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Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Which should you buy?

They have similar prices, but which phone is right for you?
By
August 9, 2022
Samsung Galaxy S22
MSRP: $849.99
Check price
Positives
Refined, compact design
Small yet sweet display
Impressive camera setup
Unrivaled Android update support
Negatives
Low battery life
Slow charging
Limited storage options
The Bottom Line.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 offers solid performance, a great camera, and tons of features -- all in a relatively small package, which is a rarity in the Android world. The Galaxy S22 is therefore a strong competitor for the best small screen phones even if we would have appreciated a better battery life.Read full review...
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
MSRP: $999.99
Check price
Positives
Excellent display
Powerful camera package
Top-notch performance
Negatives
Speakers are a little weak
No expandable storage
The Bottom Line.
It might not have the wow factor of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but don't make the mistake of overlooking the Galaxy S22 Plus. It's every bit a premium device and outperforms its siblings in some key areas. The Galaxy S22 Plus is one of Samsung's very best and the top Android phone to beat for those who don't need a stylus.Read full review...
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
MSRP: $629.99
Check price
Positives
Powerful processor
Compact form factor
Solid cameras and video
Negatives
May be smaller than anticipated
The Bottom Line.
The iPhone 13 Mini takes all of the specs and features of the standard iPhone 13, and packs them into a tiny shell. At just 5.4-inches, the display is much smaller than the average compact phone on the market today.
Apple iPhone 13
MSRP: $799.99
Check price
Positives
Top-notch build quality
Unparalleled performance
Solid camera and video experience
Negatives
Proprietary Lightning port
Slow charging speeds
iOS still an acquired taste
The Bottom Line.
The iPhone 13 phone is for people who want to make the safe choice.Read full review...
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
MSRP: $1,250.00
Check price
Positives
Exceptional battery life
Top-tier performance
Robust and consistent camera setup
Unmatched software support
Negatives
Fairly slow charging
The Bottom Line.
The Phone 13 Pro is a wonderful phone for everyday and power users alike. There’s tons of power thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and a camera package that is one of the best in the industry.Read full review...

Samsung’s 2022 flagship Galaxy S22 series offers three phones — the Galaxy S22, the Galaxy S22 Plus, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to jump into the debate of Samsung vs Apple. Both ranges rely on the tried and tested, at least in the case of the smaller S22 and S22 Plus, but with enough upgrades across the board to make them compelling buys. How did they compare with Apple’s iPhone 13 handsets? Let’s take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13.

In this comparison, we’ll pit the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus against the iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 Pro. With the Galaxy S22 Ultra separating itself from the series even further with a new design and S Pen support, it gets its own comparison with the iPhone 13 Pro Max.


Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Design and display

Apple iPhone 13left rear profile against red brick wall
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The iPhone 13’s design language stays the same as its predecessor’s, but with some refining a keen-eyed observer might catch at first glance. The rear cameras of the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini are positioned diagonally, a slight change from the vertical placement before. The notch is 20% smaller, but without affecting all the Face ID hardware that goes into it.

The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini have more in common than just the camera placement. Apart from the different display sizes and battery capacities, the rest remain identical. The iPhone 13 Mini and standard iPhone 13 come with 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch OLED displays, respectively, with a 60Hz refresh rate. Apple is saving faster 120Hz refresh rates for its Pro models, which you get with the 6.1-inch OLED screen of the iPhone 13 Pro. The iPhone 13 Pro borrows the same triple rear camera setup from the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The story stays the same when we look at the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus. It’s nearly impossible to differentiate between the smaller Galaxy S22 models, compared to their predecessors, unless you’re incredibly familiar with the many colorways of the phones. The Contour Cut camera bump returns and houses the upgraded triple camera setup.

You’ll need to pick up the phone to notice a difference. After using a “glasstic” back with the base Galaxy S21, metal and glass are the order of the day again with the newer phone. This makes the Galaxy S22 and the S22 Plus even closer than before, and Samsung managed to make the build quality upgrade without changing the launch price.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus display with plant
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Samsung’s display prowess shines through with every phone, and its latest releases are no different. But, there are no surprises with the display. The 6.1-inch and 6.6-inch Super AMOLED displays of the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus are as impressive as they’ve ever been on a Samsung flagship. The Full HD+ screens have a 120Hz refresh rate, giving the Galaxy S22 a leg up over the similarly priced iPhone 13 and 13 Mini.

The Galaxy S22 and the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro are very similar in size, while the Galaxy S22 Plus is the biggest of the lot with its much larger display. If you want a genuinely compact smartphone, though, the iPhone 13 Mini is your best bet, not only compared to the Galaxy S22 series but the Android world in general.


Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Hardware and cameras

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus bottom edge
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Galaxy S22 bottom edges

Powering the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the S22 Plus is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, or the Samsung Exynos 2200 in selected global markets. Both phones have 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage built-in as standard but can go up to 256GB. You’ll have to splurge on the Galaxy S22 Ultra for more RAM, but the hardware of the smaller phones will also give you an incredibly smooth performance.

