Apple iPhone 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S21+
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 8 delivers reliable performance with its A11 Bionic chip and solid 12MP camera, but feels dated with its 4.7-inch 60Hz IPS display and modest 1821mAh battery. Samsung's Galaxy S21+ commands a $300 premium for significantly superior specs: a vibrant 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display (1300 nits), larger 4800mAh battery with faster 25W charging, superior camera system with telephoto and ultrawide lenses, and 5G connectivity. The S21+ offers 8GB RAM versus the iPhone 8's 2GB, enabling smoother multitasking and gaming. Build quality favors Samsung with Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 water resistance. While iPhone 8 excels in software optimization and reliability, the Galaxy S21+ provides modern flagship features that justify its higher price. For consumers prioritizing current technology and capabilities, the S21+ is the clear choice.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 8 if…
- →Compact and lightweight at 148 g
- →Wireless charging support
- →Powerful A11 Bionic chip
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21+ if…
- →Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
- →120Hz AMOLED display
- →Gorilla Glass Victus durability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 8
Pros
- Compact and lightweight at 148 g
- Wireless charging support
- Powerful A11 Bionic chip
- True Tone display
- Reliable Touch ID fingerprint sensor
Cons
- Very small 1821 mAh battery
- Dated home button design with large bezels
- Single rear camera only
- 750p resolution on 4.7-inch display
- Only 2 GB RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Pros
- Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Gorilla Glass Victus durability
- Good triple camera system
- Flat display is easier to use with screen protectors
Cons
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- Plastic back on some regions (Glasstic)
- Slow 25W charging
- No microSD card slot (removed in S21 series)
- No charger in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 11 | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 148 g | 200 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 2 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 1821 mAh | 4800 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.39 GHz + 4x1.7 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (3-core) | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Apple A11 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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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