The Southeastern United States is reeling from Hurricane Helene, a monstrous storm that made landfall in Florida on Thursday before cutting a terrifying path all the way up to Tennessee. How did it get this bad?
Technology
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Incomplete
Apple’s regular-sized iPhone “Pro” model got a pretty nice upgrade this year. Both of the Pro models are now larger, sporting 6.3- and 6.9-inch displays. This is partly due to the thinner bezels, but also due to the fact that the phones are about 1mm wider in every measurement. It’s larger this year, but enough to really complain about. Hopefully this doesn’t become a yearly thing with Apple. As many people prefer these smaller phones, while still having flagship features.
The one thing that really got me excited for the iPhone 16 Pro this year was, adding the 5x telephoto camera to the smaller Pro. Last year, that new sensor was only available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, forcing me to use a giant phone just to have a 5x telephoto camera.
The iPhone 16 Pro series looks more like its predecessor than the iPhone 16 series does, and that’s okay. I don’t think smartphone makers need to do major redesigns every year. Most people are not upgrading their phones every year, every two years, hell not even every three years. Not to mention the fact that these designs are iconic for these companies. That’s why you’ll likely never see a huge redesign from Samsung, Google or Apple with their phones. These design elements are what makes their phones stand out.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Design
Compared to last year’s iPhone 15 Pro design, the iPhone 16 Pro does make a few changes. The sides are not a bit more shiny then last year, despite still being titanium. And that’s perfectly fine. They still don’t show fingerprints at all, which was a major complaint with the stainless steel on the iPhone 14 Pro and earlier.
As mentioned already, perhaps the biggest design change you’ll notice is the size. The iPhone 16 Pro now measures in at 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3mm, compared to 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3mm on the iPhone 15 Pro last year. It also gained back most of the weight it lost by adding titanium – now 199g. The iPhone 15 Pro was 187g and the iPhone 14 Pro was 206g.
Despite gaining a few millimeters in width and height, the iPhone 16 Pro is still pretty comfortable to hold. For those of us who want a smaller phone, this is a pretty big deal. If I wanted a bigger phone, I’d use a foldable like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold or the OnePlus Open.
The design is familiar, and that’s not a bad thing. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Display
This year, the iPhone 16 Pro models did get larger displays, going from 6.1 to 6.3-inches on the iPhone 16 Pro. And 6.7 to 6.9-inches on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Making these the largest displays ever used by Apple. Part of this was done by enlarging the phone physically, and also by slimming down the bezels. Part of the reason for enlarging both phones this year, was to add in larger camera sensors into the phone. Part of the reason why the iPhone 15 Pro did not get the 5x telephoto last year, was due to the size of the actual phone. There just wasn’t room for the tetraprism sensor. Now, there is.
Both displays still sport 460 pixels per inch, as does the non-Pro iPhone 16 models. However, the Pro’s still are the only ones to use ProMotion – Apple’s marketing term for 120Hz. It’s adaptive 120Hz, so it does go all the way down to 1Hz. But let’s talk about this for a minute. Apple is still selling the iPhone 16 with a 60Hz display, which yes is bad, but we don’t hear complaints about this on other non-Pro Apple products. The non-Pro Macs are all 60Hz, the non-Pro iPads are also all 60Hz. Apple has designated 120Hz as a “Pro” feature by calling it “ProMotion”, and therefore we likely won’t see that come to other models that aren’t “Pro”. Though there are rumors of the iPhone 17 getting a 90Hz display, so it’ll be interesting to see how Apple markets that.
The display on the iPhone 16 Pro is simply incredible. It’s bright, the colors are insanely accurate, and it’s also pretty fast, thanks to ProMotion. Some users have complained about the touchscreen not registering touches. However, that only happened to me when I had a screen protector on. So it is a problem, but I do believe Apple can fix this with a software update – and iOS 18.1 is coming very soon.
Apple claims 1,000 nits of typical brightness here and up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. That is actually about the same as the iPhone 15 Pro from last year, which I had no complaints about brightness with. And so far, the brightness on iPhone 16 Pro has been as advertised. Shortly after picking up my unit from the Apple Store, I had to head to New York City for a Samsung event (where they announced the Galaxy S24 FE) and was using the phone outdoors quite a bit. I had no issues seeing the display, and it wasn’t even at max brightness.
Additionally, this year, the iPhone 16 Pro can get darker than ever, down to just 1nit. That’s really good news for those that like to use their phones at night in bed, and don’t want to wake their partner.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Performance
Inside the iPhone 16 Pro is the new A18 Pro chipset. This is another 3nm chipset with clock speeds that go up to 4.05GHz – which is insane on a smartphone, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is set to be even faster. It also includes 8GB of RAM across all storage models with NVMe storage.
In everyday usage, the A18 Pro seemed to be fast enough. It never really lagged behind on whatever I was doing. From checking Twitter and email to playing games and even using GPS while doing Facetime. Perhaps more important is the fact that it did stay nice and cool. Something that we couldn’t say about the iPhone 15 Pro (Max) last year, unfortunately. Apple did spend a good amount of time talking about the larger vapor chamber in the iPhone 16 Pro series this year, so this should come as no surprise.
