Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro commands a $300 premium over Samsung's Galaxy S20 FE 5G, and that difference reflects meaningful technological advancement. The iPhone 15 Pro features a brighter 2000-nit Super Retina XDR OLED display versus the S20 FE's 800-nit Super AMOLED panel, delivering superior outdoor visibility and color accuracy. Apple's A17 Pro chip substantially outpaces the Snapdragon 865 in both raw performance and real-world app responsiveness, while the newer 48MP main camera with computational photography edges out the S20 FE's 12MP sensor. Storage maxes at 1TB versus 256GB, and the titanium frame feels more premium than aluminum. However, the S20 FE 5G remains competent for most users, offering a larger 6.5-inch screen, bigger 4500mAh battery, and faster 25W charging. The Galaxy runs outdated Android 10 while iPhone 15 Pro ships with iOS 17, creating a software experience gap favoring Apple. For $999, you're buying current-generation flagship technology with superior longevity. At $699, the S20 FE represents a solid value if you prioritize battery capacity and screen size over cutting-edge performance, though it's aging noticeably. The iPhone 15 Pro is the better long-term investment.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro if…
- →Lightweight titanium design
- →Powerful A17 Pro chip
- →USB-C with USB 3 speeds
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G if…
- →Flagship Snapdragon 865 at a reduced Fan Edition price
- →120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare at this price point
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Pros
- Lightweight titanium design
- Powerful A17 Pro chip
- USB-C with USB 3 speeds
- Customizable Action button
- Compact but feature-packed
Cons
- Only 3x telephoto vs Pro Max's 5x
- Battery life trails Pro Max
- Slow charging speeds
- Some early thermal issues
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 865 at a reduced Fan Edition price
- 120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare at this price point
- IP68 water resistance and wireless charging
- MicroSD expansion for additional storage
Cons
- Plastic Glastic back instead of glass at flagship pricing
- 25W charging is slow compared to competitors
- Software updates have reached end of life
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- 32 MP front camera can oversharpen selfies
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 10 (One UI 2.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 187 g | 190 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic (Glastic) back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3274 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Adreno 650 |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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