Apple finally launched the iPhone 16 series on September 9, 2024, and it’s already creating a buzz. From Apple Intelligence to a faster chipset to AAA gaming titles, it’s a big upgrade over last year’s base model. iPhone 16 base model competes with Samsung Galaxy S24 in the compact phone segment. These small but powerful flagship phones are neck and neck in performance and features, so we’ve broken down the key details to help you pick your next small flagship phone.
Table of Contents
Design and Display
| Display | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio |
| Nits | 2000 nits (peak) | 2600 nits (peak) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
Design-wise, both tech giants seem to be playing it safe, with iterative changes rather than dramatic overhauls. The Galaxy S24 sticks to its roots, featuring a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a sleek aluminum frame and even slimmer bezels than before. The flat display and back remain largely unchanged, but the thinner bezels give it a more immersive feel.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16 retains much of the iPhone 15’s design, with one notable change: vertically stacked rear cameras. The reason Apple went with design so that it can record spatial videos that you can then watch on Vision Pro. Who is buying that VR headset?
That’s not all, the Action button once exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models is now available for the entire iPhone 16 series. On top of that, we have got the new Camera Control button making the iPhone 16 more versatile – giving you quick access to essential features without fumbling through menus.
When it comes to the display, Samsung still leads the charge. The Galaxy S24 boasts a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, making it smoother for everything from gaming to scrolling through social media. In comparison, the iPhone 16 is still stuck with a 60Hz fixed refresh rate. Even budget Android phones nowadays feature a 120 Hz refresh rate screen.
Performance
| iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Bionic (3 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) / Exynos 2400 (4 nm) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Both devices are pretty capable, and you probably won’t run into many hiccups while using them. You can expect both phones to handle AI features on-device except in some scenarios where they need to tap into the cloud server. One big reason to consider the iPhone 16 this time around is its support for Apple Intelligence. The base iPhone 15 didn’t had this feature due to hardware limitations, which is why you’re seeing a jump in RAM performance (from 6 GB to 8 GB) this time.
However, if you’re outside the US, Canada, or China, you’ll get the Samsung in-house Exynos chipset which despite Samsung’s best efforts, remains an underperformer. The Exynos model is good for everyday tasks while you can play AAA titles with ray tracing on the new iPhone 16 series – even the base models.
Software and AI
| AI Features | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Assist | ✅ | ✅ |
| Image Generator | ✅ | ❌ |
| Object Remover | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live Translate | ✅ | ✅ |
| Interactive Wallpaper | ❌ | ✅ |
| Browser Assist | ✅ | ✅ |
| Email App Assist | ✅ | ❌ |
| Emoji Generator | ✅ | ❌ |
| AI-powered Assistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| AI Focus Mode | ✅ | ❌ |
| Translate Messages | ❌ | ✅ |
| Summarize Text | ✅ | ✅ |
| Circle to Search | ❌ | ✅ |
| Camera Control | ✅ | ❌ |
Samsung Galaxy S24 has Circle to Search which can find anything that you have on your screen. It can be image, text, QR code, and even music. Apple has added a similar feature to the Camera app that you can activate using the new Camera Control button. Again, it does the same thing but in an Apple way.
Both Samsung and Apple have a bunch of AI features that are quite similar in nature but implemented in their own unique ways across the UI.
Coming to OS update cycle, Samsung Galaxy S24 offers 7 years of software and security updates, while the iPhone 16 could get around 5-6 years of software updates.
Camera
| iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, 1.0µm (Wide) 12 MP, f/2.2, 0.7µm (Ultrawide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm (Wide) 10 MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm (3x Telephoto) 12 MP, f/2.2, 1.4µm (Ultrawide) |
| Main Video Camera | 4K@24/25/30/60fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps |
| Selfie Camera | 12 MP, f/1.9 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm |
| Selfie Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps |
When it comes to the number of camera options, there’s no doubt the Samsung S24 wins here. It has a dedicated telephoto camera lens, which is missing on the iPhone 16. However, the 48 MP main sensor on the iPhone 16 not only lets you take stunning photos but also serves as a 2x optical-quality telephoto lens. That’s not all – the ultrawide camera on the iPhone can take macro shots, something the Galaxy S24 can’t do. So, in a way, the new iPhone 16 gives you the power of four lenses in a dual-camera setup.
If you’re into night photography, the iPhone 16 will likely catch your eye, thanks to its larger aperture and bigger pixels (0.7µm), which can capture up to 2x more light in low-light conditions compared to the Samsung S24.
And let’s not forget the Camera Control (Camera Shutter) button on the iPhone, which isn’t just for point-and-shoot. You can use it to toggle between camera tools, adjust settings, and more.
Battery
| Battery | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 3,561 mAh (unconfirmed) | 4000 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 20W, PD2.0 (unconfirmed) | 25W, PD3.0 |
| Wireless Charging | 15W wireless 25W Wireless (MagSafe only) | 15W wireless |
Battery is a function of UI and software optimizations. We all know how well Apple optimizes its software and hardware together, so the iPhone 16 will likely last as long as, if not longer than, the Galaxy S24. We will soon find out in our battery tests but don’t let the mAh number fool you.
When it comes to charging speeds, both phones are pretty standard. Samsung offers 25W fast charging, while the iPhone comes in at 20W. In real life, this difference is pretty minimal – both phones should reach about 50% charge after 30 minutes. However, one area where the iPhone clearly outshines Samsung is wireless charging speed. In fact, it even delivers faster charging than its own wired option. That said, it only works with Apple’s MagSafe charger with a 30W adapter or higher.
Availability and Price
The iPhone 16 comes in 5 vibrant colors: ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black, and you can start pre-ordering it from September 13, with sales beginning on September 20. As for pricing, Apple is following the same pricing strategy with the iPhone 16, keeping the base price at $799.
- $799 (128 GB)
- $899 (256 GB)
- $1099 (512 GB)
On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 is available for purchase right away and comes in 7 shades: Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, and Sapphire Blue. Here’s the pricing breakdown:
- $799 – 128 GB
- $859 – 256 GB
Which Is the Best Flagship Compact Phone?
Both the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 offer powerful features, but in many ways, we found the iPhone 16 to be superior to the Galaxy S24. Whether it’s the camera features, chipset performance, or on-device AI capabilities, the iPhone 16 stands out. And yeah, if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the latest iPhone 16 is a no-brainer.
But if you prefer customization, a higher refresh rate, and some cool AI features, the Samsung Galaxy S24 might be worth considering. Either way, both are amazing flagship phones and will easily last you 5-6 years, given Apple’s track record and Samsung’s new promise of 7 years of software updates.
