Apple iPhone XR vs Samsung Galaxy S21+
The Verdict
iPhone XR delivers solid performance with iOS 12's intuitive interface and reliable single-camera system, but its 6.1-inch 60Hz IPS LCD display feels dated alongside modern standards. Samsung Galaxy S21+ commands premium positioning with a stunning 6.7-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display (1300 nits brightness), superior processing power via Snapdragon 888, and versatile multi-camera setup including 64MP telephoto and ultrawide lenses. Battery capacity heavily favors S21+ at 4800mAh versus 2942mAh, with faster 25W charging. The $250 price difference reflects generational gap: XR struggles with 3GB RAM and no 5G, while S21+ offers 8GB RAM, 5G connectivity, and 8K video capability. For photography enthusiasts and those valuing modern display technology, Galaxy S21+ justifies its cost. XR remains suitable only for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing ecosystem loyalty over specs.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XR if…
- →Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- →Great battery life for the era
- →Six vibrant color options
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 XR
Pros
- Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- Great battery life for the era
- Six vibrant color options
- Same A12 Bionic as the XS models
- More affordable entry into Face ID iPhones
Cons
- LCD display instead of OLED
- 720p-class resolution
- Single rear camera only
- Thicker bezels than XS
- Only 3 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 XR | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 194 g | 200 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 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 | 3 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2942 mAh | 4800 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple iPhone XR or the Samsung Galaxy S21+.