Now that the iPhone 16 is official, buyers with deep pockets and a craving for a flagship phone have multiple options to choose from, including the recently launched Google Pixel 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S24. In this comparison, we’ll try to figure out which of the three smartphones offers the most value for your money.
Design and Display
The iPhone 16 retains the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display that we saw on the iPhone 15. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 and the Pixel 9 have slightly larger displays at 6.2 inches and 6.3 inches, respectively. That said, the iPhone 16 has the densest display with the highest PPI (Pixels Per Inch), meaning you get crispier visuals on the iPhone. However, the experience will also be very similar on the S24 and Pixel 9.
Where the iPhone 16 lacks is the refresh rate. Apple has still stuck with 60Hz panels, while both the Galaxy S24 and the Pixel 9 offer much smoother 120Hz OLED panels. All three phones have bright enough displays with 2000+ nits of brightness.
In terms of build, Apple has stuck with an aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield, making it both sleek and durable. Samsung mirrors this with its Armor Aluminum frame along with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for extra toughness and anti-glare. Google, meanwhile, uses an aluminum frame, coupled with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
In terms of weight, the Pixel 9 is the heaviest among the three, coming in at 198 grams. The iPhone 16 is much lighter at 170 grams, making it ideal for single-hand use. The Galaxy S24 is the lightest, weighing 167 grams.
Processor
Under the hood, these phones are packing some serious power. The iPhone 16 gets the all-new Apple A18 Bionic, a hexa-core chip built on a 3nm process. It is about 30% faster than the A16 Bionic powering the iPhone 15. Given the power boost, expect everything to run smoothly, whether you’re editing videos, playing graphics-intensive games, or just jumping between apps.
The Galaxy S24 is an interesting option because it has two different processor options depending on where you buy it. Some places get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (based on a 3nm process), while others get Samsung’s own Exynos 2400 (based on a 4nm process). Either way, you get top-of-the-line performance that can handle anything you throw at it.
Google’s Pixel 9 gets the custom-made Tensor G4 chip. Google focuses a lot on artificial intelligence and machine learning, so this phone’s USP is how smart it is. Despite all that, the Pixel 9 is capable enough to run regular day-to-day tasks with ease.
The iPhone 16 offers 8 GB of RAM, which is less than its competitors but is enough to deliver a smooth experience on iOS. The Galaxy S24 comes with 12 GB of RAM across all storage options, and the Pixel 9 also opts for the same 12 GB of RAM config. Storage options on all three phones vary quite a bit. The iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 offer up to 512 GB of internal storage, while the Pixel 9 caps at 256 GB.
Cameras
All three phones have amazing camera systems, but each has its own strengths. The Apple iPhone 16 gets a 48MP primary lens with sensor-shift OIS. The phone also lets you zoom in much further without losing image quality thanks to the new ISP. The primary camera is coupled with a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera. On the front is a 12 MP camera for selfies. The phone now comes with support for Cinematic Mode, 4K recording at 60 fps, and Spatial video recording at 1080p at 30 fps.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 offers an extra lens compared to the iPhone 16. It boasts a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. On the front is a 12 MP camera for selfies. The Galaxy S24 promises better low-light performance and improved video stabilization. It can shoot cinematic videos in 4K recording at 60 fps and even offers 8K recording at 30 fps.
Google’s Pixel phones have always been known for their incredible cameras, even though they have fewer lenses than the competition. The Pixel 9 continues that trend, using clever software to make your photos and videos look amazing, especially in tricky lighting situations. As for the sensors, the Pixel 9 gets a dual-camera setup on the rear, a 50MP primary camera with OIS support, and a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera. There is a 10.5MP camera on the front for selfies.
If you’re looking for a diverse camera experience, then the Galaxy S24 is the ideal phone for you. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 and the iPhone 16 provide a strong all-around camera experience.
