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InnoReviews

iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Samsung Galaxy S21

A
38.3Inno Score
VS
WINNER
S
43.6Inno Score
44Performance34.4
21.3Display49.1
31.9Camera40.8
27.7Battery36.9
89.3Features78.7
6 spec wins — iPhone SE (3rd gen)9 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21

InnoReviews verdict

Samsung Galaxy S21 wins this phone face-off, 43.6 to 38.3, pulling ahead mainly in display (+28) and battery (+9). iPhone SE (3rd gen) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen)

  • Stronger performance score: 44 vs 34
  • Stronger features score: 89 vs 79
  • 50% higher OS update pledge: 6 years vs 4 years
  • 47% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 2,100 vs 1,430
  • 46% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 5,200 vs 3,550
  • Lower launch price: $429 vs $799

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21

  • Stronger display score: 49 vs 21
  • Stronger camera score: 41 vs 32
  • Stronger battery score: 37 vs 28
  • 108% higher Peak brightness: 1,300 nits vs 625 nits
  • 100% higher Refresh rate: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz

Display

Display comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
Screen size4.7 ″6.2 ″+32%
Panel typeRetina IPS LCDAMOLED
Resolution750x13342400x1080
Pixel density326 ppi421 ppi+29%
Refresh rate60 Hz120 Hz+100%
Peak brightness625 nits1,300 nits+108%
Screen-to-body65.4 %—
AnTuTu 10 (CPU)—252,025Top 94%
AnTuTu 10 (GPU)—127,819Top 79%
AnTuTu 10 (Memory)—144,909Top 91%
AnTuTu 10 (UX)—221,794Top 88%

Performance

Performance comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
ChipsetApple A15 BionicSamsung Exynos 2100
AnTuTu 10890,000+19%Top 59%746,547Top 66%
Geekbench 6 (single)2,100+47%Top 27%1,430Top 52%
Geekbench 6 (multi)5,200+46%Top 32%3,550Top 56%
RAM (max)4 GB8 GB+100%
Storage options64/128/256GB128GB / 256GB
Storage typeNVMeUFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
Main camera12 MP12 MP
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Ultra-wide—12 MP
Telephoto—64 MP
Optical zoom1 x—
Max video4K@60fps8K@24fps
Front camera7 MP10 MP+43%
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
Capacity2,018 mAh4,000 mAh+98%
Wired charging20 W25 W+25%
Wireless charging8 W15 W+100%
Active use endurance7 h—

Design

Design comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
Weight144 g+16%171 g
Thickness7.3 mm+8%7.9 mm
IP ratingIP67IP68
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.05.0
NFCYesYes
USBLightningUSB-C 3.2
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
OS at launchiOS 15Android 11 (One UI 3.1)
OS update pledge6 years+50%4 years

Audio

Audio comparison: iPhone SE (3rd gen) versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpeciPhone SE (3rd gen)Samsung Galaxy S21
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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