Galaxy S24+ Vs iPhone 13 mini

Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£337.00

Versus £997.95 new

See options
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 mini
Starting at

Refurbished price:£185.00

Versus £649.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Apple iPhone 13 Mini, released in September 2021, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy S24 Plus offers a large display and a comprehensive feature set, the iPhone 13 Mini prioritizes a compact form factor. These devices operate on different ecosystems, with the S24 Plus running Android and the iPhone 13 Mini running iOS, influencing their user experience and software capabilities.

Scores

Durability

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release date, software support, and physical durability features.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S24 Plus is a much newer device, launched in early 2024, while the iPhone 13 Mini was released in late 2021. This difference in age directly impacts their remaining software support windows.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S24 Plus is anticipated to receive several more years of major Android updates and security patches compared to the iPhone 13 Mini, which has already received several iOS updates since its launch. Users prioritizing the longest possible software support will find the S24 Plus offers an extended timeline.
  • Durability Features: Both devices offer robust build quality. The iPhone 13 Mini features Ceramic Shield on the front and an aluminum frame, along with IP68 water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S24 Plus also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) and utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection, coupled with an aluminum frame.

Year of Release

2024

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in both devices is designed to handle daily tasks efficiently, though they cater to different user expectations regarding power and multitasking capabilities.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a more recent-generation processor, which translates to smoother operation for demanding applications, advanced gaming, and complex multitasking. This newer hardware provides more headroom for future software updates and graphically intensive tasks.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: With a larger amount of RAM, the Galaxy S24 Plus is better equipped to manage numerous applications running simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns, offering a more fluid multitasking experience. The iPhone 13 Mini, while optimized for its operating system, has less RAM, which might lead to more frequent app reloads when switching between many active applications.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage configurations. The Galaxy S24 Plus typically starts with a higher base storage and offers larger maximum capacities, providing more space for apps, photos, and videos.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience differs significantly between these two smartphones, primarily due to their size and display technology.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a larger 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering a more expansive viewing area. In contrast, the iPhone 13 Mini has a compact 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, ideal for one-handed use. Both OLED technologies deliver deep blacks and vibrant colors.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The S24 Plus offers a higher resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, resulting in a sharper image with a pixel density of approximately 513 PPI. The iPhone 13 Mini has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels with a pixel density of about 476 PPI, which still provides clear visuals on its smaller screen.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions, and features an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations. The iPhone 13 Mini has a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content and a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer capable camera systems, but they differ in their configurations and advanced features.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This provides greater flexibility for various photographic scenarios, including distant subjects. The iPhone 13 Mini comes with a dual 12MP camera system, comprising a wide and an ultrawide lens, offering good performance for everyday photography.
  • Photography Performance: The S24 Plus's larger main sensor and advanced image processing contribute to detailed photos, particularly in well-lit conditions, and its telephoto lens allows for optical zoom without significant loss of quality. The iPhone 13 Mini excels in capturing natural-looking images with good color accuracy, and its sensor-shift optical image stabilization on the main camera aids in low-light performance.
  • Video Capabilities: Both phones are capable of recording high-quality video. The Galaxy S24 Plus supports 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K at 60fps, while the iPhone 13 Mini offers HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60fps and features Cinematic mode for a shallow depth-of-field effect.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish these two smartphones, impacting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity Options: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S24 Plus includes newer Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 standards, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. The iPhone 13 Mini supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Charging Port and Biometrics: The Galaxy S24 Plus utilizes a USB-C port, a widely adopted standard, and features an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 13 Mini uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port and relies on Face ID for biometric authentication.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The iPhone 13 Mini is notably smaller and lighter, weighing 141 grams with dimensions of 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65 mm, making it highly pocketable and suitable for one-handed use. The Galaxy S24 Plus is a larger device at 196 grams and 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm, offering a more expansive screen experience but requiring a two-handed grip for many users.

Weight

197 g

140 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

5.4

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

Users frequently praise the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus for its expansive and vibrant display, powerful performance, and versatile camera system, particularly appreciating the inclusion of a telephoto lens and advanced AI features. Its long-lasting battery life is also a common positive point. Some users, however, note that while the camera is capable, it might not always match the computational photography prowess of some rivals in specific low-light scenarios. The device's larger size, while beneficial for media consumption, can be a point of criticism for those preferring a more compact phone.

The iPhone 13 Mini is consistently lauded for its exceptionally compact size, making it a preferred choice for users who value portability and easy one-handed operation. Its performance, despite its age, is still considered very capable for everyday tasks, and its camera system delivers reliable and high-quality photos and videos. A frequent concern among users, however, is its smaller battery capacity, which often necessitates more frequent charging for heavy users. The smaller screen size, while a benefit for portability, can be a drawback for those who consume a lot of media or prefer more screen real estate for productivity.

Users prioritizing a large, high-refresh-rate display, extensive software support, and a versatile camera with optical zoom will find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value a highly compact form factor, seamless iOS ecosystem integration, and excellent everyday camera performance in a pocket-friendly device may lean toward the iPhone 13 Mini. Both devices offer quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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