Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. S21 Plus vs. iPhone 13 vs. 13 Pro Review

>>Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

User Reviews：4.5/5.0

• Samsung: $799.99

• Verizon:$799.99

Samsung has refreshed the look and feel of the phone, getting rid of the curved screen and standalone rear camera notch on the back of the Samsung Galaxy S20, replacing it with a flat display with a camera module that's integrated into the frame. I’m not convinced it actually looks better, I prefer the design of the Galaxy S20, but that’s for you to decide. Elsewhere, the resolution of the display is lower than it was before going from 1440 x 3200p (QHD) down to 1080 x 2400p (FHD+) although Samsung has kept the 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.

Other than that, the phones are largely the same. The camera hardware is pretty much identical, and despite having different chipsets, their processing power is similar too. Both phones use a 4,000mAh battery and 25W charging, as well as having the potential for wireless charging. So whether the newer handset is an improvement on its predecessor or not is debatable. 

Key Keatures

• 64MP + 12MP + 12MP Triple Rear Facing Cameras:10MP Front Facing Camera

• 2400 x 1080 pixels

• 30 Hours talk time:11.25 Days standby time

What's in the box?

• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

• C to C USB Cable

• SIM Pin/Ejector

• Quick Start Guide

• Terms & Conditions

Advantages and Disadvantages of Samsung Galaxy S21 

Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy S21?

Buy it if…

• You want a smaller Samsung phone

The Samsung Galaxy S21 isn’t the smallest premium phone on the market – that honor likely goes to the iPhone 12 mini – but it’s a good choice for anyone who doesn’t want a fantastically large smartphone in their pocket. 

• You need one of the most powerful Android phones

The Galaxy S21 offers some phenomenally good performance, and if you need a smartphone that can handle multiple tasks at once in split-screen view or when gaming this will likely be it.

• If you’ve got a much older phone
  If you have the Galaxy S20 then the S21 isn’t an essential upgrade, as it doesn’t represent a clear improvement in terms of specs and features, but if you have the S10 or below you’re more likely to find the S21 a worthwhile upgrade. 

Don’t buy it if…

• You own a Samsung Galaxy S20

As we say above, if you already own the Galaxy S20, there’s little reason to upgrade to this handset, as it doesn’t represent a clear improvement in terms of specs and features. Instead, you'll want to look toward the Galaxy S21 Ultra or perhaps wait for whatever Samsung does next.

• You need lots of storage

The Samsung Galaxy S21 is hamstrung by its relatively meagre built-in storage and lack of microSD support for expanding on that. If you need lots of space on your smartphone for games, music and video, you’re better off going for almost any other top Android phone, as most will let you slot in a microSD card.

• You want the best of the best

The Samsung Galaxy S21 isn’t the star of the Galaxy S21 family – if you’re after the very best from the company in 2021 you’ll want to look at the Galaxy S21 Ultra – if your budget can stretch to its considerable price tag.

>>Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G

User Reviews:4.6/5.0

• Samsung: $999.99

• Verizon:$999.99

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus once again proves why Samsung is the dominant Android phone manufacturer. The company pioneered things we take for granted nowadays like huge displays. Samsung has previously taken a “throw everything at the wall to see what sticks” kind of approach. And although it might’ve seemed silly at points in the past, this MO has given us mainstay features.

With the Galaxy S21 Plus, however, Samsung takes a step back, restraining itself to instead offer a compelling, big screen device. All of the over-the-top focus was on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, while the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus are more iterative upgrades on their S20 predecessors.

Key Keatures

• 64MP + 12MP + 12MP Triple Rear Facing Cameras:10MP Front Facing Camera

• 2400 x 1080 pixels

• 37 Hours talk time:12.08 Days standby time

What's in the box?

• Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G

• C to C USB Cable

• SIM Pin/Ejector

• Quick Start Guide

• Terms & Conditions

Advantages and Disadvantages of Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

Should I buy Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus?

Buy it if...

• You think the Galaxy S21 is too small 

Do you like the look of the Galaxy S21 but need a slightly larger screen? If so then the S21 Plus is the phone you’re looking for, with a 6.7-inch display that’s significantly bigger than the 6.2-inch screen on the S21.

• You want a new powerful Android

Samsung phones are among the best on the market for a reason, and the S21 Plus is one of the most powerful phones you can buy. 

• You have an older Samsung phone

If you currently have a Galaxy S10 or Galaxy S9 phone, the S21 Plus is a compelling upgrade. It’s fast, it’s powerful, and it’s future-proofed thanks to 5G support.  

Don't buy it if...

• You have an S20 or S20 Plus 

You won’t gain much by replacing last year's S20 Plus with the S21 Plus, and in some regards – the lower-res screen and lack of microSD support – you'll actually get a specs downgrade There are improvements here, but the S21 isn't intended to replace your S20 handset.

