Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone XS Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1242x2688
12
MP
MP
7.1mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
3174
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
108
MP
MP
40mp
16GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB)
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!
5 Advantages 
27 Advantages | 25 Common items in both devices |
| Super AMOLED / 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 |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +18 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 XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Model | iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104 | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998U1) Unlocked |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  USA |
| Brand | Apple | Samsung |
| Release date | 9/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 208 grams (7.28 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 XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 456 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 625nits[typ] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| System version | iOS 12 | 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 XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core) 4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 680 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 680 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Apple GPU (4-Core) | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 353210 (v7) Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 681099 (v8), 809165 (v9) Geekbench: 3539 (v5.2) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4X | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (244GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 512GB (457GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 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 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | All models: CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 A2104 model: TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 VoLTE A1921/A2104 models: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,29,30,32,66,71) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2101 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,25,26,28,29,30,32,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,46) A2102 model: LTE (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,12,13,14, 17, 18, 19,20,21,25,26,28,29,30,66) TD-LTE (Bands 34,38,39,40, 41,42,46) | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) |
| 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 | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12 megapixels 12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm | (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 | Quad-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 28mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm 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 XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 7.1 megapixels | 40 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3072x2304 pixels | 7296x5472 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 32mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | 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 XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| 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 [wifi5] (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 XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor | 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 XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3174 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | 25 hours (1 days) | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| 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: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Face ID • AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri • Apple Pay • Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included • Fast battery charging: 50% in 30min | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone XS Max (256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.77W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |