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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) is a midrange option known for its smaller screen and powerful A15 processor within a classic design, making it especially appealing if you prefer a more compact phone with strong performance. However, its camera setup is basic with only one rear camera and no advanced features like high refresh rate or HDR display. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21, a budget-friendly phone, offers a larger display with a high refresh rate, making it better for media consumption and gaming. Its camera array includes three lenses, offering more versatility for photography. If camera performance and a modern display are important to you, and you're looking for a larger screen at a lower price point, the Galaxy S21 stands out. Conversely, if you're focused on processor speed, prefer iOS, and don't mind a smaller, singular lens camera in a compact form, the iPhone SE would suit your needs despite its higher price. 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 SE (2022)
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The iPhone SE (2022) has a fair selfie quality, which is less impressive compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21's good rating in this aspect. Considering the overall camera performance including software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, the Galaxy S21 outperforms the iPhone SE (2022), which reflects in its higher evaluations across these categories.
Photo Quality
5.5
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a better selfie camera experience in terms of software, dynamic range, and low light performance compared to the Apple iPhone SE (2022), which is reflected in the higher selfie quality. Furthermore, the Galaxy S21 has a higher-resolution selfie camera and is more versatile overall, which contributes to its better photography capabilities.
Battery
4.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$429
$145
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
6.6
6.6
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers better video quality than the Apple iPhone SE (2022) due to its higher video resolution and framerate capabilities, combined with a superior video software experience and more effective video stabilization. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 outperforms the iPhone SE in terms of video dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, which collectively enhance the overall video recording experience.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.45" x 2.65" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 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)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 | Fingerprint sensor: Front | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, 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 SE (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
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 SE (2022) 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
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Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
86,190
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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