iPhone 13 vs Galaxy S21: What’s the Difference?
Choosing between the iPhone 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S21? You’re not alone — these two flagship favourites remain popular thanks to their excellent performance, sleek designs and strong value on the refurbished market. But while they sit in the same class, they offer distinctly different user experiences.
Let’s put the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 head-to-head to see which suits you best. Both are available for great prices in our refurbished phone collection.
Design & Build Quality
iPhone 13:
Flat-edge aluminium frame, Ceramic Shield front glass and a compact, premium feel. The diagonal dual-camera arrangement keeps things modern.
Galaxy S21:
More curved, with a smooth matte finish and Samsung’s stylish Contour Cut camera design. It’s lighter and has a slightly more ergonomic grip.
Both phones offer IP68 water resistance, so durability is solid on each side.
Verdict: iPhone for premium feel; Galaxy S21 for comfort and grip.
Display
- iPhone 13: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
- Galaxy S21: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
Smoothness is where Samsung strikes hardest — the Galaxy S21’s 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations incredibly fluid. The iPhone 13’s OLED is crisp, bright and colour-accurate, but stuck at 60Hz.
Verdict: Galaxy S21 wins for refresh rate; iPhone 13 wins for colour accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Both phones take excellent photos, but they approach imaging differently.
iPhone 13
- 12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra Wide
- Photographic Styles for colour customisation
- Excellent low-light performance
- Top-tier video quality with Cinematic Mode
Galaxy S21
- 12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra Wide + 64MP Telephoto
- 3x hybrid optical zoom
- Vivid Samsung-style colour processing
- High-detail shots in good lighting
iPhone 13 excels at: video recording, realistic colours, low-light detail
Galaxy S21 excels at: zoom photography, sharp daylight shots, AI enhancement
Performance
- iPhone 13: A15 Bionic — extremely fast and efficient
- Galaxy S21: Exynos 2100 (UK) / Snapdragon 888 (US)
The iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic outperforms Samsung’s chip in raw power and long-term efficiency. That said, the Galaxy S21 still feels fast and responsive, especially with its 120Hz display.
Verdict: iPhone 13 takes the lead for pure performance and efficiency.
Battery Life
- iPhone 13: Strong all-day battery thanks to A15 optimisation
- Galaxy S21: 4000mAh battery with faster charging support
The S21 charges faster, but the iPhone often lasts longer per charge due to better optimisation.
Verdict: iPhone for endurance; Samsung for charging speed.
Software Experience
iPhone 13:
iOS — clean, intuitive and backed by years of major updates.
Galaxy S21:
Android + One UI — packed with features, highly customisable and great for power users.
Verdict: Personal preference — Apple for simplicity; Samsung for flexibility.
Storage Options
- iPhone 13: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Galaxy S21: 128GB, 256GB
iPhone offers the larger option if you store lots of media.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the iPhone 13 if you want:
- the best video performance
- stronger long-term software support
- excellent low-light photos
- a premium-feeling handset
Choose the Galaxy S21 if you want:
- a smooth 120Hz display
- more zoom flexibility in the camera
- a lighter and more comfortable design
- a more customisable Android experience
Whether you’re leaning towards the iPhone 13 or the Galaxy S21, both are available as fully tested refurbished models in our smartphone collection. Every device goes through a full 90-point check for quality and reliability, making it a smart choice for your wallet and the environment. And if you’re upgrading, you can also trade in your current handset to give it a second life and put the value towards your next phone.
