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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a phone with a more refined build quality and a premium design, the iPhone 13 Pro, made of glass, might be the better choice over the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE with its plastic back. The iPhone 13 Pro also provides a slightly better battery life, superior camera quality for both still photos and videos, and a higher storage capacity than the S21 FE. However, keep in mind that the iPhone 13 Pro has a higher price and uses iOS, which is a different ecosystem from the Android operating system on the Galaxy S21 FE. If you prefer Android and are looking for a more cost-effective option with a larger screen, the Galaxy S21 FE offers a good balance of quality and value. 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
- Good for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 13 Pro.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.0
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro boasts very good selfie capabilities with higher resolution and advanced software features for photo management, benefiting users seeking superior self-portrait and dynamic range experiences. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's strong points include good camera versatility and a robust selfie camera that performs well but does not match the iPhone 13 Pro's superior selfie quality and overall camera sophistication.
Photo Quality
7.8
6.9
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro takes very good selfies due to its higher selfie quality score, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes good selfies with a slightly lower score in this area. The iPhone 13 Pro additionally delivers a better overall photos software experience, contributing to its superior photo quality.
Video Quality
8.6
5.9
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro offers exceptional video quality, owing to its superior video software experience and video stabilization which can lead to smoother and more dynamic videos, especially in environments with less light where its performance remains very good. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE provides a good video recording experience at a potentially lower price point, but the videos may not be as dynamically rich or stable, particularly in low-light conditions where it may not perform as well, and the mic quality is rated lower than that of the iPhone 13 Pro.
Cost
$567
$600
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has a price of $567 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $600.
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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 FE 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 FE is 6.4 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$567 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 24, 2021 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
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 | 4500 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" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.20 oz | 6.24 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)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
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 | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
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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 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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
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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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