Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | iPhone slightly wider, S21+ slightly thicker; negligible difference in hand, may affect cases/pockets |
| Weight | 228g | 200g | S21+ significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use; iPhone feels more premium due to heavier build |
| Build | Unknown protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21+ has a significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; no difference in content viewing area |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2400 | iPhone has a sharper display; Text and images look clearer and more detailed |
| PPI | 458 | 394 | iPhone has a noticeably sharper image, especially for reading small text |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar technologies; both produce vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21+ has smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive feel |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1300 nits | S21+ has slightly better visibility in direct sunlight, small difference, but noticeable in extreme situations |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (International) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Different chipsets; iPhone known for optimized performance, S21+ performance varies slightly by region and chip |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 749,100 | iPhone is faster in benchmark scores; translates to quicker app launches, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding apps or games |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G78 MP14 | Different GPU architectures; iPhone excels in graphics performance, specifically gaming and video rendering |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (Main) Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70 µm pixel size, Sony IMX603 | 12MP, f/1.8, 1.80 µm pixel size, Sony IMX555, 1/1.76" sensor | iPhone has a wider aperture for better low light performance, S21+ has larger pixel size, better light gathering |
| Telephoto + Portrait | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 0.80 µm pixel size, Samsung Bright S5KGW2, 1/1.72" sensor | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens for better zoom and portrait shots |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514, pixel size unavailable | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22 µm pixel size, Sony IMX374, 1/3.2" sensor | iPhone has a higher megapixel count, but the sensor size is unknown, impacting quality in low light, S21+ has larger pixel size, better light gathering |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm pixel size, Sony IMX590, 1/3.4" sensor | None | iPhone offers a dedicated telephoto zoom lens; this can be better for portraits with the use of the lens's depth of field |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.40 µm pixel size, Sony IMX372, 1/2.55" sensor | None | iPhone offers a dedicated wide-angle lens; better for capturing more in a single shot |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1.40 µm pixel size, Sony IMX563, 1/2.55" sensor | S21+ offers a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps, HDR, Stereo Sound, Slow-motion 240fps | Up to 8K 24fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, slow-motion 960fps | S21+ offers higher resolution video; Both phones have great video capabilities, but S21+ has better slow motion |
| DXOMARK Mobile | 131(Photo:131, Video:130) | 111(Photo:118, Video:89) | iPhone has noticeably better photo and video performance |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 4800mAh | S21+ has a larger battery, should offer longer battery life |
| Charging | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion, *20W adapter sold separately | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer, no charge in-box | S21+ has slightly faster charging, both offer fast charging, iPhone requires separate charger purchase |
| Features | Non-removable, MagSafe wireless 15W, Qi wireless 7.5W, Unconfirmed capacity | Non-removable, Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 4.5W, No charge in-box | S21+ can wirelessly charge other devices, Both offer wireless charging, iPhone has MagSafe compatibility |
Software, Connectivity, Storage, Audio, Security
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to 18) | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Different ecosystems, iOS is known for smoothness and simplicity, Android for customization and flexibility |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Wi-Fi MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Similar WiFi performance; S21+ enables sharing content via screen mirroring. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE | 5.0 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, ANT+, APT-x, SBC | S21+ has more Bluetooth profiles, potentially better compatibility with a variety of accessories |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Both phones have accurate GPS, S21+ has additional frequencies for better accuracy in urban areas |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM/eSIM) | Both phones support Dual SIM, flexible configurations with both Nano SIM and eSIM |
| Internal Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB | iPhone offers larger storage option, both phones do not offer expandable storage |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | S21+ has more RAM, should be better for multitasking and resource-intensive apps |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, limiting storage for heavy users |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Mic, Stereo Speakers | S21+ has an advantage, specifically for audio with better playback and noise cancellation for calls. |
| Security | Basic Security Features | Fingerprint sensor | S21+ has a fingerprint scanner, providing additional biometric security |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S21+ has more sensors for advanced features and better user experience |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages
- Higher Display Resolution & Pixel Density: Noticeably sharper screen for clearer text and images.
- Superior Performance: Significantly better benchmark scores for smoother, faster performance and better gaming experience.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher DXOMARK scores for both photo and video quality, especially video, offers an advantage in quality.
- MagSafe: Adds convenience of wireless charging and accessory attachment.
