1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm | iPhone 16 Pro Max is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 169g | 227g | S21 5G is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-folding phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.9" | iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a noticeably larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. S21 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1320x2868 | iPhone 16 Pro Max has much sharper display, resulting in better image clarity and detail. |
| PPI | 421 | 460 | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a slightly sharper screen, though the difference may not be noticeable to the naked eye in normal use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality display technologies with excellent color reproduction and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 16 Pro Max has significantly higher brightness, ensuring better visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Apple A18 Pro (3 nm) | iPhone 16 Pro Max's newer chip offers superior performance, efficiency, and is capable of running more demanding applications. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 1,947,255 | iPhone 16 Pro Max demonstrates substantially higher performance, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Apple GPU (6-core) | iPhone 16 Pro Max's GPU is significantly more powerful, handling graphics-intensive tasks and games with ease. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80 µm, Sony IMX555 | 48MP, f/1.78, 1/1.3", 1.22 µm, Sony IMX903 | iPhone 16 Pro Max captures significantly more detailed photos with higher resolution and larger sensor; superior low light performance |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80 µm, Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | N/A | S21 5G has dedicated telephoto for portrait shots; iPhone 16 Pro Max lacks a dedicated telephoto portrait camera |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22 µm, Sony IMX374 | 12MP, f/1.9, Sony IMX714 | iPhone 16 Pro Max provides better low light performance and slightly better detail with wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.8, 1.12 µm, Sony IMX913 | iPhone 16 Pro Max offers optical zoom capabilities that S21 5G lacks |
| ToF 3D Sensor | N/A | 0.8MP | iPhone 16 Pro Max supports depth sensing for better AR and portrait mode |
| Wide Angle/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm, Sony IMX563 | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 0.70 µm, Sony IMX972 | iPhone 16 Pro Max captures significantly more detailed wide-angle and macro shots with a much higher resolution |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | S21 5G supports 8K video recording; iPhone 16 Pro Max offers higher frame rates at 4K. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 111 (Photo:118, Video: 90) | 157 (Photo: 157, Video: 159) | iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers substantially better photo and video quality, based on DXOMark results. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 (Photo: 125, Video: 145) | 151 (Photo: 149, Video: 155) | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a superior selfie camera, offering better overall photo and video quality. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Cinematic Mode, Noise reduction, Face unlock, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | iPhone 16 Pro Max has more advanced video features with Cinematic Mode, better Noise reduction, more stable video, while the S21 5G focuses on 8K recording and triple camera setup. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4685mAh | iPhone 16 Pro Max likely offers longer battery life due to the larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Both support 25W fast charging, meaning similar charging times. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charger in-box | 25W Wireless Charging, Non-removable | S21 5G has a broader range of wireless charging features and reverse charging; iPhone 16 Pro Max only offers wireless charging at 25W and does not have reverse charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around, fits better in pockets.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can wirelessly charge other devices.
- 8K Video Recording: The ability to record video in 8K resolution for professional-grade video.
- Telephoto + Portrait lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for portrait mode shots.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU resulting in better overall speed, smoother multitasking, and more responsive gaming.
- Significantly Better Display: Larger screen with higher resolution and brightness for enhanced viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Cameras: Higher resolution sensors, superior low-light performance, and better image quality in general.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity resulting in more usage time between charges.
- eSIM Support: Allows for easy switching between carriers without a physical SIM card.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth Standards: Offers faster and more efficient wireless connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: iPhone 16 Pro Max is significantly larger and heavier, making it less portable and comfortable for some users.
- Reverse Charging: S21 5G can reverse wireless charge other devices while the iPhone cannot.
- 8K Video: S21 5G records 8k video, which the iPhone does not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Users seeking a compact and lightweight phone: Those who prioritize portability and ease of handling.
- Users who utilize reverse wireless charging: Users who frequently need to charge other wireless devices using their phone.
Users looking for an older phone with a lower price: A more affordable option than the iPhone with great specifications.
Use Cases:
Everyday use, easy to carry around and fits easily in a pocket
- Quick photos and video, general social media and communication
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Power users needing top performance: Demanding users who need fast processing and smooth multitasking, for instance, video editing.
- Media enthusiasts: Users who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and content creation on their phones, valuing a large, high-quality display
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want the best camera performance, taking detailed photos with excellent low-light quality, and making cinematic videos.
- Users needing the most modern technology: Those who want the latest features and connectivity standards, for instance, Wifi 7 and newer Bluetooth.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming, video and photography editing, graphic design
- Professional photo and video content creation
- Work requiring multitasking and fast app switching
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions to consider:
What's more important to you: size/weight or screen quality?
- If portability is key, the S21 5G is a better choice. If you value a larger, more vibrant display, choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
What will be your main use case: general use or high-end content creation?
- For everyday use and general photography, the S21 5G is sufficient. For heavy tasks like gaming, editing, or professional photography, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better option.
How much are you willing to spend?
- The Samsung S21 is an older model and usually available at a much more affordable price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-conscious User: If you prioritize affordability, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a great option with many high-end features.
- Mobile Photographer/Videographer: The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s superior camera system is worth the investment for professional-quality photos and videos.
- Power User: If you demand the best in terms of performance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s chipset and display make it the better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. While I acknowledge the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G's strengths in being more compact, lighter, and having reverse wireless charging, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a significant performance advantage that justifies the larger size and weight, for my use case. I value a larger, brighter, higher-resolution display for consuming media and doing work on the go. The enhanced camera system of the iPhone is also very important for me, as I take a lot of photos and videos. Finally, the newer chipset and other modern features guarantee an overall better user experience.
