Apple iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Our verdict: When it comes to contract value, the Apple iPhone 13 wins — it's £434.00 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26+ overall. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ wins on both fronts with a 6.7" screen and 513 PPI. If the camera matters most, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the edge at 50MP. At just 173g, the Apple iPhone 13 is the more pocket-friendly option.

Expert Rating
4.6
10 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
2532 x 1170 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
457 513
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
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight
173 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP 68
Contracts
£11.95/mo (£105.00 upfront) £12.95/mo (£515.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£184.00 £999.00
Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Expert Rating 4.6
10 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2532 x 1170 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 457 513
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 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight 173 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP 68
Contracts £11.95/mo
£105.00 upfront
£12.95/mo
£515.00 upfront
SIM-free £184.00 £999.00
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper on contract at £361.80 over the life of the deal from £11.95 per month with £105.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 13's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 457, and the Apple iPhone 13 uses a OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

The Apple iPhone 13 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 or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £184.00.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 13 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 or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 13 is the more portable of the two — it's 17g lighter at 173 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 13 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is rated IP 68.

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

The Apple iPhone 13 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.