Galaxy S24+ Vs iPhone 16

Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£337.00

Versus £997.95 new

See options
iPhone 16
iPhone 16
Starting at

Refurbished price:£475.00

Versus £699.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Apple iPhone 16, launched in September 2024, represent two prominent smartphones from their respective ecosystems. Both devices offer advanced mobile experiences, but they cater to different user preferences through their distinct operating systems and hardware philosophies. Key differentiators include their display technologies, camera systems, and long-term software support commitments, providing users with varied options for performance and functionality.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like software support and physical resilience are important. Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 16 are designed with durability in mind, but their approaches to longevity and repairability differ.

  • Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus offers an extended commitment of seven years of major Android OS and security updates, ensuring a prolonged period of new features and protection. The iPhone 16, while known for long-term support, typically receives major iOS updates for approximately five to seven years, with security patches often extending beyond that.
  • Build Materials: The Galaxy S24 Plus features an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its display, contributing to its overall robustness. The iPhone 16 incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple states is tougher than typical smartphone glass, paired with an aluminum frame.
  • Water and Dust Resistance: Both devices carry an IP68 rating, indicating a high level of resistance to dust and water immersion, capable of withstanding submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. This provides users with confidence in their device's ability to endure everyday environmental exposures.

Year of Release

2024

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is central to the user experience, influencing everything from app responsiveness to demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 16 are equipped with powerful internal components designed for smooth operation.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus handles demanding applications and multitasking efficiently, providing a fluid user experience. The iPhone 16 also delivers robust performance, ensuring smooth navigation and rapid execution of tasks, including those leveraging advanced on-device intelligence features.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM, facilitating seamless multitasking and app switching. Storage options for the S24 Plus typically include 256GB and 512GB. The iPhone 16 is equipped with 8GB of RAM and offers storage configurations of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
  • Battery Endurance: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 4900 mAh battery, which generally provides extended usage throughout a busy day. The iPhone 16 has a 3561 mAh battery, offering up to 22 hours of video playback, while the larger iPhone 16 Plus model extends this to 27 hours. Both devices support fast wired and wireless charging.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 16 offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 16 sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which also delivers rich colors and excellent contrast.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts a QHD+ resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a high pixel density of approximately 513 ppi, offering sharp and detailed visuals. The iPhone 16 has a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels at 460 ppi, providing clear and crisp imagery.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S24 Plus achieves a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, and features an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The iPhone 16 offers a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits, with a peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, but maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

1179 x 2556

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 16 provide advanced systems for capturing photos and videos.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 16 features an advanced dual-camera system with a 48MP Fusion Main camera that also enables 2x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
  • Photography Features: The S24 Plus integrates AI enhancements for photography, improving aspects like night photography, color reproduction, and HDR. The iPhone 16 benefits from Apple's Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 5, along with new Photographic Styles for creative flexibility. Both devices offer improved low-light performance.
  • Video Recording and Audio: The Galaxy S24 Plus supports video recording up to 8K resolution at 30fps, and 4K at 60fps. The iPhone 16 records 4K Dolby Vision video at various frame rates, including Cinematic mode and Spatial video recording. Both phones feature stereo speakers for media consumption and clear microphone quality for calls and recordings.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience, including connectivity, physical design, and additional functionalities.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S24 Plus supports Wi-Fi 6E and in some regions, Wi-Fi 7, along with Bluetooth 5.3. The iPhone 16 also supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. Both smartphones utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Biometric Security and Buttons: The Galaxy S24 Plus incorporates an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 16 relies on Face ID for facial recognition and includes a customizable Action Button and a dedicated Camera Control button for quick access to camera functions.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy S24 Plus measures 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs approximately 197 grams. The iPhone 16 has dimensions of 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs around 170 grams, making it a more compact device.

Weight

197 g

170 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C (USB 2)

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and the Apple iPhone 16 each offer a compelling smartphone experience, though they appeal to different priorities. Users frequently praise the Galaxy S24 Plus for its expansive and vibrant QHD+ display, extended software support, and versatile camera system with AI enhancements. Some users appreciate its larger battery capacity for prolonged use. Conversely, common criticisms might point to the regional variations in its processor, which can lead to differing performance expectations.

The iPhone 16 is often lauded for its consistent performance, the intuitive iOS ecosystem, and its refined camera capabilities, particularly its computational photography features. The inclusion of the Action Button and Camera Control button has also been noted as a practical addition for quick access. However, some users express disappointment with the standard 60Hz refresh rate on its display, which can feel less fluid compared to devices with higher refresh rates.

Users prioritizing a larger, higher-resolution display with an adaptive refresh rate and a longer software update commitment may find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. Those who value a compact design, the Apple ecosystem, consistent performance, and advanced video capabilities might lean toward the iPhone 16. Both devices represent strong choices in the premium smartphone segment, and for those seeking a more sustainable option, quality-assured refurbished models of both devices are available, offering an eco-friendly alternative.

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