Apple lately launched the iPhone 16, nearly 9 months after Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S24 sequence. Though these telephones are related in some ways and are the most affordable of their flagship ranges, they run on totally different working methods. How do these two telephones examine in different facets? Is one higher than the opposite? Which one is the superior selection primarily based in your preferences?
Let’s examine the 2 telephones and discover out which one fits you higher.
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: specs
Apple iPhone 16
Samsung Galaxy S24
Dimensions and weight
5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches
6.0 ounces
5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches
5.93 ounces
Show
6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show
1179 x 2556 decision (460 PPI)
60Hz refresh fee
2,000 nits peak brightness
1 nit minimal brightness
6.2-inch FHD+
1080 x 2340 decision (416 PPI)
120Hz refresh fee
2,600 nits peak brightness
1 nit minimal brightness
Processor
A18 chip
Six-core CPU
5-core GPU
16-core Neural Engine
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Eight-core CPU
Variety of GPUs not introduced by Qualcomm
Hexagon Processor
Rear cameras
Twin digital camera system
48-megapixel Fusion major
12MP ultrawide
Triple digital camera system
50MP major
12MP ultrawide
10MP telephoto
Entrance cameras
12MP selfie
12MP selfie
Storage and reminiscence
8GB/128GB
8GB/256GB
8GB/512GB
8GB/128GB
8GB/256GB
AI
Apple Intelligence (coming quickly)
Galaxy AI
Sturdiness
IP68
IP68
Software program and assist
iOS 18
Six to eight years of software program updates
Android 15
Seven years of software program updates
Battery and charging
As much as 22 hours between prices
Unknown battery dimension
45W wired
30W wi-fi
4.5W reverse wi-fi
As much as 24 hours between prices
4,000mAh
25W wired
15W wi-fi
4.5W reverse wi-fi
Colours
Ultramarine
Teal
Pink
White
Black
Cobalt VioletAmber Yellow
Marble Grey
Onyx Black
Jade Inexperienced (Samsung unique)
Sapphire Blue (Samsung unique)
Sandstone Orange (Samsung unique)
Value
Beginning at $800
Beginning at $800
Evaluate
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: design and show
At first look, a minimum of on the entrance, there isn’t a lot distinction between the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the Apple iPhone 16. Each have rounded edges and related aluminum our bodies. The Galaxy S24’s show is a tad bigger at 6.2 inches in comparison with the iPhone 16’s 6.1 inches, and also you’ll discover two new buttons on the Apple telephone (extra on that under).
When turned on, the shows reveal extra distinctions. Samsung’s telephone gives a higher refresh rate and peak brightness, whereas the Apple gadget offers a sharper decision. Each telephones have the identical minimal brightness, simply 1 nit, which is implausible in lowlight situations.
The Galaxy S24 is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on each the back and front, whereas the iPhone 16 contains a Ceramic Defend entrance and a color-infused glass again. Each telephones provide IP68 safety, making them dustproof and water resistant as much as 6 meters for half-hour.
Crucial level that stands out relating to the shows is the refresh fee for every handset. In 2024, it’s embarrassing that the iPhone 16 (and iPhone 16 Plus), like earlier fashions, is caught at 60Hz, versus the 120Hz on the iPhone 16 Professional and Galaxy S24 sequence. A better refresh fee offers a smartphone expertise that’s extra visually pleasing, responsive, and cozy, which is most noticeable throughout gaming. (The iPhone 17 is expected to offer a 120Hz refresh fee — lastly.)
The Galaxy S24 options three acquainted buttons: a facet key and two for quantity. The facet key turns the display screen on and off or locks the gadget, whereas the amount buttons will let you management media, calls, and notifications.
The iPhone 16 additionally features a facet button for on or off performance and quantity up and down buttons. New to this mannequin is a Camera Control button, which gives enhanced management of the telephone’s Digital camera app throughout photograph or video seize. This consists of entry to options reminiscent of zoom, focus, and publicity. The iPhone 16 additionally now has the Motion button, a flexible and customizable characteristic first seen within the iPhone 15 Professional sequence. This button may be programmed to execute numerous easy and complicated actions, enhancing the telephone’s performance and personalizing it to swimsuit particular person preferences.
