iPhone 13 vs Galaxy S22
The iPhone 13 and the Galaxy S22 compete for the same spot on your shortlist, with Apple and Samsung each making its case. This one has a front-runner. The Galaxy S22 wins 3 of 5 compared areas, and display is where the difference is hardest to miss.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S22 wins
- Performance Galaxy S22 wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 13 wins
- Camera Galaxy S22 wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 13 wins
- Display2.1
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera0.9
- Display5.1
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Camera2.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy S22 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
This is a headline difference. With 120 Hz to the iPhone 13’s 60 Hz, the Galaxy S22 has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S22 feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The Galaxy S22 has a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera
Put simply, the Galaxy S22 is far ahead here: 50 MP compared with 12 MP. The Galaxy S22’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
-
The Galaxy S22 has an extra rear camera
The Galaxy S22’s 3 leaves the iPhone 13’s 2 well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
-
The Galaxy S22 has a 0.25 oz lighter build
On weight, the Galaxy S22 edges out the iPhone 13, 5.89 oz to 6.14 oz. The Galaxy S22 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
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The iPhone 13 has a bigger top storage option
Not a close call. The iPhone 13 lists 512 GB and the Galaxy S22 lists 256 GB. That’s a substantial gap. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 13’s bigger maximum.
Design & Size
- iPhone 13 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.30 in
- Galaxy S22 5.75 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
Size won’t decide this one: the iPhone 13 and the Galaxy S22 have very similar dimensions. In the weight column, the Galaxy S22 leads by 0.25 oz.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Galaxy S22 leads
The display numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Galaxy S22. On its side, the Galaxy S22 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power. The iPhone 13 stands out with 8.2% sharper pixel density. If display is your priority, the Galaxy S22 is the phone to pick.
Refresh rate
iPhone 13: 60 Hz Galaxy S22: 120 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
Peak brightness
iPhone 13: 1,200 nits Galaxy S22: 1,300 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Performance
Galaxy S22 leads
Slight edge to the Galaxy S22 on performance. Most buyers could live happily with either. Here the Galaxy S22 offers a newer 4 nm chip process. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life. For anyone who cares most about performance, the Galaxy S22 is the safer choice.
CPU cores
iPhone 13: 6 Galaxy S22: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Process node
iPhone 13: 5 nm Galaxy S22: 4 nm The Galaxy S22’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 13 leads
The iPhone 13 squeezes out a win in the memory & storage section. The iPhone 13 adds a bigger top storage option. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone. Anyone shopping mainly on memory & storage should start with the iPhone 13.
Max storage
iPhone 13: 512 GB Galaxy S22: 256 GB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
Galaxy S22 leads
This is one of the Galaxy S22’s strongest areas. On camera, the iPhone 13 falls well short. In its favor, the Galaxy S22 has a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much. The iPhone 13 makes its case with a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. Net result: the Galaxy S22 leads this part of the comparison.
Main camera
iPhone 13: 12 MP Galaxy S22: 50 MP Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
Rear cameras
iPhone 13: 2 Galaxy S22: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S22’s extra lens adds.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the battery & charging section. On battery & charging alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Software & Updates
On software & updates, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 425 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 1,300 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nm (winner) |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 3,700 mAh Smallest battery in class |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 19 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 15 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.14 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 13 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $800 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are close, with the iPhone 13 just $1 below the Galaxy S22. Paying $1 extra for the Galaxy S22 means getting a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera.
These are US launch prices, recorded February 2022; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 13 if…
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (512 GB vs 256 GB top option)
- you want the sharper screen (460 ppi vs 425 ppi)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (12 MP vs 10 MP front camera)
- you want more value for your money ($1 less at launch)
Choose the Galaxy S22 if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (50 MP vs 12 MP)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.89 oz vs 6.14 oz)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 13 or the Galaxy S22?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy S22. The main exception is if you need a bigger top storage option, which only the iPhone 13 offers.
Which is larger, the iPhone 13 or the Galaxy S22?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPhone 13 and the Galaxy S22 differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the iPhone 13 or the Galaxy S22?
On paper, the Galaxy S22 is the stronger performer, with a newer 4 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 13 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S22?
The Galaxy S22 has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera and an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 13’s display better than the Galaxy S22’s?
The Galaxy S22 has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 8.3% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 13 cheaper than the Galaxy S22?
The Galaxy S22 launched at $1 more than the iPhone 13, based on prices as of February 2022.
Executive Summary
Let’s set the logos aside for a minute. The iPhone 13 and the Galaxy S22 are close competitors, and their spec sheets tell an interesting story. I think the Galaxy S22 makes its strongest case with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. I’d also count a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera in the Galaxy S22’s favor. Still, if you care most about a bigger top storage option, the iPhone 13 deserves a look.
Your priorities do the choosing here: memory & storage points to the iPhone 13, display to the Galaxy S22.
My pick: the Galaxy S22, though I’d happily point you to the iPhone 13 if you’d rather have a bigger top storage option on the iPhone 13.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.