Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21+: Comparison

Comparison of features, performance, design, battery, camera and connectivity between the following smartphones: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21+. The complete information of specifications to decide which to buy.

Compare
Apple iPhone 12 Pro MaxApple iPhone 12 Pro MaxGlobal · 6GB · 128GB
Samsung Galaxy S21+Samsung Galaxy S21+Global · 8GB · 128GB · SM-G996B
Technical data sheets

Basics
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Global · 6GB · 128GB
View datasheet
vs
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Global · 8GB · 128GB · SM-G996B
View datasheet
vs

Score
Ki Cost-effective
Score		 8.6 Ki Cost-effective
Score 		8.6 Ki Cost-effective
Score
Design and Screen score 7.9Design & Materials 7.7Design & Materials
Performance and Hardware score 7.8Performance & Hardware 7.4Performance & Hardware
Camera score 8.8Camera 8.0Camera
Connectivity score 8.6 Connectivity 8.4 Connectivity
Battery score 6.4 Battery 6.5 Battery

User reviews
User score
8.7
43 reviews
9.2
39 reviews

Technical specifications of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21+

Specs Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max price compare Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Global · 6GB · 128GB 		Samsung Galaxy S21+ price compare Samsung Galaxy S21+
Global · 8GB · 128GB · SM-G996B
Inches 6.7" 6.7"
Resolution QHD FHD+
Usable surface 87% useful 88% useful
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Dimensions 78.1 mm
160.8 mm
7.4 mm 		75.6 mm
161.6 mm
7.8 mm
Weight 226 g 200 g
Micro A14
Hexa-Core 		Exynos 2100
Octa-Core
RAM 6 GB RAM 8 GB RAM
Storage 128 GB 128 GB
AnTuTu 1.121.803
v10 		749.100
v10
Battery 3687 mAh 4800 mAh
Main Camera 1
12 Mpx · ƒ/1.6
IMX603
2 3 		1
12 Mpx · ƒ/1.8
IMX555
2 3
Selfie Camera SELF 12 Mpx · ƒ/2.2 SELF 10 Mpx · ƒ/2.2
Bands
OS iOS 17 Android 14 Upside-down cake

Brand
Brand Apple Samsung
Aliases A2411 SM-G996B, s21 plus, galaxy s21 plus, s21 +

Release Date
Release date October 2020,
3 years ago 		January 2021,
3 years ago
State On Sale On Sale
Market Global Global

Design & Materials

Structure

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Size
78.1 mm • 160.8 mm • 7.4 mm
See more details
 Print 3D Model
75.6 mm • 161.6 mm • 7.8 mm
See more details
 Print 3D Model
Weight 226 g 200 g
Usable surface 87 % 88 %
Materials Glass, Aluminium Plastic, Glass, Aluminium
Resistance IP68 IP68
Colors
Blue

Gold

Silver

Gray
Black

Gold

Silver

Red

Violet

Screen
Diagonal 6.7" 6.7"
Type Oled AMOLED • Dynamic Amoled 2X
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Resolution QHD
1284 x 2778 px 		FHD+
1080 x 2400 px
Density 458 Pixels per inch 393 Pixels per inch

Others

Others
  • Medium-sized Notch
  • Brightnes 800 cd/m² (typ)
  • Peak brightness - 1200 cd/m²
  • 2000000:1 contrast ratio
  • HDR
  • DCI-P3
  • Wide Color display (P3)
  • True Tone display
  • Super Retina XDR
  • Scratch resistant
  • Ceramic Shield
  • Capacitive
  • Multi-touch
  • Oleophobic (lipophobic) coating
  • Frameless
  • Haptic Touch
  • Hole-punch Notch
  • Refresh rate 120 Hz
  • Peak brightness - 1300 cd/m²
  • Always-On Display
  • HDR10+
  • Scratch resistant
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Capacitive
  • Multi-touch
  • Frameless

User reviews

Is it a drop-resistant and scratch-resistant smartphone?
8.0
8.5
Do you think it's a nice phone?
9.1
9.3
Is it comfortable?
7.6
8.8
Can you see it well in the sunlight?
9.4
9.1
Number of reviews
43 reviews
39 reviews

Performance & Hardware

Processor
Model Apple A14 Bionic Samsung Exynos 2100
CPU 2x Icestorm 3.1 GHz + 4x Firestorm 1.8 GHz 1x Cortex-X1 2,91 GHz + 3x Cortex-A78 2,81 GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 2,21 GHz.
Type Hexa-Core Octa-Core
Manufacturing 5 nm 5 nm
64 Bits Yes Yes

Graphics
GPU Apple 4-core graphics processing unit A14 GPU ARM Mali-G78 MC14

RAM
RAM 6 GB 8 GB
Type LPDDR4X RAM RAM LPDDR5

Antutu
Score
1.121.803
Antutu v10
Overall performance better than 92% of devices
See more details
749.100
Antutu v10
Overall performance better than 85% of devices
See more details

