Between the Galaxy S26+ and iPhone 16, the Galaxy S26+ comes out ahead in wired charging and refresh rate, while the iPhone 16 wins on weight. Overall, the Galaxy S26+ scores 68.5 and the iPhone 16 scores 57.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Galaxy S26+ is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 11.1 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Galaxy S26+ if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are wired charging, refresh rate, ram, among others.
Pick the iPhone 16 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, water resistance, front camera, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Galaxy S26+ is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Samsung - Galaxy S26+ wins
- ▲Wired charging — 125.00% more. 45 W vs 20 W.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲RAM — 50.00% more. 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲Battery capacity — 37.60% more. 4900 mAh vs 3561 mAh.
- ▲AnTuTu — 35.80% more. 2200000 vs 1620000.
- ▲Pixel density — 11.52% more. 513 ppi vs 460 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 9.84% more. 6.7 " vs 6.1 ".
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
Why Apple - iPhone 16 wins
- ▲Weight — 26.00 g less. 170 vs 196.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 196 g | 170 glead |
| Thickness | 7.6 mmlead | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 "lead | 6.1 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 513 ppilead | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hzlead | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2600 nitslead | 2000 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MPlead | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4900 mAhlead | 3561 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 45 Wlead | 20 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | iOSlead |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26+ or iPhone 16?+
Galaxy S26+ has 37.6% more battery — 4900 mAh vs 3561 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26+ or iPhone 16?+
iPhone 16 is 26g lighter — 196g vs 170g.
Is Galaxy S26+ waterproof?+
Galaxy S26+ has an IP68 rating.
Does iPhone 16 support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone 16 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Galaxy S26+ or iPhone 16?+
Galaxy S26+ offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26+ or iPhone 16?+
Galaxy S26+ has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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