On the other hand, Apple’s A15 Bionic processor under the hood of the iPhone 13 is a powerhouse. Tests show that the Apple processor benchmarks better than Qualcomm’s in certain aspects. Benchmark tests aside, real-world performance will be impressive no matter your phone. The Samsungs have more RAM, but the Apple devices offer higher storage (512GB) versions if you want them.

The Galaxy S22 has a 3,700mAh battery, while the larger size lets Samsung pack a larger 4,500mAh unit into the S22 Plus. The Ultra and Plus models offer an upgraded maximum charging speed of 45W, but you can charge the regular Galaxy S22 at 25W, while all three support 15W wireless charging. Neither phone comes with a charger in the box, so you’ll need to pick up a suitable charger to take advantage of its fast-charging capabilities.

Apple iPhone 13 display right centered park
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Apple doesn’t officially declare its phones’ battery capacities, but we know that every phone in the iPhone 13 series comes with larger batteries than its predecessors. The iPhone 13 Mini has the smallest battery but offers solid battery life, while the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro are even better.

All three phones also have wireless charging support, 15W with a MagSafe charger and 7.5W with standard Qi chargers. You get some fast charging capabilities with a compatible charger — again, there are no chargers in the box — but it’s far from the quickest charging we’ve seen.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus in blue angled camera closeup
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The cameras are usually the biggest selling point of Apple and Samsung smartphones. The smaller Galaxy S22 siblings don’t get the impressive camera array of the Ultra, but there are some significant upgrades here that make them better than recent non-Ultra Galaxy S phones. You’ll find a 50MP primary camera, along with a 10MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultrawide shooter. The selfie camera gets upgraded to 40MP, another jump from the 10MP sensors we’ve seen in previous years.

The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini have a dual-camera setup with a 12MP wide-angle and 12MP ultrawide lens. If you want a telephoto lens, the iPhone 13 Pro tacks on a 12MP one. Don’t let the numbers fool you, though. All three iPhones were among the best camera phones around. So were the Galaxy S22 series.


Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Specs

Galaxy S22Galaxy S22 Plus
Display
Galaxy S22
6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Flat display
19.5:9 aspect ratio
FHD+ resolution (2,340 x 1,080)
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (10Hz to 120Hz)
240Hz touch sampling rate
Galaxy S22 Plus
6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Flat display
19.5:9 aspect ratio
FHD+ resolution (2,340 x 1,080)
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (10Hz to 120Hz)
240Hz touch sampling rate
Processor
Galaxy S22
US: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Global: Exynos 2200
Galaxy S22 Plus
US: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Global: Exynos 2200
RAM
Galaxy S22
8GB
Galaxy S22 Plus
8GB
Storage
Galaxy S22
128GB or 256GB
No microSD card support
Galaxy S22 Plus
128GB or 256GB
No microSD card support
Power
Galaxy S22
3,700mAh battery
25W wired charging
15W wireless charging
No charger in box
Galaxy S22 Plus
4,500mAh battery
45W wired charging
15W wireless charging
No charger in box
Cameras
Galaxy S22
REAR:
- 50MP wide (1.0μm, ƒ1.8, 23mm, 85-degree FoV)
- 12MP ultrawide (1.4μm, ƒ2.2, 13mm, 120-degree FoV)
- 10MP telephoto (1.0μm, ƒ2.4, 69mm, 36-degree FoV, 3x optical zoom)

FRONT:
- 40MP wide (ƒ2.2, 23mm, 80-degree FoV)
Galaxy S22 Plus
REAR:
- 50MP wide (1.0μm, ƒ1.8, 23mm, 85-degree FoV)
- 12MP ultrawide (1.4μm, ƒ2.2, 13mm, 120-degree FoV)
- 10MP telephoto (1.0μm, ƒ2.4, 69mm, 36-degree FoV, 3x optical zoom)

FRONT:
- 40MP wide (ƒ2.2, 23mm, 80-degree FoV)
Video
Galaxy S22
REAR:
- 8K at 24fps (main lens only)
- 4K at 60fps (all lenses)

FRONT:
- 4K at 60fps
Galaxy S22 Plus
REAR:
- 8K at 24fps (main lens only)
- 4K at 60fps (all lenses)

FRONT:
- 4K at 60fps
Audio
Galaxy S22
Stereo speakers
Dolby Atmos support
Galaxy S22 Plus
Stereo speakers
Dolby Atmos support
Connectivity
Galaxy S22
5G (mmWave + sub-6GHz)
Wi-Fi 6 (ax), Dual Band
Bluetooth 5.2
NFC support
Galaxy S22 Plus
5G (mmWave + sub-6GHz)
Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz)
Bluetooth 5.2
NFC support
Ultra-wideband support (UWB)
Security
Galaxy S22
Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor
4 x 9mm size
Galaxy S22 Plus
Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor
4 x 9mm size
Software
Galaxy S22
Android 12
One UI 4.1
Galaxy S22 Plus
Android 12
One UI 4.1
S Pen support
Galaxy S22
No
Galaxy S22 Plus
No
Materials
Galaxy S22
Gorilla Glass Victus Plus front and back
Armour Aluminum frame
Galaxy S22 Plus
Gorilla Glass Victus Plus front and back
Armour Aluminum frame
Durability
Galaxy S22
IP68 certified
Galaxy S22 Plus
IP68 certified
Dimensions and weight
Galaxy S22
146 x 70.6 x 7.6mm
168g
Galaxy S22 Plus
157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6mm
196g
Colors
Galaxy S22
Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, Pink Gold

