Galaxy S24+ vs iPhone 16 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in early 2024, and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus, launched in late 2024, are both large-screen smartphones designed for users seeking a premium experience. While both devices offer robust performance and advanced camera systems, they differ primarily in their operating systems and display technologies. The Galaxy S24 Plus runs on Android with Samsung's One UI, offering extensive customisation, whereas the iPhone 16 Plus operates on Apple's iOS, known for its streamlined user experience and ecosystem integration.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its software support and physical durability. Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 16 Plus are built to last, but their approaches to longevity and repairability present some differences.

• Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus offers an extended commitment of seven years of major OS and security updates, aiming to keep the device current until 2031. The iPhone 16 Plus typically receives iOS updates for approximately five to six years from its release, providing a substantial period of software relevance.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust builds with advanced glass protection and IP68 ratings for water and dust resistance. The iPhone 16 Plus incorporates Ceramic Shield on its front, while the Galaxy S24 Plus uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus has been noted for its relatively high repairability, with modular internal components and accessible battery removal, earning scores around 8.0 out of 10 in some assessments. The iPhone 16 Plus also shows significant improvements in repairability compared to its predecessors, achieving a 7 out of 10 score from iFixit, thanks to a more modular design and easier battery access, though it still uses proprietary screws and requires heat for some disassembly.

Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 16 Plus deliver high-level performance suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, though they achieve this through different hardware and software optimisations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor designed to handle intensive tasks, including advanced AI features and complex gaming, ensuring smooth operation. The iPhone 16 Plus features Apple's latest system-on-a-chip, which is optimised for generative artificial intelligence and provides responsive performance across applications and system navigation.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy S24 Plus offers ample capacity for running numerous applications simultaneously and switching between them without noticeable slowdowns. The iPhone 16 Plus, with 8GB of RAM, is also designed for efficient multitasking within the iOS environment, where software and hardware are tightly integrated to maximise performance.
• Battery Performance: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, which users report provides excellent endurance, often extending to two days of use on a single charge for many. The iPhone 16 Plus, with a 4674 mAh battery, is also praised for its very long battery life, with some tests showing over 21 hours of video streaming, making it a strong performer for extended usage.

The display is a central feature for both of these large-format smartphones, offering immersive viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, providing sharp visuals with a resolution of 3120x1440 pixels. The iPhone 16 Plus comes with a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering a resolution of 2796x1290 pixels, known for its deep blacks and vibrant colours.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts a peak brightness of 2600 nits and a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, which contributes to smooth scrolling and adaptive power efficiency. The iPhone 16 Plus offers a peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits but maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which some users might find less fluid compared to higher refresh rate displays.
• User Experience: The Galaxy S24 Plus's adaptive refresh rate enhances the fluidity of animations and interactions, while its high brightness ensures visibility in various lighting conditions. The iPhone 16 Plus's display, despite its 60Hz refresh rate, is still regarded for its clarity, colour accuracy, and HDR capabilities, providing an excellent viewing experience for media consumption.

Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the iPhone 16 Plus offer advanced camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, each with their own strengths and features.

• Rear Camera System: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 16 Plus is equipped with a dual-camera system, featuring a 48MP Fusion main camera that also enables 2x telephoto capabilities, and a 12MP ultrawide camera with autofocus.
• Photography Features: The Galaxy S24 Plus integrates AI-powered photo editing tools, allowing for creative adjustments and enhancements. The iPhone 16 Plus introduces a new Camera Control button for more tactile adjustments and supports spatial video capture, which can be viewed on compatible headsets. Both devices excel in daylight photography, producing detailed and colour-accurate images.
• Video Recording and Low Light: Both phones offer high-quality video recording, with the iPhone 16 Plus supporting 4K Dolby Vision video recording across various frame rates and the Galaxy S24 Plus offering 8K video recording. For low-light conditions, both devices utilise advanced processing to produce clear and detailed images, though the iPhone 16 Plus's main camera is noted for clean and sharp low-light photos.