the line, still keeping it working like new.
Hence, the iPhone 15 wins this round fair and square.
Winner: Apple iPhone 15
Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S24 features the most versatile camera setup of the three phones here. With a dedicated 10-megapixel telephoto shooter offering 3x optical zoom, it lets you click images and shoot videos at three different focal lengths. The night-time imaging is good and Samsung’s bucketloads of in-camera features make it fun for creators.
The Google Pixel 9 doesn’t feature a telephoto sensor but gets the Pixel 9 Pro’s 50-megapixel main and 48-megapixel ultrawide dual camera combo. Coupled with its AI processing, the Pixel 9 is a potent shooter for casual users who need a camera phone for taking lots of selfies, portraits, short videos and more. The Add Me feature in the camera is a great addition for people who love to be a part of all group photos.
It is the iPhone 15, however, that takes the cake despite lacking a dedicated telephoto camera. The 48-megapixel image sensor on the main camera takes photos in 24-megapixel by default, thereby adding lots more detail to the photos. Coupled with the class-leading image and video processing capabilities, the iPhone 15’s camera works best for creators and casual users alike.
Winner: iPhone 15
Battery
If the on-paper specifications are to be believed, the Pixel 9 with its 4700mAh battery should ace the stamina game. However, modern-day smartphones are all about efficient processing and that’s a department where Apple’s iPhones always take the crown.
The iPhone 15 consistently aces the battery stamina game by offering over 24 hours of standby time, which is far more than what the Galaxy S24 manages to achieve with its slightly larger battery. The Pixel 9’s battery performance is yet to be gauged but we expect the class-leading battery capacity to chip in for delivering over a single day’s worth of stamina.
While all three phones feature wireless charging as standard, the Google Pixel 9 offers 45W wired charging. However, on paper, all three phones promise to fill up half the battery from dead in 30 minutes.
Hence, the winner in this round is once again the iPhone 15.
Winner: iPhone 15
Price
The Google Pixel 9 is the newest of the bunch and hence, the priciest here. The sole variant of the Pixel 9 with 256GB storage is currently retailing at USD 799 (HKD 6,228 approx.).
The Samsung Galaxy S24, meanwhile, can be had for as low as HKD 5,898 if you are considering the base 256GB storage variant. For HKD 6,898, you can get the Galaxy S24 with 512GB storage.
The iPhone 15, on the other hand, retails for HKD 6,899 for the 128GB variant but upcoming seasonal offers could drop it down further.
However, the Galaxy S24 kills it with its aggressive price and for someone being value-conscious, it will make the most sense.
Google Pixel 9 vs iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S24: Our verdict
Winner: iPhone 15
Shocking, isn’t it?
Despite being due for a replacement next month, the iPhone 15 continues to be the best all-rounder in the compact premium segment. While its lack of a 120Hz refresh rate display and on-board AI features may bother some, the iPhone 15 continues to be a solid smartphone that checks all the right boxes. It has the best cameras of the trio, offers unbeatable performance and an iconic design that the world can’t get enough of.
However, if you are rooting for the Android camp, the Galaxy S24 from Samsung offers incredible value with its faster Exynos 2400 chip, a versatile triple camera system, a nicer display and a host of AI features. The Pixel 9 seems overpriced for the package it offers and is best recommended when the price drops later in its lifecycle.
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Samsung, Apple and Google)
