Samsung Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 16: Compare the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 in this ultimate compact flagship showdown. Explore design, display, performance, camera features, battery life, and value for money to find the best smartphone for you.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 are two of the best compact flagship smartphones available in 2024. As they age, many buyers consider these models due to price drops and long-term value. This comparison covers all critical aspects, including design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and pricing. Let’s dive into this ultimate comparison to help you decide the best compact flagship for 2025!
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 16 Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S24 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build | Glass & Aluminum, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Ceramic Shield, Matte Frame |
| Display | 6.2” Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.1” Retina XDR, 60Hz, 2000 nits |
| Processor | Exynos 2400 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | A18 Bionic Chip |
| Camera Setup | 50MP + 12MP Ultra-wide + 10MP Telephoto (3x Optical) | 48MP + 12MP Ultra-wide |
| Video Recording | 8K @ 30FPS, 4K @ 60FPS | 4K @ 60FPS, Cinematic Mode |
| Battery Life | ~6-7 hrs (Screen-on, 120Hz) | ~7+ hrs (Efficient Chip) |
| Charging | 25W Wired, 15W Wireless | 20W Wired, 25W MagSafe |
| OS & UI | One UI 6.1 (7 Years Updates) | iOS 18 (6 Years Updates) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G |
| Security | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner | Face ID |
| Price Range (₹) | ₹57,000 – ₹62,000 | ₹79,000 – ₹90,000 |
| Value for Money | Better Specs at Lower Price | Premium Build & Ecosystem |
Verdict: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 for better value, display, and camera versatility. Pick the iPhone 16 for premium build, performance, and long-term ecosystem stability.
Table of Contents
Design & Build Quality
In-Hand Feel and Material
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 feature premium materials, providing excellent in-hand feel. The S24 boasts a glass and aluminum sandwich design, offering a sturdy yet stylish appearance. The iPhone 16, on the other hand, uses Apple’s signature Ceramic Shield, making it more scratch-resistant despite its slightly lower tensile strength.
Frame and Finish Comparison
The Galaxy S24 has a glossy aluminum frame prone to fingerprint smudges, while the iPhone 16 features a matte frame that stays cleaner. Both phones are IP68-certified, ensuring water and dust resistance, suitable for various environments.
Durability and Scratch Resistance
The iPhone 16’s Ceramic Shield claims 50% better drop resistance. However, scratch tests reveal that its surface gets marked more easily than the S24’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2. This makes the Galaxy S24 more durable for everyday use.
Display Specs & Features
Screen Size and Technology
- iPhone 16: 6.1” Retina XDR OLED Display
- Galaxy S24: 6.2” Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the Galaxy S24 edges ahead with its slightly larger screen and thinner bezels, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
Refresh Rate and Smoothness
The Galaxy S24 supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and gaming incredibly smooth. In contrast, the iPhone 16 sticks to 60Hz, making the difference noticeable, especially for those accustomed to high refresh rates.
Brightness and Viewing Experience
With a peak brightness of 2600 nits, the Galaxy S24 outshines the iPhone 16’s 2000 nits. This makes the S24 better for outdoor use, even under direct sunlight.
Performance & Chipsets
A18 vs Exynos 2400 Chipsets
- iPhone 16: A18 Bionic Chip
- Galaxy S24: Exynos 2400
The A18 Bionic chip offers unmatched power efficiency and performance, outpacing the Exynos 2400 in synthetic benchmarks. However, Samsung’s Exynos 2400 closes the gap with significant GPU improvements.
Synthetic Benchmarks
- Geekbench & 3DMark Scores: iPhone 16 leads
- AI Processing & Multitasking: Comparable performance
Real-World Gaming and Multitasking
The iPhone 16’s superior GPU enables smoother gameplay for AAA titles at higher frame rates. However, the Galaxy S24 shines in 120Hz gaming and multitasking, making it better for long gaming sessions.
Battery Life & Charging Capabilities
Screen-On Time Results
- iPhone 16: 7+ hours (due to efficient 3nm chip)
- Galaxy S24: 6+ hours at 120Hz refresh rate
If set to 60Hz, the Galaxy S24 could match or exceed the iPhone’s screen-on time.
Charging Speed Comparison
- Galaxy S24: 25W wired charging, 15W wireless
- iPhone 16: 20W wired charging, 25W MagSafe wireless
The Galaxy S24 charges faster using a wired connection, while the iPhone 16 excels in wireless charging thanks to its MagSafe ecosystem.
Wired vs Wireless Charging
Samsung takes the lead in wired charging, while Apple wins in wireless. Depending on your usage, either phone could be better suited for you.
Camera Performance
Main Sensor Comparison
- iPhone 16: 48MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide
- Galaxy S24: 50MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 10MP telephoto
The Galaxy S24 offers more versatility with a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling 3x optical zoom, while the iPhone 16 relies on digital zoom. In everyday shots, the iPhone 16 excels in color accuracy and detail retention due to its advanced image processing.
