It seems to be a fundamental question among smartphone users: iOS or Android? iPhone or Samsung Galaxy? In this article, you will learn the fundamental differences between the two big players in the smart phone market.
One thing in advance: Both smartphone manufacturers rightly assert their position on the market. Each year, both companies release new products with the aim of surprising users and standing out from the competition.
This means that you can't really go wrong with any smartphone from these manufacturers. Samsung Galaxy and iPhones represent the height of current technology. The more important question is which phone is better suited to you and your needs.
To help you make an informed decision, we present the differences based on the flagship products of both manufacturers: the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the iPhone 13.
Design: The external impression
When it comes to design, Apple is often described as a pioneer due to its simplicity and functionality. The iPhone 13 with a glass back also looks extremely elegant. The iPhone 13 Pro also impresses with a stainless steel frame. This combination not only feels comfortable to hold, it also visually exudes robustness and durability.
The standard version of the Samsung Galaxy S21, on the other hand, has a plastic back, which is somewhat unusual for an expensive flagship product. Only the upgrades called S21 5G and S21 Ultra come with a glass back.
Since the iPhone X, Apple has been working with a so-called notch at the top of the display. The front camera and the speaker are placed in this black notch. This optical element is met with a very mixed response.
In the Samsung Galaxy universe, however, the front camera is hidden in a small punch hole. A very discreet solution.
The display: resolution and display
In terms of resolution, image playback speed and display size, the two competitors are not that different.
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| Samsung Galaxy S 21 | iPhone 13 |
| display size | 6.2 inches | 6.1 inches |
| resolution | 2,400 x 1,080 pixels | 2,532 x 1,170 pixels |
| image playback speed | 120 Hertz | 120 Hertz |
When it comes to the question of which is better, iPhone or Samsung, the category of the ad doesn't help you.If you prefer more compact smartphones with a slightly higher resolution, the Apple model has the edge.
The eye of the smartphone: The cameras
When buying a new smartphone, the camera becomes more and more important. And that's no wonder. The small cameras produce incredible results.
In fact, Apple and Samsung are pursuing completely different strategies here. The Galaxy devices impress with an exceptional resolution. 108 megapixels and 4 lenses speak for themselves. This clearly surpasses the iPhone 13. A 100x Space Zoom and 30x Hybrid Zoom deliver exceptional images even of objects that are far away.
100x zoom of the Samsung Galaxy S21
As an additional gimmick, the Samsung Galaxy S21 has smart photo functions. With the One Take function, the same picture is taken with different lenses at the same time. So at the end you only have to choose the best photo.
When it comes to the camera, Apple is also relying on a perfect interaction between the lenses and the software with the 13 model of the iPhone. The iPhone 13 has a dual camera. The iPhone 13 Pro comes with a triple camera.
With Dolby Vision HDR, the camera from Apple impresses with realistic colors and brightness differences.
The operating system: iOS vs Android
Nowhere do opinions differ more than when it comes to the question of the operating system. When someone asks: “Which is better? iPhone or Samsung?” they often mean: Is iOS or Android better?
The operating system largely determines the user experience. Anyone who wants to switch from one operating system to another has to learn a completely new set of controls. This is one reason why so many people stay loyal to one operating system. Because if you're used to iOS, for example, Android controls seem very unintuitive. The same applies to the other way.
Neither the Samsung Galaxy S21 nor the iPhone 13 have a home button. Android uses 3 “on-screen buttons” instead. These fields stand for “home”, “back” and “app overview”. iOS keeps it even more minimalist. Just like the previous models, the iPhone 13 is operated using gesture control.
In addition to getting used to and having preferences for the operation, there are also objective points that should be considered when choosing an operating system.
iPhone:
Apple has created a relatively closed universe with iOS. This means that many third-party apps are not available through the AppStore. The reason for this is the high quality criteria that Apple sets for app providers. This limits Apple users' customization options.
In return, the criteria increase the average quality of applications. The closed system also guarantees a certain level of basic security, as the likelihood of the user downloading malware with an app is reduced.
Another reason for iOS: Apple continues to provide software updates for older cell phone models for a long time. This means that the high purchase price of an iPhone can be offset by longer use.
Samsung Galaxy:
With a Samsung Galaxy, the relationship between security and openness is exactly the opposite. In addition to the pre-installed “Play Store” from Google, you can download applications from the “Samsung Galaxy Store” and the “Huawei App Gallery”. This allows you to customize your phone to the maximum. You are not restricted in this regard.
However, the user pays for this openness with a certain security risk and sometimes lower quality of the apps.
Compatibility (USB-C vs Lightning)
The unified nature of Apple products does not only refer to the software. iPhone users are also dependent on the manufacturer for hardware.
Because with the Lightning cable you can only do one thing: charge Apple devices. Nothing else. This means that if you forget your own cable while you are out and about, you have to rely on someone else having a Lightning cable on hand.
With the USB-C cable that the Samsung Galaxy S21 uses, the chances of being able to rent a cable are much higher. This is because this type of cable is more versatile and more widely used than the Lightning cable.
