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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority for you, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a more sophisticated setup with higher megapixel count and a variety of lenses including telephoto and ultrawide options, which results in better still photo and video capture quality. The iPhone SE (2022) is a more compact device with a smaller screen which may be preferred if you value a phone that's easy to hold and carry. For battery life, the Galaxy S21 Ultra has a longer-lasting battery compared to the iPhone SE. However, if you prefer iOS over Android, then the iPhone SE with its A15 processor will provide a smooth experience and it supports features like wireless charging. The Galaxy S21 Ultra has additional perks such as a higher refresh rate screen for smoother scrolling, 5G capability, and a larger, higher-resolution OLED screen which may be more enjoyable for media consumption. 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 Ultra
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is recognized for its superior camera capabilities with good camera versatility and selfie quality, bolstered by the robust software experience that enhances photo and video quality. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) offers fair selfie quality and the overall camera performance is deemed moderate, suggesting a more basic approach to photography.
Photo Quality
5.5
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a better overall camera system due to its superior camera versatility, higher photo resolution, better low light performance, and good dynamic range, contributing to its good photo-taking ability. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes fair photos, largely because of its lower-rated photo software experience and camera versatility, despite having a fair selfie quality.
Battery
4.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 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 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
6.6
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to have good videos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers superior video quality due to its higher scores in video resolution and framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low-light performance, and microphone quality. Compared to the iPhone SE (2022), the Galaxy S21 Ultra has better performance in almost all video-related categories, whereas the iPhone SE (2022) offers a fair experience and is outperformed particularly in terms of video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities.
Cost
$429
$423
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 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 | 5.0 | 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)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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
See more
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 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 SE (2022) 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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
143,700
Recommendations made
81,430
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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