The iPhone 13 has arrived, fresh with a number of improvements and upgrades over its predecessor, the iPhone 12. It boasts a new, more powerful processor, more internal memory, an expanded battery, and even a narrower notch. Forgetting the Pro and Pro Max models, it’s the best smartphone Apple has released so far, and one of the best smartphones you’re likely to find.
We live in the golden age of flagship smartphones that put the capabilities of a laptop in small boxes, so the iPhone 13 is not lacking in competition. Its most significant rival is undoubtedly the Samsung Galaxy S21, which also provides an improvement over its predecessors while being more affordable than earlier entries in its long-running series. Like the iPhone 13, it’s one of the best budget phones out there right now.
The question is which flagship is better: iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S21? We answer this question by putting the two devices in a precise head-to-head comparison. We look at their specifications, design, screens, performance, cameras, software and price. This should help you decide which of these two phones is the flagship for you in 2021.
Glasses
| iPhone 13 | Samsung Galaxy S21 | |
| Size | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 inches) | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (6 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches) |
| Weight | 174 grams (6.14 ounces) | 171 grams (6.03 ounces) |
| Screen size | 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 pixels per inch) | 2400 x 1080 pixels (421 pixels per inch) Adjustable refresh rate from 48-120 Hz |
| Operation system | iOS 15 | Android 11 with One UI 3.1 |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| microSD card slot | Not | Not |
| Tap to pay services | Apple Pay | Google Pay, Samsung Pay |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| working memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Camera | Dual lens 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide rear, 12MP TrueDepth front | Triple lens 12MPp wide, 12MP ultrawide and 64MP telephoto rear 10MP front |
| Video | 4K up to 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps | 8K at up to 30 fps, 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| port | Lightning connector | USB-C |
| Fingerprint sensor | No, FaceID instead | Yes (ultrasound on screen) |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Battery | 3,240 mAh
Fast charging (20W charger sold separately) MagSafe wireless charging (15W) Qi wireless charging (7.5 W) |
4000mAh 25W wired charging (charger not included in the box) 15W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging |
| Application market | Apple App Store | Google Play Store |
| Network support | All major carriers | All major carriers |
| Colors | Black, blue, green, white and red | Phantom gray, Phantom white, Phantom pink, Phantom purple |
| Prices | $799+ | 900 dollars |
| Review rating | 4.5 stars out of 5 | 3.5 out of 5 stars |
Design, screen and durability
Dan Baker/Digital Trends
Anyone hoping for another design overhaul from Apple for the iPhone 13 will likely be disappointed. It looks more or less identical to last year’s iPhone 12, with the same flat edges first seen on recent iPad Pro models. The only noticeable difference is that the notch — which accentuates the otherwise continuous edge-to-edge display — is now slightly narrower, while the two lenses on the back of the phone have been given a diagonal (as opposed to vertical) configuration.
As for the Galaxy S21, it does indeed have something of a revamped design. It has an almost bezel-less front and a hole-punch selfie camera in the top center of the display, while the rear camera module is seamlessly integrated into its rear bezel. Compared to the S20, it looks even more elegant, and for many it will look more attractive and elegant than the iPhone 13, which is undoubtedly a bit more conservative. On the other hand, the plastic back of the S21 could somewhat weaken its aesthetic appeal, while the glass back of the iPhone 13 would strengthen its appearance. Both devices weigh about the same and also come in similar dimensions, so both are about as comfortable to use as each other.
Both phones are also well matched in terms of their displays. The Galaxy S21 has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 2400 x 1080 pixels and an adjustable refresh rate of 48Hz to 120Hz, while the iPhone 13’s 6.1-inch OLED display has 2532 x 1170 pixels. That gives the Apple device more pixels per inch, but the scales tipped decisively in favor of the S21 thanks to its support for a 120Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 13 (but not the 13 Pro or 13 Pro Max) doesn’t have that refresh rate, which means the S21’s screen runs noticeably smoother. On top of that, using an AMOLED screen gives it more richness, with deeper blacks and stronger colors.
Both phones have an official IP68 rating, which means you can take them diving in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. Despite this equality, the S21’s slightly more attractive design — as well as its more fluid display — gives it the edge in this opening round.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S21
Performance, battery life and charging
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Samsung
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor powers the Galaxy S21, giving it peak performance that no Android phone has yet surpassed. When this is combined with 8GB of RAM, you’ll find multitasking and gaming to be a hassle-free and thoroughly enjoyable experience. However, the same is true for the iPhone 13, which features Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip. As a 5nm processor, it is very agile and capable. Even the 4 GB of RAM on offer will ensure that the iPhone 13 is as fast as the Galaxy S21. No matter which device you end up choosing, you’ll have the ultimate mobile computer.
