Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
The Apple iPhone 16 is the premium option here, boasting a top-tier A18 chip and a stunning 48MP camera. However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 offers compelling features like a 120Hz display and 7 years of software updates, which could sway your decision. In real-world use, the iPhone 16's 3561mAh battery gives you 22 hours of video playback, while the S24's larger 4000mAh battery lasts up to 29 hours. That extra battery life can make a significant difference for heavy users during long trips or busy days. Key specs: Display: 6.1" vs 6.2" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? Both the Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S24 are high-end smartphones competing in the same market segment. This makes them direct rivals for buyers looking for high-end features and performance in 2026. Understanding their differences helps you choose the right one for your specific needs.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (219 reviews) | 4.6★ (1,055 reviews) |
| Top Strength | A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence | Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Main Drawback | Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz) | Wired charging capped at 25W (slower than Plus/Ultra models) |
| Market Position | Premium | Premium |
Apple iPhone 16
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
Samsung Galaxy S24
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
Apple iPhone 16
Samsung Galaxy S24
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(219)Best Buy | ★4.6(1,055)Amazon |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) |
Processor | Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A18) | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.2" (6.17" measured diagonally as a full rectangle; 6.0" accounting for rounded corners) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) |
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 416 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | Adaptive 1–120 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) | 3x optical zoom; 2x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 30x (Space Zoom) |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps |
Battery | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback | 4000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum 2 frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back |
Dimensions | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) | 5.79" x 2.78" x 0.30" (147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm) |
Weight | 6.00 oz (170 g) | 5.93 oz (168 g) (mmWave model) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support |
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Apple iPhone 16
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
8 GB
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Pros
- A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
Cons
- Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
Samsung Galaxy S24
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates
- Bright 2600-nit LTPO display adjusts down to 1Hz
Cons
- Wired charging capped at 25W (slower than Plus/Ultra models)
- Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0)
Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the better buy for most people - its 120Hz refresh rate crushes the iPhone 16's 60Hz, making it feel much smoother during use. That said, grab the iPhone 16 if you prioritize camera quality and Apple's ecosystem - it's still an impressive device.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 16 if: you want a superior camera with 48MP for stunning photos, you prefer Apple's ecosystem, or you value long-term software support.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 if: you need a longer battery life lasting up to 29 hours, you love fast refresh rates for gaming, or you want seven years of software updates.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 1,055 reviews vs 219
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
A18 chip with Priority
A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Commitment to 7 Priority
Commitment to 7 years of OS and security updates
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 16 edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, Samsung Galaxy S24 remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24?
Apple iPhone 16 is the better choice if you prioritize a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. Samsung Galaxy S24 wins if you value commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S24?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 16 offers a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence, while Samsung Galaxy S24 stands out with commitment to 7 years of os and security updates. Consider that Apple iPhone 16 display limited to 60 hz (no promotion 120 hz). Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S24 wired charging capped at 25w (slower than plus/ultra models). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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