1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 159.9 × 76.7 × 8.3 mm | S21+ is slightly taller and thinner; iPhone 15 Pro Max is wider and thicker, with larger overall volume. This affects handling and pocketability. |
| Weight | 200g | 221g | S21+ is 21g lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is heavier, which can be fatiguing for long periods of holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical display sizes offer similar viewing areas for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1290x2796 | iPhone 15 Pro Max has a noticeably sharper display with 39.2% more pixels, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 460 | iPhone 15 Pro Max offers higher pixel density, leading to finer details and a clearer image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, representing similar quality display technologies. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Pro Max is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, with 700 nits higher brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) | iPhone 15 Pro Max's newer 3nm chip offers superior performance, faster app loading, and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,641,883 | iPhone 15 Pro Max has significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating faster performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU (6-core) | The iPhone's GPU is better optimized for its hardware, translating to smoother graphics and gameplay. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 48MP | iPhone 15 Pro Max captures more detailed images with 4x higher resolution, allowing for better cropping and editing flexibility. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.78 | iPhone 15 Pro Max has a slightly wider aperture which allows slightly better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.3" | iPhone 15 Pro Max features a larger sensor, allowing it to capture more light, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light scenarios. |
| Telephoto | 64MP (S21+) | 12MP (iPhone) | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens, while the iPhone has an added telephoto lens for distant zoom, each offering different types of photography focus. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12.2MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | Similar specs, offering comparable ultra-wide photography capabilities for capturing landscapes and wide shots. |
| Front Camera Resolution | 10MP | 12MP | iPhone 15 Pro Max captures slightly sharper selfies and offers better low-light performance due to wider aperture. |
| Front Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | iPhone 15 Pro Max has a wider aperture which allows slightly better low light performance. |
| Video | 8K@24fps (S21+) / 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | S21+ offers 8K video recording, while the iPhone is limited to 4K, offering different video capture capabilities. Both have a variety of resolutions and frame rates, allowing flexible shooting. |
| DXOMARK Mobile Score | 111 (S21+) | 154 (iPhone) | The iPhone 15 Pro Max shows significantly superior camera performance, especially in video recording, indicated by the substantial difference in DXOMARK scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4441mAh | S21+ has slightly larger battery capacity, which may result in marginally better battery life depending on the phone usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 27W fast charging | iPhone 15 Pro Max charges slightly faster, potentially minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, Reverse Wireless charging | MagSafe, Qi Wireless | S21+ offers reverse wireless charging, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers MagSafe compatibility and Qi wireless charging. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | iOS 17 (upgradable to 18) | Different operating systems with distinct user interfaces and ecosystems. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | iPhone 15 Pro Max has the newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and less interference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | iPhone 15 Pro Max features newer Bluetooth technology for more reliable connectivity, and better energy efficiency. |
| Storage Options | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | iPhone 15 Pro Max offers significantly more storage options, beneficial for users with extensive media libraries or applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Basic Security features | S21+ features a fingerprint sensor for convenient biometric unlock, while the iPhone relies on other basic security measures. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Build: Significantly lighter (21g) making it more comfortable for prolonged use and portability.
- Reverse Charging: Allows wireless charging of other devices, acting as a portable power bank for devices like wireless earbuds and other compatible devices.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher video resolution for professional-grade recording.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a quick and reliable way to unlock the phone and authorize transactions.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness, offering sharper visuals and better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Newer chip provides faster processing speeds and smoother performance for all tasks.
- Superior Camera System: Larger sensor, and higher resolution main camera, resulting in better quality photos and videos in various conditions, as supported by its higher DXOMARK score.
- More Storage Options: Available in up to 1TB, catering to users with large media collections.
- Newer Technology Standards: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions offer faster speeds and better connectivity.
- MagSafe & Qi Wireless Charging: Better wireless charging options.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: While lighter and offering 8K video and reverse charging, it has significantly lower performance and camera quality compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Heavier and lacks reverse charging, but delivers a superior performance, camera system and more storage at higher cost.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users seeking a lighter phone: Those who prefer a more comfortable, portable phone for everyday use.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Seeking a high-quality display and video recording capabilities, but not needing the absolute best performance or camera features.
- Users who value the Android ecosystem: Those who prefer Android and its open environment.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks: Calling, texting, social media, general browsing.
- Occasional photo/video capture: Decent photography and videography for day-to-day use.
- Media Consumption: Enjoying videos, social media, and casual gaming.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Professionals: Users who need top-tier performance for tasks like video editing, graphic design and running demanding applications.
- Serious Photographers and Videographers: Users who require the best possible image and video quality.
- Power Users: Those needing extensive storage and top-tier performance, as well as access to Apple's ecosystem.
- Users in bright enviroments: Those working under bright conditions needing high brightness.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and video creation.
- Demanding mobile gaming and productivity.
- Extensive media consumption and content creation.
- Users who need the latest and greatest tech.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority? Performance, portability, or camera quality?
- What is your budget? Are you willing to pay more for premium features?
- Which ecosystem do you prefer? Android or iOS?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious User): If you prioritize a lightweight, capable device for everyday use with a good display and you have a limited budget, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers better value.
Scenario 2 (Professional Photographer/Videographer): If your main focus is on having a top-tier camera and video experience, and you are in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the clear choice, despite the higher price.
Scenario 3 (Power User): If you need the absolute best performance for demanding tasks, a large amount of storage, and do not mind the heavier build and price, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the recommended device.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Here's why:
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a competent device and offers some advantages in terms of weight and reverse charging, the iPhone 15 Pro Max significantly surpasses it in areas I value most: performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
As a power user who often performs demanding tasks like video editing, the A17 Pro chip's speed advantage would translate to a much smoother and more efficient workflow. The superior camera quality of the iPhone 15 Pro Max would also enable me to capture high quality photos and videos in various conditions, whether for personal or professional purposes. Moreover, the higher display resolution and brightness would make my visual experience more immersive and clear, whether I'm consuming content, or performing tasks. Finally, I am already used to and invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Although the iPhone 15 Pro Max is heavier, pricier, and lacks the reverse wireless charging feature of the S21+, the benefits it offers in my key use cases justify its higher cost and other trade-offs. Therefore, the iPhone 15 Pro Max aligns better with my priorities.
