Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Vs iPhone 13

Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:290.88

Versus €1,299.00 new

See options
iPhone 13
iPhone 13
Starting at

Refurbished price:232.00

Versus €769.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the iPhone 13 are two distinct smartphones released in 2021, offering different approaches to mobile technology. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G stands out with its innovative foldable design, transforming a compact device into a larger screen experience, while the iPhone 13 provides a traditional, high-performance smartphone experience within Apple's ecosystem. Both devices run on their respective advanced operating systems, Android for the Flip3 and iOS for the iPhone 13, catering to diverse user preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

  • Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G was announced in August 2021 and released shortly after, in August 2021, while the iPhone 13 was unveiled in September 2021 and became available later that month. This places both devices in a similar generation of technology.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is expected to receive approximately four years of operating system updates and five years of security updates from its release. The iPhone 13 typically receives iOS updates for about five to six years from its launch, potentially offering a slightly longer period of major OS upgrades.
  • Physical Durability: The iPhone 13 features a Ceramic Shield front cover and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. Drop tests suggest good durability for the iPhone 13, though a protective case is still recommended for optimal protection. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes, but it does not have official dust resistance. It also incorporates a renewed Armor Frame and Gorilla Glass Victus on its exterior for enhanced resilience.

Year of Release

2021

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

Yes

No

Performance

The performance of both devices is central to their user experience, influencing everything from app responsiveness to multitasking capabilities.

  • System Responsiveness: The iPhone 13 is equipped with a powerful chip that ensures very fast performance, handling demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. Users can expect consistent responsiveness and a device that remains capable over several years. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G features a current-generation processor that also delivers strong performance, allowing for smooth operation, quick app launches, and efficient multitasking without noticeable lag or stuttering.
  • Storage Options: The iPhone 13 offers storage capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, providing ample space for most users' applications, photos, and videos. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G comes with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which is not expandable via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 13 generally provides improved battery life compared to its predecessor, often lasting a full day for many users, with some tests indicating over 10 hours of continuous usage. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, with its 3300 mAh battery, has been noted by users to sometimes struggle with all-day battery life, particularly for heavy usage, and may require a midday charge.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for both smartphones, and they offer different visual experiences.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 13 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, resulting in sharp and clear visuals. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G's main screen is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X foldable display with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, offering a large, immersive viewing area when unfolded.
  • Refresh Rate and Brightness: The iPhone 13 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth experience for everyday tasks, and offers a typical brightness of 800 nits, peaking at 1200 nits for HDR content, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G's main display features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, contributing to a fluid scrolling experience and more responsive interactions. It also includes a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen for quick notifications and interactions when folded.
  • Viewing Experience: The iPhone 13's display is known for its color accuracy and contrast, making it suitable for media consumption and detailed work. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G offers a unique viewing experience with its foldable form factor, allowing for a larger screen in a more portable package, and the cover screen adds convenience for glanceable information.

Resolution

1080 x 2640

1170 x 2532

Screen type

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer capable camera systems, designed to capture moments with clarity and detail, though with different strengths.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 13 is equipped with a dual 12MP camera system, including a wide-angle lens with a f/1.6 aperture and sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and an ultra-wide lens with a f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. This setup excels in capturing detailed photos, particularly in low-light conditions, and offers advanced video capabilities. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G also features a dual 12MP rear camera setup, comprising a wide-angle lens with a f/1.8 aperture and an ultra-wide lens with a f/2.2 aperture and a 123-degree field of view.
  • Photography and Video Features: The iPhone 13 introduces Cinematic mode for video recording, which allows for depth-of-field effects and automatic focus transitions, alongside HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 frames per second. Its cameras are praised for their point-and-shoot simplicity and consistent results. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G supports 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. Its foldable design allows for unique shooting angles and hands-free photography.
  • Front Camera and Audio: The iPhone 13 has a 12MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, capable of high-quality selfies and video calls, and supports Cinematic mode. Both devices offer clear microphone quality for calls and recordings, and their speaker outputs provide a good experience for media consumption. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G features a 10MP front camera with an f/2.4 aperture.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the iPhone 13 support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds, along with modern Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6 for both) and Bluetooth (5.1 for Flip3, 5.0 for iPhone 13). The iPhone 13 uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port for charging and data transfer, while the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G utilizes a USB-C port. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The iPhone 13 relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition and authentication. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security, alongside face recognition capabilities.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G's most distinctive feature is its foldable design, allowing it to be compact when closed (72.2 x 86.4 x 17.1 mm) and expand to a full-sized smartphone when unfolded (72.2 x 166 x 6.9 mm), weighing 183g. This makes it highly portable. The iPhone 13 has a more traditional slate design, measuring 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm and weighing 174g, offering a familiar and comfortable in-hand feel.

Weight

183 g

173 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the iPhone 13 cater to different user priorities, each excelling in its own right. User feedback for the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G often praises its innovative and compact foldable design, which offers a unique blend of portability and a large screen experience. However, a frequent criticism revolves around its battery life, with many users finding it insufficient for a full day of heavy use. The camera hardware, while capable, is sometimes noted as not being as advanced as some other flagship devices.

For the iPhone 13, common praise highlights its excellent camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions and video recording, along with its powerful processor that ensures smooth and responsive operation. Users also appreciate its improved battery life compared to previous iPhone models and its robust build quality. A common point of discussion is its 60Hz display refresh rate, which some users compare to the higher refresh rates found on many Android flagships. The continued use of the Lightning port instead of USB-C is also a frequent topic.

Users prioritizing a unique, compact form factor that unfolds into a larger display, coupled with water resistance, may find the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value consistent, high-performance processing, a strong camera system for both photos and videos, and a reliable, long-lasting battery in a traditional smartphone design may lean toward the iPhone 13. Both devices represent solid choices in their respective categories, and for those considering a more sustainable option, quality-assured refurbished versions of both models are available, offering an eco-friendly alternative.

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