Apple iPhone 16e vs Samsung Galaxy A17 4G

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16e is the easier recommendation for broader contract availability, while Samsung Galaxy A17 4G answers with a lower current starting price, about £109 versus £359. Samsung Galaxy A17 4G is currently cheaper to buy outright by roughly £250. The screen sizes are 6.1 inches for Apple iPhone 16e and 6.7 inches for Samsung Galaxy A17 4G. Choose the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G for keeping the upfront or SIM-free spend lower; choose the Apple iPhone 16e if its extra hardware advantages line up with how you use your phone.

The A17 4G is the cheaper one to own: around £291 over a typical contract, £190 less than the iPhone 16e.

Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
457 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Exynos 1330 (5 nm)
Battery
4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 4G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm
Weight
167 grams 192 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP54, dust and splash resistant
Contracts
£14.99/mo (£99.00 upfront) £9.99/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£359.99 £137.00

Prices updated 26 July 2026

Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e Samsung Galaxy A17  4G Samsung Galaxy A17 4G
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 457 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Exynos 1330 (5 nm)
Battery 4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 4G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm
Weight 167 grams 192 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP54, dust and splash resistant
Contracts £14.99/mo
£99.00 upfront
£9.99/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £359.99 £137.00
Prices updated 26 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

White

Refurbished

Unlimited

Data

£14.99 per month, £99 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10)

Samsung Galaxy A17 4G
Samsung Galaxy A17  4G

24 Months

128GB

Grey

25GB

Data

£9.99 per month, £29 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A17 4G cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G is cheaper on contract at £291.16 over the life of the deal from £9.99 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A17 4G?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 4G has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 16e's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 16e has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 16e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A17 4G?

The Apple iPhone 16e features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G 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 16e or Samsung Galaxy A17 4G?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 4G is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £137.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A17 4G?

The Apple iPhone 16e is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G comes in 128GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A17 4G use?

The Apple iPhone 16e is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G uses the Exynos 1330 (5 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A17 4G?

The Apple iPhone 16e is the more portable of the two: it's 25g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A17 4G?

The Apple iPhone 16e is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G is rated IP54, dust and splash resistant.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A17 4G run?

The Apple iPhone 16e runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.