Apple iPhone 16e vs Samsung Galaxy A27

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16e leads on a sharper 457 PPI display and the lighter 167g body, but Samsung Galaxy A27 answers with the bigger screen and a larger 5,000 mAh battery. Samsung Galaxy A27 starts lower SIM-free at £303.05, roughly £55.95 below Apple iPhone 16e; Samsung Galaxy A27 also has the lower contract total in the current deals; software is a real divider too, with iPhone 16e on Apple iOS and Galaxy A27 on Android. Choose Apple iPhone 16e if you care most about a sharper 457 PPI display and the lighter 167g body; choose Samsung Galaxy A27 if the lower cost is the priority.

The A27 is the cheaper one to own: around £357 over a typical contract, £238 less than the iPhone 16e.

Expert Rating
3.7
12 reviews
3.6
6 reviews
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 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery
4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android
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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.1, A2DP, LE, ASHA
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 162.8 x 78.2 x 7.8 mm
Weight
167 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes)
Contracts
£22.99/mo (£9.00 upfront) £12.99/mo (£19.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£382.00 £317.00

Prices updated 12 August 2026

Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e Samsung Galaxy A27 Samsung Galaxy A27
Expert Rating 3.7
12 reviews
3.6
6 reviews
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 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery 4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android
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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.1, A2DP, LE, ASHA
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 162.8 x 78.2 x 7.8 mm
Weight 167 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes)
Contracts £22.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
£12.99/mo
£19.00 upfront
SIM-free £382.00 £317.00
Prices updated 12 August 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

White

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£22.99 per month, £9 upfront.

Use code: CASH2 (£2 off)

Samsung Galaxy A27
Samsung Galaxy A27

24 Months

128GB

Black

30GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£12.99 per month, £19 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A27 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A27 is cheaper on contract at £356.76 over the life of the deal from £12.99 per month with £19.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Samsung Galaxy A27 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 A27 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Apple iPhone 16e features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A27 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 A27?

The Samsung Galaxy A27 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £317.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Apple iPhone 16e is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A27 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A27 use?

The Apple iPhone 16e is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A27 uses the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16e or Samsung Galaxy A27?

The Apple iPhone 16e is the more portable of the two: it's 33g 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 A27?

The Apple iPhone 16e is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy A27 is rated IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A27 run?

The Apple iPhone 16e runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy A27 runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.