Ookla has released a comprehensive analysis comparing the 5G performance of the new iPhone 16 lineup against its predecessors, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and Samsung Galaxy S24 series.
The study, based on data collected from 11 countries between September 20 and October 20, 2024, highlights key differences in 5G speeds and latency across these devices.
Chipset and Modem Specifications
- iPhone 16 (16, 16 Plus): Powered by the A18 chipset and Snapdragon X75 modem.
- iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max: Equipped with the A18 Pro chipset.
- iPhone 15: Features the A16 Bionic chipset and Snapdragon X70 modem.
- iPhone 14: Comes with the A15 Bionic chipset and Snapdragon X65 modem.
- Samsung Galaxy S24: Uses the Snapdragon X75 modem.
Ookla noted that 5G performance can vary by country due to factors such as network quality, government investments, and the extent of 5G rollout. Nevertheless, the iPhone 16 lineup demonstrated significant improvements in 5G speeds across several regions compared to its predecessors.
5G Speeds and Latency by Region
Asia Pacific
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- India: The iPhone 16 showed a 30 Mbps advantage over the iPhone 14, reaching a median 5G download speed of 261.57 Mbps and latency of 44 ms. The Galaxy S24 trailed slightly with 251.17 Mbps.
- Philippines: The iPhone 16 showed slight improvements, posting 125.68 Mbps, but the Galaxy S24 led with 158.47 Mbps.
- Taiwan: The iPhone 16 led with 342.37 Mbps, outperforming the Galaxy S24 by 30 Mbps. Both devices showed strong upload speeds of around 38 Mbps.
Europe
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- Belgium: The iPhone 16 achieved 237.37 Mbps, faster than earlier iPhone models, but not significantly different from other devices.
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- France: The iPhone 16 posted 279.29 Mbps, around 60 Mbps faster than older iPhone models and the Galaxy S24.
- Germany: The iPhone 16 led with 172.69 Mbps, outperforming the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. The Galaxy S24 had lower download speeds but performed best in latency.
Latin America
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- Brazil: 5G speeds were excellent across all devices, with the iPhone 14 at 444.29 Mbps, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 showed similar results around 468 Mbps.
- Colombia: The Galaxy S24 led with 246.05 Mbps, outperforming the iPhone 16’s 195.25 Mbps.
North America
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- Canada: The iPhone 16 outperformed previous models with 182.43 Mbps, showing a clear speed advantage over the Galaxy S24 and older iPhones.
- Mexico: 5G speeds across the iPhone models were very similar, with minimal differences between the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 families.
- United States: The iPhone 16 led with 324.23 Mbps, significantly outperforming both the Galaxy S24 and earlier iPhones.
Conclusion
The iPhone 16 lineup showed impressive 5G speeds in multiple countries, often surpassing previous iPhone models and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series. However, in certain markets like Colombia and the Philippines, Samsung maintained a performance edge.
Key Takeaways
- The iPhone 16 led in median 5G download speeds in five of the 11 countries analyzed.
- In seven countries, the iPhone 14 had the slowest 5G speeds.
- The Galaxy S24 recorded the lowest latency in eight countries.
Ookla advises that upgrades should depend on more than just network speeds. Features, pricing, and other factors should also influence the decision, especially in markets where speed differences are minimal.