Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy A16

Our verdict: On contract, the Samsung Galaxy A16 works out £504.87 cheaper overall than the Apple iPhone 17. The Samsung Galaxy A16 has a bigger 6.7" screen, but the Apple iPhone 17 is sharper at 458 PPI. If you'd rather buy outright, the Samsung Galaxy A16 starts at £115.00 SIM-free. The Apple iPhone 17 gives you more flexibility with 2 storage options to choose from.

Screen
6.3" 6.7"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
458 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)
Storage
256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G N/A
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm
Weight
177 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) Not rated
Contracts
£25.00/mo (£159.00 upfront) £9.99/mo (£5.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£697.00 £115.00
Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy A16 Samsung Galaxy A16
Screen 6.3" 6.7"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 458 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)
Storage 256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G N/A
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm
Weight 177 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) Not rated
Contracts £25.00/mo
£159.00 upfront
£9.99/mo
£5.00 upfront
SIM-free £697.00 £115.00
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy A16 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A16 is cheaper on contract at £264.93 over the life of the deal from £9.99 per month with £5.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy A16?

The Samsung Galaxy A16 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 17 has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 17 uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A16 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy A16?

The Apple iPhone 17 features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A16 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 17 or Samsung Galaxy A16?

The Samsung Galaxy A16 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £115.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy A16?

The Apple iPhone 17 is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A16 comes in 128GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy A16 use?

The Apple iPhone 17 is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy A16 uses the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy A16?

The Apple iPhone 17 is the more portable of the two — it's 23g lighter at 177 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy A16?

The Apple iPhone 17 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy A16 is rated Not rated.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy A16 run?

The Apple iPhone 17 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy A16 runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.