The iPhone 12 Series first launched as the most premium phone in the market. However, later Samsung launched its latest Galaxy S21 Series that dimmed Apple’s latest smartphone series spotlight. In this article, we will compare two of the highest model of each series. We have Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra in one corner and iPhone 12 Series in another corner. This is Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Vs iPhone 12 Pro Max, let’s compare these premium flagship phones head-to-head.
To make the comparison more simple and easy to understand, we will compare these phones in different sections. Design and Display, Camera, Performance, Battery, and Price are the sections. Likewise, at the end of the comparison, we will renounce the winner. So, with no furthermore to do, let’s get started.
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
Display and Design
The display is the most integral part of any smartphone. It is responsible for interaction and viewing every content. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a 6.8-inch Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 1440x3200p resolution. Furthermore, it has a 120Hz refresh rate.
On the other hand, iPhone 12 Pro Max boasts a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a wide notch as well as 2778×1284 resolution. Moreover, it has a 60Hz refresh rate. In every aspect, Galaxy S21 Ultra wins clearly when it comes to display.
But in terms of build, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus at both front and back with an aluminum frame and IP68 dust/water-resistant. Whereas iPhone 12 Pro Max has Stainless Steel Body, Ceramic Shield at Front, Textured matte glass at back, oleophobic coating for finger-print resistance as well as IP68 water/dust resistant. It’s a tight call.
As for design and color finishes, Galaxy S21 Ultra comes in five color finishes; Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Brown, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium. iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in three color finishes; Silver, Graphite Gold, Pacific Blue.
| Display and Design | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| Display Size | 6.8-inch Infinity-O | 6.7-inch Super Retina |
| Display Technology | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | XDR OLED |
| Display Resolution | 1440x3200p | 2778x1284p |
| Display Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Design Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus at both front and back, Aluminum frame, IP68 dust/water resistant | Stainless Steel Body, Ceramic Shield Front, Textured matte glass back, oleophobic coating for finger-print resistance, ip68 water/dust resistant |
| Color Finishes | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Brown, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | Silver, Graphite Gold, Pacific Blue |
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Camera
In terms of camera, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a Quad Rear Camera setup with additional laser autofocus while iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with a Triple Rear Camera with additional LiDar.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra uses 108MP 2nd gen Main Sensor, 10MP Periscope Telephoto Sensor, 10MP Telephoto Sensor as well as 12MMP Ultra-Wide Sensor. While iPhone 12 Pro Max uses 12MP Main Sensor, 12MP Ultra-Wide Sensor as well as 12MP Telephoto Sensor.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 108MP 2nd gen surely performs better but we all know iPhone 12 Pro Max’s camera capability. Dual Zoom System, Zoom Lock, Space Zoom as well as Super Steady Mode additional features are added into Galaxy S21 Ultra that makes the device go a step ahead. Furthermore, Galaxy S21 Ultra can record in 8K while iPhone 12 Pro Max can record in 4K, has sensor-shift optical image stabilization as well as Digital Zoom up to 12x. We all know what this means.
On the front, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra equips a 40MP Sensor as a front camera whereas iPhone 12 Pro Max integrates a 12MP sensor. Here again, Galaxy S21 Ultra has gone a step ahead.
| Camera Specs | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| Setup | Quad Rear Camera + Laser auto focus | Triple Rear Camera + LiDar |
| Sensors | 108MP, f/1.8 2nd gen Main Sensor + 10MP, f/4.9 Periscope Telephoto Sensor + 10MP, f/2.4 Telephoto Sensor + 12MP, f/2.2 Ultra Wide Angle Sensor | 12MP, f/1.6 Main Sensor + 12MP, f/2.4 Ultra-Wide Sensor + 12MP, f/2.2 Telephoto Sensor |
| Video Recording | 8K at 24fps, 4K at 30/60fps, 108p at 30/60/240fps and 720p at 960fps | 4K at 24/30/60fps, 1080p at 30/60/120fps |
| Front Camera | 40M, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 |
Overall Performance
Now let’s talk about overall performance and hardware. The Galaxy S21 Ultra integrates the latest in-house built Exynos 2100 chipset whereas iPhone 12 Pro Max also integrates in-house built A14 Bionic Chipset. Both chipsets are built in 5nm technology.
RAM decides the smoothness of the workflow. So, Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with two RAM options; 12GB and 16GB whereas iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with one RAM option which is 6GB.
However, as we know Apple’s RAM optimization is better than any other phone. Therefore, the performance is always enhanced in the device. So, even lower size RAM might not make that kind of big difference. The storage option is the same for both phones with 128GB, 256GB as well as 512GB option. However, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s storage is UFS 3.1 one.
