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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a high priority for you, the Apple iPhone 15 has a better overall camera system than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, but it comes at a premium price. The iPhone 15 also offers a more recent processor, which could result in smoother performance. However, the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a larger screen and a higher screen refresh rate, which might be preferable if you enjoy gaming or consuming media on your device. It also has significantly longer battery life, so if you're away from a charger often, the S21 Ultra might be the better choice. Keep in mind that the iPhone is newer and runs on iOS, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra is an Android phone that is a couple of years older. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, with a larger screen and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra may be suitable, but if you're willing to pay more for a better camera and potentially smoother performance on a newer device, the iPhone 15 could be worth the investment. 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 15
- Very good for taking photos
- Excellent for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.6
7.8
The Apple iPhone 15 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 boasts very high selfie quality largely due to its excellent photos software experience, which enhances image quality across various conditions, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a good selfie camera that benefits from its versatile camera setup, including high-resolution photos and strong software support for image processing. However, while the iPhone 15 excels in photo and video software experiences, dynamic range, and low light performance, the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers superior camera versatility with multiple rear cameras, including telephoto lenses with substantial optical zoom, making it a strong competitor especially for users interested in a variety of photographic situations.
Photo Quality
8.5
7.8
The Apple iPhone 15 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 has higher selfie quality, making it a preferable option for selfie enthusiasts, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra does have a good selfie camera but it isn't rated as high in terms of selfie quality. Although both phones perform well in photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, the iPhone 15 is considered superior in software experience and dynamic range, which contributes to overall better photo quality.
Video Quality
9.1
7.1
The Apple iPhone 15 takes excellent videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 provides the best video resolution and frame rate, which results in sharper and smoother videos, along with excellent software experience and stabilization features, ensuring fluid and stable recording. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, while offering good video quality, falls slightly behind in video dynamic range and low light performance, which can affect the vividness and clarity of videos in various lighting conditions.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$729
$423
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 15 has a price of $729 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$729 | $423 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 461 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A16 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3349 mAh | 5000 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 | 5.81" x 2.82" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.03 oz | 8.01 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 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 | Yellow, Pink, Blue, Green, Black | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Lance Ulanoff | September 2023
"Apple finally waves goodbye to the notch in favor of the Dynamic Island on all phones in its new lineup, and on the iPhone 15 that versatile screen technology is paired with new materials, lovely contoured edges, a powerful A16 Bionic CPU, and, yes, the new USB-C port. Even the photography has been leveled up, with a 48MP camera and new portrait processing capabilities."
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 15 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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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Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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