Benchmarks
As we do with every smartphone and tablet that comes across our desk to review, we ran a few benchmarks on the iPhone 16 Pro to see how it compares to the competition. This includes Geekbench 6, 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test and a video export test.
With Geekbench 6, it tests the raw performance of the CPU and GPU on the phone. This is a good way to see just how powerful the processor and GPU actually are. For the iPhone 16 Pro, it hit a 2,981 single-core score, 7,939 multi-core score, and 32,846 in the GPU test. That’s only marginally better than the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro series from last year. However, when we compared this to the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, it’s significantly faster, especially in the GPU test. The iPhone 16 Pro is nearly 3x higher than the Galaxy S24 Ultra in graphics.
Next up, we ran the 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test. This benchmark is set to push the phone to its absolute limit. Typically, this will also be the highest temperature the phone ever gets too, but on thermals in a bit. This benchmark will run a loop of a 60-second benchmark about 20x, provide us with the best loop score, the lowest loop score and from there a stability score.
So with this test, the iPhone 16 Pro scored pretty well, with the highest “Lowest Loop” score, though its “Best Loop was a bit lower (about 10% lower) than what the Galaxy S24 Ultra put out. However, its stability was higher at 67.7%, whereas the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s stability was around 51%.
Finally, we do a video export test using Capcut. This is a pretty popular video editing app that is also very robust. What we do is import the same 60-second video on every phone, and then record how long it takes to export. The iPhone 16 Pro had a time of 5.11 seconds, which is actually the fastest we’ve ever tested. Even edging out the RedMagic 9 Pro at 5.2 seconds. Comparing it to its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the time is a little more than twice as fast, which is a good change year-over-year.
Thermals
Moving onto thermals, there are three tests that we perform here. That’s 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test, an hour of Genshin Impact at max settings, and then recording 4K60 video for 5 minutes and 10 minutes.
First up is the 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test, which is typically the highest temperature we will ever see. The iPhone 16 Pro hit a temperature of 108 degrees Fahrenheit. That is higher than the Galaxy S24 Ultra by about 3.5 degrees, it is lower than the iPhone 15 Pro Max which shows that the vapor chamber is doing its job this year. It’s also much lower than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Next up is Genshin Impact. We play this for an hour at max settings and max brightness, to try and get it as hot as possible. On this test, it measured in at 95.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which is actually very low. Again, showing off that vapor chamber.
Finally, we record video at 4K60 for 10 minutes, measuring the temperature at 5 minutes and again at 10 minutes. We don’t test at 4K120 because not every phone is able to record at that setting, and we want these to be as similar as possible. At 5 minutes, the iPhone 16 Pro was at 89 degrees Fahrenheit, and 93.7 degrees at 10 minutes. That is lower than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, by quite a bit, but it is higher than the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’d be willing to bet that the larger area of the iPhone 15 Pro Max allowed it to dissipate heat easier.
All in all, I’d say thermals are pretty good on this phone. Much improved over the iPhone 15 Pro series from last year, and right up there with some of the best in the Android space.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Battery Life and Charging
One of the biggest reasons to upgrade your iPhone is going to be the battery life. And I can say that battery life has improved this year, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro series. Over the last 10 days, I’ve been averaging over 7 hours of screen time, though that is not the end all be all for battery life. Since I’ve been traveling over the past week, some days show more than 100% of the battery being used. Typically on days that I used less than 100%, it was over 6 hours of screen on time.
That might not sound all that impressive, but it is similar to what my iPhone 15 Pro Max was getting last year. So to get the same battery life on the iPhone 16 Pro this year is pretty impressive. It has also started to get better and better, so I could see this lasting 7-8 hours of screen time per day in a couple of weeks.
When it comes to charging, it does charge faster this year. This is thanks to the iPhone 16 series supporting up to 45W charging speeds, but it’s important to note that it rarely ever hits 45W. Typically only when its low on charge and you’re using it at the same time. Apple did also up the wireless charging speed to 25W with a new MagSafe wireless charger – which we do not have, so we could not test that.
For me, I mostly charge at night, or stick it on a MagSafe charger in the car while I’m driving and using wireless CarPlay. So the charging speeds aren’t that big of a deal for me. But faster is always nice to see.
Benchmarks
Like we do with performance, we also do benchmarks for battery life and charging. For battery life, we charge up to 100% and let it sit plugged in for at least an hour after it hits 100% to ensure it is fully at 100% charge. Then start up a YouTube video that is about 24 hours long and play it at max brightness until the battery dies. We’ve only had one phone last longer than that video.
In this test, the iPhone 16 Pro lasted for 20 hours and 48 minutes. That’s 45 minutes less than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is impressive. Considering Apple touts that the difference between the pro and pro max are about 4 hours on video. So the iPhone 16 Pro Max should have really great battery life.
