Galaxy S24+ Vs iPhone SE (2022)

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Apple iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy S24 Plus offers a modern, expansive Android experience with advanced features, the iPhone SE 2022 provides a compact, traditional iOS interface with a focus on core performance. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily differing in their operating systems, display technologies, and camera capabilities.

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like software support and physical durability are key. The Galaxy S24 Plus and iPhone SE 2022 offer different longevity propositions.

• Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus launched with Android 14 and is guaranteed to receive seven years of OS and security updates, extending its software support significantly, potentially up to Android 21. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022, released with iOS 15.4, typically receives iOS updates for approximately 5-6 years from its launch, with support expected to continue for several more years, for example, up to iOS 26 as of September 2025.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a glass-sandwich design with an Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display protection, offering robust resistance against scratches and drops. It also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone SE 2022 uses strong glass on its front and back, though not explicitly Ceramic Shield, and an aluminum frame, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus generally receives a high repairability score, often rated around 8.0 to 9.0 out of 10, with components like the battery being relatively easy to replace thanks to pull tabs. The iPhone SE 2022 has an average repairability score of around 5.5 out of 10; while some parts like the battery and screen are replaceable, adhesive can make repairs more challenging.

The performance of both devices is driven by powerful processors, though they manifest in different user experiences due to their respective operating systems and hardware configurations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with either a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or an Exynos 2400 processor, depending on the region. These chipsets provide substantial power for demanding applications, smooth multitasking, and high-fidelity gaming. The iPhone SE 2022 features the Apple A15 Bionic chip, the same processor found in some of Apple's more premium models from its release year, ensuring excellent responsiveness and efficient handling of iOS applications and games.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM, allowing for seamless switching between numerous applications and robust background process management. It offers storage options of 256GB and 512GB. The iPhone SE 2022 includes 4GB of RAM, which is optimized for iOS's efficient memory management, providing a fluid user experience for typical daily tasks. Storage configurations are 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, generally providing solid battery life for a full day of mixed use, though some users note faster drain with intensive tasks like gaming or heavy social media use, particularly with the Exynos variant. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 2018 mAh battery, which, combined with the efficient A15 Bionic chip and smaller display, offers decent endurance for its compact size, often lasting a full day for moderate users.

The visual experience on these two smartphones differs significantly, primarily due to their display technologies and physical dimensions.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), resulting in sharp and detailed visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone SE 2022 utilizes a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 750x1334 pixels. While it offers good color accuracy and contrast for an LCD panel, it does not match the clarity or vibrancy of an OLED screen.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts an impressive peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. It also features an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing exceptionally smooth scrolling and animations while conserving power. The iPhone SE 2022 has a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits and a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While adequate for most indoor use, its outdoor visibility is less pronounced, and the scrolling experience is not as fluid as higher refresh rate displays.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The larger 6.7-inch display of the Galaxy S24 Plus, coupled with minimal bezels, offers an immersive viewing experience ideal for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. The iPhone SE 2022's 4.7-inch screen, surrounded by noticeable bezels, provides a more compact and traditional smartphone feel, which some users prefer for one-handed use and pocketability.

The camera systems on these devices cater to different photographic needs, with the Galaxy S24 Plus offering a versatile multi-lens setup and the iPhone SE 2022 relying on a single, computationally enhanced lens.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a triple-camera array on the rear: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This setup provides flexibility for various shooting scenarios, from expansive landscapes to distant subjects. The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12MP wide-angle rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS. While it lacks the versatility of multiple lenses, its performance is significantly enhanced by the A15 Bionic chip's computational photography features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion.
• Photography Features and Performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from advanced AI features that enhance night photography, zoom capabilities, and overall image processing, allowing for detailed and vibrant photos in various lighting conditions. The iPhone SE 2022 excels in everyday photography, producing sharp images with good color reproduction, and includes Portrait mode for human subjects. However, it notably lacks a dedicated Night Mode and an ultrawide lens, which can limit its performance in very low light or for capturing broader scenes.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones offer strong video capabilities. The Galaxy S24 Plus can record up to 8K video at 30fps and 4K at 60fps, with a 12MP front camera capable of 4K 60fps video. The iPhone SE 2022 supports 4K video recording at up to 60fps with its rear camera and features a 7MP front camera that records 1080p HD video, also with Portrait mode.