Online exclusives: Cream, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet
Galaxy S22 Plus
Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, Pink Gold

Online exclusives: Cream, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet
iPhone 13 MiniiPhone 13iPhone 13 Pro
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
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
Processor
iPhone 13 Mini
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13 Pro
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
iPhone 13 Mini
128 / 256 / 512GB
iPhone 13
128 / 256 / 512GB
iPhone 13 Pro
128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
iPhone 13 Pro
Face ID
LiDAR Scanner
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Software
iPhone 13 Mini
iOS 15
iPhone 13
iOS 15
iPhone 13 Pro
iOS 15
Durability
iPhone 13 Mini
IP68
iPhone 13
IP68
iPhone 13 Pro
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
iPhone 13 Pro
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
204g
Colors
iPhone 13 Mini
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
iPhone 13
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
iPhone 13 Pro
Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Price and colors

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus family colors on wood
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 (8GB/128GB): $799
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 (8GB/256GB): $849
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus (8GB/128GB): $999
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus (8GB/256GB): $1,049
  • iPhone 13 Mini: $699 (128GB)/ $799 (256GB)/ $999 (512GB)
  • iPhone 13: $799 (128GB)/ $899 (256GB)/ $1,099 (512GB)
  • iPhone 13 Pro: $999 (128GB)/ $1,099 (256GB)/ $1,299 (512GB)/ $1,499 (1TB)

The Galaxy S22 and the iPhone 13 started at the same price, but Apple charged extra when doubling the storage. Similarly, the Galaxy S22 Plus and iPhone 13 Pro started at $999, but while you got double the storage with the S22 Plus for $50 more, it was $100 more with the iPhone. The iPhones give more storage, going up to 512GB in the case of the regular models and 1TB with the Pro.

Apple charges more than Samsung if you double the storage.

Samsung had plenty of colorways on offer with the two phones. Standard options include Phantom Black, Phantom White, Pink Gold, and Green. The two-toned Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, and Cream, were exclusively available directly from Samsung’s online store. The iPhones didn’t have as many options, but flashy choices were available. The iPhone 13 Mini and standard 13 can be found in Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red, while the Pro has Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue as its four options.

See price at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S22
23%off
Samsung Galaxy S22
Compact design
Impressive camera setup
Unrivaled software support
See price at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
13%off
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
Excellent display
Powerful camera package
Top-notch performance
See price at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
46%off
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Ultra-premium build quality
Gorgeous screen
Solid performance
See price at Amazon
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
4%off
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Powerful processor
Compact form factor
Solid cameras and video
See price at Best Buy
Apple iPhone 13
12%off
Apple iPhone 13
Top-notch build quality
Unparalleled performance
Solid camera and video experience
See price at Best Buy
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
10%off
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Excellent performance
Robust and consistent camera setup
Unmatched software support

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Which should you buy?

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus vs Apple iPhone 13 front on carpet
Eric Zeman / Android Authority

When considering any Android vs iOS phone, the choice always boils down to which ecosystem you are already in. If you have an Apple Watch, an iPad, and a ton of official accessories, you probably aren’t thinking about switching over any time soon. But even for new buyers, there’s plenty that makes the iPhone 13 a good buy.

The Galaxy S22 is the better buy over the iPhone 13, though the Mini is great for small phone fans.

You’ll want to get an iPhone 13 Pro (or the Pro Max if you want a huge display) for the best features. It has a triple camera setup, a 120Hz display refresh rate, and up to 1TB of storage. Apart from the extra telephoto lens and the faster refresh rate, you get everything else with the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini. These are all excellent phones. The relatively lower starting prices of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini make them compelling phones.

A big plus for the iPhones is software support. Apple has supported its phones for years with major OS updates. Samsung is getting close with its plan to support the S22 series for four major OS updates, but Apple still has the Android phones beat in this regard.

iPhone 13 Pro back in hand outdoors
Gary Sims / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus see valuable upgrades from their predecessors, while the price stays the same. The Galaxy S22, in particular, gets a new build, and both phones have an upgraded camera setup. It’s not as good as the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but these phones are significantly cheaper than the highest-end iteration.

Comparing these phones, the Galaxy S22 seems like the better buy over the iPhone 13. It comes with a better display, larger battery, and better camera specs. On paper, at least. And both start at the same price point. The iPhone 13 Mini makes a case for itself by being the smallest of the lot. Plenty of people want a compact phone. It’s more of a toss-up between the identically priced Galaxy S22 Plus and the iPhone 13 Pro. The latter’s features bringing it more in line with its Android counterpart.

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs iPhone 13: Which is the best?

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