Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 delivers superior display technology with its 2000-nit Super Retina XDR OLED panel versus the Galaxy S20 FE's 800-nit Super AMOLED screen, making it noticeably brighter and more vibrant for everyday use. The A18 chipset outperforms the Snapdragon 865 in raw speed and efficiency, handling demanding tasks and gaming with ease. However, the Galaxy S20 FE counters with a larger 6.5-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate (versus iPhone's 60Hz), and a more capable 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom for photography enthusiasts. Battery capacity favors Samsung significantly at 4500 mAh compared to 3561 mAh, though the iPhone's optimization typically yields comparable real-world endurance. The S20 FE runs outdated Android 10 software, a major drawback given the iPhone 16 ships with current iOS 18. At $100 cheaper, the Galaxy S20 FE appeals to budget-conscious buyers wanting a larger screen and higher refresh rate, but the iPhone 16's current software support, superior processor, and display quality justify the premium. iPhone 16 wins for longevity and daily performance, while S20 FE suits those prioritizing screen size and initial savings.
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 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
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 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 | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 10 (One UI 2.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 170 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic (Glastic) back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 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 | 3561 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 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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