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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a larger screen, longer battery life, and marginally better overall camera quality compared to the Galaxy S21 FE. On the other hand, the S21 FE offers an Android operating system, lighter weight, and both wireless and reverse wireless charging. If camera quality and screen size are your top priorities, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the better option. However, if you prefer Android, or value having a lighter device with wireless charging capabilities, the Galaxy S21 FE might be the better choice for you. Both phones are similar in price range, so your decision should be based on which features align more with your preferences. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Good for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.0
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has excellent photos and videos performance, including features such as dynamic range and low light capabilities, earning top marks in selfie quality which is a critical aspect. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good photo and video capabilities, but its selfie quality, while good, doesn't match the higher standard set by the iPhone, reflecting a difference in camera software experience as well.
Photo Quality
7.8
6.9
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max delivers superior selfie quality, which is very important for many users, along with a consistently better photo-taking experience attributed to its software, dynamic range, and low light performance. In comparison, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE also takes good photos and is competent in the same areas, it doesn't quite match the iPhone's overall camera performance, particularly in terms of selfie shots and the dynamic range it offers.
Video Quality
8.6
5.9
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max delivers a superior video recording experience, with excellent video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, contributing to its very good video capability. In contrast, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE provides good stabilization and microphone quality, it doesn't match the iPhone's performance in video dynamic range and low light scenarios.
Battery
9.6 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has 9.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$639
$600
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a price of $639 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $600.
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How the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$639 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 24, 2021 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.6 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4352 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.33" x 3.07" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.47 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Alpine Green, Graphite, Sierra Blue, Gold, Silver | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
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Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | March 2023
"The iPhone 13 Pro Max is that rare phone that gets a 5-star rating from us. You get blistering performance and a very responsive 120Hz display. Plus, the battery life is among the best we’ve seen from a 5G flagship. Some may simply prefer the iPhone 13 Pro because it’s smaller and lighter, as there are no other functional differences between the two handsets. But if you prefer a bigger screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the closest thing to perfect you can get in a phone."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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