Storage
Capacity 128 GB 128 GB
Type -- UFS Storage 3.1
SD Slot No No

Security
Fingerprint No Yes, in screen

Sensors
Sensors
  • Proximity
  • Light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Compass
  • Gyroscope
  • Barometer
  • LiDAR Scanner
  • Fingerprint
  • Proximity
  • Light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Compass
  • Gyroscope
  • Barometer
  • Hall
  • Geomagnetic

Audio

Audio
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Dolby Digital Plus
  • Stereo Speakers
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Hi-Res Audio
  • Noise cancellation microphone
  • Stereo Speakers

Others
Notifications LED -- --
Cooling system No No
Gaming buttons No No

User reviews

Does it have good sound?
9.6
9.2
Does it work smoothly in everyday use?
9.2
9.2
What's your experience been with demanding games?
9.2
9.0
Number of reviews
43 reviews
39 reviews

Camera

Main
No. of cameras Triple rear camera Triple rear camera
1
Camera type

Standard

Standard
Resolution 12 Mpx 12 Mpx
Sensor Sony IMX603 Sony IMX555
Type CMOS CMOS
Aperture ƒ/ 1.6 ƒ/ 1.8
ISO -- --
Pixel size 1.70 µm 1.80 µm
Pixel Binning -- --
Sensor size -- 1/1.76"
2
Camera type

Wide Angle lens

Wide Angle + Macro
Resolution
12 Mpx
12.2 Mpx
Sensor
Sony IMX372
Sony IMX563
Type
CMOS
CMOS
Aperture
ƒ/ 2.4
ƒ/ 2.2
Pixel size
1.40 µm
1.40 µm
Pixel Binning
--
--
Sensor size
1/2.55"
1/2.55"
3
Camera type

Telephoto lens

Telephoto + portrait
Resolution
12 Mpx
64 Mpx
Sensor
Sony IMX590
Samsung Bright S5KGW2
Type
CMOS
ISOCELL
Aperture
ƒ/ 2.2
ƒ/ 2.0
Pixel size
1.00 µm
0.80 µm
Pixel Binning
--
--
Sensor size
1/3.4"
1/1.72"

Features
Flash LED LED
Optical Stabilisation Yes Yes
Slow Motion Video Yes,
240 fps 		Yes,
960 fps
Others
  • 4K Video
  • Digital zoom
  • Optical zoom
  • Triple camera
  • 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
  • 4K Video
  • 8K Video
  • Digital zoom
  • Optical zoom
  • 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

Selfie
SELF
Camera type

Dedicated

Dedicated
Resolution 12 Mpx 10 Mpx
Sensor Sony IMX514 Sony IMX374
Type CMOS CMOS
Aperture ƒ/ 2.2 ƒ/ 2.2
Pixel size -- 1.22 µm
Pixel Binning -- --
Sensor size -- 1/3.2"
Others
--
--

DxOMark Score
DxOMark Score
131
Mobile
131
Photo
130
Video
132
Selfie
127
Photo
140
Video
111
Mobile
118
Photo
89
Video

User reviews

Quality of daytime photos
9.3
9.1
Quality of nighttime photos
8.8
8.5
Quality of selfies
9.2
8.7
Does it have a powerful flash?
9.1
8.9
Number of reviews
43 reviews
39 reviews

Connectivity

Network compatibility

5G
  • n1 (2100)
  • n2 (1900 PCS)
  • n3 (1800)
  • n5 (850)
  • n7 (2600)
  • n8 (900)
  • n12 (700)
  • n20 (800)
  • n25 (1900)
  • n28b (700)
  • n28a (700)
  • n38 (2600)
  • n40 (2300)
  • n41 (2500)
  • n66 (1700)
  • n77 (3700)
  • n78 (3500)
  • n79 (4700)
  • n1 (2100)
  • n3 (1800)
  • n5 (850)
  • n7 (2600)
  • n8 (900)
  • n20 (800)
  • n28b (700)
  • n28a (700)
  • n38 (2600)
  • n40 (2300)
  • n41 (2500)
  • n66 (1700)
  • n77 (3700)
  • n78 (3500)
4G LTE
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
  • B5 (850)
  • B7 (2600)
  • B8 (900)
  • B12 (700)
  • B13 (700)
  • B17 (700)
  • B18 (800)
  • B19 (800)
  • B20 (800)
  • B25 (1900+)
  • B26 (850)
  • B28b (700)
  • B28a (700)
  • B30 (2300)
  • B32 (1500)
  • B34 (TDD 2100)
  • B38 (TDD 2600)
  • B39 (TDD 1900)
  • B40 (TDD 2300)
  • B41 (TDD 2500)
  • B42 (TDD 3500)
  • B46 (TDD 5200)
  • B48 (TDD 3600)
  • B66 (1700/2100)
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
  • B5 (850)
  • B7 (2600)
  • B8 (900)
  • B12 (700)
  • B13 (700)
  • B17 (700)
  • B18 (800)
  • B19 (800)
  • B20 (800)
  • B25 (1900+)
  • B26 (850)
  • B28b (700)
  • B28a (700)
  • B32 (1500)
  • B38 (TDD 2600)
  • B39 (TDD 1900)
  • B40 (TDD 2300)
  • B41 (TDD 2500)
  • B66 (1700/2100)
3G
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS A-F)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS A-F)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)
2G
  • CDMA2000 EV-DO REV.A
  • CDMA BC0 (800)
  • CDMA BC1 (1900)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)

