The Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S24 have arrived, marking the latest additions to their respective flagship phone lineups. Both phones are positioned as the most affordable options in their respective families, but they come with different operating systems, pushing you to consider your preferred platform. But how do they compare on other grounds? Is one phone truly better than the other? Let’s dive deep and break down the similarities and differences to see which one might better suit your individual needs.
Design and Display:
At first glance, the front of both phones is remarkably similar. They both sport rounded edges and sleek aluminum bodies. The Galaxy S24 boasts a slightly larger display at 6.2 inches compared to the iPhone 16’s 6.1 inches. However, you’ll notice two new buttons on the iPhone 16 – more on those later. When turned on, the displays reveal more distinct differences. Samsung’s phone offers a higher refresh rate and peak brightness, while Apple’s device boasts a sharper resolution. Both share the same impressive lowlight minimum brightness, at just 1 nit.
For protection, the Galaxy S24 is shielded by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, while the iPhone 16 features a Ceramic Shield front and a color-infused glass back. Both phones are certified IP68, making them resistant to dust and water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The biggest difference here is the refresh rate. In 2024, it’s surprising that the iPhone 16 (and the iPhone 16 Plus), like its predecessors, is stuck at 60Hz, compared to the smoother 120Hz on the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S24 series. A higher refresh rate significantly improves the visual experience, making interactions feel more responsive and comfortable, especially while gaming.
The Galaxy S24 comes with three familiar buttons: a side key and two volume buttons. The side key controls the screen on/off and device locking, while the volume buttons are used for media, calls, and notifications. The iPhone 16 also has a side button for power functionality and volume up and down buttons. New additions are the Camera Control button, offering more control over the camera app during photo and video capture, and the Action button, first seen in the iPhone 15 Pro series. This customizable button can execute a range of actions, adding versatility and personalization to the phone.
Deciding on a winner in the design category is a personal choice. The Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 feels like a game-changer, but the 60Hz refresh rate on the iPhone holds it back. For now, the iPhone 16 takes the lead, mainly because 60Hz doesn’t feel sluggish on an iPhone, generally speaking.
Winner: Apple iPhone 16
Performance and Software:
The iPhone 16 is brand new, so the performance of its A18 chip is yet to be thoroughly tested. However, Apple claims a 30% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU compared to the iPhone 15. We’ll have to wait for independent tests to see if these claims hold true.
The Galaxy S24 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, a specifically optimized version for Samsung devices, designed to deliver better performance and efficiency. Our tests indicate that the Galaxy S24 is incredibly fast and handles everyday tasks without lag or stuttering. However, taking multiple photos in quick succession does cause the phone to warm up, though never to an uncomfortable degree.
The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18, while the Galaxy S24 comes with Android 14. Your preference between the two will likely come down to personal experience. However, if you’re torn between the two, don’t fret. While they still have differences, iOS and Android are remarkably similar today, and switching from one to the other won’t be a significant learning curve.
Apple typically offers iPhone users six to eight years of iOS updates, while Samsung has confirmed seven years of Android updates for the Galaxy S24. Calling a winner here is difficult. The Apple phone likely has an edge in raw power, but we need to see how that translates to a smoother user experience. Apple’s proven update record is strong, whereas we’re still waiting to see if Samsung can deliver on the promise of seven years of updates.
Winner: Apple iPhone 16
Cameras:
While we haven’t had the chance to test the iPhone 16 cameras yet, we can compare their specifications to those of the Galaxy S24. It’s important to note that the Galaxy S24 has a triple rear camera system, while the iPhone 16 offers a dual camera system. The Galaxy S24 features a 50-megapixel main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto, while the iPhone 16 comes with a 48MP Fusion main and 12MP ultrawide. Both phones have a 12MP selfie camera on the front.
Our testing of the Galaxy S24 camera system yielded primarily positive results. In the past, Samsung phones were known for producing oversaturated colors in photos. However, thanks to improved algorithms, the images now tend to be more true to life. Overall, images were significantly better when there was no movement during capture. Otherwise, you risk blurry images. Close-up shots with the Galaxy S24 were good, and the selfie camera was decent.
We can’t definitively determine how well the iPhone 16 camera system will perform yet, but we’re optimistic. Apple claims the new 48MP Fusion primary camera will capture stunning super-high-resolution images or provide 2x optical-quality telephoto zoom. Spatial Capture is another new feature that promises more depth in photos.
