iPhone 16 vs. Samsung S24 FE (What’s Better to Buy?)

Design and Build Quality

Choosing between the iPhone 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE might be difficult because both have distinct design, performance and features advantages. To help you select a device, this slideshow breaks down crucial features.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has a streamlined, premium design with a solid aluminum frame and curved edges, similar to the flagship S24. 

The iPhone 16 is redesigned but retains the iconic iPhone 12 style with a vertically aligned camera system. Both models have an IP68 water and dust resistance designation, while the S24 FE is slightly heavier.

Display quality

The Galaxy S24 FE features a brilliant 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1900 nits, making it an excellent choice for smooth scrolling and HDR video. 

The iPhone 16 features a smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, which provides slightly lower brightness levels but superb color accuracy for video makers.

Camera Setup

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has a triple-camera system: a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. 

The iPhone 16 boasts a dual-camera configuration with a 48MP primary lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens, ensuring accurate color reproduction and quality. Both phones have a 12MP front camera for taking high-quality selfies.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S24 FE has a 4700mAh battery, allowing extended usage durations. The iPhone 16 has a smaller 3561mAh battery, but it is tuned for iOS power efficiency, allowing it to survive all day with moderate use. 

The Galaxy S24 FE has 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, slightly outperforming the iPhone 16’s 20W and 15W MagSafe speeds.

Performance and Processor

The iPhone 16 is powered by Apple’s A18 chip, which is less powerful than the Pro version but still geared for multitasking and gaming. 

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE runs on the Exynos 2400e, a toned-down version of the flagship S24 chip. Benchmarks reveal that the A18 surpasses the Exynos 2400e in raw processing, but the S24 FE is better in graphic performance, particularly ray tracing in games.

Software Ecosystem

The iPhone 16 ships with iOS 18, which provides seamless connectivity with Apple’s ecosystem, unique apps, and software stability. 

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE comes preloaded with Android 14 and One UI 6.1, which is praised for its customization, user-friendly design, and interaction with Google services. Both systems have advantages, with iOS focusing on security and consistency and One UI on flexibility.

AI-Powered Features

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is AI-enhanced with features such as Circle to Search, Note Assist, and AI Transcripts, which improve productivity and interaction. 

Apple is anticipated to include AI elements in future iOS releases. Still, the iPhone 16 lacks Samsung’s vast AI toolkit, making the S24 FE an intriguing option for AI-powered activities and creative capabilities.

Pricing and Value

The Galaxy S24 FE is less expensive, starting at $649, while the iPhone 16 costs $799. Both have 128GB of storage. 

This price difference can be considerable for budget-conscious buyers, mainly because the Galaxy S24 FE has competitive features that rival pricier smartphones.

Operating System Longevity

Apple’s iPhones typically receive software updates every 5 years, ensuring that the iPhone 16 will last with ongoing iOS upgrades. 

On the other hand, Samsung promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security fixes for the Galaxy S24 FE, which still provides extensive support, making both options suitable for extended usage.

Durability and Protection

Ceramic Shield protects the iPhone 16, making it more resistant to scratches and knocks, enhancing its durability for regular usage. The Galaxy S24 FE, with Gorilla Glass Victus+, is built to withstand drops and scratches. 

Both are quite robust, but the iPhone 16’s Ceramic Shield adds an extra layer of impact protection, which is especially important for customers who have occasional drops.

Display Resolution and Brightness

The iPhone 16’s display has a better resolution at 1179 x 2556 pixels than the Galaxy S24 FE’s 1080 x 2340. 

Both provide vivid pictures, while the Galaxy’s higher brightness is useful in direct sunlight, while the iPhone’s pixel density produces a clearer image.

Photography Features and Night Mode

The triple-lens configuration of the Galaxy S24 FE features ProVisual Engine, which allows for AI-enhanced images, including superior low-light performance. 

The iPhone 16’s night mode uses Deep Fusion and Photonic Engine technologies to maintain detail and color fidelity. While both excel at photography, Samsung offers greater variety with its telephoto capabilities.

Wireless and Reverse Charging

The Galaxy S24 FE supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, allowing users to power compatible items directly, such as headphones. The iPhone 16 supports normal wireless and MagSafe charging but not reverse charging. 

This functionality makes the Galaxy S24 FE adaptable for customers who need to share power while on the go, giving it a functional advantage over frequent travelers or multi-device users.

Network and Connectivity

The Galaxy S24 FE and iPhone 16 both support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, resulting in fast connections even in congested locations. 

The S24 FE has dual SIM compatibility, perfect for consumers who require two phone lines, while the iPhone 16 supports nano-SIM and eSIM configurations for worldwide versatility. Both phones provide consistent connectivity, ideal for high-speed browsing and app performance.

Color and Finish Options

The Galaxy S24 FE is available in various colors, including Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, and a future Yellow, providing stylistic options. The iPhone 16 comes in different colors, including black, white, pink, teal, and ultramarine. Samsung offers trendy color options, while Apple’s polished hues appeal to a more conventional look.

If you want to ensure that your listening experience matches your style, then check out the guide on “Mastering Bluetooth Headphone Volume on iPhone” to optimize your audio preferences.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is better suited to people looking for high display refresh rates, improved gaming graphics, and a longer battery life at a competitive price. 

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 excels at long-term software support, performance stability, and secure ecosystem integration, making it ideal for iOS fans and those who value consistent software upgrades.

If you want to learn more about your iPhone’s capabilities and ensure you’re getting the most out of it, check out “The Truth Behind Emergency Override Charging on Your iPhone.”