Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24: which one should you buy?

Every year, Apple and Samsung release another flagship phone and every year people end up asking the same question. Which one is better?

The answer depends on what you want from your phone. Both the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S24 are excellent devices. Neither is a bad choice. The differences come down to software, cameras, battery life and how you use your phone day to day. Let's break it down.

Design and build quality

At first glance, both phones look premium. The iPhone 16 keeps Apple's familiar flat-edged design with an aluminium frame and glass back. It feels solid, compact and very much like an iPhone.

The Galaxy S24 takes a similar approach. It's also built from premium materials and has a slightly more rounded feel in the hand. It is a little lighter than the iPhone and some people may find it more comfortable for long periods of use.

Neither phone feels cheap. This category comes down to personal preference.

Display

The Galaxy S24 has one of the best displays available on any smartphone. It features a bright AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling, gaming and animations look incredibly smooth.

The iPhone 16's screen is bright, colourful and sharp, but Apple still reserves its 120Hz ProMotion display technology for the Pro models.

The standard iPhone 16 uses a 60Hz display. For many people, that won't be a dealbreaker. If you've never used a high refresh rate phone before, you may not notice.

If display quality is a priority, Samsung has the advantage here.

Performance

Both phones are extremely fast. The iPhone 16 uses Apple's latest A18 chip, while the Galaxy S24 uses either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Samsung's Exynos processor depending on region.

In everyday use, there is very little between them. Apps open instantly, games run smoothly and multitasking is effortless.

Apple still tends to lead in raw processing power, but most users are unlikely to notice a difference during normal use.

Camera

The iPhone 16 produces natural-looking photos with realistic colours. It is particularly strong for video recording, which is one reason content creators continue to favour iPhones.

The Galaxy S24 often produces brighter, more vibrant images. Landscapes and social media photos can look more eye-catching straight from the camera.

Neither approach is right or wrong. If you like realistic photos and record lots of video, the iPhone 16 may suit you better. If you prefer punchier colours and more camera customisation, the Galaxy S24 has the edge.

Battery life

Battery performance is strong on both devices. Most users should comfortably get through a full day without needing a charge.

The Galaxy S24 generally charges faster and offers more flexibility with charging options. The iPhone 16 charges reliably, but Apple continues to be more conservative when it comes to charging speeds.

Software

The iPhone 16 runs iOS. If you already own a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods, everything works together very smoothly.

The Galaxy S24 runs Android with Samsung's One UI software. iOS is known for simplicity and consistency. Android offers more flexibility. You can customise far more of the phone, change default apps and generally have greater control over how the device behaves.

People tend to stick with whichever ecosystem they're already using. If you own several Apple devices, the iPhone 16 is the obvious choice. If you like customisation or use Windows PCs and Google services, the Galaxy S24 may feel more natural.

AI features

Both Apple and Samsung are investing heavily in artificial intelligence features. Samsung currently has a slight lead here. Features such as live translation, AI photo editing and text summarisation are already available on the Galaxy S24.

Apple has introduced Apple Intelligence features, but availability varies depending on region and software version. This gap may become smaller over time as Apple continues rolling out new features.

Which one should you buy?

Choose the iPhone 16 if:

• you already use Apple products,
• you want excellent video recording,
• you prefer a simple and familiar user experience,
• long-term resale value matters to you.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 if:

• you want a smoother 120Hz display
• you enjoy customising your phone
• you prefer Android AI features are important to you

At the end of the day, both phones are among the best smartphones you can buy right now.

The iPhone 16 feels polished, predictable and easy to live with. The Galaxy S24 offers more flexibility, a better display and a few extra features for people who like having more control over their device.

Whichever one you choose, you're getting a premium smartphone that should comfortably last for years.