Galaxy S24 Vs iPhone 16e

Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:£273.00

Versus £817.67 new

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iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e
Starting at

Refurbished price:£359.00

Versus £599.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24, released in January 2024, and the Apple iPhone 16E, introduced in February 2025, represent distinct approaches to modern smartphone design and functionality. While both devices offer robust performance and advanced features, they cater to different user preferences through their respective operating systems and hardware philosophies. The Galaxy S24 operates on Android, emphasizing customization and a versatile camera system, whereas the iPhone 16E runs on iOS, focusing on a streamlined user experience and integrated ecosystem features. Key differentiators include their display technologies, camera configurations, and long-term software support commitments.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, both the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16E offer substantial software support and durable builds, though with differing timelines and approaches.

  • Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy S24 stands out with a commitment to seven years of major OS and security updates, extending its software lifespan significantly, potentially through Android 21 around 2031. The iPhone 16E, while benefiting from Apple's generally long support, typically receives major iOS updates for approximately five to seven years, with security patches often extending beyond that.
  • Physical Durability: Both smartphones feature robust construction. The Galaxy S24 incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 16E utilizes Apple's Ceramic Shield on its front display and also carries an IP68 rating, offering comparable protection against environmental elements.
  • Practical Lifespan: Users can expect both devices to remain functional and secure for many years. The Galaxy S24's explicit seven-year update policy provides a clear expectation for software longevity, while the iPhone 16E's integration into the Apple ecosystem ensures continued access to services and a consistent user experience over its expected lifespan.

Year of Release

2024

2025

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16E are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding tasks and ensure smooth operation, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 is powered by a current-generation processor, which allows it to manage intensive applications, complex multitasking, and graphic-rich gaming with efficiency. The iPhone 16E features Apple's A18 chip, providing fast and smooth performance, efficient power usage, and support for advanced AI features.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of both devices can expect quick app loading times and fluid transitions between applications. The Galaxy S24's processor, combined with ample RAM options, ensures a responsive experience even under heavy load. The iPhone 16E's optimized chip and iOS integration contribute to a highly responsive and consistent user interface.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The Galaxy S24 offers various storage configurations, with faster UFS 4.0 storage available on higher capacities, and comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, supporting efficient multitasking. The iPhone 16E is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage, and its processor is designed to manage multiple applications effectively, ensuring a smooth experience for users who frequently switch between apps.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is designed to be immersive, though they employ different display technologies and characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Its resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels provides a clear viewing experience. The iPhone 16E comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also delivering rich colors and high contrast with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, resulting in sharp images and text.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24 boasts a high peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions, and features an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations. The iPhone 16E offers a typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, which is suitable for most lighting environments. However, its display operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S24's higher refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother visual experience, particularly during fast-paced content or scrolling. The iPhone 16E's OLED panel still offers an excellent viewing experience for media consumption and everyday use, with HDR and True Tone support enhancing color accuracy.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

2532x1170

Audiovisual

Both devices offer capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, but they differ in their hardware configurations and photographic approaches.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic scenarios. The iPhone 16E is equipped with a single 48MP Fusion main camera that utilizes computational photography to offer a 2x optical-quality telephoto option.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S24 delivers detailed images with improved image processing that aims for more natural-looking colors compared to previous generations. Its telephoto lens provides dedicated optical zoom capabilities. The iPhone 16E leverages its powerful chip for strong computational photography, excelling in areas like Portrait mode, Night mode, and Smart HDR, producing consistent and high-quality results.
  • Video and Front Camera: Both phones support 4K video recording. The Galaxy S24 can record up to 8K video. For selfies, both devices feature a 12MP front camera, with both offering autofocus for clear self-portraits and video calls. The iPhone 16E's front camera also supports 4K video recording.

Front camera

12 megapixels

TrueDepth 12MP

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical features and design elements distinguish the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16E, impacting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S24 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E (with some markets potentially supporting Wi-Fi 7), and Bluetooth 5.3, utilizing a USB-C 3.2 port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 16E also supports 5G (via Apple's C1 modem), Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, and has transitioned to a USB-C port.
  • Biometric Security and Interaction: The Galaxy S24 features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking and authentication. The iPhone 16E relies on Face ID for biometric security and introduces an Action Button, which is customizable for quick access to various functions.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 measures 70.6 x 147 x 7.6 mm and weighs 167-168g, offering a compact and manageable form factor. The iPhone 16E has dimensions of 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm and weighs 167g, providing a similar compact feel. The iPhone 16E retains the traditional notch design, unlike other iPhone 16 models that feature the Dynamic Island.

Weight

167 g

167 g

Screen size (in)

6.2

6.1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16E involves weighing preferences for operating system, camera versatility, and specific features. Users who appreciate the Android ecosystem's customization options, a dedicated telephoto lens, and a high refresh rate display will find the Galaxy S24 to be a compelling device. Its commitment to seven years of software updates also offers significant long-term value.

Conversely, those who prioritize the streamlined iOS experience, robust privacy features like Face ID, and integrated satellite communication capabilities may lean towards the iPhone 16E. Its strong computational photography and excellent battery life for its size are also notable advantages. Common praise for the Galaxy S24 often highlights its vibrant display and comprehensive camera system, while some users might note its battery life, though improved, is not always class-leading compared to larger phones. The iPhone 16E is frequently lauded for its consistent performance and the reliability of the Apple ecosystem, with some users potentially wishing for a higher refresh rate display or a dedicated ultrawide camera.

Ultimately, users prioritizing a versatile camera setup and a highly customizable Android experience with extended software support will find the Galaxy S24 well-suited to their needs. Users who value the intuitive iOS environment, strong privacy, and integrated safety features will find the iPhone 16E aligns with their preferences. Both devices represent quality choices in the smartphone market, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be an eco-friendly alternative for either model.

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