Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy A54
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 Plus commands a premium price that reflects its superior display technology and processing power. Its 2000-nit Super Retina XDR OLED screen with 60Hz refresh vastly outshines the Galaxy A54's 1000-nit 120Hz panel in brightness and color accuracy, while the A18 chip delivers significantly faster performance for demanding apps and gaming. Samsung's Galaxy A54 counters with better battery longevity (5000mAh vs 4674mAh), faster 25W charging, optical image stabilization on its 50MP main camera, and a more affordable price point. Camera capabilities favor the iPhone 16 Plus for overall quality and Dolby Vision video, though the A54's higher megapixel count and macro lens offer versatility. For users prioritizing flagship performance, ecosystem integration, and exceptional display quality, the iPhone 16 Plus justifies its $449 premium. Budget-conscious buyers seeking solid performance and longer battery life should consider the Galaxy A54.
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 A54 if…
- →IP67 dust and water resistance at mid-range price
- →Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- →Large 5000 mAh battery for multi-day use
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 A54
Pros
- IP67 dust and water resistance at mid-range price
- Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- Large 5000 mAh battery for multi-day use
- Four years of OS and five years of security updates
- OIS on the main camera improves low-light shots
Cons
- Exynos 1380 trails Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 rivals
- No telephoto camera, only a macro lens
- No wireless charging
- 25W charging is slow compared to Chinese competitors
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A54 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 202 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 5 MP macro |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 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 | 6.4 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 6 |
| 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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