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Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 13 series comparison: Which should you buy?

It's a difficult choice if you aren't already invested in a particular ecosystem.
By

Published onMay 22, 2022

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus cameras
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Apple launched its 2021 flagships in September, comprising four smartphones once again. Ranging from the Mini to the Pro Max, the iPhone 13 series appears to be an iterative update.

But how does it stack up against Samsung’s Galaxy S21 lineup? Let’s find out in this Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 13 series comparison, in which we take a closer look at everything from specs and features to pricing and design. Let’s dive in!

Our verdict: iPhone 13 Pro Max review | iPhone 13 review


Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 13


Design and features

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Series 4
Luke Pollack / Android Authority

The iPhone 13 and Galaxy S21 series are as feature-packed as ever. The Galaxy S21 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max take the crown as the phones to beat. However, the rest of the handsets in the two lineups are impressive as well.

The iPhone 13 series remains largely unchanged on the surface, apart from a smaller notch. All four keep the same display sizes and overall footprint, and the better cameras are reserved for the Pro models. This time around, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max get another leg up with 120Hz displays that will provide a smoother experience than the 60Hz panels found on the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini.

Related: The best Samsung Galaxy S21 cases you can buy

It was a pretty significant design overhaul in the case of the Galaxy S21, though. Samsung replaced the unsightly camera bump from the Galaxy S20 with a “contour cut” camera bump that integrates directly into the metal frame. The Galaxy S21 range features 120Hz display refresh rates as well. However, Samsung dropped the resolution of the standard Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus to Full HD+ while keeping the S21 Ultra at QHD+.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs S21 Plus vs S21 Ultra 1 1
David Imel / Android Authority

As far as specs go, you’ll get flagship performance no matter which phone you pick. The latest Apple chip, the A15 Bionic, could very well be the fastest smartphone processor around and beats the Snapdragon 888-toting Galaxy S21 in performance benchmarks. All seven phones can comfortably handle anything you throw at them.

You'll get flagship performance no matter which phone you pick.

The biggest selling point of Apple and Samsung flagships is usually the camera. These phones are consistently part of the best phone camera roundups year after year, and 2021 is no different.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra cameras
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

You’ll get multiple camera lenses with every phone. The iPhone 13 series retains a lot of camera features from the last generation. The dual cameras of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are entirely unchanged. There’s only an aesthetic difference this time around, with the cameras placed diagonally.

See also: The best camera phones you can get

As before, the Pro editions add a telephoto lens to the mix. While the specs sheet stays the same in the case of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, the ultra-wide camera has been upgraded from an ƒ/2.4 aperture to ƒ/1.8, which should make it perform better in low light. There are also new features on the software side. A new Cinematic Mode brings bokeh to video, and you’ll now get Night Mode on all the lenses, not just the main one.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra camera housing close
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus also have 12MP wide-angle and ultra-wide sensors, along with a 64MP telephoto shooter. However, if you want even more cameras, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the phone to get. It comes with a 108MP wide-angle, two 12MP telephoto units, and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter.

We know that these are among the best camera phones you can get. Of course, the more expensive options like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the iPhone 13 Pro, and Pro Max are the best of the lot. While the smaller models don’t have as many cameras, they are still extremely capable shooters that won’t fail to impress.

Read more: Camera shootout — iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Pixel 6 Pro


Price

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus back on table macro
David Imel / Android Authority
Galaxy S21 Plus
  • Galaxy S21: $799 / €849 / £769
  • S21 Plus: $999 / €1,049 / £949
  • S21 Ultra: $1,199 / €1,249 / £1,149
  • iPhone 13 Mini: $699 / €799 / £679
  • iPhone 13: $799 / €899 / £779
  • iPhone 13 Pro: $999 / €1,149 / £949
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max: $1,099 / €1,249 / £1,049

Apple didn’t change the starting prices of the iPhone 13 series. However, it’s worth noting that it dropped the 64GB option in favor of 128GB. So every base-level iPhone 13 comes with double the storage compared to the previous generation. You can also bump the storage up to 1TB with the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.

With the Galaxy S21, Samsung took a huge step back from the exorbitant pricing of the Galaxy S20 series. Each phone starts at $200 lower than the previous generation and is more in line with competing devices like the iPhone 13.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is more expensive than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra, at $1,199, is a little more expensive than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. You get a different camera setup, a higher display resolution, and S Pen support to make that difference more palatable.

