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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a higher-quality camera, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro is the better option, with superior photo and video quality. However, if you're looking for a larger screen and a longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ might suit you more, also noting it has a lower price tag. Be aware the iPhone 13 Pro has iOS and the Galaxy S21+ runs on Android, which might also influence your decision based on your preference for operating systems. Additionally, consider the Galaxy S21+ if you want features like reverse wireless charging and a higher maximum brightness for the display. 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+
- Very good battery life
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 is distinguished by its superior selfie camera and a slightly better overall photo and video experience due to a higher photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers good camera versatility and decent photo quality but doesn't match the iPhone 13 Pro in selfie performance or the consistency across various lighting conditions.
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 takes very good photos thanks to its superior photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance capabilities; additionally, it offers a high-quality selfie camera. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ produces good photos with commendable dynamic range and low light performance, but falls short in software experience and selfie quality compared to the iPhone 13 Pro.
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 Apple iPhone 13 Pro delivers an 'excellent' video experience, likely due to its superior video stabilization, range in dynamics, and low light performance, alongside high-quality microphone sound. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a 'good' video experience, indicating solid performance but with minor deficits in these areas compared to the iPhone.
Battery
6.9 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 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 6.7 inches.
Cost
$567
$340
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro has a price of $567 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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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 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3095 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.20 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
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+
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
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.
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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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Phones evaluated
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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.
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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.
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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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