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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a top priority for you, the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers superior photo and video capabilities; however, it comes at a premium price. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is more budget-friendly, but its camera quality does not match that of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. For those prioritizing battery life, both phones are quite similar with the iPhone having a slight edge. Both have large 6.7-inch screens, though the iPhone's screen offers a higher brightness capability for better visibility in various lighting conditions. Bear in mind the operating system difference as well: iOS for the iPhone versus Android for the Samsung. If storage space is a concern, both start at 128GB. If cost is less of a concern and you prefer top-notch camera quality and screen brightness, go with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a more budget-friendly option with decent features. 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 outshines the Samsung Galaxy S21+ when it comes to the camera, offering an excellent selfie camera with superior photo software, dynamic range, and low-light performance. While the Galaxy S21+ provides good selfie quality, its overall camera versatility and photo experiences don't quite match up to the high standards set by the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
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 delivers exceptional selfie quality and a top-tier software experience, which contributes to its superior photo-taking capabilities. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers good selfie quality and a good software experience, indicating it still performs well but is a step behind in these specific aspects.
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 produces superior videos owing to its highest rating in video resolution/framerate, video stabilization, video dynamic range, video low-light performance, and microphone quality, outperforming the Samsung Galaxy S21+ which has good ratings in these categories. Although both phones offer high-quality video capabilities, the iPhone 14 Pro Max leads consistently across these key video recording features.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has 10 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,000
$340
$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 $340.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
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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 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4323 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.47 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
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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
Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
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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Why trust us
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.
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