1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.8 × 74.5 × 8.4 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | iPhone 16 Plus is slightly larger and thinner. The S20 FE 5G might feel more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 190g | 199g | S20 FE 5G is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | S20 FE 5G's screen is demonstrably more protected against scratches and breakage than the iPhone 16 Plus. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | iPhone 16 Plus offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1290x2796 | iPhone 16 Plus has a noticeably sharper display with finer details. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 407 | 460 | Higher PPI on the iPhone 16 Plus results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but differences are likely subtle and depend on calibration. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S20 FE 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 2000 | iPhone 16 Plus offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Apple A18 (3 nm) | Apple A18 is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 623,000 | 1,753,018 | Indicates a substantial performance advantage for the iPhone 16 Plus in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | The Apple GPU likely offers superior graphics performance, especially for graphically intensive games and applications. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | Both phones have adequate ram but if the user is running a lot of apps, the iPhone 16 plus might be better suited. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3" sensor | iPhone 16 Plus captures more detailed images, especially in good lighting. Wider aperture allows more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | 12MP, f/1.9 | S20 FE 5G captures high resolution selfies, but the iPhone's wider aperture and computational photography might deliver better overall quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | None | S20 FE 5G offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities, useful for distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | S20 FE 5G has a dedicated ultrawide lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | iPhone 16 Plus offers the ability to capture macro photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Both offer high-quality video recording, but iPhone's HDR support provides better dynamic range. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, OIS, Optical Zoom | Dual camera, OIS, Optical Zoom, Cinematic Mode, Pro Video Mode | iPhone 16 Plus offers advanced video features like Cinematic Mode. S20 FE 5G offers optical zoom. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4674mAh | Similar battery capacity, expect comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Both offer fast charging. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 25W | iPhone 16 Plus charges wirelessly faster. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes (4.5W) | No | S20 FE 5G can wirelessly charge other devices. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | iPhone 16 Plus offers a higher storage option, beneficial for users with extensive media libraries or apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | iOS 18 | Different user experience, app ecosystems. iOS is known for its simplicity and tight integration, Android for its customizability. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | iPhone 16 Plus supports the newer WiFi 6E standard, potentially offering faster and more reliable connections if your router supports it. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | iPhone 16 Plus has a newer version of bluetooth. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Face Unlock | S20 FE 5G has a fingerprint sensor while the iPhone 16 Plus has face unlock. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Advantages:
- 120Hz Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Telephoto and Wide Angle Lenses: More versatile camera system with dedicated optical zoom and ultra wide.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Alternative biometric authentication method.
- Lower Cost (Likely): The S20 FE 5G is an older model, so it will almost definitely be much cheaper than the iPhone 16 Plus.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: Faster performance for all tasks.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed visuals.
- Higher Brightness Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- Superior Main Camera: Better image quality and low-light performance.
- Better Video Quality: Better stabilisation, HDR recording capabilities.
- eSIM Support: Flexibility to switch carriers digitally.
- Potentially longer software support: Apple supports their phones for a very long time.
- Better Audio Quality: With the noise cancellation microphone, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, and better voice capture.
Trade-offs:
- S20 FE 5G: Sacrifices performance and camera quality for a lower price and some extra features like reverse wireless charging and a telephoto lens.
- iPhone 16 Plus: Higher price point, lacks a telephoto lens, and has a lower refresh rate display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who still want a good display and versatile camera, and who value features like reverse wireless charging and a fingerprint sensor.
- Use Cases: General everyday use, social media, photography where zoom is important, and users who prefer Android.
- Apple iPhone 16 Plus:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, and who are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, video editing, photography, and users who value simplicity and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:
- What is your budget? The S20 FE 5G will be significantly cheaper.
- How important is performance and camera quality? The iPhone 16 Plus offers substantial improvements in these areas.
- Do you prefer Android or iOS? This is a fundamental decision based on personal preference and ecosystem compatibility.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: iPhone 16 Plus due to superior performance and graphics capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Budget Photographer: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G due to versatile camera system, especially if zoom capabilities are desired.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User on a Budget: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G.
Which phone would I choose?
I would choose the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. While the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G has some appealing features like the 120Hz display, telephoto lens, and reverse wireless charging, the iPhone 16 Plus offers a more compelling package overall.
Here's why:
- Raw Performance: The Apple A18 chip is a game-changer. It will handle any task I throw at it with ease, from demanding games to video editing. This ensures the phone remains smooth and responsive for years to come.
- Display Quality: While the 60Hz refresh rate is a compromise, the higher resolution, pixel density, and significantly higher brightness make the iPhone 16 Plus's display a superior viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Camera Superiority: As a general rule, I prefer a phone with good video recording and a main camera that excels in various lighting conditions, and the iPhone 16 Plus wins.
- Software and Ecosystem: I am currently a long-term user of the Apple ecosystem, so the software integration would make the iPhone 16 plus more useful.
