A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If a better camera is a priority for you, the iPhone 13 Pro has an edge with its higher quality photos and videos. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is more budget-friendly and offers a plastic back which may be more durable. In terms of battery capacity, the Galaxy S21's battery is larger, which could mean longer battery life depending on usage. Screen size is roughly similar, but if you prefer a slightly larger screen, the Galaxy S21 has a 6.2-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch on the iPhone 13 Pro. The operating system is also a consideration: the iPhone runs iOS while the Galaxy S21 uses Android. Choose the iPhone for a better camera and build quality with a higher price, or the Galaxy S21 for a more wallet-friendly option with a stronger battery and larger screen. 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 Pro
- Best in class display quality
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 13 Pro.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.2
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro excels in camera performance with a higher selfie score indicating better front camera quality, and its overall camera system is rated as excellent, influenced by factors like resolution, software, dynamic range, low light ability, and versatility. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21's cameras also perform well with good versatility and dynamic range, but its selfie capabilities and software experience do not quite match those of the iPhone 13 Pro.
Photo Quality
7.8
7.0
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos, though the Apple iPhone 13 Pro takes somewhat better photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro delivers superior selfie photos, benefiting from its very good selfie quality, as well as an overall better photos software experience and dynamic range, enhancing photo detail and vibrancy across various light conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21, while offering good selfie quality and a very good photos software experience, doesn't match the iPhone's dynamic range and low light performance, leading to slightly less stunning photos in challenging lighting scenarios.
Video Quality
8.6
6.6
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The iPhone 13 Pro is known for its exceptional video stabilization and low light performance, as well as providing an excellent overall video software experience, making it ideal for capturing very high-quality videos. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers good video features across the board but doesn’t match the iPhone's superior video capabilities, though it's positioned as a strong contender at its price point.
Cost
$567
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has a price of $567 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$567 | $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 | Yes | 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 | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3095 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 | 7.20 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, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 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 | Alpine Green, Graphite, Sierra Blue, Gold, Silver | 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 Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Dhruv Bhutani | October 2021
"The basic foundation of the phone is rock solid and essentials like UI navigation, apps, security, and privacy features are polished to a sheen. The camera works consistently well and takes some of the best pictures you can get out of a phone. The phone further embellishes it with performance that won’t have you reaching for a replacement for years, and the battery life is hands-down amongst the best you can get on a flagship. If you’ve been eyeing an iPhone, the iPhone 13 Pro is as good as it gets."
Samsung Galaxy S21
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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 Pro 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple iPhone 13 Pro vs. Google Pixel 7
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 13 Pro vs. Apple iPhone 12
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 13 Pro vs. Apple iPhone 13 mini
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10e
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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.
Featured in