The identically-priced iPhone 13 Pro and Galaxy S21 Plus are about as even as it gets. The regular iPhone 13 and Galaxy S21 are also priced the same. However, an argument could be made for the more premium build quality of the former, giving it a leg up over the “glasstic” Samsung phone. On the flip side, the Galaxy S21 comes with a higher display refresh rate, which is something you’ll only get with the Pro iPhones.

There’s no Samsung equivalent for the iPhone 13 Mini. If you want a small phone, the Mini is the best option around, and it helps that it’s the cheapest of the lot.


Specs

iPhone 13 MiniiPhone 13
Display
iPhone 13 Mini
5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,340 x 1,080 resolution
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1,200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
iPhone 13
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,532 x 1,170 resolution
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1,200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
Processor
iPhone 13 Mini
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
iPhone 13 Mini
128 / 256 / 512GB
iPhone 13
128 / 256 / 512GB
Battery
iPhone 13 Mini
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
iPhone 13
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
Cameras
iPhone 13 Mini
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.6, OIS, 7-element lens
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/2.4, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction

2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 3x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
iPhone 13
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.6, OIS, 7-element lens
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/2.4, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction

2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 3x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
Connectivity
iPhone 13 Mini
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
iPhone 13
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
Sensors
iPhone 13 Mini
Face ID
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
iPhone 13
Face ID
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Software
iPhone 13 Mini
iOS 15
iPhone 13
iOS 15
Durability
iPhone 13 Mini
IP68
iPhone 13
IP68
Dimensions and weight
iPhone 13 Mini
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65mm
141g
iPhone 13
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
174g
Colors
iPhone 13 Mini
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
iPhone 13
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
In the box
iPhone 13 Mini
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13 ProiPhone 13 Pro Max
Display
iPhone 13 Pro
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,532 x 1,170 resolution
ProMotion 120Hz
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
iPhone 13 Pro Max
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,778 x 1,284 resolution
ProMotion 120Hz
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
Processor
iPhone 13 Pro
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
iPhone 13 Pro
128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB
iPhone 13 Pro Max
128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB
Battery
iPhone 13 Pro
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
Cameras
iPhone 13 Pro
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5, dual OIS, 7-element lens, 100% Focus Pixels, Night Mode
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction, Night Mode
-Telephoto 12MP, ƒ/2.8, dual OIS, 6-element lens

3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, Apple ProRAW

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 9x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5, dual OIS, 7-element lens, 100% Focus Pixels, Night Mode
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction, Night Mode
-Telephoto 12MP, ƒ/2.8, dual OIS, 6-element lens

3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, Apple ProRAW

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 9x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
Connectivity
iPhone 13 Pro
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
iPhone 13 Pro Max
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
Sensors
iPhone 13 Pro
Face ID
LiDAR Scanner
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Face ID
LiDAR Scanner
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Software
iPhone 13 Pro
iOS 15
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iOS 15
Durability
iPhone 13 Pro
IP68
iPhone 13 Pro Max
IP68
Dimensions and weight
iPhone 13 Pro
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
204g
iPhone 13 Pro Max
160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65mm
240g
Colors
iPhone 13 Pro
Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue
In the box
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
Samsung Galaxy S21Samsung Galaxy S21 PlusSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display
Samsung Galaxy S21
6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Flat FHD+
2,400 x 1,080 at 421ppi
Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
HDR10+ certified
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Flat FHD+
2,400 x 1,080 at 394ppi
Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
HDR10+ certified
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Curved WQHD+
3,200 x 1,440 at 515ppi
Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
HDR10+ certified
Processor
Samsung Galaxy S21
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100
RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21
8GB
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
8GB
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
12 or 16GB
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S21
128 or 256GB
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
128 or 256GB
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
128, 256, or 512GB
MicroSD
Samsung Galaxy S21
No
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
No
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
No
Battery
Samsung Galaxy S21
4,000mAh
Fast wired and wireless charging
Reverse wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
4,800mAh
Fast wired and wireless charging
Reverse wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
5,000mAh
Fast wired and wireless charging
Reverse wireless charging
Cameras
Samsung Galaxy S21
Rear:
- Wide-angle: 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.8µm with OIS and dual-pixel AF
- Telephoto: 64MP, ƒ/2.0, 0.8µm with OIS and phase-detection AF
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.4µm with 120-degree FoV

3x hybrid optical/digital zoom
30x "Space Zoom"

