who will win the battle for the throne?

Apple and Samsung rule the smartphone market. But which manufacturer really makes the very best phone? In this article we put the iPhone 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 side by side.

iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy S22

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro are among the most powerful and popular smartphones of the moment. Samsung has just announced its latest top models: the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus and S22 Ultra. Which smartphones perform the best?

1. Screen: colorful and smooth

Samsung is known for its fantastic smartphone screens. So it’s no surprise that the Galaxy S22 series offers an excellent viewing experience. What you may not have known is that Samsung and LG produce the screens for the iPhone. So the iPhone 13 has (in many cases) a Samsung screen.

That doesn’t mean the S22 and iPhone 13’s screens are exactly the same, though. The iPhone 13 (mini) has a fairly old-fashioned 60Hz screen. However, the cheapest version of the S22 already has a smooth 120Hz screen. Fortunately, Apple’s Pro iPhones also have this, but we are sorry that the regular iPhone 13 is left behind.

Do you want a big phone? Then choose the Galaxy S22 Ultra or the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The screen of the Galaxy S22 Ultra is 6.8 inches and slightly larger than the 6.7-inch screen of the iPhone. The Samsung does not have a notch like the iPhone, but a so-called hole punch† This is a small hole in the screen, which is less in the way than the notch. According to several rumors, the iPhone 14 will also have a hole in the screen.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a so-called LTPO screen. This technology switches between 1Hz and 120Hz. The iPhone also switches between different refresh rates, but doesn’t drop below 10Hz. The Samsung display is therefore a bit more energy efficient than the iPhone screen.

2. Design

The Phone 13 Pro is characterized by its flat, shiny stainless steel edges. On the frosted glass back of the Pros we find three lenses, which many jokers compare with an induction plate. The regular 13 has two lenses and a glossy glass back. Also, the edges are not made of stainless steel, but of aluminum.

The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus are very similar to their predecessors, the S21 and S21 Plus. They have a frosted glass back, just like the iPhone 13 Pro. Here we find a camera module that is neatly concealed in the metal edge of the smartphones. The S22 Ultra looks more like a Galaxy Note smartphone in design. That’s because of the angular shapes and the built-in S Pen. This is a stylus that makes taking notes a lot easier. The regular S22 and S22 Plus do not have an S Pen.

The 13 Pro (Max) is available in four different colors: Graphite, Silver, Gold and Sierra Blue. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is also available in four colors. These are white, black, green and Burgundy. The iPhone 13 is available in red, pink, blue, Starlight and Midnight. The regular S22 and S22 Plus are available in stores in white, black, green and pink.

3. Speed ​​and battery life

Samsung and Apple both make their own chips. Apple manages to amaze us every year with the speed of its A-chips. The A15 chip in the iPhone 13 is also very fast in combination with 4GB of RAM. 4GB sounds like little, but iOS is well optimized for this. The iPhone 13 Pro feels slightly faster because of the ProMotion screen and 6GB of RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 comes with Samsung’s latest chip: the Exynos 2200. According to the manufacturer, this chip is about as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. According to various benchmarks, the A15 is slightly faster, but it makes little difference. However, because of Apple’s software optimization, the iPhone never falters – Android sometimes wants to saddle you with a crash.

The battery of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the best smartphone batteries ever. The device can easily last a day and with light use even two. Whether the Galaxy S22 Ultra also has such a good battery life remains to be seen. We have not yet tested the device thoroughly enough for this.

4. Cameras

Samsung wins when it comes to camera functions. In particular, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a camera module that you say to yourself. The device has no fewer than four different lenses, including a periscope lens. Allows users to zoom 10X optically. The smartphone also has a 108 megapixel main lens for razor-sharp photos and 8K videos.