• You want plenty of storage space 

As mentioned above, the microSD slot has been dropped for the Galaxy S21 range, and if you want 256GB of built-in storage rather than the base offering of 128GB you'll be spending extra. This isn't a phone for those who need lots of space.

• You want Samsung's best phone 

If you want the very best that Samsung has to offer in 2021, you want the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The S21 Plus is undoubtedly a big smartphone with impressive specifications, but the S21 Ultra is an absolute beast.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21 Plus: Outlook

Between the S21 and the S21 Plus, the primary difference is the size of the handset. There are more subtle differences however, as the S21 Plus improves on the S21 by featuring a more premium glass backed construction, an ultra wideband chip and greater battery capacity. If you're able to afford the extra $200, the S21 Plus does offer a meaningful amount of worthwhile extras, but the basic S21 is still a good pick if you want to save money or prefer your phones on the smaller side.

>>iPhone 13 

User Reviews:4.6/5.0

• Apple:From $799

• T-Mobile:From $799

The iPhone 13 (from $799) may not look all that new — other than the new camera lens layout — but under the hood, it's a better flagship all around. Some might see it as an incremental upgrade over the iPhone 12, but it's definitely got a lot going for it.The new iPhone’s display is brighter than its predecessor’s. The battery life is noticeably longer. And Apple has improved an already great camera with new sensors and computational photography features that make you feel like a pro (even on a non-Pro phone).

Yes, the A15 Bionic powering the iPhone 13 is once again the fastest chip in the land. But it’s more about what this chip lets you do. This includes Cinematic mode, which adds depth of field to your videos while automatically shifting focus, and Photographic Styles for changing the look of your pics.

Key Features

• Dual 12MP Wide & Ultra Wide Cameras：12MP TrueDepth Front Camera

• 2532 x 1170 pixels

• 13.5 Hours talk timeN/A standby time

What’s in the box?

• Apple iPhone 13

• USB-C to Lightning Cable

Advantages and Disadvantages of iPhone 13 

Should I buy iPhone 13 ?

Buy it if…

• You own an older iPhone

If you own an iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 likely isn’t for you, as there’s not enough that’s new here to merit the upgrade – but if you own an older iPhone, such as an iPhone 8 or iPhone XR, there’s plenty to be excited about.

• You need good battery life

The battery life on the iPhone 13 is a big step up over what we’ve seen from previous iPhone models. If you need a smartphone that’s capable of lasting a full day on a full charge, opt for this iPhone over older and cheaper models.

• You wants lots of power

The iPhone 13 is a powerful smartphone, and it’s one of the most capable handsets we’ve ever used. If you need lots of power you’ll get that here, without having to step up to the iPhone 13 Pro.

Don’t buy it if…

• You own an iPhone 12

If you already own an iPhone 12, it’s unlikely that you’ll need the upgrades that come with the latest model. 

• You want a small-screen phone

The iPhone 13 mini has a very similar set of specs to the iPhone 13, and it’s likely to be the better choice if you have smaller hands, or just prefer a smaller device.

• You want an affordable phone

The iPhone 13 may be one of the most affordable members of this year’s range, but it isn't that cheap in the grand scheme of things. 

>>iPhone 13 Pro

User Reviews:4.6/5.0

• Apple:From $999

• Bestbuy:From $999

The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are phones designed for people who care about the details. The improvements over last year’s iPhones are significant but not obvious at first glance.Just as with the regular iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, the most important upgrades on the 13 Pro are to battery life and the camera system. The 13 Pro adds a third major improvement with a high refresh rate screen.

Upgrading the battery, camera, and screen sounds like an iterative, yearly update; they sound like the so-called “S” updates that Apple used to do for iPhones before its naming schemes became unpredictable. And it is true that the design is virtually identical to that of last year’s iPhone 12 Pros. But those assumptions — those words — don’t quite do justice to how big the changes really are.

Key Features

• Triple 12MP Ultra Wide + Wide + Telephoto:12MP TrueDepth Front Camera

• 2778 x 1284 pixels
  

• 13.5 Hours talk time:N/A standby time

What’s in the Box?

• The iPhone 13 Pro

• USB-C to Lightning Cable

Advantages and Disadvantages of iPhone 13 Pro

Should I buy the iPhone 13 Pro?

Buy it if… 

• You like the new camera features

The iPhone 13 Pro’s macro mode is a new and interesting photography option, while new features like Cinematic Mode and ProRes will appeal to video shooters looking for more ‘pro’ tools.

• You want good battery life

Battery life on the iPhone 13 Pro is better than we’ve seen on previous handsets from the company, with the phone able to make it through a whole day of normal usage.

