Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 13
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the flagship option here, boasting a massive 6.8-inch QHD+ display and a jaw-dropping 200MP camera. In real-world use, its 5000mAh battery lasts up to 30 hours of video playback, making it a powerhouse for media enthusiasts. On the flip side, the Apple iPhone 13 is a solid budget pick with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and a lightweight design at just 6.14oz. So, what's it going to be? Key specs: Display: 6.8" vs 6.1" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
Why compare these? The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (premium flagship) and Apple iPhone 13 (budget-friendly) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Samsung Galaxy | Apple iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6★ (3,377 reviews) | ✓4.8★ (818 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections | Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating |
| Main Drawback | Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms | Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Budget |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
Apple iPhone 13
iOS
Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 13
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Apple iPhone 13
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Apple iPhone 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy | ★4.8(818)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 4GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.1" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 1–120 Hz | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) | 800 nits (Typical) / 1,200 nits (HDR Peak) |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS | 12MP Wide, f/1.6, 26mm, 1.7µm, Sensor-shift OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | 12MP Ultrawide, f/2.4, 13mm, 120-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | 50MP Telephoto (111 mm, f/3.4), periscope lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) | 2x Optical Zoom Out (0.5x to 1x) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps | 4K @ 60fps (Dolby Vision HDR supported); Cinematic mode (1080p @ 30fps) |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, 23mm, SL 3D (Biometrics) |
Battery | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback | 3,240mAh (approximate) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately) | 20W+ Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | 15W MagSafe Wireless / 7.5W Qi Wireless |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC | 5G (Sub-6 GHz & mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, UWB |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2 | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back | IP68 (Maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front |
Dimensions | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 in (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm) |
Weight | 8.18 oz (232 g) | 6.14 oz (174 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Face ID |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG | MagSafe ecosystem support, Stereo speakers, Dual eSIM support |
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
- Versatile quad-camera system with high-resolution 50MP 5x zoom
Cons
- Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms
- 45W charging speed has plateaued compared to competitors
Apple iPhone 13
iOS
Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2021)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
4GB LPDDR4X
128GB / 256GB / 512GB NVMe
Pros
- Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield and IP68 rating
- Strong battery life for its size (beat many Android competitors at launch)
Cons
- Stuck on 60Hz refresh rate (Competitors offer 120Hz)
- Uses proprietary Lightning port instead of universal USB-C
Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the iPhone 13's 12MP.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you need a top-tier camera for photography, want a massive battery for video streaming, or prefer a larger display for gaming. (6.8" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Apple iPhone 13 if: you want a compact and phone, prefer the iOS ecosystem, or need a device for casual use without multitasking. (6.1" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,377 reviews vs 818
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 13 leads with a 4.8★ rating versus 4.6★. That said, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Apple iPhone 13?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice if you prioritize exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Apple iPhone 13 wins if you value excellent build quality with ceramic shield and ip68 rating. Both are rated highly (4.6★ vs 4.8★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 13?
Key differences: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections, while Apple iPhone 13 stands out with excellent build quality with ceramic shield and ip68 rating. Consider that Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms. Meanwhile, Apple iPhone 13 stuck on 60hz refresh rate (competitors offer 120hz). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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