Samsung Galaxy A02 vs Apple iPhone 15 Plus - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 27, 2021 September 22, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 113.27 cm³ 97.64 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.16 "/g 3.33 "/g
Weight 206 g 201 g
Height 164 mm 160.9 mm
Width 75.9 mm 77.8 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.7 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1290 x 2796
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.9 % 88 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 2000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 97.64 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.14 mAh/cm³ 44.89 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4383 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
CPU Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
GPU PowerVR GE8100 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 10 17
Maximum OS Version 11 18

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Apple iPhone 15 Plus

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A02Apple iPhone 15 PlusPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm, 206g160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm, 201gThe A02 is slightly taller and thicker, while the iPhone 15 Plus is wider. The iPhone 15 Plus is slightly lighter, which could be more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Size6.5"6.7"The iPhone 15 Plus offers a slightly larger viewing area, which is better for media consumption and productivity.
Resolution720x16001290x2796The iPhone 15 Plus's higher resolution leads to a much sharper image, making text clearer and images more detailed.
Pixel Density270 PPI460 PPIThe iPhone 15 Plus has a significantly sharper display due to its higher pixel density, resulting in a crisper viewing experience.
TechnologyPLS LCDOLEDThe iPhone 15 Plus's OLED display offers superior contrast, richer colors, and deeper blacks compared to the A02's PLS LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth displays have the same refresh rate, resulting in similar smoothness in everyday use.
Brightness0 nits2000 nitsThe iPhone 15 Plus's display is significantly brighter, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The A02 may struggle in similar conditions.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek MT6739W (28 nm)Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)The iPhone 15 Plus has a far more powerful and energy-efficient chipset, leading to much faster performance in all tasks, including gaming and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score50,7741,470,000The iPhone 15 Plus has drastically superior benchmark performance, indicating a massive difference in speed and responsiveness.
GPUPowerVR GE8100Apple GPU (5-core graphics)The iPhone 15 Plus's GPU is significantly more powerful, delivering much better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh4383mAhThe Samsung Galaxy A02 has a larger capacity battery that may result in slightly longer usage between charges.
Charging7.5W fast charging20W fast chargingThe iPhone 15 Plus charges significantly faster than the A02, reducing downtime.
FeaturesNon-removableNon-removable, 15W MagSafe Wireless Charging, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging, Battery capacity rumoredThe iPhone 15 Plus offers wireless charging options, while the A02 lacks this feature.
Camera
Main Camera13MP, f/1.9, 1.12 µm pixel size48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5", 1.00 µm pixel size, Sony Iphone 15 SensorThe iPhone 15 Plus has a higher-resolution sensor, a wider aperture, and a larger sensor size, leading to better image quality, especially in low light.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.0, pixel size unknown12MP, f/1.9, 1.12 µm pixel sizeThe iPhone 15 Plus has a higher resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture, resulting in better selfies in a wider range of scenarios.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknownNoneThe A02 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which is not present on the iPhone 15 Plus.
Wide Angle + MacroNone12MP, f/2.4, pixel size unknownThe iPhone 15 Plus offers a wide angle + macro lens which the A02 does not have.
Video1080p@30fps; No Stabilization4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound; Yes StabilizationThe iPhone 15 Plus offers significantly better video recording capabilities with higher resolutions, HDR, and stabilization.
DxOMarkNoneMobile: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 153The iPhone 15 Plus receives strong DxOMark results. There are no results for the A02.
FeaturesBasic featuresAdvanced featuresThe iPhone 15 Plus has a wide range of features including Cinematic Mode, RAW, Night mode, Optical Stabilization which the A02 lacks.
Software
OSAndroid 10 (upgradable to 11)iOS 17 (upgradable to 18)The iPhone 15 Plus runs on iOS, which has a different user interface, ecosystem, and update cycle compared to the A02's Android.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz/ac/axThe iPhone 15 Plus supports newer Wi-Fi standards, resulting in faster and more reliable wireless connections.
Bluetooth4.2 LE5.3 LEThe iPhone 15 Plus has a newer Bluetooth version, which is more power-efficient and offers better compatibility with the latest devices.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GalileoThe iPhone 15 Plus supports more satellite navigation systems, resulting in better location accuracy and reliability.
SIMDual SIM (Nano)Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM)Both support dual SIM, but the iPhone 15 Plus also offers eSIM for more flexibility.
Storage
Internal32 GB or 64 GB128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GBThe iPhone 15 Plus offers significantly more internal storage, which is better for storing photos, videos, and apps.
RAM2 GB, 3 GB or 4 GB6 GBThe iPhone 15 Plus has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking.
ExpandableNoNoBoth phones lack expandable storage.
Audio
QualityDolby AtmosNoise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphonesThe iPhone 15 Plus offers better audio quality for calls and media playback due to its stereo speakers and noise cancellation features. The Samsung A02 offers Dolby Atmos enhancement.
Security
FeaturesBasic Security FeaturesBasic Security FeaturesBoth rely on basic security features.
Build Quality
ProtectionUnknownUnknownThe exact screen protection for both phones is unknown.
SensorsProximity, AccelerometerProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometerThe iPhone 15 Plus has more sensors that provide better functionality for various apps, including navigation and fitness tracking.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery Capacity: The 5000mAh battery might offer slightly longer usage between charges.
  • Dedicated Macro Lens: For users who enjoy close-up photography, the A02 has a dedicated macro lens.
  • Lower price point: The A02 is designed as a budget phone with a much lower price point than the iPhone 15 Plus.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:

  • Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, OLED technology, and brightness for significantly better viewing experience.
  • Much Faster Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides a significant performance boost for all tasks.
  • Significantly superior cameras: Higher resolutions, larger sensors, and many additional features such as Optical Image Stabilisation and cinematic mode provide a vastly superior photography and video recording experience.
  • Faster Charging: The 20W fast charging quickly replenishes the battery.
  • Wireless Charging: Includes MagSafe and Qi wireless charging capabilities.
  • More Storage and RAM: Higher capacity storage options and 6GB of RAM for better multitasking.
  • Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi standards, Bluetooth 5.3, and more GPS systems.
  • Better Audio Quality: Stereo speakers with noise cancellation and 3 microphones provide enhanced audio experience.
  • More Sensors: Includes a compass, gyroscope, and barometer.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • The iPhone 15 Plus sacrifices battery capacity for better display and performance; however, it's still optimized to get through a full day.
  • The Samsung Galaxy A02 has significantly lower performance and a basic display, which is suitable for simple tasks but not ideal for media consumption or gaming.
  • The Samsung Galaxy A02 lacks many of the modern features offered by the iPhone 15 Plus, like wireless charging, higher-quality cameras, faster performance, and superior connectivity options.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal User:

  • Budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability over cutting-edge technology.
  • Users who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like calls, texts, and browsing social media.
  • Users who need long battery life and who can compromise on performance.
  • Users who do not require advanced photography capabilities.

Samsung Galaxy A02 Use Cases:

  • Primary phone for seniors or those new to smartphones.
  • Backup phone for basic communication needs.
  • Phone for short-term usage that isn't likely to be used for any particularly demanding applications.
  • Basic daily usage for those who don't require demanding applications.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus Ideal User:

  • Users who prioritize performance and a premium user experience.
  • Users who heavily rely on their smartphones for media consumption, gaming, and photography.
  • Users who value superior display quality and camera capabilities.
  • Users who want to stay within the Apple ecosystem with seamless integration.
  • Users who need a future-proof device with consistent software updates.
  • Users who prioritize overall device quality and a premium experience.

Apple iPhone 15 Plus Use Cases:

  • Professional photographers and videographers who need the highest quality mobile camera.
  • Mobile gamers who demand a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
  • Users who consume a lot of media and want an immersive viewing experience.
  • Users who frequently multitask and need a phone that can keep up.
  • Anyone seeking a premium smartphone that excels in all aspects of performance and usability.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The Samsung Galaxy A02 offers a decent value proposition for a very budget-conscious buyer with minimal requirements.
  • The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is a significant investment but offers top-tier performance, display, camera, and premium user experience which may be worth the price to those who can afford it.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The A02 is significantly more affordable, while the iPhone 15 Plus is a premium investment.
  2. What are your primary use cases? Basic communication and browsing, or high-performance tasks and photography?
  3. Which ecosystem do you prefer? Android or iOS?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If you're on a very tight budget and only need a phone for basic communication and light browsing, the Samsung Galaxy A02 will suffice.
  • Scenario 2: Media Enthusiast & Gamer: If you prioritize display quality, gaming performance, and photography, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the clear choice.
  • Scenario 3: Professional Use: If you need a powerful smartphone for productivity, multimedia tasks, and professional photography, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is the better option.
  • Scenario 4: Value-Conscious User: If you are looking for a phone that 'just works', the Samsung A02 provides a cost-effective solution.
  • Scenario 5: Power User: If you require top performance and a wide range of features such as wireless charging and 4k video recording, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is a better pick.

Personal Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally select the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. Despite the higher price, the massive difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities makes it a much better investment for my needs. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of demanding applications including photography, video, and gaming, the iPhone 15 Plus is simply a better device. The superior processing power, premium display, and high-quality camera system justify the increased price point. While the Samsung Galaxy A02 might be suitable for very basic tasks, the overall user experience, future-proofing, and capabilities of the iPhone 15 Plus make it a clear winner for me.

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.