← Back to Smartphones
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 15, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Apple iPhone 16
Choosing between Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Apple iPhone 16 can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4.3★ vs 4.8★
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
★4.3
(535)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
Check Amazon Price→
Apple iPhone 16
★4.8
(219)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
Check Amazon Price→
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Apple iPhone 16
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
★4.3(535)Amazon
Apple iPhone 16
★4.8(219)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(535)Amazon | ★4.8(219)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC) | Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Apple 5-core GPU (A18) |
RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X | 8 GB |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover) | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+) | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover) | 60 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV) | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | 3x Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x Space Zoom | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 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 |
Front Camera | Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8) | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell) | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB | 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 |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back |
Dimensions | Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm) | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) |
Weight | 8.43 oz (239 g) | 6.00 oz (170 g) |
Biometrics | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition | Face ID |
Extras | Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Rating:★4.3(535)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
RAM:12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover
Screen Type:Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover)
Resolution:Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+)
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover)
Peak Brightness:2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@30fps, 4K@60fps
Front Camera:Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8)
Battery:4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell)
Wired Charging:Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions:Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm)
Weight:8.43 oz (239 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX
✓ Pros:
- • Refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors
- • Both Main and Cover displays hit a massive 2,600 nits peak brightness
- • Galaxy AI features are deeply integrated for productivity and translation
- • Class-leading 7-year software update commitment
- • IP48 rating provides verified water resistance and limited solid object ingress protection
✗ Cons:
- • Charging speed remains capped at 25W wired / 15W wireless
- • Camera hardware is largely unchanged from previous generation
- • Under-display camera (4MP) quality is still noticeably inferior to standard selfies
- • No integrated slot for the S Pen
- • IP48 is not fully dust-tight (sand/fine dust can still damage the hinge)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Apple iPhone 16
Rating:★4.8(219)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
RAM:8 GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
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)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
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
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
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
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.00 oz (170 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
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
✓ Pros:
- • A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- • 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
- • Added Macro photography support to the non-Pro lineup
- • MagSafe charging speed increased to 25W (requires 30W adapter)
- • New physical Camera Control and Action buttons added
✗ Cons:
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
- • Always-On display feature is omitted
- • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple iPhone 16: 4.3★ vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6: 4.8★), Apple iPhone 16 pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Choose Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 if:
- You want Refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors, Both Main and Cover displays hit a massive 2,600 nits peak brightness
- Rating: 4.3★ (535 reviews)
Choose Apple iPhone 16 if:
- You prefer A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence, 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
- Rating: 4.8★ (219 reviews)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 excels if you value refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors. Apple iPhone 16 is better if you prioritize a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.