If you prefer a larger screen and superior camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a solid choice, with a high-resolution OLED screen and advanced camera features, including 108MP on the main camera. However, it is also heavier and typically pricier. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone 11 is more budget-friendly, offers a good camera system well-suited for both photos and videos, and is lighter, making it easier to carry around. Keep in mind that the iPhone runs on iOS while the Galaxy operates on Android, which may influence your decision based on your preferred ecosystem. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 11
The Apple iPhone 11 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Good for taking photos
Good for recording videos
Very good display quality
Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6/10
7.8/10
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 11 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra outperforms the Apple iPhone 11 in camera capabilities; with better versatility, including a more capable telephoto lens and higher resolution for greater detail, as well as improved software for photography and video, which enhances dynamic range and low light performance. However, when it comes to selfie quality, which is very important, both phones provide good performance, but it's the Photo Software Experience where the S21 Ultra truly excels over the iPhone 11, indicating more refined processing and user experience in taking photos.
Photo Quality
6.2/10
7.8/10
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, while the Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers better selfie photos, higher overall photo quality, and greater camera versatility compared to the Apple iPhone 11, which is reflected in its higher selfie score and better ratings in software experience, dynamic range, and low-light performance. If selfies and top-notch photo experiences are important to you, and you're willing to pay more, the S21 Ultra stands out, while the iPhone 11 is a more budget-friendly option with competent but less advanced camera capabilities.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 11 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$271
$423
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone 11 has a price of $271 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to have good videos, while the Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers better video quality than the Apple iPhone 11 due to its superior performance in resolution and frame rate, offering excellent video stabilization and low-light performance, along with a good video software experience and microphone quality. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 provides a good software experience and dynamic range, but its stabilization, low-light performance, and microphone quality do not match the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Battery
7.1 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 11 has 7.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
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How the Apple iPhone 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
"The iPhone 11 delivers superb cameras, fast performance and excellent battery life, making it the iPhone to buy for many people. The cameras are very good, thanks to an ultra-wide lens and a Night mode for better low-light performance. This device also has IP68-rated water resistance, which means that it can withstand 2 meters of water for 30 minutes, and is one of the best waterproof phones out there."
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 11 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
149,100
Recommendations made
84,490
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.