Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
The Verdict
iPhone 16 Plus delivers premium flagship performance in a traditional form factor with exceptional brightness (2000 nits), efficient A18 processing, and reliable 60Hz OLED display at a significantly lower price point. Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers transformative foldable technology with dual 120Hz displays, superior raw specs (12GB RAM, telephoto lens with OIS), and productivity advantages, but weighs 253g and commands a $900 premium. Camera systems differ philosophically: iPhone 16 Plus excels at computational photography with Dolby Vision video, while Z Fold 5 provides versatile telephoto reach. Battery capacity favors iPhone (4674mAh vs 4400mAh). For most users prioritizing value and everyday performance, iPhone 16 Plus is the stronger choice; Z Fold 5 justifies its cost only for those who genuinely need foldable multitasking. Recommend iPhone 16 Plus unless you specifically require dual-screen productivity.
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 Z Fold 5 if…
- →Slimmer hinge with zero-gap fold eliminates the gap seen on Fold 4
- →Large 7.6-inch inner display for multitasking and productivity
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
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 Z Fold 5
Pros
- Slimmer hinge with zero-gap fold eliminates the gap seen on Fold 4
- Large 7.6-inch inner display for multitasking and productivity
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
- IPX8 water resistance
- Four years of OS and five years of security updates
Cons
- Very expensive starting at $1799
- Heavy at 253 g
- Visible crease on inner display
- Slow 25W charging for a premium device
- Under-display camera is noticeably lower quality
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13, One UI 5.1.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 253 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IPX8 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mm unfolded |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP cover, 4 MP under-display |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 4400 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 7.6 inches inner, 6.2 inches cover |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2176 x 1812 inner, 2316 x 904 cover |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 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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