In our upcoming full review of the iPhone 16 series, we’ll not only assess the quality of photos and videos but also evaluate the performance of the Camera Control button. This physical button makes accessing the phone’s camera tools easier and more intuitive. You can use it to adjust functions like exposure or depth of field, switch between lenses, or use digital zoom for framing shots. If the Camera Control button lives up to expectations, it could be a game-changer, quickly setting the iPhone 16 series apart from other phones, including the Galaxy S24 series.
For now, it’s a tie. This all comes down to our review testing.
Winner: Tie
Battery and Charging:
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a 4,000mAh battery designed to last a full day with regular use. However, we found that it could easily stretch beyond a day on a single charge. On the downside, the basic Galaxy S24 model only supports charging speeds up to 25 watts, unlike the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra, which support 45W charging. The Samsung phone doesn’t support the new Qi2 wireless charging standard. Wireless charging is still possible, but it’s limited to 15W, which might be a bit slow. The phone also features reverse wireless charging at up to 4.5W.
The battery size of the iPhone 16 is unknown, but Apple claims it should last up to 22 hours between charges when streaming video. The new A18 chip is expected to provide more efficient operation. The iPhone 16 series is expected to support 45W wired charging, a significant upgrade from last year’s models, though this might be limited to certain models. The newer phone also supports MagSafe, Qi2, and Qi wireless charging. With MagSafe, you can wirelessly charge at up to 25W with a 30W adapter or higher, up to 15W with Qi2, and 7.5W with Qi. It also offers 4.5W reverse wireless charging, similar to last year.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a solid battery but underwhelming charging. However, we know too little about the new iPhone’s battery performance and charging capabilities to make a definitive judgment. This is another tie.
Winner: Tie
AI:
When we look back at history, the smartphones of 2024 will be remembered as some of the first to truly embrace artificial intelligence. The Galaxy S24 includes Galaxy AI, while the iPhone will eventually feature Apple Intelligence. It’s essential to note that both are works in progress, especially Apple Intelligence, which is not yet released.
Galaxy AI brings a range of advanced AI capabilities directly to Galaxy smartphones and tablets. It aims to deliver intelligent and personalized experiences while enhancing the functionality of various features. These include an enhanced user experience, improved functionality, privacy and security, and offline accessibility.
Apple Intelligence, announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, will eventually be found on every Apple product. It’s a suite of AI features designed to boost productivity, creativity, and the overall user experience. It combines on-device and server-side processing to deliver powerful AI capabilities while prioritizing user privacy. Apple Intelligence features will initially fall under three categories: photo and video editing, writing, and contextual suggestions/automation.
The iPhone 16 series comes with iOS 18, which doesn’t include Apple Intelligence. You’ll have to wait for iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2, which are expected to be released later this year, to access it. However, even after these updates, not all Apple Intelligence components will be available on the iPhone 16 series, with full releases possibly extending into 2025. As an iPhone 16 buyer, you’re promised to be among the first to experience these new tools, but since it’s not ready yet, this category goes to the Samsung phone.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24
Price and Availability:
Both phones have a starting price of $799, which includes 128GB of storage. For $859, you can get the Galaxy S24 with 256GB. The 256GB iPhone 16 model from Apple is priced at $899. Unlike Samsung, Apple offers a 512GB storage option for $1,099.
Availability is strong for both phones, as they’re among the most popular phones on the planet. You can walk into any store that sells phones and find them. Well, once the iPhone 16 is released, at least. While the Galaxy S24 is currently available, the iPhone 16 is only available for pre-order. However, it will be released on September 20, so you won’t have to wait too long.
Verdict:
So, which phone should you choose – the Galaxy S24 or the iPhone 16? For many users, the simple answer might be whether you’re in the Android or iOS camp. If you’re a loyal user of one or the other, your decision is pretty clear. However, if you’re looking for the phone with the best hardware and features right now, the choice is less straightforward. The Galaxy S24 features a larger and slightly better display than the iPhone 16. Although third-party tests on Apple phones may say otherwise, it also appears to have a more enhanced camera system. From a chip perspective, the Apple A18 is expected to outperform the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, if only because the A18 is newer and more advanced. Finally, in terms of price, the Galaxy S24, being slightly older, is probably available at lower price points (with discounts) compared to the iPhone 16. However, they are available at the same price points on paper, though only the iPhone 16 offers 512GB of storage.
Without testing the iPhone 16, we can’t definitively say which phone is better overall. However, historically, it can be argued that new iPhones released in the fall are superior to the Galaxy S model released at the beginning of the same year. That said, it’s also reasonable to conclude that the upcoming Galaxy S25, expected to arrive in January or February, will be better than the iPhone 16. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your individual needs and preferences. Weigh the pros and cons, consider your budget, and choose the phone that best fits your lifestyle.
