PhoneLifespan

iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

vs

Winner

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins this one, taking display and camera decisively. Against the iPhone 16 it's also the sounder buy at $17.06 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 16 59 · Galaxy S24 Ultra 70 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 16 $699
Safe to buy$11.05/mo
2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra $949
Safe to buy$17.06/mo
2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20292031

Category by category

Display
iPhone 16 50Galaxy S24 Ultra 100

The Galaxy S24 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.8-inch dynamic amoled 2x, qhd+ (3120×1440), 1–120hz, up to 2600 nits.

Performance
iPhone 16 92Galaxy S24 Ultra 92

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera
iPhone 16 62Galaxy S24 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery
iPhone 16 51Galaxy S24 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 3,561mAh — the Galaxy S24 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity
iPhone 16 75Galaxy S24 Ultra 66

The iPhone 16 is supported until Sep 2031 — 8 months longer than the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Value
iPhone 16 59Galaxy S24 Ultra 70

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S24 Ultra at $17.06 per month of safe use.

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 16Galaxy S24 Ultra
Price (street)$699$949
Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ (3120×1440), 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits
ChipsetApple A18Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
RAM8GB12GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery3,561 mAh5,000 mAh
ChargingWired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W45W wired, 15W wireless
Rear cameras48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 50MP telephoto 5x periscope
Dimensions147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm162.3 × 79.0 × 8.6 mm
Weight170 g232 g
Water resistanceIP68IP68
Supported untilSep 2031Jan 2031
iPhone 16 full verdict →Galaxy S24 Ultra full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.