Intro
In fact, the iPhone 16 continues to be a fantastic, well-rounded cellphone. It is spectacular that you may now run a console-level recreation on the usual mannequin. However for $150 much less, you get a lot of that high-tier expertise, or much more in some circumstances, when you go for the S24 FE.
Apple’s thorny hedges of its ecosystem backyard are extra vital than ever now, with such aggressively priced competitors.
| Galaxy S24 FE | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| Begins at $649 | Begins at $799 |
| A lot bigger show (6.7″) with a smoother 120Hz refresh price | Show is way smaller (6.1″), however has thinner and uniform bezels |
| Bigger and heavier physique | Extra compact and simple to make use of with one hand |
| Very highly effective chipset that matches the processing energy of the iPhone | Has comparable processing energy, however is considerably higher at 3D graphics |
| Has a devoted telephoto digicam with 2x zoom | Solely has 2x senzor crop; no telephoto digicam |
| Higher picture high quality from primary and telephoto cameras | No telephoto digicam, higher picture high quality from ultra-wide and selfie cameras |
| 6 hours and 20 minutes of estimated battery life | 6 hours and 20 minutes of estimated battery life regardless of the smaller battery |
| Outfitted with AI options | Just some AI options can be found for now |
Desk of Contents:
Design and Show High quality
S24 FE is bigger and has a a lot better show
The 2 share some resemblance, however will be clearly differentiated by way of their digicam modules and measurement. (Picture by PhoneArena)
We predict this design makes telephones simpler to carry, and so long as the perimeters will not be sharp, extra comfy too. In fact, that’s when you do not put a case on.
Measurement-wise, the S24 FE is larger than its already massive predecessor, measuring at 6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 inches, which is sort of a bit greater than the iPhone 16‘s 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches. Just like the iPhone, it comes with a glass again and an aluminum body, though the glass again panel is shiny as a substitute of the matte end of the iPhone’s.
The FE can be a lot heavier at 7.51 oz vs 6.00 oz, and also you positively discover the distinction.
(Picture by PhoneArena)
Each telephones have an IP68 mud and water resistance ranking, so you do not have to fret about water getting if it rains otherwise you drop one in a shallow physique of water.
Biometrics work very effectively on each telephones, so unlocking them or doing any funds is fast and simple.
The Galaxy S24 FE comes the next hues:
- Blue
- Graphite
- Grey
- Mint
- Yellow
- Black
- White
- Pink
- Teal
- Ultramarine
Oh Apple… please do higher. (Picture by PhoneArena)
We already established that the S24 FE is in a totally totally different weight class than the iPhone 16, which normally means a bigger show too. On this case, we’re a 6.7-inch vs a 6.1-inch show in favor of the FE, which makes it extra immersive and nice for watching video content material.
The S24 FE’s show can be a lot smoother when swiping and scrolling due to its 120Hz refresh price— a characteristic that the majority telephones, even funds ones have. In the event you already personal a cellphone that helps this, it will be jarring to get the iPhone 16 till you get used to its a lot slower 60Hz show.
The iPhone ought to have a barely brighter show, however as you will notice from the outcomes we obtained throughout our show lab checks, that is not the case, no less than from what we measured.
A the top of the day, the one saving grace of the iPhone 16‘s show is that it has thinner, uniform bezels that make it look a bit extra fairly. That, and it is larger sturdiness due to the Ceramic Defend glass that tends to be a bit much less liable to scratches than the Gorilla Glass Victus on the S24 FE.
Our show lab checks confirmed us that, in truth, the S24 FE’s show is ever so barely brighter than that of the iPhone 16. However additionally they confirmed us that the iPhone 16 has a extra colour correct show, which is vital when you intend to work with any visible content material. Colour accuracy can differ from unit to unit although, so simply because our S24 FE and iPhone 16 are like this doesn’t suggest others will probably be.
Efficiency and Software program
Absolute powerhouses, however the iPhone continues to be lacking promised options
You get a greater power-to-performance ratio with the FE, however AAA gaming on the iPhone. (Picture by PhoneArena)
The Exynso 2400e is spectacular, however so is the A18 Bionic contained in the iPhone 16. Apple jumped to TSMC’s 2nd-gen course of know-how, which gives higher energy effectivity on prime of elevated degree of efficiency. This chip is the explanation the usual iPhone now helps super-demanding AAA video games, identical to the Professional fashions have since final yr.
