Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

Verdict

Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S26 FE tie on the OH Rank at a score of 67. Apple iPhone 16 wins on Screen and Main Camera; Samsung Galaxy S26 FE wins on Battery and Desktop Replacement. Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is 5.3mm wider than Apple iPhone 16. Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is the more recent release, from Sep 4, 2026.

Score Breakdown

Category

Apple iPhone 16

71.6mm (2.82in) · Sep 2024 · Rank #125

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

76.9mm (3.03in) · Sep 4, 2026 · Rank #110
Performance /15
11
11
Battery /15
6
10
Screen /15
11
8
IP Protection /15
12
12
Main Camera /15
12
9
Selfie /5
5
4
Video /5
5
3
SD Memory /5
0
0
Software /5
5
5
Desktop Replacement /5
0
5
TOTAL
67
67
Apple iPhone 16
71.6mm (2.82in) · Sep 2024 · Rank #125
11+6+11+12+12+5+5+0+5+0 = 67

EDITORIAL: This round Apple upgraded it’s non-Pro models’ chips to match the Pro level. They are now better then ever. iPhone 16 is a great option for anyone needing great photos and videos from a compact iPhone. The screen is still only 60htz (no one else makes phones with such slow refresh rate any more) but this is a flagship grade phone in every other way

PROs
fast performance led by A18 chip, up to 6m of water submersion, good photos and excellent videos from a 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide plus a 12MP Selfie – all with PDAF, 6 years of iOS updates
CONs
improved but still barely a day of battery endurance, slow charging, only 60Hz when every other maker offers 120Hz screen refresh rate, no expandable storage or desktop replacement (updated Mar 30, 2025)
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
76.9mm (3.03in) · Sep 4, 2026 · Rank #110
11+10+8+12+9+4+3+0+5+5 = 67
* TOP Software* TOP Desktop Replacement

EDITORIAL: When S20 FE arrived in 2020, it created a lot of interest as a cheaper (fan edition) version of it's Galaxy S20+ flagship phone. It made compromises to achieve lower price and they were reasonable: 1mm wider, plastic back, good but lower quality screen, downfraded 8MP tele (instead of a 64MP) lens, sans-AF selfie and no DeX. That phone sold well and Samsung had a S FE phone every year (skipped only 2022) since. Over time, the compromises became bigger and now we got an FE that omits latest processor, comes with lower endurance and a slow USB-C 2.0 port. It still brings other sacrifices typical for a Samsung FE phone: cheaper Victus glass, lower quality screen, 8MP telefoto and a sans-AF selfie but wireless DeX is now included (as it is on all Samsung's flagship phones). It is hard to understand why is Samsung degrading a phone model that build good reputation and following over the years but it is what it is.

PROs
flagship build, good Exynos 2500 (3nm) with UFS 4.0 performance, ~1270nits 385ppi 120Hz AMOLED screen with HDR10+, IP68 protection, reliable 50MP 24mm OIS PDAF main + 8MP 75mm OIS PDAF telephoto + 12MP 13mm ultrawide setup, good 12MP 26mm selfie, average video recording, 7 years of AI and other feature rich OneUI, wireless DeX feature, global availability and service
CONs
24hr endurance from a (small for the phone size) 4900mAh Lithium battery with >1hr 45W (15W wireless) charging, no AF on ultrawide or selfie, no memory expansion slot, slow USB-C 2.0 port (with OTG)

Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.

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