Following the launch of the iPhone 16 in September 2024 and Samsung’s unveiling of the Galaxy S24 FE (hands-on), each the Apple iPhone 16 collection and the Samsung Galaxy S24 collection at the moment are full. In our comparability, we’ll deal with the bottom mannequin and its larger Plus sibling. As all the time, we’ll start with the technical specs however in the event you want, you possibly can skip straight to the specified part from the desk of contents:
Technical specs: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, Galaxy S24 and S24+ in contrast
| Â | Apple’s 2024 Plus mannequin | Apple’s 2024 base mannequin | Samsung’s 2024 Plus mannequin | Samsung’s 2024 base mannequin |
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Apple iPhone 16 overview |
Samsung Galaxy S24+ overview |
Samsung Galaxy S24 overview |
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Worth and availability
The Galaxy S24 collection has been on sale for the reason that finish of January 2024, whereas Apple adopted swimsuit with new iPhones in September. It’s placing each producers proceed to roll out smartphones with an entry-level reminiscence measurement of 128 GB. Solely the S24+ begins at 256 GB. My advice to each events for 2025? Overlook about 128 GB!
When it comes to RRP, Samsung and Apple’s most cost-effective possibility are on par with an asking worth of $799. The identical goes for the Plus fashions. Relating to storage capability, then $,1099 will get you an iPhone 16 with 512GB whereas the Galaxy S24 lacks that possibility. Check out the really useful retail costs within the desk under:
| Â | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ |
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| 128 GB | $799 | $899 | $799.99 | – |
| 256 GB | $899 | $999 | $859.99 | $999.99 |
| 512 GB | $1,099 | $1,199 | – | $1,299.99 |
We will at the moment discover a considerably decrease RRP for the 2 S24 gadgets on Samsung’s web site: The Galaxy S24 is now formally accessible from $779.99. It will get even cheaper after we have a look at road costs. It is because each handsets having been round for some time now and Android gadgets are likely to expertise a better worth drop in comparison with Apple.
Design and show
Design
Visually, we’re coping with two duos that basically solely differ in measurement: Samsung affords us the selection between 6.2-inch and 6.6-inch shows, whereas Apple’s iPhones are 6.1 and 6.7 inches. Samsung affords its fashions in Sapphire Blue, Jade Inexperienced, Sandstone Orange, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Onyx Black, and Marble Grey colours. The iPhones can be found in Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black.
You’ll be able to count on top-notch workmanship and a high-quality supplies throughout all 4 gadgets. Samsung makes use of Armour aluminum for the body and opted for Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ in entrance and on the again. Apple additionally depends on the mix of a glass again and aluminum body, however naturally selected a elaborate title for the fabric it makes use of: “Ceramic Defend”.
Whereas Samsung modified just about nothing on the surface, the iPhones characteristic two new buttons. One is the Motion Button, which was launched on the Professional fashions final yr, and the opposite is the so-called Digicam Management, a brand new management component that has up to now divided opinion. One other placing characteristic of Apple is how the 2 digital camera sensors are not organized diagonally, however one is positioned under the opposite.
The iPhones are every three grams heavier than their Samsung counterparts. What is especially fascinating in regards to the dimensions is how the S24, at 6.2 inches, is even barely slimmer, thinner and lighter than the iPhone 16 with its 6.1-inch show.
Show
I do not need to say a lot in regards to the shows. One, every part that you must know is within the technical specs above. Secondly, I feel it is cheeky of Apple to count on us to pay some huge cash for a middling refresh price of 60 Hz. Some China-brand laptops that retail for lower than $300 have lengthy been in a position to provide a 120 Hz refresh price, so Apple is ready to provide this with none effort. Aside from that, each producers naturally use world-class panels, so other than the talked about refresh price, there’s nothing to criticize Apple for.
Efficiency and SoC
Relating to efficiency, we do not really want to take a look at benchmark exams. Apple’s SoCs commonly run circles across the competitors’s smartphones and Samsung additionally depends by itself Exynos 2400 chipset, which we all know performs considerably poorer than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as an illustration. However, let’s check out how the Samsung SoC and the Apple A18 carried out within the benchmarks:
| Â | Galaxy S24 (Exynos 2400) |
Galaxy S24+ (Exynos 2400) |
Apple iPhone 16 (Apple A18) |
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Sadly, we’ve not but been in a position to overview the iPhone 16 Plus, however we count on its efficiency to be simply pretty much as good because the iPhone 16’s. Apps load in a short time, every part runs easily, the way in which it ought to. On the S24+, we seen a noticeable build-up of warmth on the Exynos 2400 throughout longer gaming classes, which was accompanied by thermal throttling. The outcomes of the S24 had been even decrease than these of the Plus mannequin. It is usually annoying that the Exynos chipsets are much less energy-efficient.
Though the S24+ with 12 GB RAM has considerably extra working reminiscence than the iPhones with their present 8 GB RAM, Apple secured factors for victory on this class. Even the S24, as a primary mannequin, has to make do with 8 GB. I discovered it disagreeable that three of the 4 fashions in contrast solely provide 128 GB of reminiscence because the minimal configuration, however the top of cheekiness is how Samsung even nonetheless makes use of the outdated UFS 3.1 customary within the S24.
Relating to connectivity, Apple additionally has a razor-thin lead, as a result of though all 4 smartphones depend on Bluetooth 5.3, with the iPhones already supporting Wi-Fi 7 as an alternative of Wi-Fi 6E.
Digicam high quality
Each iPhones boast improved digital camera sensors for the extremely wide-angle, together with a greater aperture. Superior macro photos at the moment are additionally potential with this sensor. With the 48 MP important digital camera, nonetheless, every part remained the identical. The vertical orientation was designed to allow immersive images and movies. In case you are one of many few individuals already utilizing an Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, you’ll profit from this.
