iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which Is Better?
Apple versus Samsung: the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra go after the same flagship smartphone buyer. By our tally, the Galaxy S24 Ultra leads 3 of 5 areas. The display section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the iPhone 16. There’s also a launch price gap of $501 in favor of the iPhone 16.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Performance iPhone 16 wins
- Memory & Storage Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Camera Galaxy S24 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 wins
- Price iPhone 16 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Display7.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera6.2
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 Ultra has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
When it comes to refresh rate, the Galaxy S24 Ultra wins comfortably with 120 Hz against 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S24 Ultra feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The iPhone 16 has a 2.19 oz lighter build
It’s a lopsided result (6 oz for the iPhone 16, 8.18 oz for the Galaxy S24 Ultra) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The spread here is large: 256 GB on the Galaxy S24 Ultra versus 128 GB on the iPhone 16. Expect to notice 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
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy S24 Ultra makes its strongest case: 200 MP against 48 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.
-
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has an extra rear camera
The Galaxy S24 Ultra clearly leads on rear cameras, and 4 versus 2 is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s extra lens adds.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 6.39 in × 3.11 in × 0.34 in
Want the smaller footprint? That’s the iPhone 16. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the larger of the two. On the scale, the iPhone 16 comes in 2.19 oz lighter. In profile, the iPhone 16 is the slimmer of the two by 0.03 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.11 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.34 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 8.18 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Display
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
In this area the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a lead the iPhone 16 can’t close. The Galaxy S24 Ultra steps ahead thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 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. On display alone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra gets the nod.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16: 60 Hz Galaxy S24 Ultra: 120 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.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16: 2,000 nits Galaxy S24 Ultra: 2,600 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Performance
iPhone 16 leads
Slight edge to the iPhone 16 on performance. Most buyers could live happily with either. Choose the iPhone 16 and you get a newer 3 nm chip process. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life. So if performance tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 16.
Process node
iPhone 16: 3 nm Galaxy S24 Ultra: 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: 6 Galaxy S24 Ultra: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
If memory & storage is high on your list, the Galaxy S24 Ultra makes the stronger case by a wide margin. On its side, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has 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. Prioritize memory & storage, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra is where you should land.
Base storage
iPhone 16: 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.
Max storage
iPhone 16: 512 GB Galaxy S24 Ultra: 1 TB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra leads
This section belongs to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. In camera, it leads the iPhone 16 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge with a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer. If camera is your priority, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the phone to pick.
Main camera
iPhone 16: 48 MP Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200 MP Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16: 2 Galaxy S24 Ultra: 4 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 leads
On balance, the iPhone 16 leads the battery & charging section, just not by much. Point to the iPhone 16 for faster 25 W wireless charging. Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up. The takeaway: on battery & charging, the iPhone 16 is the stronger phone.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16: 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
In the software & updates section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 505 ppi (winner) |
| 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 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | 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 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 22 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 | 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 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.11 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.34 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 8.18 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (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
Compare the launch prices and they sit 63% apart, or $501 in real money. The Galaxy S24 Ultra asks for $501 more and delivers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB in return.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2024. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (6 oz vs 8.18 oz)
- 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 care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.31 in vs 0.34 in)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $501 more
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (200 MP vs 48 MP)
- you like switching between focal lengths (4 vs 2 cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you need a 2.19 oz lighter build, which only the iPhone 16 offers.
Which is larger, the iPhone 16 or 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 (5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in).
Does the iPhone 16 perform better than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The iPhone 16 should be the quicker of the two, with a newer 3 nm chip process on its side.
Does the iPhone 16 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 16’s display better than the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s?
On display specs, the Galaxy S24 Ultra leads thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 30% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 16 cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
At launch, the iPhone 16 undercut the Galaxy S24 Ultra by $501. These figures are as of September 2024, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Apple or Samsung. I only care that you end up with the right one of the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the Galaxy S24 Ultra brings a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Nor should you ignore that the Galaxy S24 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. To be fair, the iPhone 16 has a 2.19 oz lighter build, and that’s not nothing.
If you’d rather have strength in performance, go with the iPhone 16. If display is what you’d miss, go with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
My pick: the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if what you want most is a 2.19 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.