Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 22, 2023 October 16, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 82.43 cm³ 274.06 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.57 "/g 2.08 "/g
Weight 171 g 523 g
Height 147.6 mm 254.3 mm
Width 71.6 mm 165.8 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 6.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink
  • Silver
  • Gray
  • Mint
  • Lavender

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 10.9 "
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1440 x 2304
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 86.4 % 81.7 %
Pixel Density 461 PPI 249 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1000 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 2000 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 90.00 mAh/in² 67.33 mAh/in²
Battery Density 40.63 mAh/cm³ 29.19 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3349 mAh 8000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (5-core graphics) Mali-G68 MP5

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort USB Type-C 2.0, Magnetic Connector

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 17 13
Maximum OS Version 18 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 15Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FEPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mmiPhone 15 is significantly smaller and more pocketable; Tab S9 FE is a large tablet.
Weight171g523giPhone 15 is much lighter and easier to hold for extended periods. Tab S9 FE is heavier, suitable for desk/lap use.
BuildMissingMissingBuild quality and materials cannot be compared without further information.
Display
Size6.1"10.9"Tab S9 FE offers a much larger screen for media consumption and multitasking.
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDIPS LCDiPhone 15's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better power efficiency.
Resolution1179 x 25561440 x 2304iPhone has a higher pixel density (461 ppi vs 249 ppi), resulting in sharper text and images.
Refresh RateNot specified90Hz90Hz on the Tab S9 FE provides smoother scrolling and animations compared to a standard 60Hz (assumed for iPhone 15).
Peak Brightness2000 nitsNot specifiediPhone 15's higher peak brightness ensures better visibility in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)A16 is generally considered a more powerful chipset, potentially offering better performance in demanding tasks and gaming.
CPUHexa-coreOcta-coreCore count alone doesn't determine performance; architectural differences and clock speeds are crucial, but detailed comparisons are impossible without benchmarks.
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Mali-G68 MP5Apple's GPU in the A16 is expected to deliver superior graphics performance compared to the Mali-G68.
RAM6GB8GBTab S9 FE's higher RAM might enable better multitasking, although iOS and Android manage RAM differently.
Storage256/512GB256GBBoth offer ample storage, but the iPhone offers a 512GB option.
Battery
Capacity3349 mAh8000 mAhTab S9 FE has a significantly larger battery, expected to provide much longer battery life.
Other
OSiOS 17Android 13Different operating systems cater to different user preferences and ecosystems.
NFCYesNoiPhone 15 supports contactless payments and data transfer via NFC.

2. Key Differences Analysis

  • Size and Portability: iPhone 15 is a pocket-sized smartphone, while the Tab S9 FE is a large tablet better suited for home or desk use.
  • Performance: iPhone 15 with the A16 Bionic chip is likely to offer superior performance compared to the Tab S9 FE.
  • Display: iPhone 15 utilizes a superior OLED display with higher resolution and brightness. Tab S9 FE offers a larger display with a faster refresh rate, beneficial for content consumption and creative tasks.
  • Battery Life: Tab S9 FE's much larger battery will likely provide significantly longer usage time.
  • Operating System: iOS and Android offer different user experiences and app ecosystems.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

  • iPhone 15: Ideal for users who prioritize portability, performance, a premium display, and a seamless iOS experience. Excellent for everyday tasks, photography, and gaming on the go.
  • Tab S9 FE: Suitable for users who need a large screen for media consumption, multitasking, note-taking, and drawing. Good for students, artists, and those who consume a lot of content.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your primary use case (phone calls, media consumption, productivity)?
  2. How important is portability?
  3. Which operating system do you prefer?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • On-the-go professional: iPhone 15 for its portability, performance, and premium features.
  • Student or artist: Tab S9 FE for its large screen for note-taking, drawing, and content creation.
  • Home entertainment enthusiast: Tab S9 FE for its large display and long battery life.

My Choice: Apple iPhone 15

While the Tab S9 FE offers a compelling large-screen experience, I would choose the iPhone 15. My priorities are portability, performance, and a premium display. The A16 Bionic chip ensures smooth performance for demanding tasks and games, while the OLED display delivers vibrant visuals. Although the Tab S9 FE boasts a larger battery and screen, my daily usage revolves around communication, quick tasks, occasional gaming, and media consumption on the go, making the iPhone 15's compact form factor a significant advantage. The robust app ecosystem and seamless iOS experience also contribute to my preference. The lack of NFC on the Tab S9 FE is also a drawback in my daily usage. Ultimately, the iPhone 15 better aligns with my needs and priorities.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.