Samsung units itself other than Apple with a 3rd sensor. Which means that along with the primary digital camera with 50 MP and the extremely wide-angle digital camera with 12 MP, there’s additionally a 3x telephoto lens at 10 MP decision.
In actuality, nonetheless, Samsung virtually remained at a standstill, albeit at a excessive degree for each fashions. Solely in terms of evening pictures do difficulties crop up, though with the S24+, that is basically restricted to the extremely wide-angle sensor. Aside from enhancements within the extremely wide-angle sensor, the efficiency of Apple’s smartphones stays virtually unchanged in comparison with the earlier yr. Earlier than I’m going on at size, I am going to simply allow you to take a fast have a look at the galleries:
Samsung Galaxy S24 picture gallery
Samsung Galaxy S24+Â picture gallery
Apple iPhone 16Â picture gallery
Since we’ll speak in regards to the software program subsequent anyway, we also needs to briefly level out that each Samsung and Apple are focusing closely on AI and that that is additionally mirrored in enhancements to the cameras. This implies that you could be be utilizing a largely equivalent digital camera because the earlier yr, however nonetheless obtain higher outcomes or take pleasure in further capabilities.
With Apple, this has been a little bit of a flop in that Apple Intelligence has not but been launched and you can not but make full use of the brand new Digicam Management perform.
Software program
Let’s speak in regards to the elephant within the room at Apple: Apple Intelligence! Truly, this elephant continues to be invisible, as a result of Apple launched the iPhone 16 with iOS 18, however with out this new AI platform. Which means that we’ll solely be capable to assess what has occurred by way of software program and AI as soon as it arrives on the gadgets. Sadly, everyone knows that we’ll have to attend even longer for these residing exterior of the USA.
Samsung, however, did not present any weak point with Android 14 and triggered an AI sensation with the launch of Galaxy AI earlier this yr. We mentioned how helpful we discovered these capabilities reminiscent of Circle to Search many occasions elsewhere. The actual fact is, you may be utilizing good AI capabilities on the S24 fashions for a very long time, when you’ll nonetheless staring down the barrel at Apple within the medium time period.
- Need to learn extra about Samsung’s present pores and skin? Try our One UI 6 overview
Whether or not you favor One UI or iOS might be a query of desire and ecosystem anyway, proper? Therefore, I do not assume the look of the interface may actually affect a purchase order determination in favor of the opposite working system.
The query of how lengthy I can be equipped with software program updates is probably extra thrilling. iOS has all the time remained unchallenged and nonetheless helps many iPhone generations. iOS 18 is even appropriate with gadgets such because the iPhone XRÂ from 2018.
Nonetheless, Samsung additionally made vital strides ains lately. Not solely do the updates arrive extra rapidly than earlier than, they’re additionally accessible for an extended time The South Korean firm guarantees seven years of Android updates and safety patches!
Battery and charging
Evaluating batteries is all the time troublesome when iPhones are concerned, I feel. It is because Apple all the time quotes figures that nobody can actually assess, reminiscent of “22 hours of video playback” for the iPhone 16. Within the overview, my colleague Ben attests to the iPhone 16’s excellent battery life and sooner charging pace.
We now know that the capability of the iPhone 16 has truly elevated by 212 mAh to three,561 mAh. With the iPhone 16 Plus, we’ve reached 4,674 mAh, a rise of 291 mAh. Relying on the utilization situation, the battery lasts for greater than two days. Although charging is now sooner, it annoys me slightly that each Apple and Samsung are up to now behind the charging pace of firms like Xiaomi or Realme.
Regardless of that, the Galaxy handsets have a charging pace of 25 W for the S24 and 45 W for the S24+. Battery capability has additionally elevated in every case, specifically to 4,900 mAh for the S24+ and to a clean 4,000 mAh for the South Koreans’ base mannequin. The benchmark check confirmed us how the S24+ lasts considerably longer with over 15 hours than the S24 with simply over 13 hours within the PCMark battery check. Sadly, Samsung suffers from the truth that the built-in Exynos chip is much less energy-efficient than its Snapdragon counterpart or the iPhone’s silicon.
Nonetheless, I do not need to crown a last winner right here. Firstly, as a result of we’ve not but reviewed the iPhone 16 Plus and we’re nonetheless ready for Apple Intelligence, their AI platform that can most probably drain the battery much more.
Conclusion
Truthfully? A conclusion solely is sensible in the event you stand within the retailer and have a look at each smartphones from Apple and Samsung with an open thoughts. Actually, we’re creatures of behavior who’ve lengthy since determined. We’re additionally pragmatic and can most probably go for the model that matches higher into our ecosystem when shopping for a brand new system.
Nonetheless, if I needed to title a winner, I might most likely lean in direction of the smartphones from Cupertino. Samsung cannot stand out from the competitors by way of both the cameras or the show, whereas Apple scored factors for its efficiency and battery. Solely by way of software program would I at the moment see Samsung within the lead, though I am most likely slightly biased right here.
After all, the cheaper road costs additionally clearly communicate in Samsung’s favor however the draw back is, the resale worth suffers in the event you determine to eliminate it. Nonetheless, you possibly can eliminate your iPhone 16 or 16 Plus at a excessive worth even after a yr or two. As you possibly can see, I am undecided general. That is due to all of the factors I’ve already listed, however not least as a result of there are 4 actually highly effective smartphones right here that you do not actually have an opportunity of constructing a foul buy accidentally.
It’s now my flip to ask: Who affords higher smartphones for you, Apple or Samsung? Which of the 4 fashions do you’ve your eyes on?
