At the end of the day, though, which company makes a better device, Apple or Samsung? This comparison will break it down as objectively as possible.
As of September 2024, Apple has recently released the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Plus. Samsung’s current leading models are the S24 and S24 Ultra. Samsung has numerous other phone models available, but the S24 and S24 Ultra are the most comparable to the iPhone 16 lineup. So, this comparison will focus on the S24 and iPhone 16 device families.
Build Quality: Tie
When it comes to the iPhone 16, you’ll notice some exciting changes in material and design. Apple upgraded to the latest-generation Ceramic Shield front, two times stronger than any smartphone glass. It’s also designed to be durable with IP68 water and dust resistance, so you don’t have to worry about everyday bumps or accidental splashes. This size and weight are perfect for daily use, staying comfortable in your hand while still offering that premium Apple feel.
On the other hand, the Samsung S24 offers some impressive design updates. Its reinforced aluminum frame is paired with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making it tough without compromising on aesthetics. Its thinner bezels and slightly larger screen offer an immersive experience, whether watching videos or scrolling through social media. The lighter build and sleek design make it easy to handle, and it feels as premium as expected.
Affordability: Samsung
The latest smartphone from any company is not usually the cheapest way to get a smartphone. However, in terms of the price of a new phone in 2024, there is a close tie between the iPhone and Samsung. Samsung has a slight edge in this category since the S24 starts at $699 while Apple’s iPhone 16 starts at $799.
The iPhone 16’s storage configurations begin at 128GB. It also has options to go up to 512GB for those who need more space for apps, media and files. While the price might seem steep, Apple justifies the cost with its powerful A18 Bionic chip and cutting-edge camera features.
In comparison, Samsung offers multiple versions, such as the S24+ and S24 Ultra. Their prices climb as you opt for higher-end features like improved camera setups and larger storage options. The S24 offers more flexibility in terms of price and storage expandability, thanks to microSD support.
A lot of people are still happily using the iPhone 5 or 6, both of which are over a decade old at this point. Still, if you’re looking for more features at a lower price, the S24 offers better value, but the iPhone 16 delivers on a premium experience that could justify its higher price tag for Apple loyalists.
Ecosystem: iPhone
The phone ecosystem is the wider collection of devices and apps that a phone is designed to interact seamlessly with. When it comes to iPhone vs Samsung, there’s no competition. iPhone has the better ecosystem in 2024.
Of course, Samsung is trying to build its own ecosystem and some users may simply prefer the Android operating system over iOS. So, this category depends on user preference to a certain extent.
However, iPhones have more devices that they are made to easily connect to and work with. The iPhone ecosystem includes the iPad lineup, the Apple Watch, the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air, the Mac and Mac Mini, Beats headphones, AirPods, Apple TV, the HomePod and HomePod Mini, and the Apple Vision Pro headset. iPhones are designed to integrate effortlessly with all of these devices.
The iPhone ecosystem also consists of apps only available on Apple products, such as FaceTime, Notes, Apple TV and more. You can find alternatives for all these apps for your Samsung phone, but they may not work exactly the same or be as well-integrated.
In addition to apps and devices, security is also part of a smartphone’s ecosystem. Apple wins in this category, as well. Since Apple is the only company that creates and controls all the devices in the iPhone ecosystem, they’re designed to operate very securely with one another.
Samsung is part of the Android ecosystem, which is developed by a plethora of companies like Google, Xiaomi, Huawei, Vivo, and countless others in addition to Samsung. Apple is also stricter about what apps are allowed on its App Store, so it is more difficult for malicious apps to be available on the iPhone.
Customization: Samsung
Customization is one area where Samsung has long had an edge over Apple. The iPhone is designed to be simple to use, but this means that Apple doesn’t offer many customization features on its phones. In contrast, Samsung’s phones are loaded with room for customization and creativity.
On Samsung phones, you can change your phone’s theme, color theme, icon designs, keyboard appearance, and even the font. You can do some of those things on an iPhone, but not all of them.