• You need a powerful smartphone

All of Apple’s iPhone 13 models are all powerful, but the iPhone 13 Pro is one of the most powerful smartphones we’ve ever used. 

Don't buy it if…

• You own an iPhone 12 Pro

There are lots of changes here from the iPhone 12 Pro, but they’re mostly minor ones, and it’s unlikely these will add up to a huge upgrade for you if you already own 2020’s smartphone. 

• You want a cheaper alternative

Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro is fantastic, but so is the iPhone 13. If you want a cheaper alternative to the pricier Pro, the iPhone 13 is your best option, as it offers many of the Pro model’s features. 

• You want a 120Hz display that works with all your favorite apps

The introduction of 120Hz refresh rate on iPhone has been a long time coming, but so far we’ve found it isn’t supported on a large variety of apps. 

 iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 13 Pro:Outlook

Overall, the ‌iPhone 13 Pro‌ offers clear advancements over the ‌iPhone 13‌, particularly in terms of its materials, display, and rear cameras. The ‌iPhone 13 Pro‌ is $200 more than the ‌iPhone 13‌, and many people will find it difficult to justify the additional cost simply for display, camera, battery, and design improvements that do not significantly change the day-to-day use of the device. Those opting for the ‌iPhone 13 Pro‌ will be seeking the most premium and full-featured ‌iPhone‌ that offers the best possible experience and capabilities in all areas, or be interested in specific features such as ProMotion, the Telephoto lens, or shooting video in ProRes.

Since the two phones share a large majority of features, including design, an OLED Super Retina XDR display, 5G connectivity, the A15 Bionic chip, and ‌MagSafe‌, it is difficult to actively recommend the more expensive model. As the improvements of the ‌iPhone 13 Pro‌ are specific and do not hugely change daily interaction with the device, most people should get the ‌iPhone 13‌.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. S21 Plus vs. iPhone 13 vs. 13 Pro:What's the Difference?

Design

• Samsung Galaxy S21 :71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9mm,171g

• Galaxy S21 Plus :75.6 x 161.5 x 7.8mm,202g

• iPhone 13:146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm，174g

• iPhone  13 Pro:146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm，204g

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+:All three Galaxy S21 models share the new contoured rear camera bump design, as well as the familiar display with a central punch-hole camera on the front. However the main difference here is size, with the Galaxy S21's screen measuring 6.2 inches, the Galaxy S21 Plus measuring 6.7 inches .

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro:The iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro sport very similar designs to one another, as we’ve come to expect from Apple. What’s more, they’re barely changed from the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro before them, with the same striking flat-edged look.These two phones are identically proportioned at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm as well. The iPhone 13 Pro is a fair bit heavier at 204g, however, compared to the 174g iPhone 13.

Hardware and specs

• Samsung Galaxy S21 :8GB RAM, 128 or 256GB storage, 4,000mAh

• Galaxy S21 Plus :8GB RAM, 128 or 256GB storage, 4,800mAh

• iPhone 13:128 / 256 / 512GB,MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W

• iPhone  13 Pro:128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB,MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+: Every model of the S21 you can buy in the U.S. will have the Snapdragon 888 chipset on the inside. Outside the U.S. Samsung offers the S21 with its own Exynos 2100 chipset.Looking now to memory, the S21 and S21 Plus both feature 8GB of RAM only, with either 128GB or 256GB storage. The S21 Plus gets a choice of either 12GB or 16GB RAM, and options of 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage.

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro:Both iPhone 13 and 13 pro get the 5nm A15 Bionic processor, which packs a six-core CPU that’s 50% faster than the leading Android competition. But the iPhone 13 Pro gets an extra GPU core (5 vs 4), making it the faster performer overall.Both phones are so fast as to render comparisons an academic exercise, and there are certainly no games on the App Store that get anywhere close to hitting the performance limits of either.

Display

• Samsung Galaxy S21 :6.2-inch，Flat FHD+，120Hz

• Galaxy S21 Plus:6.7-inch，Flat FHD+，120Hz

• iPhone 13:Super Retina XDR display,6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display,2532‑by‑1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi

• iPhone  13 Pro:Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion,6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display,2532‑by‑1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+: As noted, the Galaxy S21 has a 6.2-inch screen, the Galaxy S21 Plus a 6.7-inch screen.The S21 and S21 Plus both have FHD resolution displays, while the S21 Ultra has a QHD resolution. It'll mean that you'll see more detail on the S21 Ultra than the cheaper models.

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro:Both of iPhone 13 and 13 pro phones pack 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screens, with the same 1170 x 2532 resolutions. But unlike their immediate predecessors, there’s a much bigger difference between them this time around.The iPhone 13 Pro can get brighter to the tune of 1,000 nits compared to the iPhone 13’s 800 nits in typical conditions, and both can hit 1,200 nits when viewing HDR content.