For on a regular basis utilization there would not appear to be any distinction when working both of the telephones, as each are completely succesful at dealing with a median client’s every day duties. It is just in these extraordinarily area of interest circumstances the place you’ll discover the prevalence of the A18 chipset.
Each telephones include 8GB of RAM, which can be what permits them to hold out AI duties, though lots of these are nonetheless not accessible on the iPhone 16, whereas all AI options are at your fingertips the second you arrange your new Galaxy S24 FE. Is not {that a} poor search for Apple…
In terms of software program updates, for the reason that new Fan Version cellphone from Samsung now comes with 7 years of assist, which matches what Apple tends to supply with its flagships.
The benchmark outcomes from our efficiency checks confirmed us that the S24’s Exynos 2400e chipset can ship the identical energy as Apple’s A18 Bionic on the subject of 3D graphics. For processor-intensive duties, nonetheless, the iPhone is considerably forward, particularly on the subject of single-core duties.
Digicam
Shocking leads to profit to the Fan Version
The Galaxy S24 FE not solely has a 3rd (telephoto) digicam, however a better-performing primary digicam too. (Picture by PhoneArena)
The Galaxy S24 FE comes with the identical 50MP primary digicam that the flagship Galaxy S24 sequence makes use of, even the processing behind the scenes is similar. So after we are evaluating it to the 48MP digicam on the iPhone 16 we’re virtually evaluating two flagship cameras.
Then you may have the 12MP ultra-wide cameras on each telephones, which produce comparable picture high quality since they share the identical decision and aperture of f/2.2.
However the Galaxy S24 FE has another digicam in its arsenal, and that’s the 8MP 3x telephoto, which ought to present a greater picture in comparison with the digital zoom of the iPhone 16. The iPhone is able to a 2x sensor crop, which capabilities as a 2x telephoto digicam, however even with that it merely cannot beat devoted optics.
When it comes to video recording, the S24 FE truly has a greater portfolio whenever you have a look at its specs. It’s able to taking pictures at 8K 30fps, 4K at as much as 120fps, and even at 720p and 960fps for tremendous sluggish movement. The iPhone 16 is a little more tame on this space, maxing out at 4K 60FPS for normal recording, however with larger decision sluggish movement (though not as quick) at 1080p and 240fps.
Lastly, you may have a 10MP selfie digicam on the S24 FE in comparison with a 12MP one on the iPhone 16. The distinction in decision must be relatively insignificant. What makes extra of an impression on how pleasing the pictures look is the colour accuracy, particularly on the subject of pores and skin tones. The iPhone tends to create softer pictures with lifted shadows, whereas the Galaxy provides a bit extra distinction and post-process sharpening.
Surprisingly, the extra cheap S24 FE scored one level larger in our digicam scoring system. This result’s principally due to the S24 FE’s primary digicam, which managed to attain 2 factors larger than the iPhone 16‘s for pictures, and what’s extra stunning — 3 factors larger for video! Normally it’s the iPhone that reveals superiority in video, however Samsung has actually stepped up its recreation within the final couple of years.
Foremost Digicam
The iPhone’s primary digicam captured a barely extra detailed picture, possible resulting from its default 24MP decision in comparison with the S24 FE’s 12MP. Moreover, the iPhone’s colours have been extra correct, whereas the FE’s picture exhibited extreme saturation and an unnatural inexperienced forged.
Zoom High quality
Extremely-wide Digicam
As soon as once more, the iPhone represents extra sensible colours, however on this case the S24 FE’s HDR has carried out higher and there’s extra element within the shadows of the foliage.
Selfies
The selfie digicam on the iPhone comes out with barely extra high-resolution pictures, however the distinction in high quality between the 2 telephones shouldn’t be that nice. We like each on the subject of selfies.
Extra Digicam Samples
Video High quality
The Galaxy S24 FE shoots very good video, particularly for a cellphone of its value level. Whereas we do choose the video of the iPhone after we are within the shadows of the bushes, the state of affairs flips as soon as we obtained out into the daylight, the place the FE arguably does a greater job at making our colleague’s face seen.
The identical distinction in distinction and colour saturation we noticed when taking pictures can be seen throughout video recording.
