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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more advanced camera and are willing to pay a premium price, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is a strong choice with exceptional still photo and video quality. However, if you are looking for something more budget-friendly with respectable camera performance, the Samsung Galaxy S21 could be a satisfactory option. The iPhone 14 Pro Max also has a larger screen and longer battery life, whereas the Galaxy S21 is more compact and lighter, which can be advantageous if you prefer a phone that's easier to handle and carry around. Both offer high-quality OLED displays with high brightness, though the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a slightly higher peak brightness and supports a variable refresh rate for smoother visuals. If the operating system preference is a factor, consider that the iPhone runs iOS and the Galaxy S21 runs Android. The decision ultimately depends on your priorities in terms of camera capabilities, screen size, battery life, price, and the ecosystem you're comfortable with. 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 14 Pro Max
- Excellent for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
9.2
7.2
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max leads with an excellent selfie camera, bolstered by a high overall camera versatility and robust photo software experience, making it exceptional for both stills and videos. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S21 has a good selfie camera, but it delivers a slightly lower camera versatility and photo software experience, making it less capable when dealing with dynamic range and low light conditions.
Photo Quality
9.1
7.0
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max takes excellent photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max captures better selfies and has an overall superior camera experience, including resolution, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, as compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 which provides good but not as high-level performance in these areas.
Video Quality
9.5
6.6
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max delivers superior video capabilities with its video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance all being top-notch. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21, while offering good video quality, does not match the iPhone in these aspects, which is particularly evident in its stabilization and low light performance.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has 10 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$1,000
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has a price of $1,000 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 16, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A16 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 9.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4323 mAh | 4000 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 3.06" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.47 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, Space Black | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Britta O'Boyle | March 2023
"The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is not just big in form, it's big in character. There's a refreshed design that's really striking, especially in this larger format, coupled with performance enhancements, battery improvements, camera improvements, the Always-On Display and the Dynamic Island feature. It will be too big for some, but if you're looking for the best iPhone Apple has made to date in the biggest possible format, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is definitely the one - it is excellent."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S21
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.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,100
Recommendations made
86,190
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
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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