On the charging side, we plug it in right after this battery life test is done, using the included charging brick or one that will give us the max charging speed to make things fair. For the iPhone 16 Pro, we got a time of 1 hour and 34 minutes (technically 1:33:57 but we’re rounding up, here). That’s 12 minutes faster than the iPhone 15 Pro Max from last year. So it doesn’t sound as impressive since we’re comparing the Pro Max to the Pro here. That’s still pretty slow, and one of the slowest we’ve ever tested – the Sony Xperia 1V Is still the slowest at just under 2 hours!
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Software
Here’s where the problems with the iPhone 16 Pro come into play, software. Typically a strong suite for Apple, not to so much in letting you do whatever you want, but providing you with a stable experience usually. But this year, many of the features that Apple are advertising, are not available until at least October. Yes, we’re talking Apple Intelligence.
At WWDC this past Summer, where Apple introduces the new version of each platform, they spent a good amount of time talking about Apple Intelligence, which is their suite of AI features. However, they are not available until iOS 18.1 which will launch in October at some point. But not all of them will come in iOS 18.1 and if you’re in Europe, forget about it. And this makes many of the iPhone 16 ads, false advertising to a lot of people.
Obviously, we can’t comment on the Apple Intelligence features just yet, since we don’t review betas – like most publications. We will update this review once Apple Intelligence is out, however.
That said, iOS 18 did bring quite a few changes, of course, the bigger ones being the changes to the home screen. Now you can move your icons anywhere you want on the screen, you know like Android has been able to do for well over a decade. Apple also added the ability to adapt your icons to dark mode and work with your phone when it’s in dark mode versus light mode. Finally, there’s app tinting, which is probably the feature everyone hates, including myself. It just doesn’t look great for most icons.
iOS 18 is a pretty good update, especially since it does bring RCS to the iPhone, as well as a few more features for iMessage. And we can’t forget the changes to control center. Now with Control Center, you are able to create multiple pages (seemingly unlimited pages) for your controls. Moving them around as much as you want, making them larger and smaller, and so much more. It’s a welcome change, but perhaps it went a little too far. Having a page for controls, another for home controls and then media controls is likely enough for most people, and even too much for some.
As I said, there’s much more coming to the iPhone 16 series in terms of software, but it’s also important to remember that you should never buy a product based on the promise of what’s coming. You should buy it based on what it is today.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Camera
The iPhone camera has always been pretty impressive, and this year, the iPhone 16 Pro camera gets even better. Now that the new tetraprism 5x telephoto camera is available on the smaller pro model. Apple also upgraded the ultrawide to a 48-megapixel sensor, making it better for macro shots, versus the old 12MP camera.
Apple has also added 4K120 video recording. Yes, it’s not new to smartphones, but it is new to iPhone. And when you record at 4K120, you can later go in and slow it down after the fact, to get slow-motion in your video. Having said that, 4K120 does chew up a lot of storage, we’re looking at 800MB per minute of video. Whereas 4K60 is 440MB for a minute, and 1080p120 is 190MB per minute. So if you are looking to do a lot of 4K120 video, it’s a good idea to get a higher storage capacity, or invest in a good portable SSD, as you can still record to an external SSD.
Lets start off with Macro. The change to a 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor really helped the macro portion of this phone, and it’s a big deal. The macro shots I’ve taken with the iPhone 16 Pro are vastly improved over the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This is because of the added resolution. Remember with macro, you’re also much closer to the object and blocking out a lot of light. Below, you can see some macro shots I’ve taken over the past week and a half.
Moving onto to night photography, it also does a great job here. In New York City, there’s currently an art installation of elephants made of bamboo, which made for a great night photography test for the new iPhone. Despite there being some light around the elephants, the iPhone 16 Pro was able to produce some great pictures while also making it look like it was at night (because it was). Compared to the Pixel 9 series, which makes night look like day time.
Then there’s 5x telephoto. The images from the 5x telephoto look great, though I would really like to see this camera get moved to a 48-megapixel sensor too. Because in some lighting conditions, the 5x optical zoom does really start to fall apart.
Finally, here are some photos taken with the regular main sensor on the iPhone 16 Pro.
The cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro are exactly what you expect, great. Especially when it comes to video. And that’s why the iPhone is such a popular camera these days, as it’s much easier to carry an iPhone versus and entire DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Should you buy the Apple iPhone 16 Pro?
Now, for the verdict. Should you buy the iPhone 16 Pro (Max)? That really depends on what you’re looking for out of a phone and what phone you are currently using. If you’re on an iPhone 14 Pro or older, I’d say it’s a good upgrade. But if you’re on an iPhone 15 Pro, then it’s not really worth upgrading to the iPhone 16 Pro (even though I did).
If you’re an Android user thinking about switching to the iPhone to see what the hype is about, the iPhone 16 Pro is a really great option to check out iPhone for the first time. It’s their best iPhone they’ve ever made, because of course it is. It’s very solid for the price. And in some cases, cheaper than some Android flagships these days.
You should buy the Apple iPhone 16 Pro if:
- You want a smaller, flagship phone.
