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Updated January 10, 2024·
For a similarly-priced option, choosing between the Apple iPhone 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 involves tradeoffs in camera quality, battery life, and screen technology. If a higher-quality camera is a priority, the Galaxy S21 may be the better choice with its overall higher camera performance, including the ability to shoot 8K video. However, if longer battery life is more important, the iPhone 11 offers more hours of use. The Galaxy S21 also has a higher screen resolution and refresh rate, which can provide a smoother and sharper viewing experience, but if an iOS experience is a must, the iPhone 11 would be the option to go with. Finally, if storage is a concern, the Galaxy S21 starts with more base storage. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 11
- The Apple iPhone 11 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 11 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts superior selfie capabilities and overall camera performance, with a 'Best' selfie score compared to the 'Good' selfie score of the Apple iPhone 11, which indicates a notable difference in the quality of front-facing photos. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 is favored for its versatility and slightly higher scores in areas such as photo dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, all contributing to its classification as having 'good' cameras against the 'fair' cameras of the iPhone 11.
Photo Quality
6.2
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 11 delivers a fair selfie photo quality with limitations in its software experience and low light performance, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 provides good selfie photos with better camera software and more versatility, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Cost
$271
$145
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple iPhone 11 has a price of $271 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
6.8
6.6
The Apple iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 outshines the Apple iPhone 11 with a higher video resolution and frame rate, providing a clearer and smoother video experience. Additionally, the S21 offers superior video software and stabilization, broader dynamic range, better low-light performance, and higher microphone quality, which altogether lead to a more professional and polished video output compared to the iPhone 11.
Battery
7.1 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 11 has 7.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 11 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$271 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 20, 2019 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A13 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.1 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3110 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.94" x 2.98" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | N/A | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black, White, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 11
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2021
"The iPhone 11 delivers superb cameras, fast performance and excellent battery life, making it the iPhone to buy for many people. The cameras are very good, thanks to an ultra-wide lens and a Night mode for better low-light performance. This device also has IP68-rated water resistance, which means that it can withstand 2 meters of water for 30 minutes, and is one of the best waterproof phones out there."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 11 or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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