Battery Life and Charging
An analogous expertise between the 2
You may anticipate comparable battery life on each telephones. (Picture by PhoneArena)
Now we have a large distinction in battery capability when evaluating these two telephones. Apple’s iPhones are already identified for his or her smaller batteries in comparison with the competitors, and the iPhone 16 but once more an instance of this with its 3,561 mAh battery. As compared, the S24 FE comes with a a lot bigger 4,700 mAh battery.
However regardless of their small batteries, iPhones nonetheless handle to have among the finest battery life. You will note from our battery life checks beneath that the iPhone has managed to do exactly in addition to the S24 FE on this section.
Charging-wise, the S24 FE comes with 25W speeds by way of cable, whereas the iPhone 16 maxes out at 20W. For wi-fi charging the tables are flipped, with the iPhone maxing out at 25W by way of MagSafe and the FE at 15W.
Reverse-charging is obtainable with each telephones, however the iPhone can cost different gadgets solely by way of cable, whereas the S24 FE can do it wirelessly.
PhoneArena Battery and Charging Take a look at Outcomes:
As you possibly can see, the iPhone 16 gave very comparable outcomes to the Galaxy S24 FE throughout our battery life checks, regardless of the considerably smaller battery capability. What’s stunning is that even with the massive battery, the S24 FE took much less time to go from 1-100% cost, however the iPhone charged extra of its battery as much as the 30-minute mark.
Specs Comparability
Even with out trying on the telephones, you possibly can inform simply how totally different they’re visually. The S24 FE is within the “massive telephones” class by all accounts, and that additionally means it comes with a way more immersive show. The iPhone 16, however, is smaller with a much less spectacular show (together with the refresh price), however it serves as a extra compact choice.
Similar to with earlier generations, the FE comes with a telephoto digicam whereas the usual iPhone doesn’t. One other clear distinction is that you may go as much as 512GB of storage on the iPhone however probably the most you get on the Galaxy S24 FE is 256GB.
| Galaxy S24 FE | iPhone 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement, weight | 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm, 213 g | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, 170 g |
| Display screen | 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz 1080 x 2340 pixels 1900 nits peak brightness |
6.1″ Tremendous Retina XDR OLED 60Hz 1179 x 2556 pixels 2,000 nits peak brightness |
| Exynos 2400e 4 nm |
Apple A18 3 nm |
|
| RAM, Storage | 8/128GB 8/256GB |
8/128GB 8/256GB 8/512GB |
| Cameras | 50MP primary 12MP extremely 8MP 3X telephoto 10MP entrance |
48MP primary 12MP extremely – 12MP entrance |
| Battery | 4,700 mAh | 3,561 mAh |
| Charging | USB-C 25W wired 15W Qi2 wi-fi Reverse-wireless charging assist |
USB-C 20W wired 25W MagSafe wi-fi 4.5W reverse wired |
Different, much less noticeable variations are the charging speeds. The S24 FE comes with barely quicker wired charging, whereas the iPhone 16 has higher wi-fi charging. In fact, there’s additionally the apparent distinction in battery measurement, though that’s considerably irrelevant on this comparability.
Abstract
This yr’s Galaxy Fan Version cellphone simply scores too many brownie factors! (Picture by PhoneArena)
It is humorous how Samsung’s high-end mid-range cellphone can match and in lots of circumstances provide greater than Apple’s base flagship mannequin. We’re a $150 value distinction right here, with the Galaxy S24 FE beginning at $649 and the iPhone 16 at $799.
Samsung has pulled an attention-grabbing transfer with this yr’s Fan Version, as it’s also, in our opinion, so near what the Galaxy S24 gives that it nearly makes it out of date. So it isn’t so huge of a shock to us that it shapes up as a greater buy than the iPhone 16.
The one space the place the iPhone may have made a greater case for itself was the digicam efficiency, particularly for video recording, however even its normal strengths are not of a lot assist on this case.
In fact, it isn’t like Apple has made a worse iPhone than its earlier releases. This comparability, greater than something, highlights a curious resolution from Samsung to vastly enhance the Fan Version Galaxy telephones.
So, in fact, you probably have been utilizing an iPhone you most likely will not really feel the necessity to relearn a complete totally different working system irrespective of the decision right here. However in case you are not tied right down to Apple’s ecosystem, the S24 FE is unquestionably price a glance.