- You want a 5x telephoto on a smaller phone.
- You want good battery life.
You should not buy the Apple iPhone 16 Pro if:
- You want a larger screen.
- You want the best battery life in an iPhone.
Technology
How Hurricane Helene became a monster storm
The storm has killed more than 100 people, and hundreds more are still missing. Power is out for millions of people. Residents around Asheville, North Carolina — one of the hardest-hit areas — are reportedly struggling to find food, water, and cellphone service. We don’t yet know what the full impact of the storm is; search and rescue missions are still underway, and scientists are finalizing data on how powerful the storm was.
But it’s clear that the storm was disastrous because of its unusual size, intensity, and speed. The perfect conditions were in place to supercharge the storm.
“Everything that we say a hurricane can do, Helene did do.”
“It had all the different weapons at its disposal that a hurricane [can have],” says John Knox, distinguished teaching professor and undergraduate coordinator of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at the University of Georgia. “Everything that we say a hurricane can do, Helene did do.”
While Helene was still churning in the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters were already warning that the storm was going to be “unusually large.” At its maximum, tropical storm-force winds extended nearly 350 miles away from Helene’s center. That enormous reach put Helene in the 90th percentile for storm size, according to the National Hurricane Center. On the ground, that means the effects of the storm — wind, storm surge, and heavy rainfall — were felt across an unusually large area.
Not only was the storm huge but it was also stronger than most. Storm systems this large don’t always develop a small inner core that allows them to quickly strengthen. But Helene was able to form a relatively small eye and then rapidly intensify, a term used to describe tropical storms with sustained wind speeds that rise by at least 30 knots (roughly 35 miles per hour) in a 24-hour period.
It made landfall with winds reaching 140 miles per hour, making it a major storm and a Category 4 out of 5 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.
Helene packed a punch with water, too. When it hit Florida’s Big Bend region, it brought a massive storm surge, inundating the coastline with up to 15 feet of seawater. The underwater topography off Florida’s west coast, with a more gradual incline, acted like a ramp, making it easier for the storm to bring a taller wall of water with it. The sheer size of the hurricane also meant that the storm surge flooded a wider area.
Heavy rainfall dropped more water onto communities, leading to historic flooding in western North Carolina. Close to 14 inches of rain were recorded at the Asheville airport over three days between September 25th and 27th. The highest preliminary total was more than 31 inches of rain, recorded in Busick, North Carolina.
“It certainly has been a very catastrophic event in portions of Southeast US, especially the southern Appalachians where they’ve seen just tremendous amounts of rainfall and flooding,” says Daniel Brown, branch chief of the hurricane specialist unit at the National Hurricane Center. But with damage and fatality reports still coming in, it’s probably still too soon to know how Helene compares to other storms, he says.
Adding to its rampage, the storm was fast, with a forward speed reaching between 20 to 30 miles per hour. By comparison, storms that land along the Gulf of Mexico typically only move forward at a speed of about 10 to 15 miles per hour, Brown said. Tropical storms tend to weaken once they move over land since they draw strength from heat energy from warm waters at the surface of the sea. Helene’s speed, however, allowed it to keep more of its strength as it moved inland.
“That is why the impacts were felt much farther inland than [people are] typically used to,” says Karthik Balaguru, a climate scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “The farther inland it goes, I mean, more people would be exposed to this hazard.” Another risk factor is that inland communities may not have as much experience preparing for hurricanes as coastal areas more used to coping with this kind of disaster.
Climate change is altering the calculus for storms like Helene. Rising global temperatures create conditions conducive to more intense storms that can gain strength quickly and stay more powerful onshore. Helene developed amid soaring sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Waters along the storm’s early path got as high as 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 degrees Fahrenheit), providing ample fuel. The atmosphere’s ability to hold moisture is increasing because of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, allowing for more severe downpours.
To know how big of a role climate change played with Helene specifically, scientists will have to conduct more research. But Balaguru likens the effect of climate change to the world having a weakened immune system. “It doesn’t mean that you will become sick. It just increases your tendency to become sick,” Balaguru says.
Altogether, the pieces were in place for the perfect storm with Helene. “The storm started big, which was bad, it went over hot water, which was bad, it hit a place that is prone to high storm surge, and then it accelerated and went into populated areas and took wind and rainwater to those populated areas,” Knox says. “You don’t want to see much worse.”
Technology
New Snapdragon X-series chip in testing – code name: Project Glymur
The CPU market of late has been dominated by Intel and AMD; Qualcomm, with its AI-powered, energy-efficient Snapdragon X-series ARM processors, aim to challenge that.
Qualcomm’s current X-series processors have been making waves since their June 2024 launch. Winfuture have exclusively revealed that Qualcomm has been working on its next-gen high-end Snapdragon X2 CPU “SC8480XP”, under the codename “Project Glymur”.
These next-gen processors place Qualcomm in competition with Apple’s M-series processors: unlike the x86 chips Intel and AMD use, the Snapdragon X-series uses an ARM architecture – like Apple’s M-series – designed for mobility and efficiency, compared to the mainly performance-focused former.
