If you want your phone to work like an extension of a Windows PC, a compatible Samsung Galaxy is generally the better fit. Microsoft documents Android features in Phone Link that go beyond basic communication, including access to phone apps, phone-screen control, and file-transfer options on supported devices. iPhone can still handle core tasks such as messages, calls, and notifications on a PC, so it may be enough if that is all you need.
The deciding factor is not simply Samsung versus Apple: it is whether the exact Galaxy model supports the Phone Link features you plan to use, and whether those features are available in your market.
What can both phones do with Windows Phone Link?
Microsoft’s Phone Link app connects Windows PCs with both iPhones and Android phones. Microsoft describes the iPhone connection as supporting messages, calls, and notifications. Its Android connection also supports messages, calls, photos, and notifications, with additional features on selected devices.
For everyday communication, either phone may be sufficient. You can use the PC to keep up with supported phone activity without reaching for the handset each time. What appears and what you can do depends on the connection, permissions, and the feature involved; allow the requested permissions and test the particular workflow you rely on.
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- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
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- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Microsoft’s current setup guidance lists Windows 10 (May 2019 Update or later) or Windows 11, Bluetooth Low Energy, and iOS 16 or later for iPhone. For Android, its general requirements list Windows 10 (October 2022 Update or later) or Windows 11, Android 10 or later, and the phone and PC on the same Wi-Fi network. Individual features can have additional requirements. See Microsoft’s Phone Link requirements and setup guidance.
For a new PC purchase in 2026, focus on Windows 11: Microsoft says support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft’s content-transfer guidance also describes file-moving options and their limitations.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Where a supported Galaxy has the advantage
On selected Android devices, Phone Link can do more than surface notifications. Microsoft documents access to phone apps from the PC and a feature called phone screen, which displays and lets you interact with a supported Android phone on Windows. Microsoft’s eligible-device information includes Samsung Galaxy models, but the features are not universal across the Galaxy range.
Use phone apps from the PC
On eligible devices, apps on the phone can appear in Phone Link on the PC. This is useful if you want to interact with a phone app while working at your computer. Microsoft limits this experience to selected Android devices with Link to Windows preinstalled; do not assume it comes with every Galaxy. Check Microsoft’s guidance on using Android apps on a PC.
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- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
See and control the phone screen
Phone screen lets you view and interact with a supported Android phone on Windows using the PC’s mouse, trackpad, keyboard, or touch screen. Microsoft says it is available on supported devices in select markets; its guidance calls for Android 10 or later and Link to Windows. Review Microsoft’s phone-screen guidance.
The iPhone Phone Link documentation describes messages, calls, and notifications; it does not describe equivalent Phone Link access to iPhone apps or a mirrored, controllable iPhone screen. If those PC-based interactions matter, a supported Galaxy has the clearer documented advantage.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How does file transfer compare?
Microsoft documents Android file-sharing paths through Phone Link. Some drag-and-drop support is limited to particular brands and app versions, so “Galaxy” alone does not establish that a given transfer method will work. Check the specific transfer instructions and compatibility notes for your phone and Phone Link version before relying on it.
This is a comparison of Phone Link features, not every way to move files between a phone and a PC. It does not mean Phone Link is the only file-transfer option for an iPhone or Android phone.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Which phone fits your Windows workflow?
| What you want to do | Better fit in Microsoft’s Phone Link documentation | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| See messages, calls, and notifications on the PC | Either iPhone or Android | Requirements, permissions, and whether your specific activity is supported. |
| Open phone apps on the PC | Supported Android or Galaxy | App access is limited to selected devices; verify the exact model and Link to Windows support. |
| View and interact with the phone screen in Windows | Supported Android or Galaxy | Model eligibility and availability in your market. |
| Move files using Phone Link | Android has documented transfer paths | Some methods require particular device brands and app versions. |
| Choose based on brand alone | Neither | Check current support for the exact model and the feature you need. |
Check a Galaxy model before choosing it
Microsoft’s supported-device list separates Link to Windows features, such as whether the app is preinstalled, from phone screen and other experiences. A Galaxy appearing on that list is evidence that some Galaxy hardware supports specific features—not a promise that every regional variant or every Phone Link capability will work.
- Identify the exact Galaxy model and regional variant you plan to buy.
- Open Microsoft’s current supported-device list and check the entry for the feature you want: Link to Windows, phone screen, or app access.
- Confirm that the feature is available in your market and that your phone meets its operating-system and app requirements.
- During setup, follow the prompts in Phone Link on Windows and Link to Windows on Android, then grant the permissions required for your chosen functions.
Microsoft’s support pages are live documents and eligibility can change. Recheck the list when making your decision rather than treating a general Galaxy brand name—or an older compatibility list—as sufficient confirmation.
Which one is easier for you?
Choose a compatible Samsung Galaxy if you want more than basic phone notifications on a Windows PC—especially if you want to use phone apps, interact with the phone screen, or use a documented Phone Link file-transfer route. Choose an iPhone if messages, calls, and notifications are the main tasks you want on the PC and you do not need the Android-only experiences Microsoft documents. There is no measured usability score here: the practical difference is the set of Phone Link features available for the particular phone you choose.
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