Galaxy A15 Vs iPhone SE (2022)

Galaxy A15
Galaxy A15
Starting at

Refurbished price:124.00

Versus €189.00 new

See options
iPhone SE (2022)
iPhone SE (2022)
Starting at

Refurbished price:127.00

Versus €549.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A15, released in December 2023, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, are both smartphones designed for everyday use. While the Galaxy A15 operates on Android with Samsung's One UI, the iPhone SE 2022 runs on Apple's iOS. A key difference lies in their design philosophy, with the A15 featuring a larger, more modern display and the SE retaining a compact form factor with a physical home button.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A15 was released in December 2023 (4G) and January 2024 (5G), making it a newer device compared to the iPhone SE 2022, which launched in March 2022.
  • OS Support: Samsung has committed to providing the Galaxy A15 with four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. The iPhone SE 2022, running iOS, is expected to receive major iOS updates for approximately 5 to 7 years from its release, with security updates potentially extending beyond that. This suggests the iPhone SE 2022 could receive software support until around 2028-2030, while the Galaxy A15 is expected to receive updates until 2028 (OS) and 2029 (security).
  • Repairability and Lifespan: The iPhone SE 2022 features a glass front and back with an aluminum frame and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, contributing to its durability. The Galaxy A15 has a glass front with a plastic back and frame and does not carry an official IP rating for water resistance. Both devices are designed for a practical lifespan that aligns with their respective software support cycles.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in daily use is a key consideration, encompassing how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device manages power.

  • Storage and Multitasking: The Galaxy A15 offers storage options of 128GB and 256GB, with some variants also having 64GB, and includes expandable storage via a microSD card slot. It comes with 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM. The iPhone SE 2022 is available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage, but does not offer expandable storage. It features 4GB of RAM.
  • Everyday Responsiveness: The iPhone SE 2022 is known for its highly responsive performance, handling demanding applications and multitasking with ease due to its efficient internal components. Users report a consistently smooth experience, even with intensive tasks. The Galaxy A15 provides capable performance for daily tasks such as web browsing, social media, and video streaming. While generally smooth, some users have noted that the base 4GB RAM model of the A15 can experience some sluggishness when multitasking with many heavy applications.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A15 is equipped with a larger 5000 mAh battery, which typically translates to extended usage times for many users. The iPhone SE 2022 has a smaller 2018 mAh battery, and while its efficient processor helps, heavy users may find themselves needing to charge more frequently.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is largely defined by the display technology, resolution, and overall brightness.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A15 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. Its resolution is 1080 x 2340 pixels (FHD+), providing a clear viewing experience. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD display with a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels. This display offers accurate color reproduction and good viewing angles.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A15's display can reach up to 800 nits in high brightness mode and a peak of 1000 nits, making it suitable for outdoor visibility. It also boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience. The iPhone SE 2022 has a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits. Its display operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A15 offers a larger screen, which can enhance the experience for media consumption and multitasking. The iPhone SE 2022 provides a more compact screen, appealing to users who prefer a smaller device for one-handed use and portability.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

750 x 1334

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

The camera systems of both devices cater to different photography needs, from everyday snapshots to video recording.

  • Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy A15 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP main sensor, a 5 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP macro lens. The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12 MP wide camera on the rear.
  • Photography Performance: In good lighting conditions, the Galaxy A15's 50 MP main camera captures detailed photos with vibrant colors. The ultrawide lens allows for broader landscape shots, and the macro lens enables close-up photography. The iPhone SE 2022's single camera, supported by its advanced image processing, delivers consistent and high-quality photos in various everyday scenarios. However, it lacks a dedicated ultrawide or telephoto lens.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second with their main cameras. The iPhone SE 2022, however, can record video up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, offering more detail and smoother motion for video content. The Galaxy A15 has a 13 MP front camera, while the iPhone SE 2022 has a 7 MP front camera, both capable of capturing clear selfies and supporting video calls.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy A15 (5G variant) and the iPhone SE 2022 support 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds. The Galaxy A15 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C 2.0 port. The iPhone SE 2022 uses a Lightning port and does not feature a headphone jack.
  • Security and Biometrics: The Galaxy A15 incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone SE 2022 utilizes a front-mounted fingerprint sensor (Touch ID) integrated into its home button.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A15 has dimensions of 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm and weighs 200 grams, offering a larger form factor. The iPhone SE 2022 is more compact at 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm and weighs 144 grams, making it lighter and easier for one-handed operation. The Galaxy A15 features a glass front with a plastic back and frame, while the iPhone SE 2022 has a glass front and back with an aluminum frame.

Weight

200 g

144 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

4.7

Network

4G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Galaxy A15 often highlights its vibrant Super AMOLED display, long-lasting battery, and the inclusion of a headphone jack and expandable storage as significant advantages. Some users, however, have noted that its performance can be less fluid with heavy multitasking, particularly on models with lower RAM, and that its camera performance in low light could be improved. The iPhone SE 2022 is frequently praised for its powerful processor, compact size, and the familiarity of its design with the physical home button and Touch ID. Criticisms often revolve around its smaller, older-style display with larger bezels, and a battery life that may require more frequent charging for intensive use.

Users prioritizing a large, vibrant display, extensive battery life, and the flexibility of expandable storage and a headphone jack may find the Samsung Galaxy A15 better suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value a compact device, a highly powerful and efficient processor for smooth operation, and the iOS ecosystem will likely lean towards the iPhone SE 2022. Both devices offer reliable performance for their intended users, and for those considering a sustainable choice, both are available as quality-assured refurbished options.

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