iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: What’s the Difference?
The iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 remain two of the most popular flagship phones on the refurbished market — and for good reason. Both offer strong performance, excellent cameras and premium designs, but they approach things very differently.
If you’re deciding between these two fan favourites, here’s a side-by-side look at what sets them apart. And if you’re shopping for one, you’ll find both models in our refurbished phone selection, fully tested and great value compared to buying new.
Design & Build
iPhone 13:
Flat edges, aluminium frame and Ceramic Shield glass give it a clean, modern look. It feels premium and solid in the hand, with colours like Starlight, Blue and Product Red.
Samsung Galaxy S21:
Smoother curves, a distinctive Contour Cut camera housing and a lightweight design. It’s sleek, comfortable and available in some bold colour options including Phantom Violet.
Both phones are IP68 water-resistant, but the iPhone 13’s Ceramic Shield edges ahead in durability.
Verdict: iPhone 13 for durability and a premium feel; Galaxy S21 for comfort and bold styling.
Display
- iPhone 13: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- Samsung Galaxy S21: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
Samsung takes the lead in smoothness thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate — perfect for scrolling, animations and gaming. The iPhone 13’s OLED panel is excellent for colour accuracy and HDR, but the 60Hz limit is noticeable if you’re used to higher refresh rates.
Verdict: Galaxy S21 for screen smoothness; iPhone 13 for colour accuracy.
Performance
- iPhone 13: A15 Bionic chip
- Samsung Galaxy S21: Exynos 2100 (UK) / Snapdragon 888 (US)
Apple’s A15 Bionic remains one of the fastest and most efficient chips on the market. The Galaxy S21’s Snapdragon model is fast too, but the Exynos version found in the UK doesn’t match Apple’s consistency.
Verdict: iPhone 13 has the edge in overall speed and long-term performance.
Camera Comparison
iPhone 13
- 12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra Wide
- Improved Night Mode
- Photographic Styles
- Excellent video with Cinematic Mode
Samsung Galaxy S21
- 12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra Wide + 64MP Telephoto
- 3x hybrid optical zoom
- Vivid colour processing
- Great detail in good lighting
iPhone 13 excels at: natural colours, video recording, low-light performance
Galaxy S21 excels at: zoom photography, detail, bright vivid colours
Battery Life
iPhone 13: Strong all-day performance thanks to A15 efficiency.
Galaxy S21: Good battery life, but slightly behind the iPhone due to 120Hz and Exynos variations.
Verdict: iPhone 13 lasts slightly longer overall.
Charging
- iPhone 13: 20W fast charging, MagSafe support
- Galaxy S21: 25W fast charging, Wireless PowerShare
Samsung charges faster and can reverse-charge accessories. Apple offers the convenience of MagSafe accessories.
Verdict: Galaxy S21 for speed and features; iPhone 13 for MagSafe convenience.
Connectivity
- iPhone 13: 5G, Wi-Fi 6
- Samsung Galaxy S21: 5G, Wi-Fi 6
Both are futureproof for network speeds, so no major differences here.
Storage Options
- iPhone 13: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
- Samsung Galaxy S21: 128GB / 256GB
iPhone goes up to 512GB, giving it the edge if you capture lots of photos or videos.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose the iPhone 13 if you want:
- the best video performance
- a more durable build
- longer battery efficiency
- a smoother long-term software experience
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 if you want:
- a smoother 120Hz display
- better zoom capabilities
- a lighter, more comfortable phone
- extra Android customisation
Both are excellent choices with their own strengths. You can find the iPhone 13, Galaxy S21 and plenty more options in our refurbished phone range, each fully tested through a 90-point check. And if you're upgrading, you can also trade in your current handset and put its value towards your next smartphone.
