Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S26

Our Verdict: Comparing Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S26, the choice mostly comes down to display quality versus simplicity. The Samsung gives you its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel and a larger 4,300 mAh battery, while the iPhone is more appealing for a sharper 461 PPI display and its Super Retina XDR OLED panel. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Choose the Samsung for display quality; choose the iPhone if simplicity matters more.

On price there's almost nothing between them: both work out around £670 over a full contract.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.3"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
2556 x 1179 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
461 409
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,561 mAh 4,300 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 16
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
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 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) £27.54/mo (£9.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£459.00 £615.00
Apple iPhone 16 Apple iPhone 16 Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Galaxy S26
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.3"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2556 x 1179 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 461 409
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,561 mAh 4,300 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Android 16
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 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 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
£27.54/mo
£9.00 upfront
SIM-free £459.00 £615.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16

24 Months

128GB

Pink

Refurbished

Unlimited

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£26.99 per month, £19 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Samsung Galaxy S26
Samsung Galaxy S26

24 Months

256GB

White

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£27.54 per month, £9 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S26 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is cheaper on contract at £669.96 over the life of the deal from £27.54 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 has the bigger screen at 6.3" compared to the Apple iPhone 16's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 16 has the sharper display at 461 pixels per inch versus 409, and the Apple iPhone 16 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 16 features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 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 S26?

The Apple iPhone 16 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £459.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 16 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S26 use?

The Apple iPhone 16 is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S26?

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy S26 is lighter but the Apple iPhone 16 is more compact. It's 3g lighter at 167 grams, though the Apple iPhone 16 is actually the more compact phone at 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is slimmer at 7.2mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 16 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 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 S26 run?

The Apple iPhone 16 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26 runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.