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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the iPhone 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 mainly comes down to an individual's preferences and priorities. If you value a more advanced camera system and longer battery life, the iPhone 13 is an excellent choice but at a higher price. On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 offers a high refresh rate screen for smoother visuals, has a plastic back which might be more durable, and it costs less. Both have their own ecosystems with the iPhone running iOS and the Galaxy S21 running Android, which could influence your decision based on which operating system you prefer. The Galaxy S21 also supports expandable storage with an SD card and has reverse wireless charging, features not available on the iPhone 13. 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 13
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 13.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.7
7.2
The Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good overall camera quality, though the Apple iPhone 13 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The iPhone 13 boasts superior selfie performance and overall photo software experience, which includes better resolution, dynamic range, and low light capabilities compared to the Galaxy S21. However, the Galaxy S21 still has good camera features, offering good versatility and performance in most of the same categories, just not at the same level as the iPhone 13.
Photo Quality
7.5
7.0
The Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos, though the Apple iPhone 13 takes somewhat better photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 takes very good photos, partly because its camera system offers a superior selfie experience, which is very important to many users. On the other hand, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers good photo quality and has versatile camera features, it falls slightly behind the iPhone in selfie quality, photo resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance.
Video Quality
8.0
6.6
The Apple iPhone 13 takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 13 excels in video capture, offering the best video stabilization and dynamic range, which results in smooth and well-exposed footage even in challenging lighting conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 provides a good video experience, with strengths in video resolution and microphone quality, but it doesn't match the iPhone's superior stabilization and dynamic range capabilities.
Cost
$630
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 13 has a price of $630 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.1 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 has 7.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 13 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 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$630 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 24, 2021 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 3240 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.14 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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (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 | Blue, Pink, Midnight, Starlight, Green, Red | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 13
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | September 2022
"The iPhone 13 isn’t a game changer for Apple’s series of smartphones, but it’s an important iteration that offers better battery life, a better processor and an upgraded camera setup than iPhones that have gone before it. If you’re looking for a fast and capable smartphone, and don’t need the extra features of the pricier Pro model, this is a top choice."
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 13 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
151,800
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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