Battery & Charging
The iPhone 16 offers “all-day battery life” and supports 25W wired fast charging and 15W MagSafe wireless charging. The Galaxy S24 has a 4,000 mAh battery and supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
The Pixel 9 has a 4,700 mAh battery, and it supports 27W wired charging with a Google 45W USB-C charger, and 15W wireless charging with the Pixel Stand (2nd gen), or up to 12W with standard Qi-certified chargers.
Software & AI
The software experience is a big part of what makes each phone unique. The iPhone 16 runs on the latest iOS 18, which is known for being easy to use and working seamlessly with other Apple devices. If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem, this is a big plus. iOS 18 also brings an expansive Apple Intelligence suite with plenty of AI features. Apple offers 5 years of software updates, and that should be the case with the iPhone 16 as well.
The Galaxy S24 has Samsung’s One UI 6.1 custom skin on top of Android 14. Samsung has promised 7 years of software support for the device, meaning it’ll get updates till Android 21. One UI gives you lots of ways to customize your phone and has a bunch of extra features. The Galaxy S24 also comes with a suite of AI features called Galaxy AI, which is similar to what you’ll find on Apple’s side.
The Pixel 9 offers the purest Android experience, with no extra bells and whistles. You get the latest updates directly from Google with a clean and simple interface. The phone runs on Android 14 out of the box with a promise of 7 years of updates. The Pixel 9 also comes with a ton of AI features, including Magic Editor, Reimagine, Magic Eraser, Audio Eraser, Add Me, and a lot more.
Pricing
The iPhone 16, Google Pixel 9, and the Galaxy S24 all start at $799 for the base 128 GB variant in the US market.
In India, the Galaxy S24 starts at ₹74,999, and the Pixel 9 costs ₹75,999, while the iPhone 16 is slightly more expensive at ₹79,900. This makes the iPhone 16 the most expensive of the three devices in India.
iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Google Pixel 9
| iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Google Pixel 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED, 1179 x 2556, 60 Hz | 6.2″ OLED, 1080 x 2340, 120 Hz | 6.3″ OLED, 1080 x 2424, 120 Hz |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Armor | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Colors | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine | Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue | Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony |
| Weight | 170 grams | 167 grams | 198 grams |
| Biometrics | Face ID | 2D face unlock, Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner | 2D face unlock, Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner |
| Chipset | A18 (3nm, Hexa-core) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (3nm, Octa-core) Exynos 2400 (4nm, Deca-core) | Tensor G4 (4nm, Octa-core) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage Options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB NVMe | 128 GB (UFS 3.1), 256 GB, 512 GB (UFS 4.0) | 128 GB, 256 GB (UFS 3.1) |
| Cooling System | Graphite cooling | Vapor Chamber cooling | Vapor cooling |
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) | Android 14 |
| AI Features | Apple Intelligence (coming soon) | Galaxy AI | Magic Editor, Reimagine, Magic Eraser, Audio Eraser, Add Me, etc. |
| Software Updates | 5 years | 7 years | 7 years |
| Main Camera | 48 MP f/1.8 | 50 MP f/1.7 | 50 MP f/1.7 |
| Ultra-wide Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | 48 MP |
| Telephoto Camera | – | 10 MP (3x optical zoom) | – |
| Video Recording | Cinematic Mode, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, Super Steady, HDR10+ | 4K@60fps, HDR |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 4,700 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 25W | 25W | 27W |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W | 15W (Pixel Stand), 12W (Qi) |
| US Price | $799 (128 GB) | $799 (128 GB) | $799 (128 GB) |
| India Price | ₹79,990 | ₹74,999 | ₹75,999 |
Conclusion
The iPhone 16 is a big update after a while and bunch a of nifty features. If you want to enter the iOS ecosystem then getting this over even last-generation models makes much more sense. However, if you’re interested in exploring Android, the Galaxy S24 offers a great entry point with top-notch performance and features. The Pixel 9 provides a clean Android experience with minimal customization but sacrifices some performance. What’s your pick? Let us know in the comments below.
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