Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+
The Verdict
The Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple iPhone 16 is the cheaper of the two at $799 versus $1,000, a difference of about $201. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPhone 16 stands out for a18 chip enables apple intelligence, while Samsung Galaxy S26+ is praised for larger 6.7-inch qhd+ display. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
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 S26+ if…
- →Larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display
- →45W fast charging
- →4900 mAh battery
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 S26+
Pros
- Larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display
- 45W fast charging
- 4900 mAh battery
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Cons
- Same 12MP ultrawide as base S26
- No S Pen support
- Incremental upgrade over S25+
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S26+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 16, One UI 8 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 170 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Armor Aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 157 x 75 x 7.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3561 mAh | 4900 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 1440 x 3120 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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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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