Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24

Our Verdict: If you are choosing between Samsung Galaxy S24 and Apple iPhone 16, display quality is the main reason to lean one way. The Samsung has its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel and a larger 4,000 mAh battery; the iPhone mainly responds with a sharper 461 PPI display, its Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and 128GB to 512GB storage. 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 storage.

The S24 is the cheaper one to own: around £516 over a typical contract, £177 less than the iPhone 16.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
4.2
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.2"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
2556 x 1179 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
461 416
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery
3,561 mAh 4,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM Nano 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
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight
170 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£26.99/mo (£19.00 upfront) £19.00/mo (£10.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£489.99 £279.00
Apple iPhone 16 Apple iPhone 16 Samsung Galaxy S24 Samsung Galaxy S24
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
4.2
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.2"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2556 x 1179 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 461 416
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery 3,561 mAh 4,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM Nano 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
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight 170 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £26.99/mo
£19.00 upfront
£19.00/mo
£10.00 upfront
SIM-free £489.99 £279.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16

24 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£26.99 per month, £19 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10 off)

Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24

24 Months

128GB

Amber Yellow

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£19 per month, £10 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is cheaper on contract at £516.00 over the life of the deal from £19.00 per month with £10.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S24 has the bigger screen at 6.2" compared to the Apple iPhone 16's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 16 has the sharper display at 461 pixels per inch versus 416, and the Apple iPhone 16 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S24 has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

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

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £279.00.

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

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

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

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

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

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the more portable of the two: it's 3g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S24 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S24 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.