Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Our Verdict: For Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra versus Apple iPhone 16 Pro, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The Samsung is ahead for display quality, with a larger 6.8-inch screen, a sharper 501 PPI display, and its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel; the iPhone is the better match for its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel and a lighter 199g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the Samsung is the Android choice, while the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem. The Samsung is the better fit for display quality, while the iPhone is the one to consider for portability.

The iPhone 16 Pro is the cheaper one to own: around £778 over a typical contract, £97 less than the S24 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.2
11 reviews
4.6
11 reviews
Screen
6.3" 6.8"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1440 x 3088
Pixels Per Inch
458 501
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery
3,582 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android 14
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/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.2, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm
Weight
199 grams 232 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£29.50/mo (£20.00 upfront) £29.00/mo (£129.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£569.99 £459.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.2
11 reviews
4.6
11 reviews
Screen 6.3" 6.8"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1440 x 3088
Pixels Per Inch 458 501
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery 3,582 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android 14
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/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm
Weight 199 grams 232 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £29.50/mo
£20.00 upfront
£29.00/mo
£129.00 upfront
SIM-free £569.99 £459.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple iPhone 16 Pro

24 Months

128GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£29.50 per month, £20 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Titanium Black

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£29 per month, £129 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is cheaper on contract at £778.00 over the life of the deal from £29.50 per month with £20.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.8" compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3", the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has the sharper display at 501 pixels per inch versus 458, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 200 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 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £459.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 33g lighter at 199 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra runs Android 14. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.