Even when traveling and in other countries, you will find a replacement cable for the Samsung Galaxy much more quickly than for an iPhone. For this reason, Samsung no longer supplies new charging cables with their smartphones. Most people already have a suitable cable at home
Which is better iPhone or Samsung: Unlocking the phone
The user experience of a mobile phone is also expressed in the way you unlock your smartphone.
Of course, the products from both companies can be unlocked using a code. But who wants to enter a 4-6 digit code every time to read a message? Smart technology can help.
What is striking is that neither the Samsung Galaxy S21 nor the iPhone 13 have an analog field for unlocking with a fingerprint.
With the Samsung model, your finger is scanned directly on the screen and opened that way. This saves valuable space that is used for the display. Unfortunately, problems can arise if your finger is dirty or wet. These moments can be very annoying if you just want to quickly look something up.
Apple offers a different solution here with Face ID. With the exception of the iPhone SE 2020, all iPhones since the X model have worked with facial recognition technology. Facial recognition begins as soon as you pick up the smartphone, so your phone is usually already unlocked before you can enter anything.
Unfortunately, this method does not work if you are wearing a face mask.Nevertheless, Face ID seems to have the edge when it comes to unlocking convenience.
No matter which phone you choose, the flagship models from Apple and Samsung are both performance monsters. “Which is better, iPhone or Samsung?” is not really appropriate when it comes to performance, as both compete at a very high level.
With the A15 chipset, the iPhone 13 houses the most powerful processor an iPhone has ever seen. The Samsung Galaxy impresses with its own Exynos 2100, which even Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 beats.
When it comes to RAM, the Koreans definitely beat their American competitors. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 8GB of RAM. The Ultra version even offers the option of choosing between 12 and 16 GB of RAM.
Although Apple has not made an official statement regarding the RAM, various sources report 4-6 GB of RAM. This means that even with the powerful A15 chipset, the device is definitely behind the Galaxy.
For a long time, the battery was the iPhone's Achilles heel. And that was despite the optimal coordination between the battery and the iOS operating system. Daily and slow charging of the phone is probably a well-known ritual for every iPhone owner.
Apple has recognized this problem and installed the largest battery to date in the iPhone 13. Although Apple is keeping quiet about this, measurements by professionals have shown a battery size of around 3,200 mAh.
How long does a smartphone run on it? There is no general answer to that. In the basic version of the iPhone 13, Apple specifies the following running times:
With a fast charger, the iPhone 13 shows 50% battery after just half an hour.
The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max last even longer (with a charging capacity of around 4,200 mAh). Although battery life should be treated with caution, with normal use you can assume that you will only have to plug your smartphone in once a day at most.
The battery of the Samsung Galaxy S21 has a capacity of 4000 mAh. The S21 Ultra and Ultra 5G versions even have a charging capacity of 5000 mAh. Despite Apple's big leap, they still can't beat the Samsung Galaxy when it comes to battery life.
The current Samsung Galaxy devices can easily be used for a day and a half without charging.
Only in the area of fast charging could Samsung go one step further.
Please note that Samsung no longer supplies charging cables with their phones for environmental reasons (see compatibility).
The most striking innovation that could change the way we use smartphones comes from Samsung. The foldable Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G are real eye-catchers.
In terms of price, the so-called foldables are not yet competitive. But if the Koreans find a way to lower the selling price, this innovation will probably dominate the market for the next few years.
Apple used to be accused of only paying for the name. But if you look at the price tags, you'll notice that the flagship models from Samsung and Apple have become much more similar.
In fact, the current smartphones iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 5G both cost exactly 899.00 euros when new.
Note that Android models are already cheaper to buy just a few months after their release. Apple products, on the other hand, are much more stable in terms of price development.
In addition to their pricing policy, the two companies also differ in their product strategy.
While each new iPhone is seen as an upgrade to the previous version, Samsung releases devices that are specific to a specific target group. This means that alongside their high-end products, they also develop and release cheaper smartphones. This gives you the opportunity to purchase a phone that is tailored to your needs without having to forego the latest technology.
At Janado you get top Nodge technology, whether from Apple or Samsung, for a cheaper price. This product has been refurbished by us and comes with a 12-month guarantee.
Which is better? iPhone or Samsung? - A conclusion
Are you an Apple guy or are you into maximized technology and hard numbers? Ultimately, your purchase decision depends on your personal preferences and needs.
If you are a price-conscious person who is not impressed by brand names, then Samsung is the right place for you. The Galaxy universe with its Android operating system rewards you with a maximum level of customization, impressive key figures for cameras, batteries and performance.
If you want something a little more elegant, secure and prestigious, Apple is the right choice. The optimized interaction of hardware and software, the long update schedule even for older iPhone models, the high quality criteria of the apps and the associated security speak in favor of the iPhone.
You should also ask yourself whether you find it more convenient to use an iOS or Android operating system.Because the best camera and high performance figures are less fun if you find it difficult to operate.
No matter which brand you choose, you get the best price-performance ratio at Janado. A clear conscience included.
