Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy A35
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 Plus commands a significant price premium ($899 vs $399.99) and justifies it through superior processing power with the A18 chip, exceptional display quality featuring 2000-nit peak brightness on a 60Hz OLED panel, and professional-grade camera capabilities including Dolby Vision 4K recording. Samsung's Galaxy A35 offers compelling mid-range value with a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, larger 5000mAh battery, and practical 50MP main camera with OIS. However, the A35 struggles with processing performance via the Exynos 1380, lower video quality (4K@30fps), and reduced display brightness (1000 nits). iOS 18 ecosystem integration and MagSafe wireless charging further differentiate the Plus. For flagship performance, camera excellence, and longevity, the iPhone 16 Plus is the superior choice despite the price gap. Budget-conscious buyers seeking everyday performance should consider the Galaxy A35, though it sacrifices performance ceiling and video capabilities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A35 if…
- →Solid build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides
- →Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- →Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Samsung Galaxy A35
Pros
- Solid build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides
- Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery
- IP67 water and dust resistance
- Four years of OS upgrades promised
Cons
- Only 6 GB RAM in base configuration
- Wi-Fi 5 is dated for 2024
- Exynos 1380 trails Snapdragon 7 chips
- Slow 25W charging with no in-box charger
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A35 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 5 MP macro |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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