7 Android smartphones that are objectively better than iPhone 13: an honest comparison in 10 parameters

iPhone 13 still remains one of the most popular smartphones on the market - it is bought for its reliability, ecosystem Apple and long updates. But progress does not stand still: many Android devices of 2023–2026 bypass the 2021 flagship in key parameters - from performance to flexibility of settings. In this article we will analyze 7 specific Android models that are superior to the iPhone 13 according to objective criteria: benchmarks, shooting quality, autonomy and price/capability ratio.

It is important to understand: the comparison does not come down to fanaticism "Android vs iOS". We are talking about technical advantageswhich can be critical for different users - from gamers to photographers. We will analyze not only the “raw” characteristics, but also the real experience of use: how quickly the smartphone heats up when recording 4K, how convenient it is to work with multitasking, and why some Android flagships are cheaper with similar (or better) performance.

Spoiler: among the leaders - Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra s a revolutionary camera ASUS ROG Phone 7 for gamers, and even a budget camera Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+which in some respects beats iPhone 13 at a price 2 times lower. But first things first.

1. Performance: why Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Dimensity 9200 leave the A15 Bionic behind data-i="49">. For example, in the test

Chip Apple A15 Bionic V iPhone 13 was top in 2021, but today is inferior to flagship processors Qualcomm And MediaTek. For example, in the test Geekbench 6 (multi-core mode) the gap reaches 30–40%:

• 📊 iPhone 13 (A15 Bionic): ~4,500 points
• 📊 Samsung Galaxy S23+ (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2): ~6,200 points
• 📊 ASUS ROG Phone 7 (Dimensity 9200+): ~6,500 points

The difference is especially noticeable c long loads: chips Apple traditionally “strangle” performance when overheated (throttling), while top-end Androidprocessors maintain stable frequencies longer. For example, when recording video in 4K@60fps iPhone 13 the quality begins to decrease after 10–15 minutes, and Galaxy S23 Ultra only after 25–30 minutes.

Key point: Android smartphones offer more RAM.. Even budget models come with 8 GB, while iPhone 13 is limited to 4 GB. This affects multitasking - on Android you can keep 10+ applications open without rebooting, and after iPhone after 5-6 tabs Safari it begins to “kill” them.

2. Screen: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz - why the difference is critical for the eyes and battery

iPhone 13 is still equipped with a screen with a refresh rate 60 Hz, while even mid-budget Androidsmartphones offer 90 Hz or 120 Hz. The difference is not only in the smoothness of the animation - the high frequency reduces eye strain during prolonged use.

Model	Frequency screen	Technology	Brightness (nits)
iPhone 13	60 Hz	OLED (XDR)	800
Samsung Galaxy S23	120 Hz (LTPO)	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	1750
OnePlus 11	120 Hz (LTPO 3.0)	AMOLED	1600
Xiaomi 13	120 Hz	AMOLED (Dolby Vision)	1900

Important: LTPO technology (in Galaxy S23 or OnePlus 11) allows you to dynamically reduce the frequency to 1 Hz in static scenes (for example, when reading), saving charge. iPhone 13 always works at 60 Hz, which increases battery consumption.

Another plus Android — support Always-On Display (AOD). On iPhone this function appeared only in iPhone 14 Pro, but on Android it is even available in devices costing 20,000 rubles, for example, in Realme GT Neo 5.

3. Cameras: night shooting, zoom and RAW - where Android beats Apple

iPhone 13 takes excellent photos in automatic mode, but Android flagships offer more control and capabilities:

• 📸 Optical zoom: Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 10x periscope zoom (versus 2x in iPhone 13). The difference is visible to the naked eye when shooting distant objects.
• 🌙 Night shooting: The Google Pixel 7 Pro algorithm Night Sight works faster and with less noise than Night Mode v iPhone. For example, at ISO 3200 Pixel preserves more details.
• 🎥 8K Video: iPhone 13 records a maximum of 4K@60fpswhile S23 Ultra or Xiaomi 13 Pro support 8K@30fps with HDR.
• 📁 RAW and Pro modes: On Android you can save photos in RAW + JPEG at the same time and manually adjust the shutter speed, ISO, white balance. In iPhone for this you need to install third-party applications.

