Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of key specifications, focusing on their real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, while iPhone 16 Pro Max is wider. The S21 Ultra feels a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 227g | 227g | Both phones have identical weight. Will feel very similar in the hand. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus screen | Unknown | S21 Ultra has known screen durability; iPhone 16 Pro Max's screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.9" | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a slightly larger screen, offering a bit more viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1320x2868 | S21 Ultra has noticeably sharper text and images due to the higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 460 PPI | S21 Ultra provides more detail and crispness to visuals |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, very similar experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, no practical difference. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 16 Pro Max will be significantly easier to use in bright sunlight due to its higher peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A18 Pro (3 nm) | iPhone 16 Pro Max's chip is significantly faster, leading to smoother performance in apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,947,255 | iPhone 16 Pro Max offers significantly better performance, handling demanding tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple 6-core GPU | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a substantially faster GPU, better for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 48MP | S21 Ultra captures more detail in photos, but larger file sizes. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.78 | iPhone 16 Pro Max will perform marginally better in low light due to its slightly wider aperture. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.3" | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a slightly larger sensor, potentially better light gathering. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP | N/A | S21 Ultra offers an additional dedicated telephoto camera for portraits. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 12MP | S21 Ultra captures very high-resolution selfies, although that doesn't always correlate with quality |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | iPhone 16 Pro Max might perform a little better in low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | 12MP, f/2.8 | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a brighter lens and slightly higher resolution, better for zoomed-in shots. |
| ToF 3D sensor | N/A | 0.8MP | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a ToF sensor which contributes to better depth sensing for AR and other features |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP | 48MP | iPhone 16 Pro Max captures much higher detail in wide-angle and macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | S21 Ultra allows 8K video recording, but iPhone is better in other areas. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 | 157 | iPhone 16 Pro Max is substantially better in image and video quality, according to DxOMark. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 | 151 | iPhone 16 Pro Max is substantially better in image and video quality, according to DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | 8K video, Laser AF | Cinematic Mode, Pro Video Mode | Different feature sets, catering to varying creative needs. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4685mAh | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, may translate to slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Charging times should be similar. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless | 25W Wireless Charging | iPhone 16 Pro Max provides faster wireless charging while S21 has reverse wireless charging. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | iOS 18 | Android offers more customization; iOS has a simpler interface and app ecosystem. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | iPhone 16 Pro Max supports newer standard for faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | iPhone 16 Pro Max has a newer standard which may be more efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | iPhone 16 Pro Max has more accurate and reliable location tracking thanks to extra satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | S21 has two physical SIM slots, while the iPhone offers eSIM flexibility. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | Up to 512GB | Up to 1024GB | iPhone 16 Pro Max offers more storage, great for large files. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 8GB | S21 Ultra has more RAM, good for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage, limiting flexibility. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos | Very similar overall audio experience with high quality, though the S21 Ultra does have Hi-Res Audio. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper screen with more detail due to 515 PPI pixel density, better for reading and detailed viewing.
- More RAM: Up to 16GB of RAM allows for very heavy multitasking and potentially better long-term performance in resource-heavy apps.
- Telephoto + Portrait Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens for portraits
- 8k Video Recording: For users who desire the maximum in video resolution.
- Reverse wireless charging: Useful for charging other devices
- Physical Dual Sim: Good for users who like the ability to switch sim cards.
- Lower Cost The Galaxy S21 Ultra is much cheaper due to its age.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides additional security through biometrics
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Apple A18 Pro chip offers much faster overall performance in all types of tasks.
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness makes it much easier to see the screen in direct sunlight.
- Better Camera System: Higher DxOMark scores and better sensors on key camera lenses, leading to better photos and videos overall, especially in low-light.
- Newer Software: Uses iOS, known for its simplicity and robust ecosystem, longer software support.
- More Storage: Higher storage options (up to 1TB), better for storing lots of photos, videos, and files.
- Faster Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 7, for higher internet speeds, lower latency, and improved stability.
- eSIM support: Provides better flexibility with changing mobile providers, supports digital carrier switching.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Enhances AR and other depth-sensing features.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra excels in display sharpness and has more RAM, but it falls behind in performance, camera quality and peak screen brightness compared to the iPhone.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max leads in performance, camera and screen visibility but lacks the S21 Ultra's versatility like reverse wireless charging and a physical sim slot, along with having less RAM
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a very sharp display, high resolution and lots of RAM for multitasking.
- Users who want to save money and don't need the latest and greatest performance or camera system.
- Users who appreciate a dedicated telephoto lens for portraits
- Users who need reverse wireless charging to top up other devices.
- Users who value the flexibility of dual physical SIM card slots.
- Users who are comfortable with the Android ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Viewing and creating very high-resolution photos and videos
- Heavy multitasking with lots of open apps.
- Users who utilize dual-sim for work/personal use.
- Users who want to charge accessories and other devices via their phone
- General media consumption.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Users who demand the best performance and are willing to pay more for it.
- Users who value a great, consistent camera system, particularly for low-light photos and videos.
- Users who need excellent screen visibility outdoors.
- Users who want the best possible video quality and feature set.
- Users who appreciate the simplicity and ecosystem of iOS.
- Users who want the highest available storage on a smartphone.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming at high settings
- Professional-quality photography and videography
- Outdoor use in direct sunlight.
- Users who prefer a simple and streamlined interface.
- Users who consume lots of media and need lots of storage.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is older and likely significantly cheaper, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max represents the top end of the market.
- How important is camera quality to you? If camera performance, especially in low light, is a priority, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better choice.
- What is more important, performance or multitasking? If you plan on gaming or other performance-heavy tasks, the iPhone 16 Pro Max wins. However, if having the most RAM for multitasking is your priority, the S21 Ultra is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you are looking to save money, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a great option.
- Photography Enthusiast: For the best camera quality, especially in video, and if you value consistent quality and the use of features like Cinematic Mode, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is superior.
- Performance Junkie: If speed and overall performance is a top priority, particularly for mobile gaming or heavy app use, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is significantly faster.
- Outdoor User: If you frequently use your phone in direct sunlight and want the best screen visibility, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better choice due to its higher brightness.
- Android Enthusiast: If you want more freedom of customization and prefer the Android ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the logical choice.
Final Choice
If I were choosing, I would select the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a very sharp display and great features for its price point, the iPhone 16 Pro Max's superior performance, significantly brighter screen, and better camera system are more important to me. I frequently take photos and videos, even in low light conditions, and use my phone outdoors a lot, meaning that these features are a must. The substantial improvement in performance that comes with the A18 Pro chip also makes it a much smoother experience for everyday use.
