Galaxy A05 Vs iPhone 15 Plus

Galaxy A05
Galaxy A05
Starting at

Refurbished price:£89.00

Versus £144.96 new

See options
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:£345.00

Versus £799.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A05, released in October 2023, and the iPhone 15 Plus, launched in September 2023, represent distinct approaches to the smartphone experience. While both devices offer large displays and modern connectivity, they cater to different user expectations through their respective operating systems and hardware philosophies. The Galaxy A05 runs on Android, offering a customizable and open ecosystem, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus operates on iOS, known for its integrated services and streamlined user interface. These fundamental differences influence everything from performance to camera capabilities and overall user interaction.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. The Galaxy A05 and iPhone 15 Plus, despite being released around the same time, offer different expectations in these areas.

  • Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy A05, launched with Android 13, is expected to receive two major OS updates, bringing it up to Android 15, and four years of security updates, extending until late 2027. In contrast, Apple typically provides 5-7 years of iOS updates for its devices, with the iPhone 15 Plus expected to receive updates until at least September 2028, and potentially longer for security patches.
  • Physical Durability: The iPhone 15 Plus features a Ceramic Shield front and an aluminum frame, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a higher level of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy A05 uses a glass front with a plastic back and frame, and does not carry an official IP rating, suggesting less resistance to water and dust ingress.
  • Expected Lifespan: Users prioritizing extended software support and robust physical protection may find the iPhone 15 Plus offers a longer practical lifespan. The Galaxy A05 provides a reasonable lifespan for its category, but with a shorter update window.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

No

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator between these two devices, impacting how smoothly applications run, how quickly tasks are completed, and the overall responsiveness of the user interface.

  • Everyday Task Handling: The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphic-intensive games with fluidity and speed. The Galaxy A05 features a processor designed for essential smartphone functions, providing adequate performance for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of the iPhone 15 Plus generally report a consistently smooth and lag-free experience, even when switching between multiple applications. The Galaxy A05 may exhibit occasional delays or slower loading times, particularly when running more resource-intensive applications or with many apps open simultaneously.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The iPhone 15 Plus offers larger storage options, starting at 128GB and going up to 512GB, alongside 6GB of RAM, which contributes to efficient multitasking. The Galaxy A05 comes with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage and 4GB or 6GB of RAM, which is suitable for moderate usage but may limit the number of applications that can run smoothly in the background.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display is the primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer large screens, but with significant differences in their underlying technology and visual output.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors, with a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels resulting in sharp images and text. The Galaxy A05 has a 6.7-inch PLS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels (HD+), offering clear visuals for general use.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The iPhone 15 Plus boasts a peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy A05's display provides sufficient brightness for indoor use, but may be less legible under direct sunlight.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both the iPhone 15 Plus and the Galaxy A05 feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While the iPhone's optimized software can make interactions feel smooth, users accustomed to higher refresh rates on other devices might notice the difference.

Resolution

720 x 1600

1290 x 2796

Screen type

PLS LCD

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many smartphone users, and both the Galaxy A05 and iPhone 15 Plus offer different photographic experiences.

  • Main Camera Performance: The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a 48MP main camera with a wide f/1.6 aperture and sensor-shift optical image stabilization, designed to capture detailed photos with good low-light performance and effective image stabilization. The Galaxy A05 features a 50MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, capable of capturing clear images in well-lit conditions.
  • Additional Lenses and Features: The iPhone 15 Plus includes a 12MP ultrawide camera and offers 2x optical-quality zoom using the main sensor, along with advanced computational photography features. The Galaxy A05 has a 2MP depth sensor alongside its main camera, primarily assisting with portrait mode effects.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: The iPhone 15 Plus supports high-quality video recording and features a 12MP front camera with autofocus for clear selfies and video calls. The Galaxy A05 offers standard video recording capabilities and an 8MP front camera suitable for everyday video calls and selfies.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

8 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience, including connectivity, physical design, and additional functionalities.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The iPhone 15 Plus supports 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6, offering faster wireless speeds, and features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The Galaxy A05 supports 4G LTE and Wi-Fi 5, and includes both a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Build Materials and Handling: The iPhone 15 Plus combines a Ceramic Shield front with a color-infused glass back and an aluminum frame, providing a premium feel and enhanced durability. It weighs 201g and measures 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm. The Galaxy A05 features a glass front with a plastic back and frame, weighing 195g and measuring 168.8 x 78.2 x 8.8 mm.
  • Sensors and Unique Features: The iPhone 15 Plus includes Face ID for secure authentication, along with a Dynamic Island for interactive notifications and activities. The Galaxy A05 incorporates an accelerometer and proximity sensor, with some regional variants also including a fingerprint sensor.

Weight

195 g

201 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.7

Mobile network

4G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

User feedback for the iPhone 15 Plus frequently highlights its exceptional battery life, robust performance, and high-quality camera system as significant advantages. Users often praise its smooth operation and the overall reliability of the iOS ecosystem. Some common observations include the 60Hz refresh rate, which some users accustomed to higher refresh rates on other devices might notice, though many find it perfectly adequate.

For the Samsung Galaxy A05, users appreciate its large display and long-lasting battery. It is often seen as a practical device for essential communication and media consumption. However, some users have reported occasional performance slowdowns, especially with demanding applications, and a camera performance that is suitable for casual use but may not excel in challenging conditions.

Users prioritizing a highly fluid user experience, advanced camera capabilities, and a longer software support window may find the iPhone 15 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its integrated ecosystem and strong performance make it a choice for those who rely heavily on their smartphone for a wide range of tasks. Conversely, users seeking a device for everyday communication, web browsing, and light media consumption, who value a traditional headphone jack and expandable storage, may lean towards the Galaxy A05. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons