Apple iPhone 13 mini vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 13 mini prioritizes compactness and efficiency with its 5.4-inch display, A15 Bionic processor, and refined camera system featuring sensor-shift stabilization. Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra counters with a massive 6.8-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display, superior 108MP main sensor, periscope 10x zoom, and 5000mAh battery. Performance-wise, both excel, but the S21 Ultra dominates imaging versatility and screen real estate, while the iPhone 13 mini excels at one-handed usability and software optimization. Battery life favors Samsung significantly (5000mAh vs 2406mAh). The Galaxy S21 Ultra justifies its $500 premium through camera prowess, bigger display, and marathon endurance, making it ideal for content creators and power users. However, iPhone 13 mini's portability, iOS ecosystem, and lower price appeal to those prioritizing compactness. For most buyers seeking flagship capability without compromise, the S21 Ultra edges ahead despite its bulk.
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 S21 Ultra if…
- →100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- →108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- →S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
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 S21 Ultra
Pros
- 100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- 108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
- 1440p 120Hz LTPO adaptive display
- 5000 mAh battery with all-day endurance
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g
- Snapdragon 888 can overheat under load
- S Pen sold separately, no silo slot
- Slow 25W charging for the class
- No charger or earbuds in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 mini | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 140 g | 227 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65 mm | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS with sensor-shift | 108 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 40 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Periscope | — | 10 MP, f/4.9, 10x optical zoom |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2406 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.4 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1500 |
| 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 660 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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