Design is at all times a tricky class to name, as a result of a lot of it’s private. The Digital camera Management button is a game-changer, however the 60Hz refresh fee actually does maintain the iPhone again. We’re giving this to the iPhone, largely as a result of 60Hz on an iPhone doesn’t usually really feel gradual, and since the Digital camera Management button is superb.
Winner: Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: efficiency and software program
Digital Traits
The Galaxy S24 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, a personalized model of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 particularly designed for Samsung gadgets to ship improved efficiency and effectivity. Our assessments confirmed that the Galaxy S24 is quick and able to dealing with on a regular basis duties with out lag or stuttering. Nonetheless, when taking many images rapidly, the telephone grew to become heat, though it by no means obtained too scorching to carry.
The iPhone 16 is provided with the all-new A18 chip, which Apple claims gives an improved CPU pace of as much as 30% and 40% quicker GPU efficiency in comparison with the A16 chip discovered within the iPhone 15. Regardless of these vital enhancements, we didn’t discover substantial efficiency enhancements throughout our assessments, probably as a result of the common iPhones have been already very quick.
Nonetheless, the iPhone 16 consists of an A18 chip, which is able to assist Apple Intelligence (see under) when it’s launched; the iPhone 15 didn’t.
The iPhone 16 runs iOS 18, and the Galaxy S24 consists of Android 14. Your desire will possible come down to non-public expertise at this stage. However if you happen to don’t have a selection, don’t fear. Whereas they nonetheless have their variations, iOS and Android are usually fairly related as of late, and it gained’t take you lengthy to search out your footing when switching from one to the opposite. Apple often gives iPhone customers six to eight years of iOS updates, whereas Samsung has confirmed that Galaxy S24 customers will obtain seven years of Android updates.
It’s a tricky class to name. The newer Apple telephone has the sting in pure energy, however whether or not meaning a smoother expertise is tough to gauge as a result of there are too many variables to contemplate.
Winner: Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: cameras
Apple
We’ve examined the digital camera methods on each telephones. General, they provide combined outcomes.
First, it’s necessary to notice that the Galaxy S24 has a triple rear digital camera system, whereas the iPhone 16 gives a twin digital camera system. The previous gives a 50-megapixel major, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto, whereas the latter offers a 48MP Fusion major and 12MP ultrawide. On the entrance, each have a 12MP selfie digital camera.
Our Galaxy S24 digital camera system check primarily yielded optimistic outcomes. Previously, Samsung gadgets have been identified for producing oversaturated colours in images. Nonetheless, because of improved algorithms governing colour illustration, the pictures now are usually extra correct to life. General, photos have been significantly better when there was no motion when taking a shot. In any other case, it will possibly imply a blurry image. Shut-up photographs with the Galaxy S24 have been good, and the selfie digital camera was “simply” first rate.
The iPhone 16 contains a 48-megapixel main digital camera with 2x optical zoom, a 12MP ultrawide digital camera, and a 12MP selfie digital camera, much like the iPhone 15. Nonetheless, there are some vital modifications.
The brand new iPhone introduces autofocus for the ultrawide digital camera, permitting macro pictures and enabling the seize of spatial images for viewing on an Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional. Moreover, the first digital camera now has an anti-reflective lens coating and may seize footage with zero shutter lag, a characteristic beforehand unique to Professional iPhones.
In our assessments, the first digital camera captured detailed images with pleasing colours. The ultrawide digital camera carried out properly, although not exceptionally, and taking macro images was pleasing. The selfie digital camera on the iPhone remained as dependable as ever.
The standout characteristic throughout the whole iPhone 16 lineup is the bodily Digital camera Management button on the telephone’s proper facet, just under the ability button. Urgent this button prompts the Digital camera app, and a single press takes a photograph whereas urgent and holding it data a video.
Moreover, the Digital camera Management has a capacitive sensor on its high. A light-weight double press on the Digital camera Management, whereas the digital camera is open, prompts a brand new UI for choosing numerous digital camera controls reminiscent of publicity, zoom, and kinds. You may slide your finger throughout the Digital camera Management to cycle between them, calmly press the button to pick out one, after which slide your finger once more to regulate the chosen management.
Whereas this may occasionally current a studying curve, it’s a enjoyable, new expertise that shouldn’t take lengthy to determine. Moreover, Apple Intelligence is including extra options.
