If you’re shopping for a premium smartphone experience without emptying your wallet, Apple and Samsung both have new contenders vying for your attention. The Apple iPhone 16E and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE are designed to bring flagship-level performance and design at a more accessible price. But which one offers the better value?
Both phones strip away a few luxury extras from their pricier counterparts, but still pack plenty of punch. Whether you’re leaning toward iOS or Android, here’s a full breakdown to help you decide between these two mid-tier marvels.
Design & Display: Function Meets Flair
From the very first glance, the iPhone 16E and Galaxy S24 FE take drastically different design approaches. Apple sticks with the familiar notch at the top of the 16E’s 6.1-inch OLED display—an element that distinguishes it from the iPhone 16, which features the sleeker Dynamic Island. Meanwhile, Samsung opts for a minimalist punch-hole camera on the S24 FE’s expansive 6.7-inch AMOLED screen.
While both sport aluminum frames and reinforced glass, the Samsung display boasts a superior 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1,900 nits—almost 60% brighter than the iPhone 16E’s 1,200 nits and fixed 60Hz rate. The Galaxy S24 FE is clearly made for users who value vibrant visuals and buttery-smooth scrolling.
On the style front, Apple plays it safe with only black and white color options, whereas Samsung embraces variety with mint, graphite, blue, and gray versions.
Security and Usability
Apple remains firmly committed to Face ID, allowing users to unlock their iPhone 16E just by looking at it. Samsung, on the other hand, integrates an under-display optical fingerprint scanner. It’s not quite as snappy as the ultrasonic sensor in the flagship S24, but it’s fast and effective nonetheless.
Both phones lack headphone jacks and use USB-C connectors for charging—finally a point of harmony between Apple and Samsung users.
Camera Comparison: Power vs Versatility
When it comes to cameras, the Galaxy S24 FE pulls ahead with a versatile triple-lens rear setup. You get a high-resolution 50MP wide sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. That combination provides serious flexibility for shooting landscapes, portraits, or zoomed-in shots.
In contrast, the iPhone 16E relies on a single 48MP main camera. To compensate for the lack of multiple lenses, Apple includes digital 2x zoom using sensor cropping, which helps deliver sharper close-ups than traditional digital zoom but can’t quite match a dedicated telephoto lens.
On the selfie side, Apple gives the 16E a 12MP front camera—the same as in the flagship iPhone 16—while Samsung offers a 10MP front camera, slightly downgraded from the 12MP one on its premium S24.
Both phones feature software-enhanced photography, including portrait and night modes, ensuring solid performance in a variety of lighting conditions.
AI Features: Smart Assistants Get Smarter
Artificial intelligence is becoming a major player in smartphone ecosystems, and both Apple and Samsung are investing heavily in smart features.
Apple’s iPhone 16E includes access to Apple Intelligence, a suite of tools designed to enhance daily use. You’ll find smart writing assistance for grammar checking and summarizing text, along with the Clean Up tool for editing photos by removing unwanted objects. Siri is also getting an AI overhaul, although not all features are fully rolled out yet.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI, on the other hand, is more art-focused. The Galaxy S24 FE includes unique tools like “Sketch to Image,” which can transform rough drawings into stylized photos. Other handy AI capabilities include automatic message translation, voice transcription, and content generation tools.
While Apple leans into productivity and smart editing, Samsung tilts toward creativity and communication.
Performance and Battery Life
Under the hood, the iPhone 16E runs on Apple’s powerful A18 chip, offering top-tier performance that keeps iOS 18 humming smoothly. Apple hasn’t revealed RAM specs, but storage options include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
Samsung equips the Galaxy S24 FE with its Exynos 2400e processor (in most regions) and 8GB of RAM across all models. Storage choices mirror Apple’s: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD cards.
Battery-wise, Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback, 21 hours of streaming, and 90 hours of audio. Charging happens via 20W wired or 7.5W wireless Qi. Samsung offers a 4,700mAh battery with 25W wired charging (adapter not included), wireless charging, and even reverse wireless PowerShare to juice up other devices.
Software & Updates
The iPhone 16E ships with iOS 18 and is expected to receive long-term support for several years—standard for Apple devices. The Galaxy S24 FE arrives with Android 14 and Samsung’s One UI, along with a generous promise of 7 years of software and security updates, matching the new gold standard set by Google and Samsung.
Pricing: Where the Deals Are
Out of the box, the iPhone 16E starts at $599 for the 128GB version, while the Galaxy S24 FE carries a $650 MSRP. However, Samsung’s phones often go on sale quickly and frequently—you might even find the 256GB version for less than $600 at retailers like Walmart or Best Buy.
Here’s a quick comparison chart to wrap things up:
| Feature | iPhone 16E | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1” OLED, 60Hz, 1,200 nits | 6.7” AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,900 nits |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Exynos 2400e |
| Rear Camera | 48MP wide | 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 10MP |
| Video Capture | 4K | 8K |
| Security | Face ID | Optical fingerprint |
| Battery | Up to 26 hrs video, 20W wired | 4,700mAh, 25W wired, PowerShare |
| AI Features | Apple Intelligence | Galaxy AI |
| Price (128GB) | $599 | $650 (often discounted) |
Verdict: Which Budget Phone Is Best for You?
Choosing between the iPhone 16E and Galaxy S24 FE largely depends on what matters most to you.
If you’re already in Apple’s ecosystem, want strong performance, a clean user interface, and tight integration with other Apple products, the iPhone 16E is a solid pick. It’s also great if you value consistent software updates and Apple’s unique AI tools.
If you’re more interested in a big, beautiful display, versatile cameras, and creative AI tools, the Galaxy S24 FE brings more features per dollar—especially if you catch it on sale. Android’s flexibility and Samsung’s commitment to long-term updates make this phone a real contender.
Ultimately, both phones punch above their price class, giving users plenty of premium power without the premium price tag.
