iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24
The iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 are two different answers to the same flagship smartphone brief, each with its own set of priorities. You can’t have it all with either one. The iPhone 16 is the performance pick, and the Galaxy S24 is the display pick.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 wins
- Performance iPhone 16 wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S24 wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 wins
- Price iPhone 16 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
-
The Galaxy S24 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
The Galaxy S24 doesn’t just edge this one; 120 Hz against 60 Hz is a lead you’ll feel. 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.
-
The Galaxy S24 has 30% higher peak brightness
Big gap, real consequences. The Galaxy S24’s 2,600 nits versus the iPhone 16’s 2,000 nits changes how the two compare in daily use. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S24’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
-
The Galaxy S24 has an extra rear camera
The iPhone 16 is clearly behind on rear cameras (2 against 3), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The iPhone 16 has faster 25 W wireless charging
On this line of the spec sheet, the iPhone 16 is in a different league: 25 W, next to 15 W for the Galaxy S24. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 16 refills quicker there.
-
The iPhone 16 has a newer 3 nm chip process
For process node, the iPhone 16 leads by a wide margin: 3 nm versus 4 nm. Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S24 5.79 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
In overall size, the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 are close enough that you’d struggle to tell them apart by dimensions alone. The iPhone 16 is neither lighter nor heavier than the Galaxy S24 in any way that counts.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Galaxy S24 leads
This is one of the Galaxy S24’s strongest areas. On display, the iPhone 16 falls well short. Choose the Galaxy S24 and you get 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 scores with 11% sharper pixel density. For display, the Galaxy S24 is the one to beat.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16: 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: 2,000 nits Galaxy S24: 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.
Performance
iPhone 16 leads
The iPhone 16 edges the performance section, though the Galaxy S24 stays close. The iPhone 16 takes this one with a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 16’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. On performance alone, the iPhone 16 gets the nod.
Process node
iPhone 16: 3 nm Galaxy S24: 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: 6 Galaxy S24: 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
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On memory & storage, both deliver about the same. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Camera
Galaxy S24 leads
The Galaxy S24 squeezes out a win in the camera section. In its favor, the Galaxy S24 has an extra rear camera. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S24’s extra lens adds. That makes the Galaxy S24 the natural choice for buyers focused on camera.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16: 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 leads
On balance, the iPhone 16 leads the battery & charging section, just not by much. The iPhone 16 steps ahead thanks to faster 25 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. Anyone shopping mainly on battery & charging should start with the iPhone 16.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16: 25 W Galaxy S24: 15 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
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 list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.2 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 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 | 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 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 | 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 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 22 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 | 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 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $800 |
“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
Price is almost a tie, with the iPhone 16 launching $1 below the Galaxy S24. With strengths on both sides, the $1 price gap becomes a useful tiebreaker.
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 want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (3 nm vs 4 nm process node)
- you notice fine detail in text and photos (460 ppi vs 416 ppi pixel density)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($1 less)
Choose the Galaxy S24 if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits peak brightness)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you want an always-on display
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S24?
It depends on your priorities: the iPhone 16 is stronger on performance, while the Galaxy S24 leads on display.
Which is larger, the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S24?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S24?
Going by the specs, the iPhone 16 comes out ahead: it offers a newer 3 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 16 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 has the edge for photography, offering an extra rear camera.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 30% higher peak brightness.
Which costs less, the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 launched at $1 more than the iPhone 16, based on prices as of September 2024.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the iPhone 16’s and the Galaxy S24’s) so you don’t have to. I think the iPhone 16 makes its strongest case with faster 25 W wireless charging. Another thing in the iPhone 16’s favor is a newer 3 nm chip process. Credit where it’s due: the Galaxy S24 offers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz.
Your priorities do the choosing here: performance points to the iPhone 16, display to the Galaxy S24.
My pick: honestly, it’s a split decision, so let performance versus display settle it for you.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.