Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 Plus commands a $450 premium over Samsung's Galaxy A54 5G, and that price difference reflects genuine capability gaps. The iPhone 16 Plus features a superior 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 2000 nits peak brightness and 60Hz refresh rate, paired with Apple's blazingly fast A18 chip that outpaces the Exynos 1380 by a significant margin. Camera performance favors Apple, especially for video with 4K@60fps Dolby Vision versus the Galaxy's 4K@30fps, though Samsung's 50 MP main sensor with OIS and 32 MP front camera are respectable. Battery capacity slightly favors Samsung at 5000 mAh versus 4674 mAh, but the iPhone's efficiency means real-world endurance is comparable. The Galaxy A54 5G does offer a 120Hz display versus the iPhone's 60Hz, which some users will prefer for scrolling smoothness. For performance-intensive tasks, gaming, and long-term software support, the iPhone 16 Plus is objectively superior. Samsung's phone represents solid mid-range value with adequate performance for everyday use, larger battery, and 120Hz refresh. Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you prioritize top-tier performance and camera capabilities; pick the Galaxy A54 5G if budget constraints matter and you need 120Hz refresh rate with acceptable performance.
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 5G if…
- →Excellent 5000 mAh battery life
- →Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- →120Hz Super AMOLED display
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 5G
Pros
- Excellent 5000 mAh battery life
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- IP67 water resistance at mid-range
- Good 50 MP main camera with OIS
Cons
- Exynos 1380 is modest for gaming
- Slow 25W charging with no wireless
- Plastic frame feels less premium
- 5 MP macro camera is low quality
- No telephoto lens
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy A54 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 202 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 158.3 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 |
| Macro | — | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| 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 | No |
| 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 | Samsung 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 |
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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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G.

