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Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)

Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S21+ Plus vs Apple iPhone XS Max phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

,
6.7"
AMOLED

1080x2400

12.2
MP

10mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4800
mAh

(Non removable)

vs
08Points Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB) Compare Samsung Galaxy S21+ Plus X
6.5"
AMOLED

1242x2688

12
MP

7.1mp

4GB
RAM

Hexa-core

3174
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21+

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!

Galaxy S21+} 24 Advantages Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs iPhone XS Max (256GB)} 8 Advantages Apple iPhone XS Max (256GB)
+2.9GHz 64bit Octa-core (5nm)41%
More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
vs2.25GHz 64bit Hexa-core (7nm)
+8GB LPDDR5100%
More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
vs4GB LPDDR4X
+200 grams (7 ounces)4%
Lighter
vs208 grams (7.28 ounces)
+120Hz100%
The display reproduces more frames per second because the frequency (Hertz) is higher, improves fluidity and tires your eyes less.
vs60Hz
+6.7"3%
Larger screen
vs6.5"
+(triple camera) 12.2MP + 64MP + 12MP3 times
Higher resolution main camera
vs(dual camera) 12MP + 12MP
+1/1.76" inches45%
The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
vs1/2.55" inches
+(front) 10MP42%
Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
vs(front) 7.1MP
+8K UHD (7680x4320)3 times
More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
vs4K UHD (3840x2160)
+(front) 4K UHD (3840x2160)3 times
More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
vs(front) Full HD (1920x1080)
+3500000 apps (Google Play Store)52%
More apps available to download and use
vs2300000 apps (App Store)
+5G Sub6Advantage
The 5G Sub6 network is newer and faster
vs4G LTE-A
+(5G Sub6) 5000 Mbps4 times
Faster for surfing the internet and download files
vs(4G LTE-A) 1024 Mbps
+Fingerprint sensor (under display)Advantage
Sensors help you use the device
vsNot supported
+UWB (Ultra Wideband)Advantage
Sensors help you use the device
vsNot supported
+4800 mAh51%
Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
vs3174 mAh
+25W67%
More power (watts) to charge the battery faster. Sometimes, the charger that comes with the device doesn't have the same power supported by the device. Check before you buy it.
vs15W
+2 slots (Dual-SIM) + e-SIM (Eletronic)Advantage
You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.
vs1 slot (Single-SIM)
+Type-C reversible connectorAdvantage
Best output for headset
vsproprietary audio output
+FMAdvantage
The radio lets you listen to your songs and sports in general
vsNot supported
+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6]Advantage
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] is newer and faster
vs802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5]
+DLNAAdvantage
With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.
vsNot supported
+USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoAdvantage
Newer and faster USB version for transferring photos, mp3 or data.
vsUSB 2.0 proprietary connector
+Type-CAdvantage
Reversible connector, you can stick in a USB-C cable any which way; either side is up.
vsUSB 2.0 proprietary connector
128GB (104GB available)vs+256GB (244GB available)135%
More internal storage for applications and files
UFS 3.1vs+NVMe (SSD)Advantage
Fastest write and read storage.
7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches)vs+7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)1%
Thinner
Aluminum frame, glass front/backvs+Stainless steel body, glass front/backAdvantage
More resistant material
1080x2400 pixelsvs+1242x2688 pixels29%
Higher resolution screen
393 PPIvs+456 PPI16%
Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
LED flashvs+Quad-LED flashAdvantage
The Quad-LED flash helps in dark places or in low light
2 microphonesvs+3 microphones50%
More noise-canceling microphones allow for better quality in calls and audio for recorded videos

30 Common items in both devices
Dynamic AMOLED / Super AMOLED
HDR10+ / Dolby Vision/HDR10
16 million
Digital and optical zoom
PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / PDAF: phase detection autofocus
OIS: Optical stabilization
BSI sensor
+23 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

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Change model 
ModelGalaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Other model namesGalaxy S21 Plus 5G SM-G996B/DSiPhone Xs Max A1921, A2101, A2102, A2104
Country or region available(Global, International)
(Global, International)
(Global, International)
(Global, International)
BrandSamsungApple
Release date1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/20219/21/2018, Announced: 9/12/2018
Depth7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches)7.7 millimeters (0.3 inches)
Size (width x height)75.6 x 161.5 millimeters (2.98 x 6.36 in)77.4 x 157.5 millimeters (3.05 x 6.2 in)
Weight200 grams (7 ounces)208 grams (7.28 ounces)
Build, materialsAluminum frame, glass front/backStainless steel body, glass front/back
Protection against water and othersIP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistantIP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant

📲 Display

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Display typeDynamic AMOLEDSuper AMOLED
Screen size6.7" inches6.5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio~88.8% (screen-to-body ratio)~85.1% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution1080x2400 pixels (20:9)1242x2688 pixels (19.5:9)
TouchscreenCapacitive Multitouch 10-pointsCapacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)393 PPI456 PPI
Colors16 million16 million
Scratch-resistant glassGorilla Glass VictusScratch-resistant glass
Refresh rate120Hz60Hz
Display features1300nits[peak]
HDR10+
Always-On Display
625nits[typ]
Dolby Vision/HDR10
Oleophobic coating screen

🤖 Operating System

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
System versionAndroid 11iOS 12
Firmware updateAndroid 15iOS 18
User InterfaceOne UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 / 7.0feature not registered

