Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
The Verdict
Apple iPhone 16 Plus commands a premium at $899 with its latest A18 chip, brighter 2000-nit Super Retina XDR display, and significantly faster processing performance. The 6.7-inch screen delivers superior color accuracy and contrast compared to the Galaxy S20 FE's 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel, though Samsung's 120Hz refresh rate feels smoother for scrolling. Camera comparison favors the iPhone 16 Plus: its 48MP main sensor with Dolby Vision 4K video at 60fps outclasses the S20 FE's 12MP sensor, despite Samsung's telephoto advantage. Battery capacity is nearly identical, but iPhone's 25W MagSafe wireless charging beats Samsung's 15W. The Galaxy S20 FE, released in 2020, runs outdated Android 10 and shows its age with an Adreno 650 GPU versus the newer A18's 5-core GPU. However, at $699, the S20 FE remains a budget alternative if you prioritize 120Hz refresh rate and telephoto reach. iPhone 16 Plus wins decisively on processor speed, display technology, camera quality, software currency (iOS 18), and overall longevity. Samsung's older architecture and outdated software make this an uneven matchup favoring Apple's current flagship.
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 S20 FE 5G if…
- →Flagship Snapdragon 865 at a reduced Fan Edition price
- →120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare at this price point
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 S20 FE 5G
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 865 at a reduced Fan Edition price
- 120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare at this price point
- IP68 water resistance and wireless charging
- MicroSD expansion for additional storage
Cons
- Plastic Glastic back instead of glass at flagship pricing
- 25W charging is slow compared to competitors
- Software updates have reached end of life
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- 32 MP front camera can oversharpen selfies
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 10 (One UI 2.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic (Glastic) back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 650 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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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.
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