An example from real shooting: when recording video in a dimly lit room iPhone 13 automatically increases ISO to 2000–2500, which leads to noticeable noise. Galaxy S23 Ultra in the same scenario, uses ISO 800–1200 due to a lighter lens (f/1.7 vs f/1.6 y iPhone) and better processing.

How to enable shooting in RAW on Android?

Go to Camera settings → Saving formats → RAW + JPEG. In some models (for example, Xiaomi) this mode is called Pro Mode and requires manual activation.

4. Battery and charging: why Android wins in autonomy and speed

The battery iPhone 13 (3,240 mAh) is inferior to most Androidcompetitors in capacity. For comparison:

• 🔋 Samsung Galaxy S23+: 4,700 mAh (+45%)
• 🔋 OnePlus 11: 5,000 mAh (+54%)
• 🔋 Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+: 5,000 mAh (+54%) at a price 2 times lower

But capacity is not the only factor. Android smartphones support ultra-fast charging:

• ⚡ iPhone 13: maximum 20 W (0–50% in 30 minutes)
• ⚡ OnePlus 11: 100 W (0–100% in 25 minutes)
• ⚡ Realme GT Neo 5: 150 W (0–50% in 12 minutes)

Critical moment: battery degradation. Apple artificially limits the maximum battery capacity after 500 charging cycles, while many Androidmanufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Oppo) use technologies Battery Health Enginethat slow down wear by 20-30%.

5. Flexibility and customization: what Android can do, but will never be in iOS

iPhone famous for stability, but Android offers freedomwhich is critical for many users:

• 🛠️ Replaceable launchers: Can be installed Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Niagara Launcher for a complete redesign of the interface. On iOS even rearranging icons outside the grid is impossible.
• 📁 File system: Access to root folders, the ability to connect a smartphone as USB drive (MTP/PTP), work with ADB. On iPhone to transfer files you need iTunes or Finder.
• 🎮 Emulators and retro games: On Android they start without problems emulators PS2, Nintendo Switch (via Skyline) or Dolphin (GameCube). This is only possible through jailbreak. Emulators and retro games: Applications like data-i="194">when connected to a machine). In iPhone This is only possible through jailbreak.
• 🔧 Automation: Applications like Tasker or MacroDroid allow you to create complex scenarios (for example, automatically turn on Bluetooth when connected to the machine). IN iOS similar functionality (Shortcuts) is greatly reduced.

Real life example: on Android you can customize a gesture double tap on the back panel to launch the camera or turn on the flashlight. On iPhone such functions appear only 2-3 years after Android (for example, Back Tap appeared in iOS 14when on Android it was already 5 years).

6. Price and “features/cost” ratio: where Android knocks out the iPhone

One ​​of the main arguments in favor Android — Affordability with similar (or better) characteristics. For example:

Model	Price (2026, ₽)	Advantages over iPhone 13
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+	~35 000	120 Hz screen, camera 200 MP, 120 W charging
Samsung Galaxy A54	~40 000	120 Hz screen, 4 Android updates, IP67
Google Pixel 7a	~45 000	The best camera in the segment, 5 years of updates, 90 Hz
iPhone 13 (new)	~70 000	—

Even flagship Androidmodels are often cheaper. For example, Samsung Galaxy S23 (6/128 GB) can be found for ~60,000 ₽ - 10,000 ₽ cheaper iPhone 13 with significantly better characteristics.

Important: Android smartphones remain relevant in price longer. After a year, iPhone 13 loses ~30% of its value, while Galaxy S22 or OnePlus 10 Pro only ~15–20% (due to the higher initial price of flagships Apple).

