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Lab Benchmark Battle

Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄
Samsung · 2021

Galaxy S21 Ultra

Galaxy S21 Ultra
88/ 100
Launch MSRP$1,199 USD
Apple

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
89/ 100
Launch MSRPPricing on request
WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max BETTER THAN Galaxy S21 Ultra?

Tap an area on the radar to inspect category hardware facts

Galaxy S21 Ultra
Apple iPhone 18 Pro MaxWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta
SPEC FACTORGalaxy S21Apple iPhoneLEADER
Refresh Rate120Hz120Hz120Hz
Battery Capacity5,000 mAh5,567 mAh+5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging25WStandard25W
Main Camera Sensor108 MP50 MP108 MP
Screen Display Size6.8"6.9"6.9"
Chassis Weight228gN/A228g Lightest
Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S21 Ultra:
  • ✓771g lighter chassis (228g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
  • ✓$8800 lower launch MSRP ($1199 vs $9999)
  • ✓108MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
Reasons to buy Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max:
  • ✓Larger 5,567 mAh battery capacity (+567 mAh more capacity)
  • ✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
  • ✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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SpecificationGalaxy S21 UltraApple iPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen Type & TechDynamic AMOLED 2XAMOLED
Screen Size6.8"6.9"
Resolution & Density3200x1440 (515 ppi)FHD+ / LTPO AMOLED
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness1,500 nits peakN/A
Screen ProtectionScratch-resistant glassScratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorHigh performance SoC Apple A20 Pro
CPU CoresMulti-core high performanceMulti-core high performance
GPU GraphicsIntegrated GraphicsIntegrated Graphics
Operating SystemAndroid 11iOS
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12 GB LPDDR12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage128GB / 256GB / 512GB2048 GB
Storage SpeedHigh-speed flashHigh-speed flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S21 Ultra Wins Camera
Primary Camera108 MP, f/1.8, OIS, Samsung HM350 MP, Triple Camera System
Telephoto Zoom10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 10 MP (10x optical zoom), f/4.9, OISNone (Digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera12 MP, f/2.2N/A
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens40 MP, f/2.212 MP
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S21 Ultra Lightest Chassis
Dimensions165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mmN/A
Weight228 gN/A
Build MaterialsGlass front, metal/glass frameGlass front, metal/glass frame
SIM TypeNano-SIM / eSIM supportNano-SIM / eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68Not certified
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity5,000 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging25W wired fast chargingFast charging
Wireless Charging15W wireless chargingNot supported
Reverse ChargingReverse wireless chargingReverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerStereo speakersStereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 7 / 6E tri-band
Bluetooth5.0Bluetooth 5.3+
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.2USB Type-C
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compassBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS via satellite (select markets)Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsStandard finishesStandard finishes
Launch Price$1199Price on request
Editorial Lab Verdict

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 88.5/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its Apple A20 Pro architecture and verified 80/100 camera rating.

When to buy Galaxy S21 Ultra:
Significantly faster wired charging: 25W vs max 0W · Higher resolution main sensor: 108 MP vs max 50 MP
When to buy Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max:
Higher overall BeastScore: 88.5 vs top rival 87.8 · Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+567 mAh more)
Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Which phone is better: Galaxy S21 Ultra or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads with an overall BeastScore of 88.5/100 compared to Galaxy S21 Ultra (87.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 88.5 vs top rival 87.8 and Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+567 mAh more).

What are the primary battery and display differences between Galaxy S21 Ultra and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Galaxy S21 Ultra is equipped with a 6.8-inch display and 5000 mAh battery, while Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do the camera capabilities compare between Galaxy S21 Ultra and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max?

In lab hardware evaluations, Galaxy S21 Ultra scores 100/100 in camera performance, while Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 80/100.

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