The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and iPhone 12 Pro Max are two powerhouse smartphones that ruled the market in 2021, offering cutting-edge technology for tech lovers. Released by Samsung and Apple, these gadgets bring top-notch features like stunning displays, powerful cameras, and lightning-fast performance to the table. The Galaxy S21 Ultra, launched in January 2021, boasts a massive screen and versatile camera system, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max, unveiled in October 2020, shines with its sleek design and seamless iOS experience. Both phones cater to users who crave premium quality, whether for gaming, photography, or everyday tasks. In this article, we’ll break down their differences in simple terms, comparing everything from specs to price, so you can decide which one suits you best. Let’s dive into this epic showdown of flagship giants!
Key Specs 🌟
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Display Size | 6.8 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Main Camera | 108MP + 12MP + 10MP + 10MP | 12MP + 12MP + 12MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 3687 mAh |
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable) | iOS 14 (upgradable) |
| 5G Support | Yes | Yes |
Camera 📸
The camera systems on these phones are a big deal for photo and video fans. Samsung goes all out with zoom, while Apple focuses on consistency and ease.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Setup | Quad (Rear), Single (Front) | Triple (Rear), Single (Front) |
| Main Camera | 108MP (wide) | 12MP (wide) |
| Primary Camera | 12MP (ultra-wide) | 12MP (ultra-wide) |
| Resolution | 108MP (main) | 12MP (main) |
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| OIS | Yes | Yes (sensor-shift) |
| Flash | LED Flash | LED Flash |
| LED Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Image Resolution | 12000 x 9000 pixels | 4000 x 3000 pixels |
| ISO Control | Yes | Yes |
| Shooting Modes | Night, Portrait, Pro | Night, Portrait, Cinematic |
| HDR | Yes | Yes |
| Face Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Touch to Focus | Yes | Yes |
| Video Recording | 8K at 24fps | 4K at 60fps |
| Video Features | Super Steady, Pro Mode | Dolby Vision HDR |
| Front Camera | 40MP (wide) | 12MP (wide) |
| Front Setup | Single | Single |
| Front Autofocus | Yes | No |
| Front Video | 4K at 60fps | 4K at 60fps |
Display 🖥️
The display is where you’ll spend most of your time, and both phones deliver vibrant screens. Samsung offers a higher refresh rate, while Apple shines in brightness.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Screen Size | 6.8 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels | 1284 x 2778 pixels |
| Peak Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz (adaptive) | 60Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 | 19.5:9 |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 458 ppi |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Ceramic Shield |
| Bezel-less Display | Yes | Yes (with notch) |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| HDR 10 / HDR+ Support | Yes | Yes (HDR10, Dolby Vision) |
Battery 🔋
Battery life keeps your phone going, and these two differ in capacity and charging speed. Samsung has a bigger battery, but Apple optimizes power well.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3687 mAh |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Removable | No | No |
| Charging Type | Fast charging | Fast charging |
| Quick Charging | 25W | 20W |
| Charging Time | 50% in 30 mins | 50% in 30 mins |
| USB Type-C | Yes | No (Lightning) |
Performance ⚡
Performance decides how smooth your phone runs, from gaming to multitasking. Apple’s chip leads in raw power, but Samsung offers more RAM for heavy use.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 | A14 Bionic |
| CPU | Octa-core | Hexa-core |
| Operating System | Android 11 | iOS 14 |
| Software Support | 3 years OS, 4 years security | 5+ years |
| Architecture | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Fabrication | 5nm | 5nm |
| Graphics | Mali-G78 MP14 / Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 6GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 | LPDDR4X |
Design and Dimensions 🎨
Design affects how the phone feels in your hand and looks in your pocket. Samsung curves its edges, while Apple goes flat and durable.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 165.1 mm | 160.8 mm |
| Width | 75.6 mm | 78.1 mm |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 7.4 mm |
| Weight | 227g | 228g |
| Build Material | Glass (Gorilla Glass Victus), Aluminum | Glass (Ceramic Shield), Steel |
| Colours | Phantom Black, Silver, more | Pacific Blue, Gold, more |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| IP68 | Yes (1.5m for 30 mins) | Yes (6m for 30 mins) |
| Ruggedness | Dust resistant | Dust resistant |
Storage 💾
Storage is key for apps, photos, and videos. Both offer solid options, but Samsung skips expandable memory this time.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Memory | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Expandable Memory | No | No |