- iOS Ecosystem: Offers a smooth, simple, and consistent experience with long-term software support.
- Telephoto and Wide Angle lens Dedicated lenses offer better portraits with the use of the lens's depth of field and wide-angle shots
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing user experience.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Longer battery life, less need for charging during the day.
- Faster Charging: Faster wired charging and wireless reverse charging capabilities.
- Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto + portrait lens for better zooming and portrait effects, wider-angle + macro lens for enhanced versatility.
- 8K Video Recording: Captures higher resolution video, good for professional and creative use cases.
- Bluetooth Features: Improved compatibly with a wider variety of accessories via more bluetooth profiles.
- Biometric Security: Fingerprint sensor, providing additional biometric security.
- Hi-Res Audio: Higher quality playback for a better music experience
- Reverse Wireless Charging Wireless charge other devices like earbuds
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better screen protection.
Significant Trade-offs
- iPhone: Lower refresh rate (60Hz) display compared to 120Hz on the S21+. Lacks a telephoto + portrait lens and wide-angle + macro lens, slightly less battery capacity. Requires a separate charger purchase and only supports up to 20W wired charging.
- S21+: Lower display resolution and pixel density than the iPhone. Lower benchmark scores compared to the iPhone. Camera performance is not as high as the iPhone according to DXOMARK score, particularly for video.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal Users
- Professionals: Users who prioritize performance, smooth operation, and overall camera quality and video quality, and ecosystem integration.
- Content Creators (Video Focus): Users who primarily use their phone for video recording or editing and content creation.
- iOS Users: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer the consistency and simplicity of iOS.
- Users Focused on Display Clarity Users who prioritize clarity of text and images on their display
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a smooth display experience, longer battery life and excellent audio playback for entertainment.
- Casual Photographers/Social Media Users: Users who value a versatile camera system with flexible options for zoom, portraits, and macro photography.
- Android Users: Users who prefer the customization options of Android and are invested in the Android ecosystem, who want more versatility in terms of camera options and battery features.
- Power Users: Those who need a large battery, fast charging, and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly, and who appreciate a fast display refresh rate.
Specific Use Cases
iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Professional video recording and editing.
- Gaming with smooth, consistent performance.
- Viewing and editing high-resolution images.
- Users deeply entrenched in the Apple Ecosystem
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Long-term multimedia consumption, such as watching movies and videos.
- Capturing diverse photos and videos, especially with varied zoom options.
- Extended use without needing to recharge the phone frequently.
- Reverse charging of wireless accessories like earbuds
- Users who want more versatile camera options.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max generally maintains higher resale value, making it a longer-term investment for certain users. It may come at a higher upfront cost.
- The S21+ 5G may offer a more accessible entry price and greater flexibility in certain areas with additional battery and display features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- What's your priority - display smoothness or display clarity? Do you prefer a sharper display or smoother scrolling?
- What's your primary use case? Is it gaming, video creation, media consumption, or general productivity?
- Which ecosystem do you prefer? Are you invested in iOS or Android, and which operating system best suits your workflow?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Professional Video and Photo Editing
- Recommendation: iPhone 12 Pro Max due to its higher video quality and color accuracy, its superior performance, and consistent software updates.
Scenario 2: Media Consumption and Casual Photography
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G due to its larger battery, smooth 120Hz display, and versatile camera.
Scenario 3: Gaming and Performance
- Recommendation: iPhone 12 Pro Max due to significantly better benchmark scores and graphics performance.
Scenario 4: Budget and Value
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, as it offers a slightly more affordable option with a slightly more versatile camera system and greater battery features.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G boasts a smoother 120Hz display and a more versatile camera system, my personal priorities lean towards performance and overall camera quality, especially for video. The iPhone 12 Pro Max excels in benchmark scores, providing a consistently smooth experience, and its superior video quality is crucial for my personal use cases.
While I recognize that the S21+ 5G is an excellent phone with a wider range of features, the iPhone's ecosystem and focus on performance, camera performance, and display clarity align more closely with my preferences. I also appreciate the simplicity and consistent software updates of iOS. Finally, the dedicated wide-angle and telephoto lenses, offer a better zoom experience and depth of field in my daily photography.
Ultimately, the best phone for anyone depends on their individual needs and preferences, but for my priorities, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the superior choice.
