Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy A27

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A27 suit different priorities. The iPhone is stronger for display quality, helped by a sharper 460 PPI display, its Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and 128GB to 512GB storage, while the Samsung is better suited to its Super AMOLED panel. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Choose the iPhone for display quality; choose the Samsung if simplicity matters more.

Over a full contract, the A27 works out around £357 all-in, about £415 less than the iPhone 16 Plus.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
3.6
6 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
2796 x 1290 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
460 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery
4,674 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.1, A2DP, LE, ASHA
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 162.8 x 78.2 x 7.8 mm
Weight
199 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes)
Contracts
£31.79/mo (£9.00 upfront) £12.99/mo (£19.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£539.00 £317.00
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Plus Samsung Galaxy A27 Samsung Galaxy A27
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
3.6
6 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 2796 x 1290 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 460 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery 4,674 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.1, A2DP, LE, ASHA
Dimensions 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 162.8 x 78.2 x 7.8 mm
Weight 199 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes)
Contracts £31.79/mo
£9.00 upfront
£12.99/mo
£19.00 upfront
SIM-free £539.00 £317.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus

24 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£31.79 per month, £9 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy A27
Samsung Galaxy A27

24 Months

128GB

Black

30GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£12.99 per month, £19 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy A27 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A27 is cheaper on contract at £356.76 over the life of the deal from £12.99 per month with £19.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy A27?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.7", the Apple iPhone 16 Plus has the sharper display at 460 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A27 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A27 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Samsung Galaxy A27 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £317.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A27 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A27 use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A27 uses the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is the more portable of the two: they weigh about the same (199 grams vs 200 grams), it's also the more compact phone at 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy A27 is rated IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A27 run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy A27 runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.