| Available Storage | ~110GB (128GB model) | ~115GB (128GB model) |
| USB OTG | Yes | No |
Network & Connectivity 📡
Connectivity keeps you linked to the world, and both phones support 5G. Apple adds eSIM flexibility, while Samsung offers dual SIM.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) |
| SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: eSIM |
| Network Support | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| SIM 1 5G Bands | Multiple bands | Multiple bands |
| SIM 2 5G Bands | Multiple bands | Multiple bands |
| GPRS | Yes | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes | Yes |
| SAR Value | 1.18 W/kg (head) | 0.99 W/kg (head) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | v5.0 |
| GPS | Yes (A-GPS, GLONASS) | Yes (A-GPS, GLONASS) |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | USB Type-C | Lightning |
| USB Charging | Yes | Yes |
Sensors 🧭
Sensors enhance your phone’s smarts, from unlocking to tracking motion. Both phones pack plenty, with slight differences.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes | No |
| Sensor Position | Under display | N/A |
| Sensor Type | Ultrasonic | N/A |
| Other Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass | LiDAR, Accelerometer, Gyro, more |
Fingerprint and Face Lock 🔒
Security matters, and these phones offer fast unlocking options. Samsung uses a fingerprint sensor, while Apple bets on Face ID.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes (under display) | No |
| Face Lock | Yes | Yes (Face ID) |
Multimedia 🎵
Multimedia covers sound and entertainment features. Samsung adds more audio options, while Apple keeps it simple.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| FM Radio | No | No |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Jack | No | No |
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
Sound 🔊
Sound quality can make or break your experience. Both phones deliver rich audio with stereo speakers.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo |
| Audio Enhancement | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
Software 💻
Software defines how you interact with your phone. Android gives Samsung flexibility, while iOS keeps Apple smooth and secure.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (One UI 3.1) | iOS 14 |
| Upgradable | Yes (to Android 14) | Yes (to iOS 18) |
Ports 🔌
Ports connect your phone to chargers and accessories. Samsung uses USB-C, while Apple sticks with Lightning.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| USB Port | USB Type-C | Lightning |
| Charging Port | Yes | Yes |
Processor 🧠
The processor is the brain of your phone, driving speed and efficiency. Apple’s A14 is a beast, but Samsung’s chips hold their own.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 | A14 Bionic |
| CPU | Octa-core | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 / Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (4-core) |
Launch 🗓
The launch dates show when these phones hit the scene. Samsung came a bit later but brought fresh upgrades.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 14, 2021 | October 13, 2020 |
| Released | January 29, 2021 | November 13, 2020 |
Other Important Features 🌈
These extras make each phone unique. Samsung adds S Pen support, while Apple brings MagSafe into the mix.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus Support | Yes (S Pen) | No |
| MagSafe | No | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (15W) | Yes (15W) |
| Reverse Charging | Yes (4.5W) | No |
Price (INR) 💰
Price can sway your choice, and these phones vary by region and storage. Samsung starts higher but offers more RAM.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | ₹1,05,999 | ₹1,19,900 |
| 256GB | ₹1,16,999 | ₹1,29,900 |
| 512GB | ₹1,29,999 | ₹1,49,900 |
Availability on Stores 🏪
Both phones are widely available, though stock depends on your location. Check online or local stores for the latest.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Amazon, Flipkart, Samsung Store | Amazon, Apple Store, Flipkart |
| Offline | Authorized retailers | Apple Stores, retailers |
Pros and Cons ✅❌
Every phone has strengths and weaknesses. Here’s what shines and what doesn’t for each.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Big battery, 120Hz display, 100x zoom | Long software support, Face ID |
| Cons | No expandable storage, pricey | No high refresh rate, smaller battery |
Top Competitors 🏆
These phones face tough rivals in the flagship race. Here are their main challengers.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Competitors | OnePlus 9 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Google Pixel 5 |
Ishita Rao is a Camera Tech Expert analyzing smartphone photography, computational imaging, and video stabilization. With 5+ years of experience, she compares sensors, lenses, and AI enhancements. Ishita enjoys mobile photography as a hobby.
