Apple iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra suit different priorities. The Samsung is stronger for display quality, helped by a larger 8-inch screen, its LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera, while the iPhone is better suited to a sharper 457 PPI display, its OLED panel, and a lighter 173g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Choose the Samsung for display quality; choose the iPhone if portability matters more.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 13 works out around £391 all-in, about £1130 less than the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.6
10 reviews
4.2
6 reviews
Screen
6.1" 8"
Display
OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution
2532 x 1170 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch
457 367
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,227 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/6/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight
173 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£13.99/mo (£29.00 upfront) £25.00/mo (£905.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£193.00 £1897.00
Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.6
10 reviews
4.2
6 reviews
Screen 6.1" 8"
Display OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution 2532 x 1170 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch 457 367
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,227 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/6/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight 173 grams 215 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £13.99/mo
£29.00 upfront
£25.00/mo
£905.00 upfront
SIM-free £193.00 £1897.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13

24 Months

128GB

Midnight

Refurbished

50GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£13.99 per month, £29 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Cream

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£25 per month, £905 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper on contract at £390.76 over the life of the deal from £13.99 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Apple iPhone 13's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 13 has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Apple iPhone 13 uses a OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has a LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 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 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £193.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra use?

The Apple iPhone 13 is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is the more portable of the two: it's 42g lighter at 173 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is rated IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 13 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 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.