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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize having the latest technology and are willing to pay a premium price, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers better overall camera quality, longer battery life, and slightly newer hardware. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with a larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra could be a better fit despite having slightly less impressive camera quality and an older processor. The iPhone runs on iOS, and the Galaxy on Android, which could be a deciding factor based on your preference for an operating system. Keep in mind the tradeoff in price versus camera and battery performance. 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 15 Pro Max
- Best in class 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 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has best in class overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out with its superior selfie quality as well as best-in-class photos and videos experience across a variety of conditions, including dynamic range and low light performance; whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers good camera capabilities but it doesn't quite reach the high marks set by the iPhone, particularly noticeable in selfie performance and the overall software-enhanced photo experience. Despite the Galaxy's good camera versatility, the iPhone's camera system, in terms of software and hardware, is more refined for those who prioritize top tier camera quality.
Photo Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes better selfies, as indicated by its top-tier selfie quality, which is something to consider if you value front camera performance highly. Furthermore, the iPhone offers the best software experience for photography, contributing to more impressive overall photo quality, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which is rated lower for both selfie quality and software experience.
Video Quality
10.0
7.1
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads in taking videos, especially because it offers best-in-class video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contribute to a more professional video quality, while also delivering exceptional microphone quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra provides high video resolution and framerate, offering a good video experience, yet it doesn't match the iPhone's superior stabilization, dynamic range, low light capability, and microphone quality.
Battery
9.8 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has 9.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,100
$423
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a price of $1,100 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $423 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4441 mAh | 5000 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 | 6.3" x 3.02" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.80 oz | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 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 | Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful flagship phone that delivers upgrade-worthy features, including a lighter and more compact titanium design, a bigger 5x zoom and a useful Action button. The A17 Pro chip is the fastest around and enables console-quality gameplay, while the battery lasts an epic 14 hours."
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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
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Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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