A standout feature of the X-series is its full compatibility with Microsoft Copilot+. It supports Microsoft’s Auto SR (super resolution), which uses AI to enhance video quality and frame rate in existing games. By including these features from the start, Snapdragon X positions itself well for the future; other chip manufacturers will have to introduce these features through later updates.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X-series launched to mixed reviews. Customers hailed the new ARM processors for their power-efficiency and AI features; however, the CPUs fell short in performance when compared to AMD’s Ryzen and Intel’s Core X86 chips, especially where multi-core tasks were concerned. Another issue Qualcomm face is software compatibility: not all software has been ported to ARM.
Qualcomm has been testing the SC8480XP since July 2024, and there is still little information about what features it has to offer; according to Winfuture we will likely know little more until 2025.
In the meantime, there is still more to come for Qualcomm’s current generation of processors. In the “international export databases” where Project Glymur was discovered, the X1P-24-100, a new eight-core ARM processor, was also found.
Servers computers
Dell 42U Server & Networking Rack
Technology
Useful quantum computers are edging closer with recent milestones
Despite all the hype around quantum computers, they are still far too error-prone to be of real use. But recent experiments show that this may not always be the case, boosting the credibility of claims from companies like Google and IBM that we might get useful quantum computers as soon as 2029. These latest experiments represent key milestones and signal that we are entering a new age, say researchers.
“Suddenly, really useful devices seem tantalisingly close, in a way that they never have done before,” says Jamie…
Servers computers
The Lenovo ThinkSystem SR670 V2 is a GPU-rich 3U rack server that supports eight double-wide GPUs.
Technology
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: Which is best?
Apple recently released the iPhone 16, almost nine months after Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S24 series. Although these phones are similar in many ways and are the cheapest in their flagship ranges, they run on different operating systems. How do these two phones compare in other aspects? Is one better than the other? Which one is the superior choice based on your preferences?
Let’s compare the two phones and find out which one suits you better.
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: specs
Apple iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | |
Dimensions and weight | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches
6.0 ounces |
5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches
5.93 ounces |
Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
1179 x 2556 resolution (460 PPI) 60Hz refresh rate 2,000 nits peak brightness 1 nit minimum brightness |
6.2-inch FHD+ 1080 x 2340 resolution (416 PPI) 120Hz refresh rate 2,600 nits peak brightness 1 nit minimum brightness |
Processor | A18 chip
Six-core CPU Five-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Eight-core CPU Number of GPUs not announced by Qualcomm Hexagon Processor |
Rear cameras | Dual camera system
48-megapixel Fusion main 12MP ultrawide |
Triple camera system 50MP main 12MP ultrawide 10MP telephoto |
Front cameras | 12MP selfie | 12MP selfie |
Storage and memory | 8GB/128GB 8GB/256GB 8GB/512GB |
8GB/128GB
8GB/256GB |
AI | Apple Intelligence (coming soon) | Galaxy AI |
Durability | IP68 | IP68 |
Software and support | iOS 18
Six to eight years of software updates |
Android 15
Seven years of software updates |
Battery and charging | Up to 22 hours between charges
Unknown battery size 45W wired 30W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless |
Up to 24 hours between charges
4,000mAh 25W wired 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless |
Colors | Ultramarine
Teal Pink White Black
|
Cobalt VioletAmber Yellow
Marble Gray Onyx Black Jade Green (Samsung exclusive) Sapphire Blue (Samsung exclusive) Sandstone Orange (Samsung exclusive) |
Price | Starting at $800 | Starting at $800 |
Review | 4 out of 5 stars | 4 out of 5 stars |
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: design and display
At first glance, at least on the front, there isn’t much difference between the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the Apple iPhone 16. Both have rounded edges and similar aluminum bodies. The Galaxy S24’s display is a tad larger at 6.2 inches compared to the iPhone 16’s 6.1 inches, and you’ll notice two new buttons on the Apple phone (more on that below).
When turned on, the displays reveal more distinctions. Samsung’s phone offers a higher refresh rate and peak brightness, while the Apple device provides a sharper resolution. Both phones have the same minimum brightness, just 1 nit, which is fantastic in lowlight conditions.
The Galaxy S24 is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, while the iPhone 16 features a Ceramic Shield front and a color-infused glass back. Both phones offer IP68 protection, making them dustproof and water-resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
The most important point that stands out regarding the displays is the refresh rate for each handset. In 2024, it’s embarrassing that the iPhone 16 (and iPhone 16 Plus), like previous models, is stuck at 60Hz, versus the 120Hz on the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S24 series. A higher refresh rate provides a smartphone experience that is more visually pleasing, responsive, and comfortable, which is most noticeable during gaming. (The iPhone 17 is expected to offer a 120Hz refresh rate — finally.)
The Galaxy S24 features three familiar buttons: a side key and two for volume. The side key turns the screen on and off or locks the device, while the volume buttons allow you to control media, calls, and notifications.
