Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus
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Galaxy S24 Ultra
Starting at
£500.60£1,448.62 new
iPhone 16 Plus
Starting at
£588.00£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Plus?
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at £500.60, £87.40 less than the iPhone 16 Plus.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus.
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4674 mAh.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus specs
The Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Plus are both 2024 models that suit different user priorities. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a larger battery, higher RAM, and a more detailed main camera, making it suited for heavy multitasking, photography enthusiasts, and those who want a bigger screen with a smoother refresh rate. The iPhone 16 Plus has a slightly slimmer and lighter design, with iOS 18 and a screen optimised for true-to-life colours, appealing to users who prefer balanced performance with a focus on usability and a familiar operating system.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus price
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and design aspects that affect daily use and longevity.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery, which provides more power for longer use between charges. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 4674 mAh battery, which is smaller but still substantial for typical daily use. If you rely heavily on your phone over long periods without access to charging, the Galaxy's larger battery suits you better.
Operating System
The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs Android, while the iPhone 16 Plus uses iOS 18. This difference affects the user experience, app availability, and system customisation. Android on the Galaxy offers flexibility and compatibility with a wide range of apps, whereas iOS 18 provides a consistent, streamlined interface with exclusive Apple features.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus performance
Performance is driven by chipset, RAM, and storage options. These specs influence how smoothly the phone handles apps, multitasking, and storage capacity.
Chipset Technology
The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 built on a 4 nm process, while the iPhone 16 Plus has the Apple A18 chipset built on a 3 nm process. The different chipsets reflect distinct approaches to power and efficiency, with the iPhone's chip built on a smaller scale which can affect energy use and performance balance.
RAM Capacity
With 12 GB of RAM, the Galaxy S24 Ultra supports extensive multitasking and keeps more apps open simultaneously. The iPhone 16 Plus has 8 GB of RAM, which is suitable for everyday tasks and most apps but offers less capacity for heavy multitasking compared to the Galaxy.
Storage Options
Galaxy S24 Ultra offers storage choices of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, ideal if you need a lot of space for photos, videos, and apps. The iPhone 16 Plus comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB sizes, providing solid storage for general use but with fewer high-capacity options.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus screen
The screen affects how you view content, play games, or work on your phone. Both devices have large displays but differ in refresh rate, resolution, and screen technology.
Refresh Rate
The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes animations and scrolling appear very smooth. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is standard and efficient for everyday use but less fluid for fast motion visuals. If you enjoy gaming or scrolling through content smoothly, the Galaxy's screen suits you.
Resolution and Size
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 6.8 inch screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3120, offering more pixels and slightly more screen space than the iPhone 16 Plus's 6.7 inch screen at 1290 x 2796 resolution. This means the Galaxy provides a roomier display for videos and multitasking, while the iPhone's screen is still large enough for immersive viewing.
Screen Type
The Galaxy uses Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X technology, which allows for smooth refresh rate adjustments and vibrant colours. The iPhone 16 Plus has a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, known for accurate colours and high brightness. Both deliver sharp images but with slightly different visual characteristics suited to each operating system.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus camera
Audiovisual features focus on cameras and front-facing photography, affecting how you capture and share images and video calls.
Main Camera Detail
The Galaxy S24 Ultra's 200 megapixel main camera captures very high detail, suitable for users who want detailed photos or plan to crop images without losing clarity. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 48 megapixel main camera, which still provides sharp photos with a focus on colour and image processing tuned for everyday photography.
Front Camera
Both devices have a 12 megapixel front camera, providing similar quality for selfies and video calls. This makes either phone a good choice if front camera performance is important.
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus size and design
This section covers additional practical details like carrier compatibility, connectors, dimensions, and SIM options, which affect daily convenience and use.
Carrier and SIM Options
Both phones come unlocked and support 5G networks. The Galaxy S24 Ultra supports Dual Physical SIM plus eSIM, which suits users who want to manage two physical SIM cards alongside a digital one. The iPhone 16 Plus supports one physical SIM plus eSIM, fitting most users who want a simpler SIM setup.
Connector Type
This matters if you often transfer large files via cable.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S24 Ultra measures 162.3 mm in height, 79 mm in width, and 8.6 mm in depth, weighing 232 g. The iPhone 16 Plus is slightly smaller at 160.9 mm height, 77.8 mm width, and 7.8 mm depth, and lighter at 199 g. If you prefer a lighter, slightly more compact phone, the iPhone fits better in hand and pocket.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Plus: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S24 Ultra if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £500.60, £87.40 less than the iPhone 16 Plus
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4674 mAh)
Buy the iPhone 16 Plus if
- you want a lighter build (199 g vs 232 g)
What our customers say
Customers who own the Galaxy S24 Ultra often highlight its excellent condition and near-new appearance. Many appreciate the large battery life and smooth performance, noting the phone is fun to use and keeps up well with demanding tasks. The stylus is a popular feature, and the camera and display quality receive positive remarks. Some mention the phone feels premium and performs reliably with no issues.
Owners of the iPhone 16 Plus praise its like-new condition and battery life, with several noting the phone feels fresh and looks immaculate. The iOS experience is described as smooth, and the device suits users who want a polished, straightforward smartphone. Some customers mention minor issues with updates or software glitches, but many remain happy with the phone's performance and screen quality.
Both phones appeal to users who want a high-quality refurbished device. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is suited to those who value a large screen, strong multitasking, and a powerful camera, while the iPhone 16 Plus fits users looking for a lighter phone with a consistent iOS experience.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus FAQs
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is cheaper refurbished, from £500.60 compared with £588 for the iPhone 16 Plus.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4674 mAh.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra gets updates until Jan 2031. The iPhone 16 Plus is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone 16 Plus in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
