Apple iPhone 13 mini vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Our Verdict: The Apple iPhone 13 Mini 5G leads where the lighter 141g body versus 214g matter most, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra answers with the larger 6.9" screen versus 5.4", the higher-resolution 200MP rear camera against 12MP, up to 1TB storage. The Apple iPhone 13 Mini 5G is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £175, roughly £724 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. There is also much wider deal availability for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, with 16,176 active deals versus 73. Software preference matters as well, because this is an iOS versus Android choice as much as a hardware comparison. That makes the Apple iPhone 13 Mini 5G the value-led pick, unless the larger 6.9" screen versus 5.4" on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is worth paying extra for.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 13 Mini works out around £544 all-in, about £396 less than the S26 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.3
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
5.4" 6.9"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
477 498
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
2,406 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android
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 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight
141 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£20.00/mo (£19.00 upfront) £16.00/mo (£545.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£194.99 £899.00

Prices updated 17 July 2026

Apple iPhone 13 mini Apple iPhone 13 mini Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.3
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 5.4" 6.9"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 477 498
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 2,406 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android
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 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight 141 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £20.00/mo
£19.00 upfront
£16.00/mo
£545.00 upfront
SIM-free £194.99 £899.00
Prices updated 17 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 13 mini
Apple iPhone 13 mini

24 Months

128GB

(PRODUCT) RED

100GB

Data

£20 per month, £19 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

White

300GB

Data

£16 per month, £545 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 13 mini is cheaper on contract at £544.00 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 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 13 mini's 5.4", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 477, and the Apple iPhone 13 mini uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

The Apple iPhone 13 mini features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 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 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £194.99.

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

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

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

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 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 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is the more portable of the two: it's 73g lighter at 141 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm.

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

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rated IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

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

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