Samsung and Apple have been at the forefront of smartphone design and manufacturing for quite some time. The Galaxy S and iPhone families are long-running industry leaders in terms of performance and popularity, and the latest releases of each are no exception.
Each flagship family comprises three versions, including a base model, upgrade choice and top-of-the-line offering. The base models offer somewhere from mild to moderate upgrades compared to the previous generation, while the upgrade picks hit the sweet spot for many demanding users. The premium models from each company are generally favored by dedicated enthusiasts.
Samsung smartphones run Android OS, which is the most popular operating system on the planet by a wide margin. The Galaxy lineup has been out since 2009 and is, like Android, the biggest name in smartphones. For a lot of users, the customization that Android (and Samsung’s One UI flavor of it) offers makes it the ideal choice for integrating their favorite apps.
While it makes some sacrifices in terms of display capabilities and hardware performance, the base model S22 is the perfect upgrade for demanding users who like to buy a premium smartphone every two or three years. It’s not terribly large, the camera quality is good and Samsung’s latest implementation of Android is as user-friendly as it gets. Sold by Amazon
The S22+ is right between the base model and Ultra in a lot of ways, including its size and weight, battery life and feature set. Its combination of a high-refresh-rate display, impressive visual fidelity and snappy user experience make it one of the most desirable phones on the market. Sold by Amazon
Samsung went all out with its latest top-of-the-line mobile device. It’s a collection of the most advanced features around and is ideal for those who spend a lot of time planning, emailing, creating and taking notes on their smartphone, partly thanks to the near-perfect integration of the Samsung S Pen stylus. Sold by Amazon
Apple products may be somewhat niche, but that doesn’t mean they’re not excellent. After moving to in-house chipset development, Apple’s iPhones (similar to its MacBooks) have seen a significant jump in performance. This, coupled with the constantly updated iOS, makes the iPhone the top choice for millions of Americans.
If you’ve been known to upgrade to the latest iPhone on a yearly or bi-yearly basis, the base level iPhone 13 is more of the same — but in a good way. It boasts a long battery life in addition to the premium screen and next-level user experience that Apple is so famous for. Sold by Amazon
Arguably the version with the most bang for the buck, the iPhone 13 Pro borrows premium features from the Pro Max such as a lidar scanner to improve photography, an ultra-high-brightness screen and a variable refresh rate. While it’s not cheap, you can expect it to perform well for several years to come. Sold by Amazon
If you insist on having the absolute best-performing iPhone, this is the one for you. While it’s extremely powerful, it’s also quite large, and one of the most expensive, so only the most dedicated enthusiasts should consider it. Sold by Amazon
There aren’t any other flagship-quality smartphones in this size. If you want something that’s easy to use with one hand but doesn’t skimp on component and screen quality, the iPhone 13 Mini is just about your only choice. Sold by Amazon
The full-size flagship models from both companies are direct competitors, and each level has a decent amount in common in terms of size, capabilities and overall performance.
As far as premium Apple vs. Samsung smartphones in general, the OS capabilities, app ecosystems and user experience are significantly different. It’s far more common that people stick to the operating system they’re familiar with. With that in mind, your choice between Apple and Samsung comes down to which operating system you prefer.
If you’re new to high-end smartphones, the vanilla iPhone 13 is a slightly better choice than the basic S22. Anyone who’s owned a top-of-the-line smartphone before will likely appreciate the improved features and relative value of the mid-level Galaxy S22+ and iPhone 13 Pro, and at this middle level it’s a toss-up. However, only the most seasoned smartphone enthusiasts should consider shelling out for the S22 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro Max, both of which pack the most impressive features available.
Where Samsung can’t come close, however, is in the compact smartphone department. If you want something you can use with one hand and slide easily into your pocket, there’s no better choice than the iPhone 13 Mini.
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Chris Thomas writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
