Apple iPhone XS (256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)

Share page: Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Share page:

Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone XS vs Samsung Galaxy A21s phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

7/14/2020 10:55 PM, updated: 9/8/2022 2:25 PM

Compare Samsung Galaxy A21s X Apple iPhone XS (256GB) 23Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5.8"
AMOLED

1125x2436

12
MP

7.1mp

4GB
RAM

Hexa-core

2658
mAh

(Non removable)

12Points Samsung Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB) Compare Apple iPhone XS X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.5"
PLS

720x1600

48
MP

13mp

3GB
RAM

Octa-core

5000
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Apple iPhone XS (256GB)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

23 Advantages Apple iPhone XS (256GB)	vs	12 Advantages Samsung Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
+2.25GHz 64bit Hexa-core (7nm)4% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster	vs	2GHz 64bit Octa-core (8nm)
+4GB LPDDR4X33% More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.	vs	3GB LPDDR4X
+256GB (244GB available)12 times More internal storage for applications and files	vs	32GB (19GB available)
+NVMe (SSD)Advantage Fastest write and read storage.	vs	eMMC 5.1
+177 grams (6.2 ounces)8% Lighter	vs	192 grams (6.72 ounces)
+7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)16% Thinner	vs	8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches)
+Stainless steel body, glass front/backAdvantage More resistant material	vs	Plastic body, glass front
+Super AMOLEDAdvantage Super AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid	vs	TFT PLS
+Dolby Vision/HDR10Advantage The Dolby Vision/HDR10 display provides vibrant colors and more details	vs	Not supported
+1125x2436 pixels138% Higher resolution screen	vs	720x1600 pixels
+463 PPI71% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	270 PPI
+Quad-LED flashAdvantage The Quad-LED flash helps in dark places or in low light	vs	LED flash
+Digital and optical zoomAdvantage The zoom allows for better focus and approach to take pictures	vs	Only digital zoom
+OIS: Optical stabilizationAdvantage Image stabilization prevents blurry photos and helps in recording motion video	vs	EIS: Digital stabilization
+f/1.8 (aperture)11% Diaphragm opening (Aperture) of the camera which has the smallest F number takes photos with better light exposure.	vs	f/2.0 (aperture)
+4K UHD (3840x2160)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera	vs	Full HD (1920x1080)
+(4G LTE-A) 1024 Mbps2 times Faster for surfing the internet and download files	vs	(4G LTE-A) 300 Mbps
+Ambient light sensorAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Virtual ambient light sensor
+BarometerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+Qi wireless chargingAdvantage Wireless charging is another way to charge the battery.	vs	Not supported
+Stereo soundAdvantage Better sound quality for listening to music or clearer hands-free calls	vs	Mono sound (not stereo)
+Scratch-resistant glassAdvantage Protection against scratches on the screen lets you carry your phone with your keys	vs	Not supported
+IP68 certifiedAdvantage Protection against water allows you talk to your friends in the rain, for example	vs	Not supported
Not supported	vs	+Until 512GB microSD, microSDXCAdvantage More external storage for files using memory cards
5.8"	vs	+6.5"12% Larger screen
(dual camera) 12MP + 12MP	vs	+(quad camera) 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP150% Higher resolution main camera
1/2.55" inches	vs	+1/2" inches28% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
(front) 7.1MP	vs	+(front) 13MP81% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
2300000 apps (App Store)	vs	+3500000 apps (Google Play Store)52% More apps available to download and use
Not supported	vs	+Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)Advantage Sensors help you use the device
2658 mAh	vs	+5000 mAh88% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
1 slot (Single-SIM)	vs	+2 slots (Dual-SIM) (dedicated slot)Advantage You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.
proprietary audio output	vs	+3.5mm jackAdvantage Headsets with 3.5mm Jack size are more common and easy to find in stores
Not supported	vs	+FMAdvantage The radio lets you listen to your songs and sports in general
USB 2.0 proprietary connector	vs	+Type-CAdvantage Reversible connector, you can stick in a USB-C cable any which way; either side is up.

