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The Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 are close in size, but the S24 has a 1–120Hz display and a separate 3x optical telephoto camera, while the iPhone 16 offers Apple’s iOS ecosystem, MagSafe and Qi2 charging up to 25W, and Camera Control. Their US launch prices were almost identical at 128GB: $799.99 for the S24 and $799 for the iPhone 16. Those are historical prices, not today’s price difference; compare current listings in your market before choosing.

Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 16: specification comparison

The figures below describe Samsung’s US launch configuration and Apple’s listed iPhone 16 specifications. Regional S24 versions can differ, so a listing’s exact model and storage matter.

Category Samsung Galaxy S24 Apple iPhone 16
Display 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120Hz 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR, 2556 × 1179 pixels, 460 ppi
Dimensions and weight 5.79 × 2.78 × 0.30 inches; 5.93 oz for the US mmWave version 5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 inches; 6.00 oz
Rear cameras 50MP wide with OIS, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom 48MP Fusion main camera with sensor-shift OIS and 12MP ultrawide; 2x telephoto framing from the main camera
Chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy in Samsung’s US launch configuration Apple A18 with 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
Storage listed at launch 128GB and 256GB 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
Battery and charging 4,000mAh typical battery; Samsung says up to 50% in around 30 minutes with a 25W adapter and 3A cable; Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare USB-C; MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W; battery capacity not stated on Apple’s cited specifications page
Water resistance IP68; Samsung’s stated laboratory conditions are up to 1.5m of freshwater for up to 30 minutes IP68; Apple lists up to 6m for up to 30 minutes under IEC 60529
Software at launch / listed features Android 14 and One UI 6.1 at launch Apple’s technical page describes iOS features, including Apple Intelligence

Display diagonals use each manufacturer’s rounded-corner measurement conventions. The S24’s 1–120Hz specification is an advantage on paper for refresh rate, not a complete assessment of brightness, color, or overall screen quality. Likewise, camera megapixel counts do not establish which phone takes better photos. The S24 has a distinct telephoto lens; iPhone 16’s 2x framing comes from its main camera.

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Samsung’s US launch specifications and Apple’s current technical specifications are the sources for the comparison: Samsung Galaxy S24 Series announcement and Apple iPhone 16 Technical Specifications.

#1 Best Overall
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, 128GB - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X FHD+, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, 1900nits Peak brightness, 1080x2340px, 4700mAh Battery, Android 14, One UI 6.1
  • 128GB, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Exynos 2400e (4nm), 10-core CPU, Xclipse 940 GPU, Bluetooth 5.3
  • Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 8MP, f/2.4 (telephoto), 3x Optical Zoom, Front Camera: 10MP, f/2.4
  • CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/32/38/40/41/66, 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28/38/40/41/66/75/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Nano-SIM and eSIM
  • US Model. Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.

What the price difference is—and is not

At US launch, 128GB versions were nearly even: Samsung announced the Galaxy S24 at $799.99, while Apple announced the iPhone 16 from $799. Samsung listed its 256GB S24 at $859.99. Apple announced 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB iPhone 16 configurations. These are 2024 launch prices, not current retail quotes.

Samsung’s buyer guide displayed “From $549.99” when captured, but that figure does not establish a like-for-like storage tier, device condition, carrier, or offer available to every buyer. No comparable live iPhone 16 price is established here, so there is no reliable current price gap to report. The launch-price sources are Samsung’s January 2024 announcement and Apple’s September 2024 announcement.

Rank #2
SAMSUNG Galaxy S24 5G Dual SIM | 128GB, 8GB | 6.2" AMOLED 120Hz, 10-Core Processor | International Model Unlocked for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Global | S921B/DS | 25W Super Fast Charger Bundle | Black
  • 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X FHD+, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, 416ppi, 2600nits (Outdoor Peak), 1080x2340px, 4000mAh Battery
  • 128GB, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Exynos 2400 (4 nm), 10-Core Processor, Xclipse 940
  • Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 + 10MP, f/2.4 + 12MP, f/2.2, 30X Space Zoom, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, Android 14, One UI 6.1
  • CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: Global Bands 5G: 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28/38/40/41/66/75/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Dual SIM and eSIM (Max 2 SIMs or ESIMs Combined)
  • International Model – Global Connectivity – Plug & Play with an active SIM on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most U.S. carriers. New activations are only supported on T-Mobile, AT&T & Verizon in the U.S., as some carriers may not recognize International IMEI's as Compatible. (No U.S. manufacturer warranty; Seller Return policy applies.)

How to compare current listings fairly

  • Match country and exact model, since regional S24 hardware and storage availability can vary.
  • Compare the same storage capacity and unlocked or carrier-locked status.
  • Match condition—new, refurbished, or used—and check warranty and seller.
  • Separate the phone’s price from trade-in credits, plan requirements, and other conditional discounts.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 buyer guide is a changeable manufacturer page, not a guaranteed current offer. For either phone, verify supported bands and carrier compatibility against the exact model before purchase.

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Which phone should you choose?

Choose the Galaxy S24 if these specifications fit your priorities

  • You prefer Android or Samsung’s software features.
  • You want a display with a listed 1–120Hz refresh rate.
  • You value a dedicated 3x optical telephoto camera for distant subjects or tighter framing.

These are specification-based reasons to prefer the S24; they do not establish that it wins every camera comparison or performance test.

Rank #3
SAMSUNG Galaxy S23 5G, US Version, 128GB, Phantom Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • Galaxy S23 sports a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display with adaptive 48–120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness high enough for strong outdoor visibility — giving you vibrant, crisp visuals and smooth motion while staying compact.

Choose the iPhone 16 if these features matter more

  • You prefer iOS or already rely on Apple’s ecosystem.
  • You want Apple’s A18 platform and Camera Control.
  • MagSafe or Qi2 charging up to 25W is useful for your accessories and setup.

The two phones use different chips and operating systems. Manufacturer specifications alone do not provide a fair performance ranking, and the figures here do not establish a comparative real-world battery-life result. Check current software and support terms directly if longevity is central to your decision; the cited material does not establish a current head-to-head remaining-support duration.

Best Value
Samsung Galaxy S24 5G, 128GB + 8GB RAM, Onyx Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.2 Dynamic AMOLED 2X FHD+, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, 416ppi, 2600nits (Outdoor Peak), 1080x2340px, 4000mAh Battery
  • 128GB, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 750
  • Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 + 10MP, f/2.4 + 12MP, f/2.2, 30X Space Zoom, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, Android 14, One UI 6.1
  • 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/30/25/26/28/29/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/12/26/28/30/41/66/70/71/77/78/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM and eSIM
  • No Warranty. Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
Rank #4
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G, 256GB, Titanium Violet - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.

What to check before buying

  • Confirm the full model number, regional version, supported network bands, carrier lock, storage, condition, and warranty.
  • Check the exact seller’s final price and whether a discount depends on a trade-in or carrier plan.
  • Do not treat either phone’s IP68 rating as permanent protection or as a guarantee for liquids or conditions outside the manufacturers’ stated laboratory criteria.
  • For battery-life decisions, look for a matched test that uses a defined method on both phones; battery capacity alone does not settle endurance across platforms.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.