Recently, Ookla conducted a series of tests evaluating the 5G speed and latency of the iPhone 16 lineup. The findings revealed that these devices delivered outstanding performance, outshining both their predecessors and key rivals, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.
Data from Speedtest, gathered across 11 countries, indicated that the iPhone 16 series significantly exceeded the performance metrics of the earlier iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models in terms of both speed and latency. When compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24, the iPhone 16 achieved a range of results but maintained a strong overall performance.
Particularly notable was the iPhone 16’s marked advantage in median 5G download speeds in five of the studied countries. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S24 family showed the fastest median 5G multiserver latency in eight countries, while the iPhone 16 led in 5G latency in just one region.
Moreover, the Galaxy S24 excelled in median 5G upload speeds in eight out of the 11 countries assessed, while the earlier iPhone 14 and 15 models generally recorded the slowest upload speeds.
On the whole, the iPhone 16 models displayed significant speed improvements over previous generations of both Apple and Samsung devices in various markets, including Canada, France, Taiwan, and, notably, the United States. In the U.S., the iPhone 16 achieved a median download speed of 324 Mbps, surpassing the Galaxy S24, which registered a median speed of 287 Mbps. A similar trend was observed in Canada, where the iPhone 16 delivered an 182 Mbps download speed compared to the Galaxy S24’s 156 Mbps.
The speed and latency evaluations were conducted from September 20, the launch day for the iPhone 16, until October 20, covering regions such as the United States, India, Taiwan, Belgium, France, Germany, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Colombia, and Brazil.
With Black Friday approaching, Ookla notes that the results suggest upgrading from an older iPhone could be beneficial for those seeking optimal 5G performance, at least in certain regions. They emphasize that the iPhone 16’s impressive performance makes a compelling case for an upgrade.
However, they also caution: “Should users in those regions upgrade right away? Not necessarily. The choice to upgrade involves factors beyond network performance, including pricing, new features, and various other considerations. Nevertheless, the initial data on the 5G capabilities of the iPhone 16 series is certainly promising early on.”
The iPhone 16 series includes the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These models are remarkable for being the first in the iPhone line to support Apple Intelligence. Each variant also features the company’s new Camera Control system, among other enhancements.
