iPhone 16 vs Samsung S24 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Samsung Galaxy S24 & iPhone 16 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Samsung Galaxy S24 rather than the iPhone 16. 

Why Do I Recommend The Samsung Galaxy S24

  • The Samsung Galaxy S24 features a 120 Hz AMOLED display that delivers smoother scrolling, more responsive touch interactions, and a fluid viewing experience compared to the iPhone 16’s 60 Hz panel.
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 has a dedicated 10 MP telephoto lens that enables sharp 3× optical zoom photography, which captures distant subjects with clarity, unlike the iPhone 16’s digital-only zoom.
  • It supports Galaxy AI tools like Circle to Search and Live Translate that enhance productivity and communication by providing real-time visual lookup and bilingual conversation translation, compared to the iPhone 16’s limited AI integration.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S24 features a 4,000 mAh battery that provides longer screen-on time and more consistent all-day performance, especially during heavy usage, compared to the smaller battery capacity of the iPhone 16.
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 includes reverse wireless charging to power up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches directly from the phone, which is not possible on the iPhone 16.
  • It supports dual SIM functionality with both eSIM and physical nano-SIM that allows flexible use of two networks simultaneously, unlike the iPhone 16’s eSIM-only design.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S24 features an under-display fingerprint sensor that provides an additional secure biometric option for unlocking and authentication, whereas the iPhone 16 relies solely on Face ID.
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 has seven years of Android OS and security updates that ensure extended longevity and the latest features for a longer period, compared to the typical five to six years of iOS updates for the iPhone 16.

Maybe the iPhone 16 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S24. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S24Apple iPhone 16
SoCSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2400A18 Bionic
RAM8 GB (some 12 GB variants)8 GB
Display Type & Size6.2″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2340×1080, 120 Hz, 2600 nits peak6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556×1179, 60 Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
Telephoto Lens10 MP, 3× optical zoomNone
Main Camera50 MP48 MP Fusion
Ultra-wide12 MP12 MP autofocus
Battery4000 mAh; 25 W wired, 15 W wirelessNot stated capacity; ~26 h video playback
Charging25 W wired, Qi wireless + reverse wirelessUSB‑C wired, MagSafe Qi2 wireless; no reverse wireless
ConnectivitiesWi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3; Wi‑Fi 7 on Ultra variantWi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth unspecified
ButtonsStandard power/volumeAction Button + new Camera Control button
Body & BuildArmor Aluminum + Gorilla Victus 2; IP68Ceramic Shield; IP68; USB‑C port; MagSafe ring
SIM SupportNano‑SIM + eSIM; dual‑SIM capabilityeSIM only
AI FeaturesGalaxy AIApple Intelligence, Camera Control, Visual Intelligence
PriceCheck Samsung S24 PriceCheck iPhone 16 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Flagship Phones: Both the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 are the base models of their respective flagship series released in 2024, offering high-end features and top-tier performance.
  • OLED Displays: Each device features a high-quality OLED panel. Samsung uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X, while Apple uses Super Retina XDR—both providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and strong contrast ratios.
  • 5G Connectivity: Both phones support sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, ensuring fast mobile network performance in supported regions.
  • Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth: Galaxy S24 comes with Wi‑Fi 6E (Wi‑Fi 7 on Ultra), while the iPhone 16 supports Wi‑Fi 7. Both use modern Bluetooth standards, expected to be Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Camera Systems: Both phones are equipped with high-quality dual or triple camera systems, featuring a 48 MP or higher main lens and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens. Both also support 4K video recording at up to 60 fps using both the front and rear cameras.
  • 12 MP Front Cameras: Selfies and video calls are sharp and vibrant on both devices due to their 12 MP front-facing cameras.
  • Water & Dust Resistance: With an IP68 rating, both devices can withstand dust, splashes, and temporary immersion in water.
  • Fast Charging Support: Wired charging at 25W is supported by both devices, while wireless charging is available at 15W. Samsung supports Qi, and Apple uses MagSafe (Qi2 compatible).
  • Face-Based Unlock: Face recognition is a key feature on both phones—Samsung includes both face unlock and under-display fingerprint, while Apple uses Face ID.
  • Long Software Support: Samsung promises up to 7 years of Android OS and security updates, while Apple devices typically receive 5–6 years of iOS updates.
  • USB‑C Port: For the first time, both phones feature USB-C ports, aligning with the EU mandate and providing faster file transfers and universal compatibility.
  • AI Features: Both models include AI-driven features—Galaxy AI (e.g., Circle to Search, Live Translate) on the Samsung side and Apple Intelligence (iOS 18’s smart suggestions, on-device Siri, and Genmoji) on the iPhone.
  • Premium Materials: Both phones use aluminum frames and glass backs, giving a solid and sleek feel in hand.

