Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy A05s
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 and Samsung's Galaxy A05s serve fundamentally different market segments. iPhone 16 delivers premium performance with Apple's A18 chipset, Super Retina XDR OLED display at 2000 nits brightness, and professional-grade camera capabilities including 4K Dolby Vision video. Its 3561 mAh battery supports 25W MagSafe and benefits from iOS 18's optimization. Galaxy A05s compensates with a larger 6.7-inch screen and bigger 5000 mAh battery, though its PLS LCD panel maxes out at 400 nits and Snapdragon 680 processor handles only basic tasks. Camera quality favors iPhone 16 substantially, delivering sharper 48 MP main sensor output versus A05s's 50 MP resolution-only advantage. Build quality differs markedly: aluminum frame versus plastic construction. At $799 versus $159, iPhone 16 justifies premium positioning through superior display technology, processing power, and longevity. Galaxy A05s appeals only to budget-conscious buyers prioritizing battery life and screen size over performance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 if…
- →A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
- →Compact and lightweight design
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if…
- →Extremely affordable at $159 for a Samsung smartphone
- →Large 5000 mAh battery provides two-day endurance
- →Big 6.7-inch display for media consumption
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16
Pros
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Compact and lightweight design
- Improved 48 MP main camera
- Strong battery life for its size
Cons
- Still 60Hz display in 2024
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto lens
- No always-on display
Samsung Galaxy A05s
Pros
- Extremely affordable at $159 for a Samsung smartphone
- Large 5000 mAh battery provides two-day endurance
- Big 6.7-inch display for media consumption
- 50 MP main camera takes acceptable daylight photos
- 25W charging is decent for the budget segment
Cons
- HD+ resolution is noticeably pixelated on the 6.7-inch screen
- No 5G — 4G LTE only
- Snapdragon 680 is slow for multitasking
- No NFC — no contactless payments
- Plastic build feels fragile and cheap
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy A05s |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 (One UI Core 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 170 g | 194 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 167.0 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB / 6 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3561 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | PLS LCD |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 1600 x 720 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 400 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x1.9 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 610 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.1 |
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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