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 343.94 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.57 "/g 1.98 "/g
Weight 171 g 627 g
Height 147.6 mm 285.4 mm
Width 71.6 mm 185.4 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 " 12.4 "
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1600 x 2560
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 86.4 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 461 PPI 243 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 65.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 40.63 mAh/cm³ 29.34 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3349 mAh 10090 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 FE+Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mmiPhone 15 is significantly smaller and pocketable; Tab S9 FE+ is a large tablet for media consumption and productivity.
Weight171 g627 giPhone 15 is much lighter and easier to hold for extended periods; Tab S9 FE+ can be tiring to hold one-handed.
BuildNot specifiedNot specifiedBuild materials impact durability and premium feel. This information is missing.
Display
Size6.1 inches12.4 inchesiPhone 15 offers a comfortable one-handed experience; Tab S9 FE+ provides a larger canvas for multitasking and media.
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDIPS LCDiPhone 15's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and HDR; Tab S9 FE+'s IPS LCD is less vibrant but potentially more power-efficient.
Resolution1179 x 25561600 x 2560Comparable sharpness despite size difference; both offer crisp visuals.
Refresh RateNot specified90HzHigher refresh rate on Tab S9 FE+ results in smoother scrolling and animations. Missing refresh rate data for iPhone 15 limits comparison.
Peak Brightness2000 nitsNot specifiediPhone 15's higher peak brightness ensures better visibility in direct sunlight. Missing peak brightness for Tab S9 FE+ limits comparison.
Performance
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)A16 is generally considered more powerful, enabling faster performance and smoother multitasking.
CPUHexa-coreOcta-coreCore count alone doesn't determine performance; A16's architecture likely offers superior single-core and multi-core performance.
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Mali-G68 MP5A16's GPU likely provides better gaming and graphics performance.
RAM6GB12GBTab S9 FE+'s higher RAM allows for more apps to run in the background without reloading.
Battery
Capacity3349 mAh10090 mAhTab S9 FE+ has significantly larger battery capacity due to its larger size, likely resulting in much longer battery life.
Other
OSiOS 17Android 13Different operating systems cater to different preferences and ecosystems.
Storage256GB/512GB256GBComparable base storage, but iPhone 15 offers a higher storage option.
Price RangeMediumMediumSuggests similar pricing, requiring careful consideration of features and individual needs.

2. Key Differences Analysis

iPhone 15 Advantages:

  • Significantly more portable: Smaller size and weight make it ideal for on-the-go use.
  • Superior Display Quality: OLED technology delivers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and HDR support.
  • Likely Faster Performance: A16 Bionic chip generally outperforms Exynos 1380.
  • Brighter Display: Better visibility in sunlight.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Advantages:

  • Larger Display for Productivity and Media: More screen real estate for multitasking and enjoying content.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and more fluid animations.
  • Much Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life.
  • More RAM: Better multitasking capabilities, keeping more apps open in the background.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

iPhone 15: Ideal for users who prioritize portability, one-handed usability, a premium display, and performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Suitable for everyday use, communication, photography, and mobile gaming.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Ideal for users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption, multitasking, note-taking, and drawing. Suitable for students, artists, and anyone who consumes a lot of media or needs a portable workstation.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your primary use case? (e.g., communication, media consumption, productivity, gaming)
  2. How important is portability? (e.g., pocket-sized vs. larger screen)
  3. What is your budget and preferred operating system?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Frequent traveler: iPhone 15 for its portability and performance.
  • Student or artist: Tab S9 FE+ for its large screen and multitasking capabilities.
  • Heavy media consumer: Tab S9 FE+ for its large display and long battery life.
  • Mobile gamer: iPhone 15 for its superior processing power and brighter screen.

My Choice: iPhone 15

While the Tab S9 FE+ offers a compelling large-screen experience, I would choose the iPhone 15. My priorities are portability, a premium display, and consistently strong performance. The A16 Bionic chip's power efficiency and performance, combined with the vibrant OLED display and pocketable design, better suit my needs. While I acknowledge the Tab S9 FE+'s advantages in battery life and multitasking, my usage patterns favor a device that excels in on-the-go performance and ease of use. The missing specifications for the iPhone 15's refresh rate and the Tab S9 FE+'s build materials and peak brightness prevent a completely definitive comparison, but the available data strongly favors the iPhone 15 for my personal needs.

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.