Front:
- 10MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22µm, with dual-pixel AF
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
Rear:
- Wide-angle: 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.8µm with OIS and dual-pixel AF
- Telephoto: 64MP, ƒ/2.0, 0.8µm with OIS and phase-detection AF
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.4µm with 120-degree FoV

3x hybrid optical/digital zoom
30x "Space Zoom"

Front:
- 10MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22µm, with dual-pixel AF
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Rear:
- Wide-angle: 108MP, ƒ/1.8, 0.8µm with OIS and phase-detection AF
- Telephoto: 10MP, ƒ/2.4, 1.22µm with OIS, dual-pixel AF, and 3x optical zoom
- Telephoto: 10MP, ƒ/4.9, 1.22µm with OIS, dual-pixel AF, and 10x optical zoom
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.4µm with dual-pixel AF and a 120-degree FoV
- Laser AF sensor

10x optical zoom
100x "Space Zoom"

Front:
- 40MP, ƒ/2.2, 0.7µm, with phase-detection AF
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S21
4G LTE support
5G (sub-6GHz, SA and NSA, mmWave)
Wi-Fi 6E support
Bluetooth 5.0
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
4G LTE support
5G (sub-6GHz, SA and NSA, mmWave)
Wi-Fi 6E support
Bluetooth 5.0
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
4G LTE support
5G (sub-6GHz, SA and NSA, mmWave)
Wi-Fi 6E support
Bluetooth 5.2
S Pen support
Samsung Galaxy S21
No
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
No
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Yes
Operating System
Samsung Galaxy S21
One UI 3.1
Android 11
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
One UI 3.1
Android 11
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
One UI 3.1
Android 11
Water resistance
Samsung Galaxy S21
IP68
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
IP68
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
IP68
Security
Samsung Galaxy S21
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, face unlock
Color
Samsung Galaxy S21
128GB in Phantom Violet, Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink, and Phantom White

256GB only in Phantom Gray

Future colors: Phantom Gold and Phantom Red
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
128GB in Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver, and Phantom Black

256GB only in Phantom Black

Future colors: Phantom Gold and Phantom Red
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
128 GB in Phantom Silver and Phantom Black

256 and 512GB in Phantom Black

Future colors: Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, and Phantom Brown
Dimensions and weight
Samsung Galaxy S21
71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9mm
171g
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
75.6 x 161.5 x 7.8mm
202g
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
75.6 x 165.1 x 8.9mm
229g

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 13: Which should you buy?

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra software
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

It’s usually easy to declare a winner when we compare phones, at least in a few categories, but it’s never simple when it comes to Apple vs Samsung. As always, it essentially boils down to which ecosystem you are already invested in. You’ll get excellent performance with all seven phones, and the cameras are fantastic as well.

Read also: How to switch from iPhone to Android

The feature set is ultimately quite similar, even if the wrapping is entirely different. Neither side does anything that would convince someone to jump across the fence. The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s S Pen support is unique in this lineup. However, an iPhone user who wasn’t swayed by the Galaxy Note won’t find that a compelling reason this time either.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max front in hand on green wall
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

For the undecided, it depends on what you’re looking for. The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus feature larger screens than their iPhone 13 series counterparts. The S21 has a better camera setup on paper and a higher display refresh rate than the standard iPhone 13, but the latter has a more premium build. For the best flagships out there, it’s neck and neck between the S21 Ultra and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

It’s also worth mentioning that Pro versions of the iPhones come with as much as 1TB of storage, while the S21 Ultra tops out at 512GB. The iPhones also feature Apple’s Face ID technology, which some prefer over the in-display fingerprint scanners found on the S21 devices. But on the other hand, you get slightly faster wired charging with Samsung’s flagships (25W vs 20W) and an arguably nicer design thanks to a smaller display cutout, among other things.

If you're looking for a compact phone, the iPhone 13 Mini is right up your alley.

The phone that makes an excellent case for itself, though, is the iPhone 13 Mini. If you’re looking for a small phone, its closest competition in the size category is 2020’s Pixel 4a or the ASUS Zenfone 8.

Both Android and iOS are fully mature platforms at this point, and Samsung’s 2021 flagships are among the best around. If you are considering a switch, these are two series to jump between. Or you might want to consider Samsung’s latest, the Galaxy S22 series.


That’s it for our Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 13 comparison! Which one are you considering?

iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Which one are you considering?

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