Apple iPhone XS vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone XS delivers a refined flagship experience with exceptional build quality and iOS optimization, featuring a stunning 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display, capable A12 Bionic processor, and solid dual 12MP camera system with optical zoom. Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra commands a premium at $1,199 with superior specs across nearly every dimension: a larger 6.8-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display, more powerful Snapdragon 888, ambitious 108MP main camera with 10x periscope zoom, 5G connectivity, and substantially larger 5000mAh battery versus iPhone's modest 2658mAh. Battery life heavily favors the S21 Ultra's 20% larger capacity and faster 25W charging. For raw performance and features, Samsung edges ahead, though the iPhone XS still impresses with software integration and premium materials. The Galaxy S21 Ultra justifies its higher price through modern 5G, superior display technology, and significantly more versatile camera capabilities. Recommendation: Choose iPhone XS for iOS devotees prioritizing design and software; select Galaxy S21 Ultra for Android users wanting cutting-edge hardware and computational photography.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS if…
- →First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- →eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- →Excellent Super Retina OLED display
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 XS
Pros
- First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- Excellent Super Retina OLED display
- Improved Face ID speed over iPhone X
- Premium stainless steel build
Cons
- Small battery at 2658 mAh
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Minimal upgrade over iPhone X
- No Night mode for camera
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 XS | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 227 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 108 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 40 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Periscope | — | 10 MP, f/4.9, 10x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2658 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.8 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1125 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1500 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
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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