SIM card
Dual SIM Dual Sim Dual Standby Dual Sim Dual Standby
Type
  • Nano SIM
  • eSIM
  • Nano SIM
  • Nano SIM / eSIM

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
  • 802.11n 5GHz
  • 802.11ac
  • WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
  • 802.11n 5GHz
  • 802.11ac
  • WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Others
  • Dual band
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Wi-Fi MiMO
  • Dual band
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Wi-Fi Direct
  • Wi-Fi Display

Bluetooth
Version Bluetooth 5.1 LE Low energy consumption Bluetooth 5.0 LE Low energy consumption
Others
  • A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
  • LE (Low Energy)
  • A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
  • AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile)
  • DIP (Device ID Profile)
  • HFP (Hands-Free Profile)
  • HID (Human Interface Profile)
  • HSP (Headset Profile)
  • LE (Low Energy)
  • MAP (Message Access Profile)
  • PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile)
  • OPP (Object Push Profile)
  • PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile)
  • ANT+
  • APT-x
  • SBC

Navigation
Navigation
  • GPS
  • A-GPS
  • GLONASS
  • Beidou
  • QZSS
  • Galileo
  • GPS
  • A-GPS
  • GLONASS
  • Beidou
  • Galileo
  • GPS (L1+L5)
  • Galileo (E1+E5a)

USB
USB
  • Charging
  • Mass Storage
  • Proprietary
  • Charging
  • Mass Storage
  • USB On-The-Go (OTG)
  • USB Type C
  • USB Host 3.1

SAR
European measurement

The European Union sets a limit of 2 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue.

 -- 0.540 W/Kg on head
1.330 W/Kg on body
American measurement

The FCC limit is 1.6 W/kg measured in a volume of 1 gram of tissue

 -- --

Others
Others
  • NFC
  • Computer sync
  • OTA sync
  • Tethering.
  • VoLTE
  • UMA
  • VoWiFi
  • eSIM
  • NFC
  • Computer sync
  • OTA sync
  • Tethering.
  • ANT+
  • eSIM

User reviews

Does it have good coverage for calls?
9.5
9.0
Quality of the GPS
9.3
9.0
And the WiFi?
9.2
9.3
Number of reviews
43 reviews
39 reviews

Battery

Battery
Capacity
3687 mAh
See more details
4800 mAh
See more details
Type Li-Ion Li-Polymer
Fast charge Yes,
20.0W 		Yes,
25.0W
Others
  • Wireless charging
  • Non-removable
  • Wireless charging
  • Reverse charging
  • Non-removable

User reviews

How long does the battery last?
  • 0%
    Less than half day
  • 7%
    Less than a day
  • 40%
    One day
  • 45%
    More than one day
  • 7%
    Two days or more
  • 0%
    Less than half day
  • 5%
    Less than a day
  • 42%
    One day
  • 47%
    More than one day
  • 5%
    Two days or more
Number of reviews
43 reviews
39 reviews

Software

Software
Operating System
  • iOS 17
    iOS 17 , 7 months ago
  • Android 14
    Android 14 Upside-down cake, 7 months ago
Google Services (official) -- Yes

User reviews

Did it come with preinstalled applications?
  • 24%
    It comes with a clean operating system
  • 67%
    It has preinstalled apps but they don't bother me
  • 10%
    It has preinstalled apps that I can't uninstall
  • 3%
    It comes with a clean operating system
  • 82%
    It has preinstalled apps but they don't bother me
  • 15%
    It has preinstalled apps that I can't uninstall
Do you regularly receive updates?
  • 0%
    Never
  • 2%
    Once a year
  • 24%
    Every six months
  • 73%
    Every two months or less
  • 0%
    Never
  • 3%
    Once a year
  • 32%
    Every six months
  • 65%
    Every two months or less
Number of reviews
43 reviews
39 reviews
Prices
From $ 530 --
From $ 266 --

Others

Common comparisons