Apple iPhone 13 mini vs Samsung Galaxy S26

Our verdict: When it comes to contract value, the Apple iPhone 13 mini wins — it's £62.80 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 overall. If you want a bigger screen, the Samsung Galaxy S26 has 6.3"; if you prefer sharpness, the Apple iPhone 13 mini hits 477 PPI. Snap-happy users may prefer the Samsung Galaxy S26 and its 50MP rear camera. For a lighter carry, the Apple iPhone 13 mini wins at 141g.

Expert Rating
4.3
10 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen
5.4" 6.3"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
477 409
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 16
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm
Weight
141 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£20.00/mo (£19.00 upfront) £11.95/mo (£345.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£1.00 £649.00
Apple iPhone 13 mini Apple iPhone 13 mini Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Galaxy S26
Expert Rating 4.3
10 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen 5.4" 6.3"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 477 409
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Android 16
SIM Type nano-SIM and e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm
Weight 141 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £20.00/mo
£19.00 upfront
£11.95/mo
£345.00 upfront
SIM-free £1.00 £649.00
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 13 mini or Samsung Galaxy S26 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 13 mini is cheaper on contract at £539.00 over the life of the deal from £20.00 per month with £19.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 13 mini or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 has the bigger screen at 6.3" compared to the Apple iPhone 13 mini's 5.4", the Apple iPhone 13 mini has the sharper display at 477 pixels per inch versus 409, and the Apple iPhone 13 mini uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 13 mini or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 13 mini or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £1.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 13 mini and Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 13 mini and Samsung Galaxy S26 use?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 13 mini or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is the more portable of the two — it's 26g lighter at 141 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is slimmer at 7.2mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 13 mini or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 13 mini and Samsung Galaxy S26 run?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26 runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.