Apple iPhone 13 mini vs Samsung Galaxy S20
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 13 mini delivers flagship performance in a remarkably compact 5.4-inch package, while Samsung's Galaxy S20 offers a larger 6.2-inch canvas with higher refresh rates and more RAM.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 13 mini delivers flagship performance in a remarkably compact 5.4-inch package, while Samsung's Galaxy S20 offers a larger 6.2-inch canvas with higher refresh rates and more RAM. The iPhone 13 mini features the powerful A15 Bionic chip paired with 4GB RAM and a 2406 mAh battery, achieving impressive efficiency despite its size. Its Super Retina XDR display reaches 1200 nits at 60Hz, and the camera system excels with sensor-shift OIS and Cinematic mode video capabilities. Samsung counters with 12GB RAM, a more spacious 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display running at 120Hz with 3200x1440 resolution, and a larger 4000 mAh battery. The Galaxy S20's telephoto lens with 3x hybrid zoom and 8K video recording provide versatility that the iPhone lacks. However, the iPhone 13 mini costs $300 less at $699 versus the Galaxy S20's $999, offering superior value for those prioritizing performance per dollar and portability. Battery life slightly favors Samsung's larger capacity, though both support comparable wireless charging. For compact flagship power with excellent cameras at a lower price point, the iPhone 13 mini is the smarter choice. Those wanting a larger screen, higher refresh rate, and telephoto zoom should accept the Galaxy S20's premium pricing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 mini if…
- →Ultra-compact one-hand-friendly design at 140 g
- →Same A15 Bionic chip as the Pro models
- →Cinematic mode video recording
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 if…
- →Compact flagship with 120Hz QHD+ AMOLED
- →5G support across all S20 models
- →12 GB RAM was generous
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 13 mini
Pros
- Ultra-compact one-hand-friendly design at 140 g
- Same A15 Bionic chip as the Pro models
- Cinematic mode video recording
- Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield
- Attractive $699 starting price
Cons
- Small 2406 mAh battery limits screen-on time
- No ProMotion 120Hz display
- No telephoto camera
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Last mini model Apple ever made
Samsung Galaxy S20
Pros
- Compact flagship with 120Hz QHD+ AMOLED
- 5G support across all S20 models
- 12 GB RAM was generous
- microSD card slot
- Lightweight at 163 g
Cons
- 120Hz required FHD+ resolution at launch
- $999 base price was a $100 increase
- Slow 25W charging
- 64 MP telephoto hybrid zoom not as sharp as optical
- 8K video was impractical due to file sizes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 mini | Samsung Galaxy S20 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 140 g | 163 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 6 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65 mm | 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS with sensor-shift | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2406 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.4 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.22 GHz + 4x1.82 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 650 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 13 mini or the Samsung Galaxy S20.