7. Games and multimedia: why gamers choose Android

For gamers Android is the clear leader for several reasons:

• 🎮 Controller support: It can be connected Android can be connected Xbox Controller, DualSense or even Steam Deck in keyboard mode. In iOS only licensed gamepads are supported (for example, Backbone One).
• 🖥️ Emulators and cloud gaming: Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW and Booster work on Android without restrictions. On iPhone many services are available only through a browser with reduced quality.
• 🔥 Game performance: In Genshin Impact (maximum settings) iPhone 13 produces ~50 FPS, while ASUS ROG Phone 7 or RedMagic 8 Pro stably maintains 60 FPS with resolution 2560×1080.
• 🎧 Sound: Many Androidsmartphones (for example LG V60 or Sony Xperia 1 V) have 3.5 mm jack support for wireless headphones. LDAC/aptX for wireless headphones. iPhone requires an adapter even for wired ones headset.

Example: in Call of Duty: Mobile on iPhone 13 during a long session (40+ minutes) FPS drops from 90 to 60 due to overheating. On Black Shark 5 Pro with liquid cooling, the frequency remains stable.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about switching from iPhone to Android

❓ How to transfer data from iPhone to Android?

Use the official application Google One or Samsung Smart Switch:

1. Install the application on iPhone.
2. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Select data to transfer (contacts, photos, messages).
4. On Android confirm receiving the files.

To transfer notes from Apple Notes export them to PDF via Files and load into Google Keep.

❓ Is it true that Android works slower with time?

It depends on the manufacturer. Flagships Samsung, Google or OnePlus receive updates for 4-5 years and do not slow down with proper care. Budget models (for example, Redmi or Infinix) can. slow down due to a weak processor or overloaded software.

To avoid lags:

• Disable animations in Settings → About phone → Build number (7 times) → Developer options → Animation speed (turn off).
• Use lightweight launchers like Nova Launcher.
• Clear the cache once a month through Settings → Storage.

❓ Can I use AirPods on Android?

Yes, AirPods connect to Android as usual Bluetoothheadphones, but some functions will be unavailable:

• ❌ There is no automatic switching between devices.
• ❌ The wear sensor does not work (pause when removing the earphone).
• ❌ No support Spatial Audio.
• ✅ Basic control works (play/pause, change tracks).

For full operation, it is better to choose headphones with support aptX or LDAC (for example, Sony WH-1000XM5).

❓ Which Android smartphone is closest to the iPhone in terms of simplicity?

If simplicity and long updates are important to you, pay attention to:

1. Google Pixel 7/7a —pure Android, 5 years of updates, excellent camera.
2. Samsung Galaxy S23 - interface One UI intuitive, there are equivalent functions iOS (for example, DeX instead of Continuity).
3. Nothing Phone (2) - minimalistic design, close to iPhone, but with flexibility Android.

From budget options - Motorola Moto G73 with almost "stock" Android.

❓ Is it true that Android has more viruses?

The myth is partially true, but only if you install applications from unverified sources. The Google Play security level is comparable to App Store:

• 🛡️ Google Play Protect scans applications in real time.
• 🔒 Flagship models (Samsung, Google) receive monthly security patches.
• ⚠️ The main risk is third-party APKs (outside Google Play). Do not install applications from unknown sites.

For additional protection, install Malwarebytes or enable Secure view in Chrome.

The transition from iPhone to Android is not a compromise, but a conscious choice in favor of flexibility, productivity and innovation. Of course, iOS has its advantages (for example, an ecosystem Apple or optimization for creative people. applications), but if technical characteristics, customization and price/quality ratioare important to you, then modern Androidsmartphones offer much more.

The main thing is to determine your priorities: if you need maximum performance, pay attention to ASUS ROG Phone 7 or RedMagic 8 Pro; if the balance of price and capabilities is important - Google Pixel 7a or Samsung Galaxy A54; if the camera is important - Galaxy S23 Ultra or Xiaomi 13 ProIn any case, today Android offers solutions that are objectively superior iPhone 13 in most parameters.