Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

Our Verdict: The fixed specifications give the iPhone the clearer screen sharpness case against the Samsung, with a sharper 461 PPI display, a lighter 170g body, and 128GB to 512GB storage, in the Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S26 FE comparison. By contrast, the Samsung offers a larger 6.7-inch screen and a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, which may matter more if screen size is your priority. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. The decision should therefore follow whether screen sharpness or screen size is more useful to you.

Total contract costs are about level, around £639 for either phone.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
3.7
5 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
2556 x 1179 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
461 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Exynos 2500 (3 nm)
Battery
3,561 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 17
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 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm
Weight
170 grams 193 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
£23.50/mo (£20.00 upfront) £14.99/mo (£259.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£484.99 £697.00
Apple iPhone 16 Apple iPhone 16 Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
3.7
5 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2556 x 1179 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 461 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Exynos 2500 (3 nm)
Battery 3,561 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 17
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 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm
Weight 170 grams 193 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 £23.50/mo
£20.00 upfront
£14.99/mo
£259.00 upfront
SIM-free £484.99 £697.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16

24 Months

128GB

Teal

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£23.50 a month, £20 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

24 Months

128GB

Graphite

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£14.99 a month, £259 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 is cheaper on contract at £639.00 over the life of the deal from £23.50 per month with £20.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 16's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 16 has the sharper display at 461 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 16 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £484.99.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16 is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE uses the Exynos 2500 (3 nm).

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

The Apple iPhone 16 is the more portable of the two: it's 23g lighter at 170 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE runs Android 17. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.