iPhone 16 Pro vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: Real-Life Camera & Battery Test (2025)

Hi friends, Aijaz is here. I have been creating digital content for the last 8+ years, and my smartphone has literally become an extension of my hand. Every year there is a classic war: Apple vs. Samsung.

You may have come to this article because you are also confused – should I buy iPhone 16 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra? Both are powerful phones, and reading their specs creates even more confusion.

That's why today we keep boring specs and lab tests aside. Today we are going to do a real-world test – in which we will see which phone actually performs better when it comes to the two most important things: camera and battery.

Let's get started!

A Quick Summary – What You Need to Know

How Do Both Phones Feel?

Both phones feel premium, both have strong titanium frame. The screen size of iPhone 16 Pro has become slightly bigger – 6.3 inches, and Pro Max has become 6.9 inches. Galaxy S24 Ultra is also a big phone with a 6.8-inch super bright display – clearly visible even in direct sunlight.

Honestly, whether you want to watch Netflix or scroll Instagram – the displays of both are next level.

Performance – Which Is Faster?

iPhone 16 Pro has Apple’s new A18 Pro chip, and Galaxy S24 Ultra has Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – both are insanely fast.

Apps open instantly, multitasking is smooth, games run very smoothly. So if we talk about speed, both phones are top-notch.

Camera Test – Real-Life Photos, Not Lab Shots

Bright Sunny Day – Easy Shots

Both phones handled sunny day shots easily:

• iPhone 16 Pro: Photos look absolutely natural and realistic. What was visible in the eyes was also visible in the photo.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Gives a little extra brightness and color punch. Meaning the photo is absolutely social-media ready – even without editing.

My verdict: iPhone if you want natural photos which you can edit later. Galaxy if you want to share the photo instantly.

Zoom Test – Door Photo, Close-Up

Be it a concert or wildlife – zoom camera is quite useful.

Both phones now have 5x optical zoom. Up to 5x, both phones gave clear and crisp shots. When the zoom was taken up to 10x, the processing of the Galaxy seemed a bit sharper and cleaner.

The Galaxy zooms up to 100x (seems a bit gimmick but sometimes useful). The iPhone has a zoom cap at 25x.

My verdict: Both are best for regular zoom. For extreme zoom, the Galaxy is slightly better.

Low Light & Night Mode – Who Shines in the Dark?

• iPhone 16 Pro: Captures natural mood in night shots. Light and details are in balance.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra: Brightens the scene a bit. Shadows get more clarity.

My verdict: If you want the real vibe of the night, then iPhone. If you like a little more visible and flashy photos, then Galaxy.

Video Quality – Is iPhone Still the King?

The iPhone has always been on top in video, and the 16 Pro continues that tradition. 4K @ 120fps slow-motion literally looks cinematic. Stabilization is so smooth that it doesn't feel like the phone was in the hand.

The Galaxy also delivers solid video – even supports 8K recording. But iPhone's video out-of-the-box looks more pro.

Battery Life Test – Which One Is More Durable?

The Numbers Can Be a Little Misleading

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max has approx 4685mAh. But the iPhone’s software optimization makes it more efficient.

A Normal Day’s Test

• Morning (7 AM – 12 PM): Social media scroll, emails, podcast.
• Afternoon (12 PM – 5 PM): YouTube, photo/video shoot, a little gaming.
• Evening (5 PM – 11 PM): Maps, streaming, Instagram.

End of day, both phones survived – impressive! But the iPhone had a little extra battery left. The Galaxy also lasts for 1.5 days on light usage.

Charging Speed – Which One Charges Faster?

The Galaxy's 45W fast charging is a bit faster than the iPhone's rumored 40W. The Galaxy does charge a bit faster in the real world, but the difference isn't huge.

Final Verdict – Which Phone Is Best for You?

The iPhone 16 Pro Is for You If:

• You are already in the Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, etc.).
• You want the best video quality.
• You like a natural look in photos.
• You want to save battery even after heavy usage.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra Is for You If:

• You like the freedom and customization of Android.
• You use the S Pen for creativity or notes.
• You want a versatile camera, especially for zoom.
• You want bright, social-ready photos without editing.

Conclusion

Both phones are insane level. You can’t make a wrong choice. Just think what is more important for you – camera, battery or overall experience?

Which phone are you going to buy? Tell me in the comments below!