Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 16e

Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$622.00

Versus A$1,841.10 new

See options
iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$838.00

Versus A$999.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24, released in early 2024, and the Apple iPhone 16E, a hypothetical model from late 2025 or early 2026, represent distinct approaches to modern smartphone design and functionality. While both devices offer advanced mobile experiences, they differ significantly in their operating systems, core hardware philosophies, and ecosystem integration. The Galaxy S24 operates on Android, offering extensive customization, while the iPhone 16E runs on Apple's iOS, known for its streamlined user experience and tight hardware-software integration.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, both the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16E offer substantial software support, though their approaches differ.

  • Software Updates: The Galaxy S24 is notable for its commitment to seven years of major operating system and security updates, extending its functional lifespan well into the future. The iPhone 16E, following Apple's typical support cycle, is expected to receive major iOS updates for six to eight years, ensuring a long period of new features and security enhancements.
  • Build Durability: The Galaxy S24 features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, providing robust protection against daily wear and tear. It also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 16E is anticipated to feature Apple's Ceramic Shield front cover and a durable glass back, along with an IP68 rating, offering comparable resilience.
  • Repairability: Both devices are designed with modern smartphone construction, which can make user-level repairs challenging. However, official service networks and the availability of quality-assured refurbished options can extend the practical lifespan of either device.

Release year

2024

2025

Operating system

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with both devices delivering robust capabilities for everyday use and demanding applications.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 is powered by either a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or an Exynos 2400 processor, depending on the region, enabling smooth multitasking, rapid app launches, and capable handling of graphics-intensive games. The iPhone 16E is expected to feature a highly capable A-series chip, likely the A18, which is designed to efficiently manage complex tasks and support advanced on-device artificial intelligence features.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of the Galaxy S24 generally report a snappy and fluid experience, with applications loading quickly and transitions feeling seamless. The iPhone 16E, with its optimized hardware and software integration, is also expected to offer exceptional responsiveness, ensuring a consistently smooth user interface.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 houses a 4000 mAh battery, which users report typically lasts a full day with moderate usage. It supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. The iPhone 16E is rumored to have a slightly larger battery capacity than its predecessor, with expectations of efficient power management and support for faster wired and MagSafe wireless charging.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is designed to be immersive, though they employ different display technologies and characteristics.

  • Display Technology: The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The iPhone 16E is anticipated to utilize an OLED panel, offering similar benefits in color reproduction and contrast, potentially incorporating micro-lens technology for improved brightness and power efficiency.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S24 offers an FHD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, providing sharp and detailed visuals for media consumption and text. The iPhone 16E is expected to deliver a high-resolution display that ensures crisp images and clear text, consistent with Apple's focus on visual fidelity.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: With a peak brightness of 2600 nits, the Galaxy S24's display is highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. It also features an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and efficient power use. The iPhone 16E is likely to offer strong peak brightness and a standard refresh rate, possibly 60Hz or 90Hz, providing a fluid visual experience for most users.

Resolution

1080x2340

2532x1170

Audiovisual

Both devices offer advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. It supports 8K video recording. The iPhone 16E is expected to feature a dual-camera system, potentially with a vertically aligned setup for enhanced spatial video capabilities, and an upgraded ultrawide lens with autofocus.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S24 delivers detailed images with good exposure and dynamic range, though some users note colors can be slightly oversaturated by default, and the ultrawide lacks autofocus. The iPhone 16E is anticipated to provide excellent image quality with natural color reproduction and strong low-light performance, building on Apple's reputation for computational photography.
  • Video Recording and Audio: The Galaxy S24 offers robust video capabilities, including 8K recording, and generally good microphone quality for calls. Its stereo speakers provide a capable audio experience. The iPhone 16E is expected to excel in video recording, with features like improved stabilization and high-quality audio capture, alongside clear stereo speaker output for media consumption.

Front camera

12 megapixels

TrueDepth 12MP

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S24 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6e/7, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC, offering comprehensive wireless connectivity. It features a USB Type-C 3.2 port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 16E is also expected to support 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC, with a USB-C port for universal connectivity.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S24 incorporates an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. The iPhone 16E is expected to continue with Face ID for secure facial recognition, a feature known for its reliability.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 has dimensions of 70.6 x 147 x 7.6 mm and weighs 168g, offering a compact and manageable form factor. It features an Armor Aluminum frame. The iPhone 16E is likely to maintain a modern iPhone design, potentially incorporating an Action Button and a new Capture Button for enhanced camera control.

Weight

167 oz

167 oz

Screen size (in)

6.2

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Choosing between the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16E involves weighing preferences for operating system, specific features, and ecosystem. Users frequently praise the Galaxy S24 for its vibrant display, versatile camera system, and Samsung's extended software support. Some users have noted that the battery life, while generally good, can vary with usage and processor variant, and some regions receive the Exynos chip which has drawn mixed opinions.

The iPhone 16E, while hypothetical, is expected to build on Apple's strengths, offering a highly optimized user experience, strong performance, and long-term software support. Potential criticisms might revolve around Apple's more closed ecosystem compared to Android's flexibility. Consensus opinions for Apple's mid-range devices often highlight their consistent performance and robust security.

Users prioritizing extensive customization, a versatile camera with a telephoto lens, and a long software support commitment within the Android ecosystem may find the Galaxy S24 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value a streamlined interface, strong ecosystem integration, and consistent performance with a focus on privacy and long-term software updates might lean towards the iPhone 16E. Both devices, whether new or as quality-assured refurbished options, offer compelling choices for different user profiles, enabling informed and sustainable purchasing decisions.

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