To be fair to Apple, iOS 18 made large strides in customization. Users with older iPhones will still need to use widgets or shortcuts to customize their home screens; but with the newest operating system, users have more color customization options. These include color theme options for app icons, more control over lockscreen color settings, and even a long-awaited dark mode. Similarly, apps can now be placed anywhere on the home screen and can be resized.
However, while Apple has made a lot of progress, Samsung users have been able to do all of these things — and more — for years now. Apple is closing the gap, but Samsung is still ahead in personalization.
Camera Quality: Samsung
The smartphone camera competition between iPhone vs Samsung is one of the toughest comparisons to make. Both phone lineups have incredibly good cameras today. Ultimately, it’s a tie. Which camera is better for you depends on what exactly you want to use your camera for.
The iPhone 16 continues to impress with its camera capabilities, featuring a 48-megapixel main sensor and improved ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. While it doesn’t support 8K video recording, it offers 4K at 60fps, which is more than enough for most content creators.
The phone also includes AI-based photo enhancements, making your shots look stunning with better low-light performance, sharper details and automatic settings adjustments. If you value precision and an intuitive editing workflow across Apple devices, the iPhone 16 has you covered.
A camera comparison for the iPhone 16 vs. the Galaxy S24. Source: Alpha Tech
Meanwhile, the Samsung S24 offers a robust triple-lens camera system — including a 50-megapixel wide, 10-megapixel telephoto and 12-megapixel ultra-wide lenses — making it versatile for different shooting situations. It also allows 8K video recording at 30fps, a step up for creators who need higher-resolution footage. If you’re a photography enthusiast who values flexibility and unique camera features, the S24 helps you get creative with your shots.
Whether you’re into photography and videography, Samsung’s camera system offers more flexibility and innovation, especially for those who love experimenting with unique features and higher-resolution video.
Battery and Performance: Tie
Battery is a key category when comparing any two phones. It can be a hassle your phone needs to be charged repeatedly throughout the day. Luckily, both Apple and Samsung phones have great battery life. Most users will be happy with either one.
The iPhone 16 comes with Apple’s latest A18 Bionic chip, giving you incredible speed and efficiency. Paired with 8GB of RAM, it makes multitasking, gaming and running demanding apps effortless. It offers top-tier performance while still being energy-efficient, meaning you can tackle heavy tasks without draining your battery quickly.
The Samsung S24 offers two powerful chipset options — the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Samsung’s own Exynos, depending on where you are. With up to 12GB of RAM, this phone can handle everything from intense gaming sessions to running multiple apps simultaneously. The S24’s GPU is optimized for graphics-heavy tasks, delivering smooth gameplay and fast app performance, making it a great choice for mobile gamers.
How long a smartphone’s battery lasts depends heavily on how you use it. Some people may get hours more out of the S24 while others get better performance from the iPhone 16. Both phones offer impressive speed. However, if you need a device that excels in raw power and multitasking, the Samsung S24 stands out, while the iPhone 16 shines in overall efficiency and battery management.
What’s In the Box: Tie
This iPhone boasts some long-awaited colors. You can choose from ultramarine, teal, pink and black. The Pro Max model is made with titanium, so it has darker shades of tan, silver, white and black. Appearance-wise, the only noticeable difference with this lineup is the camera — the buttons are all the same.
So, what’s in the box of the iPhone 16 lineup? Along with your phone of choice, you get a USB-C to type-C cable and a sticker of the Apple logo. You don’t get headphones or adapters. Unfortunately, Apple follows the trend it set a while ago and doesn’t include a charging block.
The Galaxy S24 is available in earth tones like yellow, navy, gray and black. It also offers online-exclusive colors, such as green, blue and orange. Both models follow their predecessors in terms of design and appearance.
iPhone vs Samsung: Who’s the Winner?
iPhone vs Samsung: who’s the winner in 2024? If you can only choose one of these phones, you’re probably better off with Samsung. While iPhones have a better ecosystem and resale value, Samsung has a slight edge when it comes to video quality, customization, build and affordability. Most users will be happy with either brand of phone, though.
Original Publish Date: 9/30/2022 — Updated 9/19/2024
Recent Stories
Follow Us On
Get the latest tech stories and news in seconds!
Sign up for our newsletter below to receive updates about technology trends
