Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lines up the September 2024 iPhone 16 with the January 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec score

2.6 / 10

iPhone 16 specs

A18

Spec lead

7.4 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leads iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, storage, camera hardware, and optical zoom.

Spec sheet

iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra published specs. Display lead uses refresh rate, pixel density, peak brightness, and always-on when both phones publish them. Camera lead is a hardware class, not a photo test. Battery is scored only when both phones publish the same kind of figure.
Spec	iPhone 16	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556×1179, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 505 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-onLeads
Chip	A18Tie	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for GalaxyTie
Memory	Not published	12GB
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads
Camera hardware	48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop	200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 12MP ultrawideLeads
Optical zoom	No optical telephoto	5xLeads
Front camera	12MP	12MP
Battery	up to 22 hours video playback	5,000 mAh
Charging	50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W	45W wired. 15W wireless, Wireless PowerShareLeads
Weight	170 gLeads	232 g
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window	7 years of OS and security updates
Launch price	$799 launch priceLeads	$1,299 launch price
Software	iOS 18 at launch	Android 14, One UI 6.1 at launch
Biometrics	Face ID	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

Who should buy which

Choose the iPhone 16 if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on weight and launch price.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want Android 14, One UI 6.1 at launch. It leads on display, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.

Questions

Which is better, iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leads iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, storage, camera hardware, and optical zoom.