The iPhone 13 Pro’s cameras sound less impressive on paper, but perform fantastically in practice. The iPhone’s video quality, in particular, is unparalleled. For example, users can film in ProRes, a format widely used in the film industry. There is also Cinematic Mode; a kind of portrait mode for videos. The S22 has a similar function, but it looks less polished.

With two cameras, the regular iPhone 13 has one less lens than the Galaxy S22. The iPhone 13 lacks a telephoto lens, which the S22 does have. The iPhone 13 Pro does have a telephoto lens, but it lacks the periscope lens of the S22 Ultra.

Ultimately, camera quality is quite subjective. Not everyone likes the intense colors and high contrast of Samsung cameras. The iPhone camera gives photos a more natural tone. Don’t like this? The iPhone 13 gives users several Photographic Styles to choose from. So there is something for everyone.

Also Read: Photographic Styles on the iPhone 13: Discover the New Camera Feature!

5. Software

Android against iOS, this fight has been going on for years. Both operating systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. You are reading this article iPhoned, so you can probably guess our preference. However, this is exactly what it is: a preference. It is difficult to say which operating system is really better.

Samsung has packaged Android in its own shell, called One UI. The Galaxy S22 series runs on Android 12 with the latest version of this shell. Users can make the software completely their own with different themes, fonts and color palettes. iOS, on the other hand, is a lot more dignified, because the software looks sleek and professional. It is possible to adjust the app icons within iOS, but this will cost you a lot more effort than with Android.

Do you already have other Apple products, such as a MacBook or an iPad? Then it is useful to choose the iPhone 13. Apple values ​​its own ecosystem – and it shows. Apple products work together seamlessly. Features like AirDrop and iCloud Drive make life a little easier.

Also Read: AirDrop Startup Guide: How to Share Files with Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Samsung is also working on its own ecosystem. In addition to smartphones, the manufacturer also makes tablets, wireless earphones, laptops and even refrigerators and washing machines. In addition, Samsung devices work well with Microsoft computers.

Samsung has promised to provide the Galaxy S22 series with only four new Android versions. On top of that, the devices will receive security updates for five years. Apple is known for its great software support. For example, the nearly 7-year-old iPhone 6S from 2015 runs on iOS 15; the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. With an iPhone you know for sure that you can still move forward in the coming years.

6. Prices

The iPhone 13 mini is the cheapest iPhone 13 model. This smartphone is also – as the name suggests – very compact. The screen is only 5.4 inches in size. If you find this too small, you will have to go for an iPhone 13, 13 Pro or 13 Pro Max.

With its 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone 13 is a lot bigger than the 13 mini, but just as big as the Samsung Galaxy S22. The smartphone still feels somewhat compact. An advantage compared to the mini is the battery: it is larger and therefore lasts a lot longer.

Want more camera features and a more chic design? Then the iPhone 13 Pro is the smartphone for you. With its stainless steel edges and a frosted glass back, the smartphone looks like a refined jewel. The 13 Pro also has an extra telephoto lens and a LiDAR sensor on the back.

Do you find the iPhone 13 Pro attractive, but do you want the largest possible screen? Then the iPhone 13 Pro Max is your only option. The smartphone has a 6.7-inch screen, making it the largest iPhone ever made by Apple. The battery of the Pro Max can easily last two days with light use.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is on sale from 849 euros† For this you get 128GB of storage space. There is also a variant with 256GB storage, which costs 899 euros† The Galaxy S22 Plus costs 1049 euros a lot more than the regular S22. For this you again get 128GB of storage space. You pay for 256GB 1098 euros†

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is available in three variants: 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. These costs respectively 1249 euros† 1349 euros and 1449 euros†

iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy S22: conclusion

With the iPhone 13 and the Galaxy S22, both Apple and Samsung have a set of top devices in their hands. If you are looking for a high-end smartphone, you will probably be very satisfied with both devices. The choice between the two devices therefore mainly comes down to personal preference. Do you already have many other Apple products at home? Then choose the iPhone, because that will save you a lot of hassle.

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