The Apple iPhone 16 lineup is finally here. Apple’s latest smartphones pack a punch thanks to new silicon, tougher glass, and smarter software. The phones compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy S24 family, some of the top Android phones available. We have yet to test Apple’s latest devices, but the specs and marketing claims from Apple give us a good idea of what to expect. With that in mind, here’s how the phones stack up on paper.
Apple iPhone 16
Bottom Line
Samsung Galaxy S24
Bottom Line
Pricing
The iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 lineups include seven phones. The entry-level iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 with 128GB of storage are both $799, while the most expensive models are the $1,599 iPhone 16 Pro Max and the $1,659 Galaxy S24 Ultra—both with 1TB of storage.
Here are the starting prices for each phone:
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Apple iPhone 16, $799; iPhone 16 Plus, $899; iPhone 16 Pro, $999; iPhone 16 Pro Max, $1,199
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Samsung Galaxy S24, $799; Galaxy S24+, $999; Galaxy S24 Ultra, $1,299
Adding more storage increases the price of each device. In dollars and cents, the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 series are relatively close, though Samsung charges the most for its 1TB model.
Winner: Tie
Design: Which Grabs the Eye?
Apart from the boxy Galaxy S24 Ultra, every Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 shares a similar and familiar rounded rectangle shape. Displays dominate the front of these phones with little bezel surrounding the screens, though Samsung’s in-display front-facing camera is in a small, circular cavity while Apple embraces its pill-shaped Dynamic Island. Beyond the camera, the Dynamic Island also houses components that make Face ID possible. Samsung still uses an under-display fingerprint sensor as its most secure biometric option.
The two lineups differ more obviously from the rear. The iPhone 16 places its dual cameras within a vertical camera bump, while the iPhone 16 Pro features a squarish assembly for its triple-rear cameras. Meanwhile, Samsung’s phones feature a flat back with circular camera rings lined up vertically on the top left. When it comes to overall looks, design is completely subjective.
In terms of sizing, the iPhone 16 measures 5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.00 ounces. The 16 Pro is a little larger and much heavier, measuring 5.89 by 2.81 by 0.32 inches and 7.03 ounces. The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the smallest and lightest in its family, measuring 5.79 by 2.78 by 0.30 inches and 5.93 ounces.
The second-largest iPhone is the 16 Plus, which measures 6.33 by 3.06 by 0.31 inches and weighs 7.03 ounces. Samsung’s medium-size S24+ is a bit smaller, measuring 6.24 by 2.99 by 0.30 inches and weighing 6.95 ounces. Note that the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro share the same weight despite their size difference.
The largest iPhone 16, the Pro Max, is slightly taller, more narrow, and less thick at 6.42 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches than the Galaxy S24 Ultra (6.40 by 3.11 by 0.34 inches). Apple’s offering is also lighter at 7.99 ounces versus the S24 Ultra’s 8.22 ounces.
Regarding toughness, every iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 is rated IP68, so they are virtually dust and waterproof. Apple’s new Ceramic Shield glass covers the front and back of the iPhone 16 lineup, which the company says is 50% tougher than the first generation. Apple also says its newest glass is two times tougher than any smartphone glass. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects the Galaxy S24 and S24+, while the S24 Ultra uses Victus 2 on the rear and the tougher Gorilla Armor on the front.
Apple uses aluminum frames for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus but employs titanium in the Pro line. Similarly, Samsung relies on Armor Aluminum for the S24 and S24+ and upgrades the S24 Ultra to titanium. The metals may be a draw, but if Apple’s glass is as tough as it says, the iPhone 16 could be tougher than the S24 lineup.
Winner: Tie
Controls: Does Either Stand Out?
All of this year’s iPhones feature a customizable action button and a new, small touchpad called Camera Control, which is in addition to the standard power button and volume rocker. Camera Control is aptly named as it lets you control camera functions with a tap or slide. Some advanced features are slated for a future update.
The S24 Ultra is the only device in the S24 lineup that includes an S Pen stylus, which allows you to jot down notes. If dedicated buttons or a stylus garage excites you, you will have an easier time choosing a device.
The iPhone 16, like the iPhone 15 before it, no longer supports physical SIM cards and must be activated with an eSIM. However, the Galaxy S24 series supports both a physical SIM and eSIM. Typically, eSIM installations require a few taps of a screen, while a physical SIM requires a paper clip. Some find the latter more convenient than the former.