The iPhone 16 also includes a side button for on or off functionality and volume up and down buttons. New to this model is a Camera Control button, which offers enhanced control of the phone’s Camera app during photo or video capture. This includes access to features such as zoom, focus, and exposure. The iPhone 16 also now has the Action button, a versatile and customizable feature first seen in the iPhone 15 Pro series. This button can be programmed to execute various simple and complex actions, enhancing the phone’s functionality and personalizing it to suit individual preferences.
Design is always a tough category to call, because so much of it is personal. The Camera Control button is a game-changer, but the 60Hz refresh rate really does hold the iPhone back. We’re giving this to the iPhone, largely because 60Hz on an iPhone doesn’t generally feel slow, and because the Camera Control button is very good.
Winner: Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: performance and software
The Galaxy S24 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, a customized version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 specifically designed for Samsung devices to deliver improved performance and efficiency. Our tests showed that the Galaxy S24 is fast and capable of handling everyday tasks without lag or stuttering. However, when taking many photos quickly, the phone became warm, although it never got too hot to hold.
The iPhone 16 is equipped with the all-new A18 chip, which Apple claims offers an improved CPU speed of up to 30% and 40% faster GPU performance compared to the A16 chip found in the iPhone 15. Despite these significant improvements, we did not notice substantial performance enhancements during our tests, possibly because the regular iPhones were already very fast.
However, the iPhone 16 includes an A18 chip, which will support Apple Intelligence (see below) when it’s released; the iPhone 15 did not.
The iPhone 16 runs iOS 18, and the Galaxy S24 includes Android 14. Your preference will likely come down to personal experience at this stage. But if you don’t have a choice, don’t worry. While they still have their differences, iOS and Android are generally quite similar these days, and it won’t take you long to find your footing when switching from one to the other. Apple usually offers iPhone users six to eight years of iOS updates, while Samsung has confirmed that Galaxy S24 users will receive seven years of Android updates.
It’s a tough category to call. The newer Apple phone has the edge in pure power, but whether that means a smoother experience is difficult to gauge because there are too many variables to consider.
Winner: Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: cameras
We’ve tested the camera systems on both phones. Overall, they offer mixed results.
First, it’s important to note that the Galaxy S24 has a triple rear camera system, while the iPhone 16 offers a dual camera system. The former offers a 50-megapixel main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto, while the latter provides a 48MP Fusion main and 12MP ultrawide. On the front, both have a 12MP selfie camera.
Our Galaxy S24 camera system test mainly yielded positive results. In the past, Samsung devices have been known for producing oversaturated colors in photos. However, thanks to improved algorithms governing color representation, the images now tend to be more accurate to life. Overall, images were much better when there was no movement when taking a shot. Otherwise, it can mean a blurry picture. Close-up shots with the Galaxy S24 were good, and the selfie camera was “just” decent.
The iPhone 16 features a 48-megapixel primary camera with 2x optical zoom, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP selfie camera, similar to the iPhone 15. However, there are some significant changes.
The new iPhone introduces autofocus for the ultrawide camera, allowing macro photography and enabling the capture of spatial photos for viewing on an Apple Vision Pro. Additionally, the primary camera now has an anti-reflective lens coating and can capture pictures with zero shutter lag, a feature previously exclusive to Pro iPhones.
In our tests, the primary camera captured detailed photos with pleasing colors. The ultrawide camera performed well, though not exceptionally, and taking macro photos was enjoyable. The selfie camera on the iPhone remained as reliable as ever.
The standout feature across the entire iPhone 16 lineup is the physical Camera Control button on the phone’s right side, just below the power button. Pressing this button activates the Camera app, and a single press takes a photo while pressing and holding it records a video.
Additionally, the Camera Control has a capacitive sensor on its top. A light double press on the Camera Control, while the camera is open, activates a new UI for selecting various camera controls such as exposure, zoom, and styles. You can slide your finger across the Camera Control to cycle between them, lightly press the button to select one, and then slide your finger again to adjust the chosen control.
While this may present a learning curve, it’s a fun, new experience that shouldn’t take long to figure out. Furthermore, Apple Intelligence is adding more features.
Winner: iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: battery and charging
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a 4,000mAh battery intended to last a full day with regular use; however, we could use more than a day on a single charge. On a down note, the basic Galaxy S24 model only supports charging speeds of up to 25 watts, unlike its larger counterparts, the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra, which support 45W charging.
On the wireless front, the Samsung phone does not support the new Qi2 wireless charging standard. Wireless charging is still possible but is limited to 15W, which may be slow. The phone also features reverse wireless charging, with a speed of up to 4.5W.
The iPhone 16 has a 4,685 mAh battery, allowing you to use the phone throughout the day without recharging. The standard iPhone 16 series now supports MagSafe charging up to 25W, an improvement from the previous 15W. In addition to MagSafe, the iPhone 16 also supports Qi2 and Qi wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, similar to the previous model.
