iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: What’s the Difference?
Unsure whether to opt for Apple or Android? We’re here to help. In this comparison, we break down the iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Galaxy S21 Ultra match-up — digging into displays, cameras, performance, design and battery life, so you can see which flagship truly fits your needs.
If you’re exploring Apple’s wider lineup too, our iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 comparison offers more insights into how these brands stack up.
You can find both handsets at great prices in our refurbished phone collection. Let’s dive in.
Is the Galaxy S21 Ultra better than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Both handsets feel substantial at around 228g, and both look stunning. The Galaxy S21 Ultra leans into curved edges and a slimmer profile, making it slightly more comfortable to handle. The iPhone 13 Pro Max goes for a flat-edged, premium stainless-steel design with a frosted glass back — heavier, but extremely high-end.
Durability-wise, both phones are IP68 water and dust resistant. The iPhone edges ahead thanks to its Ceramic Shield, offering stronger drop protection and water resistance up to 6 metres for 30 minutes.
The S21 Ultra boasts a wide range of colour options including Phantom Black, Navy, Silver and more. The iPhone 13 Pro Max keeps things classy with Graphite, Silver, Gold and Sierra Blue.
Verdict: The iPhone 13 Pro Max wins on durability.
iPhone 13 Pro Max Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Waterproof design | Slow to charge |
| Perfect performance | |
| OLED Dolby Vision screen |
Is the Galaxy S21 Ultra display better than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Both phones have brilliant displays. The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 6.8-inch AMOLED panel with a higher resolution and a peak brightness of 1500 nits. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display reaching 1200 nits.
Both support 120Hz adaptive refresh rates thanks to LTPO technology, giving you smooth scrolling and improved battery efficiency. The Samsung does win in raw sharpness and brightness, but the difference is smaller in daily use.
Verdict: The Galaxy S21 Ultra takes the win for screen brightness and clarity.
Is the Galaxy S21 Ultra camera better than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max packs a refined triple 12MP camera system, including a superb wide sensor, macro capability via the ultra-wide lens and a 3x optical zoom telephoto. Photographic Styles add creative control, and Night Mode works across all lenses.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra pushes hardware to the limit with a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses delivering 3x and 10x optical zoom — plus Samsung’s famous 100x Space Zoom.
For video, the iPhone leads the industry with Cinematic Mode and ProRes 4K/30fps recording. The S21 Ultra produces stunning video too, but Apple still takes the crown for stabilisation and colour accuracy.
Verdict: It’s a tie — the iPhone 13 Pro Max is best for video and low-light shooting, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra dominates long-range zoom.
Galaxy S21 Ultra Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| S Pen stylus supported | No microSD card slot |
| Great battery life | |
| Very affordable for an Ultra model |
Is the Galaxy S21 Ultra faster than the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is fast — especially with its Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 processor — and it offers more RAM than the iPhone. But the iPhone 13 Pro Max uses Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset, which delivers stronger raw performance, better efficiency and smoother multitasking.
Software comes down to preference: iOS provides simplicity, privacy and perfect synergy across Apple devices. Android (via Samsung’s One UI) gives you more flexibility, customisation and desktop-style productivity with Samsung DeX.
Battery life is a close battle, though the S21 Ultra’s 5,000mAh cell tends to last slightly longer in typical use. Storage options go up to 512GB on both models, but the iPhone also offers a 1TB version for power users.
If you're comparing Apple models across generations as well, our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 guide offers a helpful overview.
Whether you end up choosing the iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Galaxy S21 Ultra, both are available at fantastic prices in our refurbished phone shop. You can also trade in your old device to put money towards your next upgrade.