On the software side, the Galaxy S21 Ultra runs on One UI 3 based on the latest Android 11 out of the box. Similarly, iPhone 12 Pro Max runs on the latest iOS 14. Frankly, software taste depends on whether they like Android or iOS.
| Performance | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | A14 Bionic (5nm) |
| RAM | 12GB and 16GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB and 512GB (UFS 3.1) | 128GB, 256GB and 512GB |
| OS | One UI 3 based on Android 11 | iOS 14 |
Battery And Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra packs a giant 5000mAh battery whereas iPhone 12 Pro Max packs a smaller 3,687mAh battery. Furthermore, Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with 25W Super Fast Charging, 12W Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, as well as 4.5W Wireless PowerSahre. On the other hand, iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with 15W MagSafe Wireless Charging, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging. Both battery size and charging speed is higher in the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Whereas the newest chipset on S21 Ultra might optimize the battery more, so we can expect it to be better than iPhone 12 Pro max.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, both phones come with 5G connectivity as well as Ultra-Wideband Support. But there’s a twist to it. iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a 5G mmWave that is only available in USA version handsets while Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra extends it globally.
On sensors and additional connectivity part, Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with Under-display Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor, accelerometer, gyro sensor, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, Samsung Dex, Samsung Wireless Dex, as well as ANT+, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2, USB On-The-Go, UWB, AKG Tuned Stereo Speakers as well as Bixby.
Whereas, iPhone12 Pro Max comes with a LiDAR scanner, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Face ID, Proximity, Ambient Light sensor, GPS, Lightning connector, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, USB 2.0. Now we can clearly see Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has few extra perks stacked in it.
The Samsung Dex, Samsung Wireless Dex, AN+, AKG Tuned Stereo Speakers are some of the extra perks you can have fond of with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
| Battery and Connectivity | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| Battery Size | 5000mAh | 3,687mAh |
| Charging | 25W Super Fast Charging, 12W Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, 4.5W Wireless PowerSahre | 15W MagSafe Wireless Charging, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging |
| Network | 5G | 5G |
| Others | Under-display Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor, accelerometer, gyro sensor, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, Samsung Dex, Samsung Wireless Dex, as well as ANT+, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, GPS, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2, USB On-The-Go, UWB, AKG Tuned Stereo Speakers as well as Bixby | LiDAR scanner, Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Face ID, Proximity, Ambient Light sensor, GPS, Lightning connector, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, USB 2.0 |
Price
In the U.S.A, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s price is set at USD. 1199.99 for 12GB/128GB, USD. 1249.99 for 12GB/256GB as well as USD. 1379.99 for 16GB/512GB. Whereas, iPhone 12 Pro Max price is set at USD. 1099 for 6GB/128GB, USD. 1199 for 6GB/256GB as well as USD. 1399 for 6GB/512GB.
While iPhone 12 Pro Max Price in Nepal is Rs. 1,85,990 for 6GB/128GB and Rs. 202,000 for 6GB/256GB. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Price in Nepal is Rs. 1,54,999 for 12GB/256GB Variant.
Both devices are expensive. Though Galaxy S21 Ultra is priced a little higher globally, the phone comes cheaper than Nepal in comparison to the iPhone 12 Pro Max of the same storage. However, both phones don’t come with a charger.
If you want to buy another phone from Apple or Samsung then check our list on “Samsung Mobile Price in Nepal” and “Apple iPhone Mobile Price in Nepal“.
| Price in USD (Official) | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| 128GB | USD. 1199.99 (Official) | USD. 1099 (Official) |
| 256GB | USD. 1249.99 (Official) | USD. 1199 (Official) |
| 512GB | USD. 1379.99 (Official) | USD. 1399 (Official) |
| Price in Nepal | ||
| 256GB | Rs. 1,54,999 (official) | Rs. 202,000 (Official) |
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
Now summing up the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Vs iPhone 12 Pro Max comparison. In terms of specification, features, and design, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes the edge. But when it comes to building quality, iPhone 12 Pro Max seems to lead with its goodies that wrap the whole device.
In-display, Camera capability, hardware, battery, as well as connectivity, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra overpowers the iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, this doesn’t mean the iPhone 12 Pro Max isn’t worthy of being the winner. There are still plenty of things to be noted which can only be known when used both devices, this comparison is based on specifications sheet and features told not on used and compared.
So, for iOS lovers as well as Apple, it is the winner but in terms of overall specifications and features, Galaxy S21 Ultra owns the throne.
Who is the winner for you? Let us know your thoughts and opinion in the comment box down below. We are looking forward to seeing who’s your winner.