In our tests using an Anker 747, the iPhone 16 charged from 5% to 60% in approximately 30 minutes, and it took 90 minutes to reach 100%. While charging from a low or dead battery to around 70% is quick, the final 30% takes longer.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16 have strong batteries, but neither is exceptional, which is expected as they are the more affordable flagship models from their respective companies. Therefore, we consider this a tie.
Winner: iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: AI
When history is written, this year’s smartphones will be remembered for being among the first to embrace artificial intelligence. The Galaxy S24 includes Galaxy AI, while the iPhone will eventually include Apple Intelligence. When discussing either of these products, it’s important to note they are both works in progress, especially in the case of Apple Intelligence, which has not yet been released.
Galaxy AI brings a range of advanced AI capabilities directly to Galaxy smartphones and tablets. It aims to provide intelligent and personalized experiences while enhancing the functionality of various features. These include an enhanced user experience, improved functionality, privacy and security, and offline accessibility.
Apple Intelligence, which the company revealed at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, will eventually be found on every Apple product. It’s a suite of AI features designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and the overall user experience. It combines on-device and server-side processing to deliver powerful AI capabilities while prioritizing user privacy.
Apple Intelligence features will initially be divided into three broad categories: photo and video editing, writing, and contextural suggestions or automation.
The iPhone 16 series comes with iOS 18, which does not include Apple Intelligence. You will have to wait for iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2 to be released later this year to access it. However, not all Apple Intelligence components will be available on the iPhone 16 series even after these updates arrive, as full releases might extend into 2025.
As an iPhone 16 buyer, you are promised to be among the first to experience the new tools, but since the biggest new features aren’t ready yet, this has to go to the Samsung phone.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: price and availability
The starting price for each phone is $799, which includes 128GB of storage. For $859, you can get the Galaxy S24 with 256GB. The 256GB iPhone 16 model from Apple is priced at $899. Unlike Samsung, Apple offers a 512GB storage option for $1.099.
Availability is strong for both of these phones, as they’re some of the most popular phones on the planet. Walk into anyplace that sells phones and you’re going to be able to find these.
Apple iPhone 16 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24: verdict
When deciding between the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16, your choice may depend on whether you prefer Android or iOS. If you don’t have a strong preference for either operating system, the iPhone 16 is the better option. Historically, new iPhones released in the fall tend to outperform Galaxy S models released earlier in the year, and this pattern continues with the latest models.
While the Galaxy S24 might be available at slightly lower prices due to being slightly older, the iPhone 16 offers some advantages, such as access to 512GB of storage. Despite the price difference, the iPhone 16 stands out with its design, performance, camera, software, and additional hardware features like the Action button and Camera Control. Overall, the iPhone 16 is the preferred choice over the entry-level Galaxy S24.
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
3 Day Full Body Women’s Dumbbell Only Workout
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Would-be reality TV contestants ‘not looking real’
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
‘Running of the bulls’ festival crowds move like charged particles
-
News1 week ago
Our millionaire neighbour blocks us from using public footpath & screams at us in street.. it’s like living in a WARZONE – WordupNews
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How to wrap your mind around the real multiverse
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Hyperelastic gel is one of the stretchiest materials known to science
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Maxwell’s demon charges quantum batteries inside of a quantum computer
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How to unsnarl a tangle of threads, according to physics
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Liquid crystals could improve quantum communication devices
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Physicists are grappling with their own reproducibility crisis
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
ITER: Is the world’s biggest fusion experiment dead after new delay to 2035?
-
News2 weeks ago
You’re a Hypocrite, And So Am I
-
Sport2 weeks ago
Joshua vs Dubois: Chris Eubank Jr says ‘AJ’ could beat Tyson Fury and any other heavyweight in the world
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Quantum ‘supersolid’ matter stirred using magnets
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Why this is a golden age for life to thrive across the universe
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Quantum forces used to automatically assemble tiny device
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Caroline Ellison aims to duck prison sentence for role in FTX collapse
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Laser helps turn an electron into a coil of mass and charge
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Time travel sci-fi novel is a rip-roaringly good thought experiment
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Nerve fibres in the brain could generate quantum entanglement
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Cardano founder to meet Argentina president Javier Milei
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Meet the world's first female male model | 7.30
-
News2 weeks ago
Israel strikes Lebanese targets as Hizbollah chief warns of ‘red lines’ crossed
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
Best Exercises if You Want to Build a Great Physique
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Ethereum is a 'contrarian bet' into 2025, says Bitwise exec
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Why we need to invoke philosophy to judge bizarre concepts in science
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
DZ Bank partners with Boerse Stuttgart for crypto trading
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
Everything a Beginner Needs to Know About Squatting
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
3 Day Full Body Toning Workout for Women
-
News2 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
News2 weeks ago
▶️ Media Bias: How They Spin Attack on Hezbollah and Ignore the Reality
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
A slight curve helps rocks make the biggest splash
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Quantum time travel: The experiment to ‘send a particle into the past’
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Bitcoin miners steamrolled after electricity thefts, exchange ‘closure’ scam: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Dorsey’s ‘marketplace of algorithms’ could fix social media… so why hasn’t it?