Winner: iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: battery and charging
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Traits
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a 4,000mAh battery supposed to final a full day with common use; nevertheless, we might use greater than a day on a single cost. On a down notice, the essential Galaxy S24 mannequin solely helps charging speeds of as much as 25 watts, not like its bigger counterparts, the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra, which assist 45W charging.
On the wi-fi entrance, the Samsung telephone doesn’t assist the brand new Qi2 wi-fi charging normal. Wi-fi charging remains to be attainable however is restricted to 15W, which can be gradual. The telephone additionally options reverse wi-fi charging, with a pace of as much as 4.5W.
The iPhone 16 has a 4,685 mAh battery, permitting you to make use of the telephone all through the day with out recharging. The usual iPhone 16 sequence now helps MagSafe charging as much as 25W, an enchancment from the earlier 15W. Along with MagSafe, the iPhone 16 additionally helps Qi2 and Qi wi-fi charging and 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging, much like the earlier mannequin.
In our assessments utilizing an Anker 747, the iPhone 16 charged from 5% to 60% in roughly half-hour, and it took 90 minutes to succeed in 100%. Whereas charging from a low or lifeless battery to round 70% is fast, the ultimate 30% takes longer.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16 have sturdy batteries, however neither is phenomenal, which is predicted as they’re the extra reasonably priced flagship fashions from their respective corporations. Due to this fact, we think about this a tie.
Winner: iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: AI
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Traits
When historical past is written, this yr’s smartphones shall be remembered for being among the many first to embrace synthetic intelligence. The Galaxy S24 consists of Galaxy AI, whereas the iPhone will ultimately embrace Apple Intelligence. When discussing both of those merchandise, it’s necessary to notice they’re each works in progress, particularly within the case of Apple Intelligence, which has not but been launched.
Galaxy AI brings a variety of superior AI capabilities on to Galaxy smartphones and tablets. It goals to offer clever and personalised experiences whereas enhancing the performance of varied options. These embrace an enhanced consumer expertise, improved performance, privateness and safety, and offline accessibility.
Apple Intelligence, which the corporate revealed on the Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) in June, will ultimately be discovered on each Apple product. It’s a collection of AI options designed to reinforce productiveness, creativity, and the general consumer expertise. It combines on-device and server-side processing to ship highly effective AI capabilities whereas prioritizing consumer privateness.
Apple Intelligence options will initially be divided into three broad classes: photograph and video enhancing, writing, and contextural options or automation.
The iPhone 16 sequence comes with iOS 18, which doesn’t embrace Apple Intelligence. You’ll have to anticipate iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2 to be launched later this yr to entry it. Nonetheless, not all Apple Intelligence elements shall be accessible on the iPhone 16 sequence even after these updates arrive, as full releases would possibly lengthen into 2025.
As an iPhone 16 purchaser, you might be promised to be among the many first to expertise the brand new instruments, however because the largest new options aren’t prepared but, this has to go to the Samsung telephone.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: worth and availability
The beginning worth for every telephone is $799, which incorporates 128GB of storage. For $859, you may get the Galaxy S24 with 256GB. The 256GB iPhone 16 mannequin from Apple is priced at $899. Not like Samsung, Apple gives a 512GB storage choice for $1.099.
Availability is robust for each of those telephones, as they’re a few of the hottest telephones on the planet. Stroll into anyplace that sells telephones and also you’re going to have the ability to discover these.
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: verdict
Joe Maring / Digital Traits
When deciding between the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16, your selection might rely upon whether or not you favor Android or iOS. For those who don’t have a powerful desire for both working system, the iPhone 16 is the higher choice. Traditionally, new iPhones launched within the fall are inclined to outperform Galaxy S fashions launched earlier within the yr, and this sample continues with the newest fashions.
Whereas the Galaxy S24 is perhaps accessible at barely decrease costs as a consequence of being barely older, the iPhone 16 gives some benefits, reminiscent of entry to 512GB of storage. Regardless of the value distinction, the iPhone 16 stands out with its design, efficiency, digital camera, software program, and extra {hardware} options just like the Motion button and Digital camera Management. General, the iPhone 16 is the popular selection over the entry-level Galaxy S24.