Camera 

• Samsung Galaxy S21 :12 MP main sensors,64MP crop zoom cameras,12MP ultrawide-angle cameras

• Galaxy S21 Plus :12 MP main sensors,64MP crop zoom cameras,12MP ultrawide-angle cameras
  

• iPhone 13: Front-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2,Rear:-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.6, OIS, 7-element lens

• iPhone  13 Pro:Front-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2,Rear-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5, dual OIS

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+: You get the same three cameras on the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus. That trio is made up of a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera and a 64MP telephoto camera. On the front, there's a 10MP selfie camera too.

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro:The iPhone 13’s mains sensor can pull in 47% more light than before, and produces large 1.7µm pixels rather than the iPhone 12’s 1.4µm. But the iPhone 13 Pro’s wide sensor goes even larger, producing 1.9µm pixels rather than the iPhone 12 Pro’s 1.4µm.Both camera systems pack in the sensor shift stabilization system that made last year’s iPhone 12 Pro Max so special in low lighting conditions. Night mode is a thing to behold with both phones, though again the iPhone 13 Pro is the prince of darkness here.

Battery and charging

• Samsung Galaxy S21:4,000mAh

• Galaxy S21 Plus:4,800mAh 

• iPhone 13:Wireless charging up to 15W

• iPhone  13 Pro:Wireless charging up to 15W

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+: The Galaxy S21 has 4,000 mAh of battery capacity, the Galaxy S21 Plus 4,800 mAh.All models can charge at up to 25W on a wired connection. They can also charge at 15W over a wireless connection, and reverse wireless charge other phones and accessories at 4.5W. 

iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 Pro:The one major improvement that applies equally to both of these phones is battery life. Both cells are bigger than their immediate predecessors. Alongside the A15 Bionic’s efficiency improvements, this means that both last a fair bit longer than before.In the iPhone 13’s case you get a 3240mAh cell, while the iPhone 13 Pro gives you a 3095mAh battery. You might think that this sounds a little counter-intuitive, giving the Pro handset the smaller battery. But while it sounds like the Pro’s 120Hz display should be a more power-hungry component, that’s not necessarily the case.

Price

• Galaxy S21: starts $799 / €849 / £769

• S21 Plus: starts $999 / €1,049 / £949

• iPhone 13: starts at  $799 / €899 / £779

• iPhone 13 Pro: starts $999 / €1,149 / £949

Apple didn’t change the starting prices of the iPhone 13 series. However, it’s worth noting that it dropped the 64GB option in favor of 128GB. So every base-level iPhone 13 comes with double the storage compared to the previous generation. You can also bump the storage up to 1TB with the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.

The identically-priced iPhone 13 Pro and Galaxy S21 Plus are about as even as it gets. The regular iPhone 13 and Galaxy S21 are also priced the same. However, an argument could be made for the more premium build quality of the former, giving it a leg up over the “glasstic” Samsung phone. On the flip side, the Galaxy S21 comes with a higher display refresh rate, which is something you’ll only get with the Pro iPhones.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. S21 Plus vs. iPhone 13 vs. 13 Pro:Comparison Side by Side

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 13:Which Should You Buy?

For the undecided, it depends on what you’re looking for. The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus feature larger screens than their iPhone 13 series counterparts. The S21 has a better camera setup on paper and a higher display refresh rate than the standard iPhone 13, but the latter has a more premium build. For the best flagships out there, it’s neck and neck between the S21 Ultra and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

It’s also worth mentioning that Pro versions of the iPhones come with as much as 1TB of storage, while the S21 Ultra tops out at 512GB. The iPhones also feature Apple’s Face ID technology, which some prefer over the in-display fingerprint scanners found on the S21 devices. But on the other hand, you get slightly faster wired charging with Samsung’s flagships (25W vs 20W) and an arguably nicer design thanks to a smaller display cutout, among other things.

Conclusion

These phones are plenty different from each other, and they each share their own strengths and weaknesses. The Galaxy S21 offers a much nicer screen and fancier specs, while the iPhone has better performance and a more reliable camera system.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to pinpoint which one is truly better than the other. We’re inclined to say the iPhone 13 takes the cake, thanks to its performance and cameras, but those who might value faster charging and a nicer screen will enjoy the Galaxy S21.

It comes down to your own personal preferences if you’re debating whether to buy the iPhone or the S21. Both are terrific devices, and you’ll be pleased with either of them. Just keep in mind what you value in a smartphone when making your decision.

Read More:

iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12: Specs, Camera, Size, Battery, Price

iPhone 13 vs. 13 Mini vs. 13 Pro vs. 13 Pro Max: Camera, Size, Battery, Price

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