When it comes to compact flagship smartphones, two models have captured the attention of tech enthusiasts: the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16. Both phones have been out for a few months now — the Galaxy S24 for around 8–9 months, and the iPhone 16 for 3–4 months. With the upcoming year likely to see many consumers considering these devices, especially as they become more affordable, it’s the perfect time to dive into a detailed comparison to determine which one reigns supreme in 2025.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the design of the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 seems quite similar, with both offering a premium feel in the hand. The key difference lies in the frame: the iPhone 16 uses a matte finish, while the Galaxy S24 has a glossy finish that, although not immune to fingerprints, is more resistant to them than the iPhone. Both phones boast a glass and aluminum sandwich design and are built with durability in mind, featuring IP68 certification for water and dust resistance.
When it comes to USB ports, the Galaxy S24 has the advantage with a faster USB 3.2 port, offering quicker data transfer speeds compared to the iPhone 16’s USB 2.0 port. Durability is another area where the Galaxy S24 edges ahead. The iPhone 16 uses a Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple claims is 50% stronger than previous iterations. However, in practice, the S24’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 shows fewer scratches over time, making it more durable in everyday use.
Display: Clarity and Brightness
The display is another area where both phones excel, but there are notable differences. The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Retina XDR OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, while the Galaxy S24 sports a slightly larger 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy’s higher refresh rate makes for smoother navigation and gaming, while the iPhone’s 60Hz might feel slightly limiting for users accustomed to higher refresh rates.
In terms of brightness, the Galaxy S24 wins with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, compared to the iPhone 16’s 2000 nits. This means the Galaxy’s display is slightly more vibrant, especially under direct sunlight. The S24 also boasts thinner bezels, maximizing screen real estate, though both phones offer exceptional color accuracy and clarity.
Performance: Power and Efficiency
When it comes to raw performance, the iPhone 16’s A18 Bionic chipset outperforms the Galaxy S24’s Exynos 2400 in nearly every benchmark. Whether it’s Geekbench scores, gaming tests, or 3DMark Extreme Wildlife stress tests, the A18 consistently beats the Exynos 2400, providing superior CPU and GPU performance. In terms of gaming, the iPhone delivers smoother performance with higher frame rates and better stability during extended gaming sessions.
While the Galaxy S24 may offer better smoothness due to its 120Hz display, the iPhone 16 still comes out on top in terms of sheer processing power. That said, the Exynos 2400 has improved thermals over its predecessors, providing better heat management during intensive tasks.
In terms of connectivity, the iPhone 16 has an edge with Wi-Fi 7 support, while the Galaxy S24 is limited to Wi-Fi 6E. Both phones support Bluetooth 5.3, so connectivity between devices is equally efficient.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is another area where the iPhone 16 shows its efficiency. Thanks to the 3nm A18 chip, the iPhone provides better power efficiency, delivering around 7 hours of screen-on time. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24’s Exynos 2400, built on a 4nm process, consumes more power, especially with its 120Hz display enabled. However, if you were to limit the S24 to 60Hz, battery life would improve significantly, potentially matching the iPhone’s performance.
Charging speeds also differ. The Galaxy S24 supports 25W wired charging, while the iPhone 16 maxes out at 20W. In terms of wireless charging, the iPhone wins with its MagSafe charging at 25W, compared to the Galaxy S24’s 15W wireless charging. Overall, the Galaxy S24 charges faster via wired methods, but the iPhone excels in wireless charging.
Camera: Photography and Videography
The camera setup on both phones is highly capable, but with distinct advantages. The Galaxy S24 features a triple-camera system with a 3x optical zoom telephoto lens, which the iPhone 16 lacks. The iPhone, however, offers superior clarity and sharpness, especially in default 24MP output, thanks to its Fusion technology. While the iPhone’s 2x zoom is excellent, the Galaxy S24 offers better results when going beyond 2x, particularly with its 3x optical zoom.
In terms of colors, the S24 tends to produce punchier, more vibrant images, while the iPhone delivers more neutral and natural tones. Both phones offer impressive ultrawide cameras, with the iPhone having an advantage in macro shots due to its autofocus capabilities.
For portrait photography, the S24 excels with its 2x and 3x zoom capabilities, producing better depth and detail in portrait shots. As for videography, both phones can shoot in 4K at 60fps, but the S24 is more capable in selfie videos and offers 8K recording, something the iPhone 16 cannot do. The iPhone does have the edge in low-light videography, but overall, the video quality on both devices is top-notch.
Software and User Interface
The Galaxy S24 runs on One UI 6.1, which many users find more feature-packed and customizable compared to iOS. With Galaxy AI, users can transcribe notes, summarize documents, and translate languages more efficiently. The iPhone 16, powered by iOS, offers features like integrated ChatGPT in Siri, clean-up tools, and advanced writing assistants, but overall, One UI feels more polished and offers a wider variety of useful tools.
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Regarding updates, Samsung promises 7 years of software support for the Galaxy S24, giving it a slight advantage over the iPhone, which typically offers 5–6 years of updates. This makes the S24 a more future-proof device in terms of longevity.
Pricing and Value for Money
One of the most significant factors for many consumers is the price difference between these two devices. The Samsung Galaxy S24 is priced between ₹57,000 and ₹62,000 for the 256GB variant, while the iPhone 16 starts at ₹79,000 for the 128GB model. This difference of ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 can be substantial, especially considering that the Galaxy S24 offers many high-end features at a lower price point.
Despite the iPhone 16 having a more powerful chipset and better overall performance, the S24 stands out for its value for money. The 120Hz display, superior battery efficiency, and more affordable pricing make the Galaxy S24 a compelling choice for those on a budget or those who prioritize certain features like a higher refresh rate or faster wired charging.
Final Verdict
Both the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16 are excellent compact flagships, each with its own strengths. The iPhone 16 excels in raw performance, camera clarity, and software ecosystem, while the Galaxy S24 offers better value for money, a higher refresh rate, more features, and faster wired charging.
For those looking for a more affordable yet feature-rich device, the Galaxy S24 stands out, especially if you're into gaming, multimedia, or simply prefer the smoother performance of a 120Hz display. If you’re already entrenched in the Apple ecosystem or prefer the smooth, stable performance of iOS, the iPhone 16 remains a strong contender.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and which features matter most to you.
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