Portrait & Telephoto Features
The Galaxy S24’s 3x telephoto lens delivers stunning portrait shots with sharp details and natural bokeh. On the iPhone 16, the computational photography powered by Fusion Technology creates impressive 2x zoom portraits, almost rivaling optical zoom performance. However, beyond 2x, the Galaxy S24 takes the lead.
Video Recording and Cinematic Modes
- iPhone 16: 4K at 60FPS, Cinematic Mode
- Galaxy S24: 4K at 60FPS, 8K at 30FPS
For video enthusiasts, the iPhone 16 is unmatched in low-light video quality with superior stabilization. However, the S24’s 8K recording adds flexibility for pro-level videography. The audio mix recording on the iPhone enhances sound capture, while the S24 impresses with clearer selfie video quality.
OS & UI Experience
iOS vs One UI 6.1
- iPhone 16: iOS 18 (polished, intuitive, but limited customization)
- Galaxy S24: One UI 6.1 (feature-rich and customizable)
One UI 6.1 includes advanced features like Galaxy AI, which offers voice transcriptions, language translation, and document summarization. iOS excels with seamless ecosystem integration and app optimization.
Unique Features and AI Integration
Samsung’s Galaxy AI supports real-time transcription, smart document management, and enhanced photo editing with features like object removal and instant slow-motion. Apple’s AI focuses on Siri upgrades, integrated ChatGPT, and automated tools like call transcriptions.
Update and Security Promises
- Galaxy S24: 7 years of software updates
- iPhone 16: 6 years of updates
Samsung has stepped up with a longer update promise, making the S24 a great long-term investment. Apple remains a trusted choice for timely updates and robust security protocols.
Connectivity & Multimedia
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G Support
- iPhone 16: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Face ID
- Galaxy S24: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner
While the iPhone 16 supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, the S24’s connectivity features are no slouch. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor on the S24 works reliably, even in low-light conditions, while Face ID on the iPhone sometimes struggles in the dark.
Face ID vs Fingerprint Scanner
Face ID on the iPhone 16 is secure but can be inconsistent in very low light. In contrast, the S24’s ultrasonic fingerprint scanner offers fast and accurate unlocking in almost any condition.
Multimedia Experience (Audio & Video)
The Galaxy S24’s brighter display and stereo speakers provide a superior video-watching experience. However, the iPhone 16 edges ahead in audio quality due to its more balanced stereo speakers and advanced sound processing.
Price & Value for Money
Pricing Comparison
- Galaxy S24 (256GB): ₹57,000 – ₹62,000
- iPhone 16 (128GB): ₹79,000 – ₹90,000
The Galaxy S24 provides more storage for a lower price, while the iPhone 16 is significantly pricier. Factoring in features like a 120Hz display, faster charging, and additional camera hardware, the S24 seems to offer more bang for your buck.
Long-Term Value Considerations
Although the iPhone 16 might be more future-proof due to its performance and software ecosystem, the Galaxy S24 delivers better specs at a more affordable price, making it the more value-packed option.
Final Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 16
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 are stellar compact flagships with distinct strengths. Choose the Galaxy S24 if you value display smoothness, versatile cameras, and better value for money. Opt for the iPhone 16 if performance, ecosystem integration, and long-term stability matter more to you.
FAQs: Samsung Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 16
- Which phone has a better display, Galaxy S24 or iPhone 16?
The Galaxy S24 with its 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers smoother visuals and better outdoor visibility compared to the iPhone 16’s 60Hz Retina XDR display. - Is the iPhone 16 worth its higher price tag?
If you prioritize performance, ecosystem compatibility, and premium software updates, the iPhone 16 is worth considering despite its higher price. - How do the cameras compare for video recording?
The iPhone 16 excels in low-light video recording and stabilization, while the S24 stands out with its 8K video recording and versatile camera system. - Which phone has better gaming performance?
The iPhone 16’s A18 chip delivers superior gaming performance, but the S24’s 120Hz refresh rate enhances smooth gameplay. - Is One UI better than iOS for everyday use?
One UI 6.1 offers more customization and advanced AI features, while iOS provides a seamless, intuitive experience with consistent updates.
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- iPhone 16
- Compact Flagship Smartphones
- Smartphone Comparison
- Design and Build Quality
- Display Specs
- Performance and Chipsets
- Battery Life and Charging
- Camera and Photography
- OS and UI
- Price and Value for Money
- Ceramic Shield
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Retina XDR Display
- A18 Bionic Chip
- Exynos 2400
- 3x Optical Zoom
- Telephoto Lens
- Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner
- Face ID
- 120Hz Refresh Rate
- 8K Video Recording
- Wi-Fi 7 Support
- Bluetooth 5.3
- IP68 Certification
- Synthetic Benchmarks
- Gaming Performance
- Geekbench Scores
- Galaxy AI Features
- iOS 18 Features
- One UI 6.1 Features
- System Updates and Security
- Best Compact Flagship 2024
- Budget Smartphone Comparison
- Value for Money Smartphones
- Long-Term Smartphone Investment
Thank You for visiting Tech Uplifter!
Don’t forget to Subscribe to our Official Newsletter for latest updates.
Discover more from Tech Uplifter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.