The Galaxy S21 offers 128GB or 256GB of storage, while the iPhone 13 comes with these two options and the option of a hefty 512GB of internal storage. Neither phone offers a microSD card slot, so whatever capacity you choose, you’ll have to use the cloud if you go over the limit.
The S21 has a 4,000 mAh battery, which should last you a day of moderate use, although it might run low under heavier usage. As for the iPhone 13, it packs a 3,240 mAh battery, which may be smaller, but it works incredibly well in conjunction with the device’s software. In fact, our review found that it can last a day and a half with moderate to heavy use, so it definitely beats the Samsung in that regard.
Both phones support fast charging, with the S21 allowing charging at 25W and the iPhone at 20W. However, since the iPhone offers longer battery life, this round goes to Apple.
Winner: iPhone 13
Cameras
Dan Baker/Digital Trends
The iPhone 13 retains the dual-lens setup of the iPhone 12, with no significant hardware changes. That means it offers a 12MP wide camera lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens, with the same aperture sizes as we saw on last year’s model. However, the iPhone 13 actually delivers its wide lens with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, something previously only seen with the iPhone 12 Pro Max and its wide-angle lens. This offers better image stabilization, which means you’ll get usable photos in more cases.
Similarly, the camera setup on the S21 is almost identical to that of the Galaxy S20, with both offering a triple-lens formation that includes a 64MP telephoto lens (in addition to 12MP wide and ultrawide lenses). Regardless, Samsung said improvements to the image signal processor in its new chipset and new processing software make better use of the raw data captured by the sensors.
Having said that, the S21 performs just as well as the S21. Photos are usually impressive in good lighting, with strong colors and clarity. At the same time, processing improvements have mitigated the sometimes exaggerated and warm colors seen in the S20. Unfortunately, the S21 still struggles in low-light conditions, with the selfie camera notably lacking in detail in less-than-ideal environments.
When it comes to the iPhone 13, its camera is based on the iPhone 12, which already had a fantastic camera. Recordings are natural and well-balanced, there’s an easy-to-choose range of styles to suit different tastes, and it handles almost any situation and environment very well. This includes nighttime conditions, meaning the iPhone really outperforms the S21 overall.
Winner: iPhone 13
Software and updates
Andy Boxall/DigitalTrends
The iPhone 13 runs iOS 15 out of the box, offering improved Notifications, the ability to share media experiences via FaceTime, and a new Focus feature (which basically offers different types of Do Not Disturb modes). It also continues to deliver the same streamlined and highly secure UX that Apple fans have come to know and love.
The Galaxy S21 runs on Android 11. Specifically, it uses Samsung’s own One UI 3.1, which is a skin for Android 11. It offers a very intuitive user experience, while also providing a level of configurability that you don’t really get from iOS.
While we’re reluctant to pick a winner in the eternal competition between iOS and Android, there’s no doubt that the iPhone 13 will be better served with updates. Even the iPhone 6S — which was released in 2015 — is getting iOS 15, so you can probably assume your iPhone 13 will get iOS 21. It’ll also receive updates faster than the S21, which will suffer from the fact that Samsung isn’t the one which develops the core software for the phone.
Winner: iPhone 13
Special features
Andrew Martonik/Digital Trends
Both phones support 5G, including the faster mmWave band, so you’ll enjoy extremely fast download speeds in areas with 5G coverage. The S21 even supports the new Wi-Fi 6E standard, which makes the phone compatible with the highest possible Wi-Fi speeds.
Other than that, there isn’t much to say about the iPhone 13 in terms of special features. You’ll get Face ID as usual, as well as Memoji and Animoji, which let you spice up your messages with augmented reality characters. You will also get Apple’s virtual assistant Siri, although the latter has been present on Apple phones since the iPhone 4S
With the S21, the only notable addition is its compatibility with Samsung’s new SmartTag Bluetooth trackers. These are small sensors that you can attach to personal items (eg keys) and then track them using the SmartThings Find app on your phone in case you lose them.
Winner: Undecided
Price and availability
The Apple iPhone 13 starts at $799, although you’ll have to pay more if you want the 256GB or 512GB version. The phone is supported by all major carriers and sold by most third-party phone and electronics retailers.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is available from Samsung, starting at $799 (or $849 for the 256GB version). It’s supported by all major carriers and can be found at retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon, among many others.
Overall winner: iPhone 13
Dan Baker/Digital Trends
It’s pretty close, but the iPhone 13 is overall a better phone than the Samsung Galaxy S21. Yes, they are roughly comparable in terms of performance, while the S21 is slightly more attractive. However, the iPhone 13 boasts a clearly superior camera, longer battery life and probably also offers friendlier software as well as the guarantee of more updates. This is just enough to take the overall win for Apple’s new flagship, although if you’re a bigger Android fan, the S21 certainly won’t disappoint.
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn