iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
This is a classic rivalry: the iPhone 16 Pro against the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple against Samsung, both in flagship smartphone territory. Count the areas and a pattern appears. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is ahead in 3 of 5, led by a clear margin in camera. One more thing to weigh: a launch price difference of $301, with the iPhone 16 Pro as the lower-priced option.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Performance iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Memory & Storage Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Camera Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Price iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera3.1
- Display7.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera4.5
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
-
The iPhone 16 Pro has a 1.16 oz lighter build
The Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 8.18 oz; the iPhone 16 Pro comes in at 7.02 oz. That’s not a rounding error. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
At 256 GB versus 128 GB, this is a decisive lead for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
If main camera is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Galaxy S24 Ultra leads clearly with 200 MP to the iPhone 16 Pro’s 48 MP. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 50 MP for telephoto camera, while the iPhone 16 Pro lists 12 MP. A dedicated telephoto camera captures distant subjects and portraits without heavy cropping, which keeps detail intact.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has 30% higher peak brightness
A clear win for the Galaxy S24 Ultra: 2,600 nits against 2,000 nits. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 Pro 5.89 in × 2.81 in × 0.32 in
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 6.39 in × 3.11 in × 0.34 in
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the larger phone of the two, while the iPhone 16 Pro is the more compact choice. Weight-conscious buyers will note the iPhone 16 Pro’s 1.16 oz advantage. There’s 0.01 in of extra thickness on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.11 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in (winner) | 0.34 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 8.18 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Display
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
The Galaxy S24 Ultra dominates the display section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Galaxy S24 Ultra gives you 30% higher peak brightness. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday. Weighing only display, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes out ahead.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16 Pro: 2,000 nits Galaxy S24 Ultra: 2,600 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Screen size
iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 in Galaxy S24 Ultra: 6.8 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
iPhone 16 Pro leads
It’s a narrow one, but the performance round goes to the iPhone 16 Pro. On the iPhone 16 Pro, you get a newer 3 nm chip process. Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict. Prioritize performance, and the iPhone 16 Pro is where you should land.
Process node
iPhone 16 Pro: 3 nm Galaxy S24 Ultra: 4 nm A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life.
CPU cores
iPhone 16 Pro: 6 Galaxy S24 Ultra: 8 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
Look at the memory & storage table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Galaxy S24 Ultra adds 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The Galaxy S24 Ultra starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos. So if memory & storage tops your list, lean toward the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Base storage
iPhone 16 Pro: 128 GB Galaxy S24 Ultra: 256 GB If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years.
Camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
In the camera category, the Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out with a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos. The iPhone 16 Pro has the edge with a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide. The camera verdict goes to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Main camera
iPhone 16 Pro: 48 MP Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200 MP More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
Telephoto camera
iPhone 16 Pro: 12 MP Galaxy S24 Ultra: 50 MP A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the Galaxy S24 Ultra a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Pro leads
The battery & charging numbers lean toward the iPhone 16 Pro, not dramatically but consistently. The iPhone 16 Pro answers with faster 25 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 16 Pro refills quicker there. The takeaway: on battery & charging, the iPhone 16 Pro is the stronger phone.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16 Pro: 25 W Galaxy S24 Ultra: 15 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
Nothing to tally in the software & updates section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S24 Ultra each use.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2622 x 1206 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 505 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Optical zoom | 5× | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K120 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 27 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.11 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in (winner) | 0.34 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 8.18 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 (winner) | $1,300 |
“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
The iPhone 16 Pro undercut the Galaxy S24 Ultra by $301 at launch, which works out to 30%. The extra $301 for the Galaxy S24 Ultra buys 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB and a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2024; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (7.02 oz vs 8.18 oz)
- you want the sharper ultra-wide camera (48 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (3 nm vs 4 nm process node)
- you want more value for your money ($301 less at launch)
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you like to crop into your photos (200 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (50 MP vs 12 MP telephoto)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits peak brightness)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d trade the rest for a 1.16 oz lighter build.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro bigger than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra takes that one. With dimensions of 6.39 × 3.11 × 0.34 in, it is larger than the iPhone 16 Pro (5.89 × 2.81 × 0.32 in).
Does the iPhone 16 Pro perform better than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
On paper, the iPhone 16 Pro is the stronger performer, with a newer 3 nm chip process.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge here, offering 30% higher peak brightness and 9.8% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Going by launch prices, the iPhone 16 Pro costs $301 less than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Prices as of September 2024; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Comparing the iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S24 Ultra feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. I keep coming back to one thing: the Galaxy S24 Ultra gets 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. I also like that the Galaxy S24 Ultra brings a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. The iPhone 16 Pro has a trump card of its own in a 1.16 oz lighter build.
If your days lean on performance, I’d pick the iPhone 16 Pro; if they lean on display, the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
My pick: the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I’d only look at the iPhone 16 Pro if you value a 1.16 oz lighter build above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.