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
RedStone integrates first oracle price feeds on TON blockchain
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Bitcoin bulls target $64K BTC price hurdle as US stocks eye new record
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Blockdaemon mulls 2026 IPO: Report
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Coinbase’s cbBTC surges to third-largest wrapped BTC token in just one week
-
News1 week ago
Four dead & 18 injured in horror mass shooting with victims ‘caught in crossfire’ as cops hunt multiple gunmen
-
Travel6 days ago
Delta signs codeshare agreement with SAS
-
Politics5 days ago
Hope, finally? Keir Starmer’s first conference in power – podcast | News
-
Sport2 weeks ago
UFC Edmonton fight card revealed, including Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi headliner
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
A new kind of experiment at the Large Hadron Collider could unravel quantum reality
-
Technology2 weeks ago
iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera Review: Depth and Reach
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How one theory ties together everything we know about the universe
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Being in two places at once could make a quantum battery charge faster
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Crypto scammers orchestrate massive hack on X but barely made $8K
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Tiny magnet could help measure gravity on the quantum scale
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Future of fusion: How the UK’s JET reactor paved the way for ITER
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How do you recycle a nuclear fusion reactor? We’re about to find out
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Low users, sex predators kill Korean metaverses, 3AC sues Terra: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
SEC asks court for four months to produce documents for Coinbase
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
‘No matter how bad it gets, there’s a lot going on with NFTs’: 24 Hours of Art, NFT Creator
-
Business2 weeks ago
How Labour donor’s largesse tarnished government’s squeaky clean image
-
News2 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
How Heat Affects Your Body During Exercise
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
Keep Your Goals on Track This Season
-
News2 weeks ago
Church same-sex split affecting bishop appointments
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Fivetran targets data security by adding Hybrid Deployment
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
$12.1M fraud suspect with ‘new face’ arrested, crypto scam boiler rooms busted: Asia Express
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
UK spurns European invitation to join ITER nuclear fusion project
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Decentraland X account hacked, phishing scam targets MANA airdrop
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
CertiK Ventures discloses $45M investment plan to boost Web3
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Beat crypto airdrop bots, Illuvium’s new features coming, PGA Tour Rise: Web3 Gamer
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Telegram bot Banana Gun’s users drained of over $1.9M
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
‘Silly’ to shade Ethereum, the ‘Microsoft of blockchains’ — Bitwise exec
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Ethereum falls to new 42-month low vs. Bitcoin — Bottom or more pain ahead?
-
Business2 weeks ago
Thames Water seeks extension on debt terms to avoid renationalisation
-
Politics2 weeks ago
‘Appalling’ rows over Sue Gray must stop, senior ministers say | Sue Gray
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
CNN TÜRK – 🔴 Canlı Yayın ᴴᴰ – Canlı TV izle
-
News1 week ago
Why Is Everyone Excited About These Smart Insoles?
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Trump says he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Single atoms captured morphing into quantum waves in startling image
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Can technology fix the ‘broken’ concert ticketing system?
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How Peter Higgs revealed the forces that hold the universe together
-
Health & fitness2 weeks ago
The secret to a six pack – and how to keep your washboard abs in 2022
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
2 auditors miss $27M Penpie flaw, Pythia’s ‘claim rewards’ bug: Crypto-Sec
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Journeys: Robby Yung on Animoca’s Web3 investments, TON and the Mocaverse
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Louisiana takes first crypto payment over Bitcoin Lightning
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
‘Everything feels like it’s going to shit’: Peter McCormack reveals new podcast
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
A tale of two mysteries: ghostly neutrinos and the proton decay puzzle
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
SEC sues ‘fake’ crypto exchanges in first action on pig butchering scams
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Bitcoin price hits $62.6K as Fed 'crisis' move sparks US stocks warning
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
VonMises bought 60 CryptoPunks in a month before the price spiked: NFT Collector
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Vitalik tells Ethereum L2s ‘Stage 1 or GTFO’ — Who makes the cut?
-
News2 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on his love for playing villains ahead of “Transformers One” release
-
News1 week ago
Bangladesh Holds the World Accountable to Secure Climate Justice
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
Which Squat Load Position is Right For You?
-
TV1 week ago
CNN TÜRK – 🔴 Canlı Yayın ᴴᴰ – Canlı TV izle
-
Technology7 days ago
Robo-tuna reveals how foldable fins help the speedy fish manoeuvre
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Is carbon capture an efficient way to tackle CO2?
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
The physicist searching for quantum gravity in gravitational rainbows
-
Fashion Models2 weeks ago
Mixte
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Labour MP urges UK government to nationalise Grangemouth refinery
-
Health & fitness2 weeks ago
The maps that could hold the secret to curing cancer
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Help! My parents are addicted to Pi Network crypto tapper
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
CZ and Binance face new lawsuit, RFK Jr suspends campaign, and more: Hodler’s Digest Aug. 18 – 24
You must be logged in to post a comment Login