iPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S24
The iPhone 16 Plus and the Galaxy S24 sit in the same flagship smartphone class, but Apple and Samsung don’t always agree on what matters most. Neither wins across the board. The iPhone 16 Plus makes its case with performance; the Galaxy S24 makes its case with display.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 wins
- Performance iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S24 wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Plus wins
- Price Galaxy S24 wins
- Display2.6
- Camera1.7
- Display5.8
- Camera2.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy S24 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
When it comes to refresh rate, the Galaxy S24 wins comfortably with 120 Hz against 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
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The Galaxy S24 has a 1.13 oz lighter build
It’s a lopsided result (5.89 oz for the Galaxy S24, 7.02 oz for the iPhone 16 Plus) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
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The Galaxy S24 has 30% higher peak brightness
The spread here is large: 2,600 nits on the Galaxy S24 versus 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16 Plus. Expect to notice it. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
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The Galaxy S24 has an extra rear camera
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy S24 makes its strongest case: 3 against 2. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S24’s extra lens adds.
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The iPhone 16 Plus has faster 25 W wireless charging
The iPhone 16 Plus clearly leads on wireless charging, and 25 W versus 15 W is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 Plus 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S24 5.79 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
In overall size, the iPhone 16 Plus is ahead, which is good news only if a bigger phone is what you want. On the scale, the Galaxy S24 comes in 1.13 oz lighter.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Galaxy S24 leads
This section belongs to the Galaxy S24. In display, it leads the iPhone 16 Plus by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Galaxy S24 wins here with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S24 feels more fluid in everyday use. The iPhone 16 Plus makes its case with 11% sharper pixel density. If display is your priority, the Galaxy S24 is the phone to pick.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16 Plus: 60 Hz Galaxy S24: 120 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16 Plus: 2,000 nits Galaxy S24: 2,600 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Performance
iPhone 16 Plus leads
This area is close, with the iPhone 16 Plus just ahead of the Galaxy S24. The iPhone 16 Plus delivers a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 16 Plus’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. Weighing only performance, the iPhone 16 Plus comes out ahead.
Process node
iPhone 16 Plus: 3 nm Galaxy S24: 4 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
CPU cores
iPhone 16 Plus: 6 Galaxy S24: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
In the memory & storage category, the iPhone 16 Plus and the Galaxy S24 land in almost the same place. So memory & storage is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Camera
Galaxy S24 leads
On camera, the difference is modest, and it favors the Galaxy S24. The Galaxy S24 steps ahead thanks to an extra rear camera. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing. For anyone who cares most about camera, the Galaxy S24 is the safer choice.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16 Plus: 2 Galaxy S24: 3 The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S24 gives you more lenses to choose from.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Plus leads
If you’re keeping score, the battery & charging point goes narrowly to the iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 Plus brings faster 25 W wireless charging. Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up. In short, the iPhone 16 Plus is the better-equipped phone for battery & charging.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16 Plus: 25 W Galaxy S24: 15 W If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 16 Plus refills quicker there.
Software & Updates
In the software & updates section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the iPhone 16 Plus and the Galaxy S24 list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.2 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 416 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 27 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $899 | $800 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the two are close: the Galaxy S24 came in $99 lower. On value, it’s close: the iPhone 16 Plus leads in places, and the Galaxy S24 answers with $99 less to pay.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of September 2024. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if…
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (3 nm vs 4 nm)
- you want the sharper screen (460 ppi vs 416 ppi)
Choose the Galaxy S24 if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.89 oz vs 7.02 oz)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $99 matters
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 16 Plus or the Galaxy S24?
It depends on your priorities: the iPhone 16 Plus is stronger on performance, while the Galaxy S24 leads on display.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus bigger than the Galaxy S24?
Size goes the other way: the iPhone 16 Plus is larger (6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in), and the Galaxy S24 is the smaller option (5.79 × 2.78 × 0.30 in).
Which is faster, the iPhone 16 Plus or the Galaxy S24?
Going by the specs, the iPhone 16 Plus comes out ahead: it offers a newer 3 nm chip process.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 16 Plus or the Galaxy S24?
On paper, the Galaxy S24 has the stronger camera setup, with an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus’s display better than the Galaxy S24’s?
Going by the numbers, the Galaxy S24’s screen comes out ahead: a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 30% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus cheaper than the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 is the cheaper option, launching at $99 less than the iPhone 16 Plus (launch prices as of September 2024).
Executive Summary
The iPhone 16 Plus from Apple and the Galaxy S24 from Samsung go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. The iPhone 16 Plus earns my vote first and foremost with faster 25 W wireless charging. There’s a bonus as well: the iPhone 16 Plus has a newer 3 nm chip process. In fairness to the Galaxy S24, a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz is a genuine strength.
Choose by what you’d use most: performance leads to the iPhone 16 Plus, display leads to the Galaxy S24.
My pick: there’s no single winner, so choose the iPhone 16 Plus for performance or the Galaxy S24 for display.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.