If you want your phone to work as an extension of a Windows PC, a Samsung Galaxy has the edge—provided your exact model supports the features you need. Microsoft’s Phone Link offers basic messaging, calling, and notifications for both iPhone and Android, but selected Android devices can also run phone apps on the PC, show and control the phone screen, and use documented file-transfer options. If you mainly want calls, messages, and alerts on your computer, either phone may be enough.
What works with Phone Link on both phones?
Microsoft’s Phone Link app connects Windows PCs with iPhones and Android phones. Microsoft documents messages, calls, and notifications for iPhone; its Android experience includes those functions and photos, with additional capabilities on selected devices. What you can use depends on your phone, permissions, and setup.
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- Messages: You can use Phone Link for basic messaging on either platform. Check that the message workflow you rely on works as expected, since access is governed by permissions.
- Calls: Both iPhone and Android can connect for calls through Phone Link.
- Notifications: Notifications can appear on the PC from either kind of phone, subject to setup and permissions.
- Photos: Microsoft’s general Android Phone Link description includes photos; the iPhone feature description cited here lists messages, calls, and notifications.
These shared functions can be sufficient if you want to keep up with communications while working at your PC, rather than control the phone itself from Windows. Microsoft does not publish a comparative ease-of-use score, so the choice here is about documented features, not a measured usability ranking.
What can a supported Galaxy do that Phone Link on iPhone does not document?
Run phone apps on the PC
On selected Android devices, Phone Link can let you access apps installed on the phone from Windows. Microsoft describes this as an experience for select devices with Link to Windows preinstalled, not a standard capability of every Galaxy. See Microsoft’s list of devices that support Phone Link apps before relying on it.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- 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
See and control the phone screen
Microsoft’s “phone screen” feature displays a supported Android phone on Windows and lets you interact using a mouse, trackpad, keyboard, or touch screen. It is available only on supported devices in select markets; Microsoft lists Samsung Galaxy models among eligible phones. The iPhone Phone Link documentation does not describe an equivalent app-access or phone-screen feature. Check Microsoft’s current phone screen device list for the exact model and requirements.
How do file transfers compare?
Microsoft documents Android file-sharing paths through Phone Link, but some drag-and-drop transfers are limited to particular phone brands and app versions. That means “Galaxy” alone is not enough to establish that a particular transfer method will work. Check Microsoft’s Android and PC content-transfer guidance for the supported setup. Phone Link is not the only possible way to move files between an iPhone and Windows, so treat this as a comparison of Microsoft’s documented Phone Link options, not every transfer method available.
Rank #2
- 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.
Check setup requirements before choosing
| Phone | Microsoft’s listed Phone Link requirements | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Windows 10 (May 2019 Update or later) or Windows 11; Bluetooth Low Energy; iOS 16 or later. | Pair the devices using the current prompts and grant the permissions needed for messages, calls, and notifications. Details: Microsoft’s iPhone Phone Link requirements. |
| Android, including Galaxy | Windows 10 (October 2022 Update or later) or Windows 11; Android 10 or later; phone and PC on the same Wi-Fi network. Individual features may have additional requirements. | Use the current on-device prompts, check required permissions, and verify the requirements for the specific feature. Details: Microsoft’s Android Phone Link requirements. |
For a Windows PC you are buying or choosing in 2026, focus on Windows 11: Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 appears above because Microsoft still lists it in some Phone Link requirements; that does not mean it continues to receive standard free security updates.
How to check whether your exact Galaxy is supported
- Open Microsoft’s supported-device list.
- Look up your precise Galaxy model and check the entry for the feature you want. Microsoft distinguishes devices with Link to Windows preinstalled from devices eligible for phone screen and other experiences.
- Confirm that support applies to your device variant and market. Microsoft notes that availability varies by market, and a listed model is not a guarantee that every regional variant supports every Phone Link capability.
- Check the feature-specific requirements and follow the latest setup prompts on both devices before depending on the connection for work.
Which phone should you choose?
| Your priority | Better fit in Microsoft’s documented Phone Link features | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Messages, calls, and notifications on the PC | Either iPhone or Android | Requirements and permissions differ; test the particular workflow you use. |
| Open phone apps from Windows | Supported Android/Galaxy | Available only on selected devices; check the exact model. |
| View and interact with the phone screen | Supported Android/Galaxy | Requires an eligible model and market. |
| Move files using Phone Link | Android has documented transfer options | Some methods require specific brands and app versions; verify the intended transfer. |
| Choose solely by the brand name | Neither | Feature eligibility is model-specific. |
Choose an iPhone if your Windows-PC needs are mainly calls, messages, and notifications and those functions cover your routine. Choose a Galaxy if you want the possibility of app access, phone-screen control, or Phone Link file transfers—but only after confirming your precise model and local availability.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Rank #4
- 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.
Rank #3
- 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.
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