Common Features

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S24iPhone 16
Flagship StatusPremium flagship (2024)Premium flagship (2024)
Display TypeOLEDOLED
5G ConnectivitySupportedSupported
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3Likely Bluetooth 5.3
Ultra-Wide Camera12 MP12 MP
Front Camera12 MP12 MP
Video Capabilities4K @ 60fps (front & rear)4K @ 60fps (front & rear)
IP RatingIP68 water/dust resistanceIP68 water/dust resistance
Battery Charging25W wired, 15W wireless25W wired, 15W MagSafe wireless
Face Unlock / BiometricsFace Unlock + FingerprintFace ID (Face Unlock)
Software Longevity7 years of OS + security updates5–6 years of iOS updates
USB-C PortUSB-CUSB-C
AI FeaturesGalaxy AI (Circle to Search, etc.)Apple Intelligence (iOS 18)
Premium BuildAluminum frame, glass front/backAluminum frame, glass front/back
Price Check Samsung S24 Price Check iPhone 16 Price

FAQ

Do both phones support 5G connectivity?
Both the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16 ship with full sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G radios, so you get flagship-class network speeds on either device wherever 5G service is available.

Which processors power the two devices?
Samsung equips the Galaxy S24 with either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Exynos 2400 built on a 4 nm process, while Apple’s iPhone 16 runs the 3 nm A18 Bionic tuned for on-device generative-AI tasks.

Is there a difference in display refresh rate?
The Galaxy S24’s LTPO AMOLED panel scales from 1 Hz to 120 Hz for buttery-smooth scrolling, whereas the iPhone 16 keeps a 60 Hz OLED screen, reserving Apple’s high-refresh “ProMotion” tech for the Pro models.

How bright do the screens get outdoors?
Samsung advertises a peak of roughly 2,600 nits on the S24, while Apple lists 2,000 nits of outdoor peak brightness for the iPhone 16, so the Galaxy has the edge in extreme sunlight.

What are the main camera resolutions?
Galaxy S24 uses a 50 MP wide sensor, whereas iPhone 16 relies on Apple’s 48 MP “Fusion” camera that bins pixels for improved low-light output.

Does either phone include a dedicated telephoto lens?
The Galaxy S24 features a 10 MP module providing 3× optical zoom, but the standard iPhone 16 omits a physical telephoto and depends on digital cropping from the main sensor.

How do the ultra-wide cameras compare?
Both handsets carry 12 MP ultra-wide sensors with autofocus, letting you capture expansive scenes and macro-style shots with similar clarity.

Can the front cameras record 4K video at 60 fps?
Yes, each phone’s 12 MP selfie camera records crisp 4K/60 fps footage, making either model suitable for high-quality vlogging without turning the phone around.

Which model offers a larger battery?
Galaxy S24 houses a 4,000 mAh cell, while teardowns peg the iPhone 16 at about 3,561 mAh; Apple rates that for roughly 26 hours of continuous video playback.

What wired and wireless charging speeds are supported?
Both devices hit 25 W over USB-C; the S24 also handles Qi wireless and 4.5 W reverse wireless charging, whereas the iPhone 16 hits 15 W with MagSafe or Qi2 and does not reverse-charge accessories.

Do they both use USB-C ports now?
Yes—Samsung keeps USB-C on the Galaxy S24, and Apple moved the iPhone 16 lineup to USB-C for power and data, streamlining accessory compatibility.

What software versions ship out of the box?
Galaxy S24 launched with Android 14/One UI 6.1 and now runs Android 15 via One UI 7, while the iPhone 16 debuted on iOS 18 and already qualifies for the iOS 19 beta.

How long will each phone receive operating-system updates?
Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates for the S24 series; Apple historically supports iPhones for five to six major iOS releases, so iPhone 16 should see new software into 2030.

What AI features distinguish the two devices?
Galaxy S24 bundles Galaxy AI perks such as Circle to Search and Live Translate, while iPhone 16 introduces Apple Intelligence with on-device Genmoji, a smarter Siri, and the Camera Control visual-AI assistant.

Are there any unique hardware controls?
Apple adds an Action Button and a separate Camera Control key on the iPhone 16 for quick shortcuts, whereas the Galaxy S24 sticks to conventional power and volume buttons without extra hardware controls.

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