Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.7"
OLED
OLED
1284x2778
12
MP
MP
12mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3687
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
108
MP
MP
40mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
7 Advantages 
18 Advantages | 31 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (111GB available) / 128GB (101GB available) |
| Super Retina XDR OLED / Dynamic AMOLED |
| Dolby Vision/HDR10 / HDR10+ |
| 16 million |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| +24 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Model | iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone 12 Pro Max A2342, A2410, A2411, A2412 | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998B/Dual-SIM) |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Apple | Samsung |
| Release date | 10/13/2020 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 7.4 millimeters (0.29 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 78.1 x 160.8 millimeters (3.07 x 6.33 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 226 grams (7.91 ounces) | 227 grams (7.95 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Stainless steel body, glass front/back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Display type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.7" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~87.8% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1284x2778 pixels (19.5:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 457 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Ceramic Shield | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 800nits[typ], 1200nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Wide color gamut True-tone Oleophobic coating screen | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| System version | iOS 14 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | iOS 16 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 3.1GHz Firestorm (Dual-core) 4x 1.8GHz Icestorm (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.9GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Single-core) 3x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Triple-core) 4x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Apple GPU MP4 | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 638584 (v8), 722727 (v9) Geekbench: 4240 (v5.1) GFXBench: 55fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8), 727634 (v9) Geekbench: 3457 (v5.2) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 6GB LPDDR4X | 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (111GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 128GB (101GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 VoLTE A2342 version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) A2410 version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) A2411, A2412 versions: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | A2342 version: Sub6/mmWave (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261) A2410, A2411, A2412 versions: Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
📷 Camera | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (quad camera) 12 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.4120°13mm1/3.6" 12MP telephoto f/2.265mm1/3.4"1.0µmPDAFOIS2.5x-optical-zoom 0.3MP TOF 3D LiDAR-scanner | (quad camera) 108 megapixels 10MP periscope telephoto f/4.9240mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS10x-optical-zoom 10MP telephoto f/2.470mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm1/2.55"1.4µmPDAFSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 12000x9000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.6 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.7µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 1080p@240fps | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 12 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D | 40 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 7296x5472 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 23mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.6" inches | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 proprietary connector | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | proprietary audio output | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | Proprietary TV-out | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.2 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3687 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 20W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue • Face ID • Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.24W/kg (head), 0.72W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.99W/kg (head), 0.99W/kg (body) | 0.714W/kg (head), 1.58W/kg (body) |