21 Common items in both devices

60Hz

16 million

PDAF: phase detection autofocus

HDR photo/video on both cameras / HDR photo on both cameras

(front) Full HD (1920x1080)

4G LTE-A

Capacitive

+14 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Other model names	iPhone Xs A1920, A2097, A2098, A2100	Galaxy A21s SM-A217F/Dual-Sim NFC (32GB + 3GB RAM)
Country or region available	(Global, International)	(Europe), (United Kingdom), Kazakhstan, Russia
Brand	Apple	Samsung
Release date	9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018	6/2/2020, Announced: 5/15/2020
Depth	7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)	8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches)
Size (width x height)	70.9 x 143.6 millimeters (2.79 x 5.65 in)	75.3 x 163.7 millimeters (2.96 x 6.44 in)
Weight	177 grams (6.2 ounces)	192 grams (6.72 ounces)
Build, materials	Stainless steel body, glass front/back	Plastic body, glass front
Protection against water and others	IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant	Not supported
📲 Display
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Display type	Super AMOLED	TFT PLS
Screen size	5.8" inches	6.5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~81.1% (screen-to-body ratio)	~82.8% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	1125x2436 pixels (19.5:9)	720x1600 pixels (20:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points	Capacitive Multitouch
Pixel density (dot pitch)	463 PPI	270 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass	Not supported
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen	Not supported
🤖 Operating System
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
System version	iOS 12	Android 10
Firmware update	iOS 16	Android 12
User Interface	feature not registered	One UI 2.0 / 3.1 / 4.1
⚙️ Processor
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Chipset	64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm)	64bit: Samsung Exynos 850 (8nm)
CPU	Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core)	Octa-core, 1 processor: 8x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Octa-core)
GPU graphical controller	Apple GPU (4-Core)	ARM Mali-G52 MP1
Performance (benchmark)	AnTuTu: 346379 (v7) Geekbench: 11472 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 107157 (v8) Geekbench: 1100 (v5.1) GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
💽 Memory and storage
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
RAM memory	4GB LPDDR4X	3GB LPDDR4X
Internal storage	256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD)	32GB (19GB available) eMMC 5.1
External storage	Not supported	Until 512GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (dedicated slot)
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)	2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	1024/150 Mbps	300/150 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2100 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	LTE Cat16 VoLTE A1920/A2100 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2097 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19, 20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2098 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19, 20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46)	LTE Cat7/13 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	LTE Cat7/13 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41)
Secondary data network	Not supported	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
📷 Camera
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Back camera (main camera)	(dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm	(quad camera) 48 megapixels 8MP ultrawide f/2.21/4"1.12µm123° 2MP macro f/2.4 2MP depth f/2.4
Main camera resolution	4000x3000 pixels	8000x6000 pixels
Video recording (primary)	4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps
Flash	Quad-LED flash	LED flash
Focal aperture	f/1.8 (aperture)	f/2.0 (aperture)
Focal length	28mm lens	26mm lens
Sensor size	1/2.55" inches	1/2" inches
Pixel size	1.4µm pixel	0.8µm pixel
Autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	OIS: Optical stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Digital and optical zoom	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Supported	Not supported
HDR	HDR photo/video on both cameras	HDR photo on both cameras
Camera extras	1080p@240fps	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Front camera (secondary)	7.1 megapixels	13 megapixels
Front camera resolution	3072x2304 pixels	4128x3096 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	Full HD (1920x1080)	Full HD (1920x1080)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.2 (aperture)	f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length	32mm lens	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	1/3.1" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	1.12µm pixel
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Loudspeaker	Stereo sound	Mono sound (not stereo)
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones or more	2 microphones or more
Radio	Not supported	FM
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV	MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF	MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC
🔌 Connectivity
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
USB	USB 2.0 proprietary connector	USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector
Audio output	proprietary audio output	3.5mm jack
TV output	Proprietary TV-out	Not supported
Bluetooth	5.0 + A2DP/LE	5.0 + A2DP/LE
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot
DLNA	Not supported	Not supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou
NFC	Supported	Supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor Virtual ambient light sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)
Battery capacity	2658 mAh	5000 mAh
Charger, watts	15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0	15W (9V/1.67A) Wired fast charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Qi wireless charging	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	20 hours	feature not registered
Standby	feature not registered	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, HTML5	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Face ID • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Apple Pay • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Fast battery charging: 50% in 30min	• Colors: Black, White, Blue, Red
☢️ Radiation rate
	iPhone XS (256GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DSN 32GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	0.422W/kg (head), 1.544W/kg (body)