⚙️ Processor

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Chipset64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm)64bit: Apple A12 Bionic (7nm)
CPUOcta-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)
Hexa-core, 2 processors:
2x 2.25GHz Vortex (Dual-core)
4x 1.6GHz Tempest (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controllerARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz)Apple GPU (4-Core)
Performance (benchmark)AnTuTu: 622276 (v8)
Geekbench: 3476 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
AnTuTu: 353210 (v7)
Geekbench: 11432 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

💽 Memory and storage

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
RAM memory8GB LPDDR54GB LPDDR4X
Internal storage128GB (104GB available)
UFS 3.1
256GB (244GB available)
NVMe (SSD)
External storageNot supportedNot supported

📶 Mobile networks

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Dual-SIMDual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim cardNot supported
SIM card2 slots (Dual-SIM)
nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM
1 slot (Single-SIM)
nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload5000/1920 Mbps1024/150 Mbps
Network technology2G, 3G, 4G, 5G2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz bandQuad-Band 850/900/1800/1900Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G networkCDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G networkCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
TD-SCDMA 1900/2000
UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
All models:
CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100
A2104 model:
TD-SCDMA 1900/2000
Primary 4G networkLTE Cat24 ()
TD-LTE ()
VoLTE
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)
Primary 5G networkSA/NSA/Sub6 ()Not supported
Primary data networkGPRS, 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, Sub6GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
Secondary 2G networkGSM 850/900/1800/1900Not supported
Secondary 3G networkUMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100Not supported
Secondary 4G networkLTE Cat24 ()
TD-LTE ()
VoLTE
Not supported
Secondary data networkGPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-ANot supported

📷 Camera

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Back camera (main camera)(triple camera)
12.2 megapixels
64MP telephoto f/2.029mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS1.1x-optical-zoom3x-hybrid-zoom
12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°1/2.55"1.4µmSuper-Steady-video
(dual camera)
12 megapixels
12MP f/2.452mm1.0µm
Main camera resolution4032x3024 pixels4000x3000 pixels
Video recording (primary)8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps
FlashLED flashQuad-LED flash
Focal aperturef/1.8 (aperture)f/1.8 (aperture)
Focal length26mm (lens)28mm (lens)
Sensor size1/1.76" inches1/2.55" inches
Pixel size1.8µm pixel1.4µm pixel
AutofocusPDAF: phase detection autofocus on both camerasPDAF: phase detection autofocus
Touch focusSupportedSupported
Image stabilizationOIS: Optical stabilizationOIS: Optical stabilization
ZoomDigital and optical zoomDigital and optical zoom
Face/smile detectionFace detection, Smile detectionFace detection, Smile detection
BSI sensorSupportedSupported
HDRHDR photo/video on both camerasHDR photo/video on both cameras
Camera extras4K@60fps
1080p@240fps
720p@960fps
1080p@240fps

📸 Front camera

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Front camera (secondary)10 megapixels7.1 megapixels
Front camera resolution3872x2592 pixels3072x2304 pixels
Video recording (secondary)4K UHD (3840x2160)Full HD (1920x1080)
Front flashNot supportedNot supported
Focal aperturef/2.2 (aperture)f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length26mm (lens)32mm (lens)
Sensor size1/3.24" inchesfeature not registered
Pixel size1.22µm pixelfeature not registered

🔉 Sound and multimedia

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
LoudspeakerStereo sound
32-bit/384kHz
Dolby Atmos
Tuned by AKG
Stereo sound
Active noise cancellation2 microphones3 microphones
RadioFMNot supported
TVNot supportedNot supported
Video formatsMP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKVMPEG4, H.265, H.264, MOV
Audio formatsMP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLACMP3, WAV, AAX+, AIFF

🔌 Connectivity

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
USBUSB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoUSB 2.0 proprietary connector
Audio outputType-C reversible connectorproprietary audio output
TV outputUSB Type-C (reversible)Proprietary TV-out
Bluetooth5.0 + A2DP/LE5.0 + A2DP/LE
WiFi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO
WiFi Direct, hotspot
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO
WiFi hotspot
DLNASupportedNot supported
GPSA-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDouA-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
NFCSupportedSupported
Infrared portNot supportedNot supported

🧭 Sensors

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
SensorsAccelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Barometer
Compass
Face unlock
Fingerprint sensor (under display)
Gesture
Gyroscope
Hall effect
Proximity sensor
UWB (Ultra Wideband)
Accelerometer
Ambient light sensor
Barometer
Compass
Face unlock
Gyroscope
Proximity sensor
Vibrating alertSupportedSupported

🔋 Battery

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Battery typeLiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
Battery capacity4800 mAh3174 mAh
Charger, watts25W Wired fast charging
USB Power Delivery 3.0
15W Wired fast charging
USB Power Delivery 2.0
Inductive / wireless charging15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)
4.5W Reverse wireless charging
Qi wireless charging
Talk time autonomyfeature not registered25 hours (1 days)
Standbyfeature not registeredfeature not registered

➕ Other features

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
Call controlVoice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commandsVoice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
MessagingSMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mailSMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free callingSupportedSupported
Video callingSupportedSupported
RingtonesPolyphonic and customizedPolyphonic and customized
Web browserHTML, XHTML, HTML5HTML, XHTML, HTML5
AntennaInternal antennaInternal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboardNot supportedNot supported
Miscellaneous• Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Gold, Red, Violet, Pink
• Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard)
• Samsung DeX
• Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold
• Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter included
• Face ID
• Apple Pay
• AirDrop, iCloud, FaceTime, Siri

☢️ Radiation rate

Galaxy S21+iPhone XS Max (256GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)feature not registeredfeature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)0.541W/kg (head), 1.335W/kg (body)feature not registered
X

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