BeastCompare

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs vivo Y21 5G: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 17 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 84.5/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max
85/ 100
Launch price$1,199
Vivo · 2026

vivo Y21 5G

vivo Y21 5G
84/ 100
Launch pricePrice on request
Head-to-head

iPhone 17 Pro Max wins 6 of 7 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max
6 wins
vivo Y21 5G
vivo Y21 5G
1 win
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurity
iPhone 17 Pro Maxvivo Y21 5G
Category winners

Scores out of 100. "From specs" scores compare only the specs both phones list. How we score

  • SpeediPhone 17 Pro Max
    90
    41
  • Camerafrom specsvivo Y21 5G
    77
    83
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieiPhone 17 Pro Max
    76
    40
  • BatteryiPhone 17 Pro Max
    86
    62
  • Displayfrom specsiPhone 17 Pro Max
    94
    65
  • ConnectivityiPhone 17 Pro Max
    100
    67
  • SecurityiPhone 17 Pro Max
    100
    57
  • ValueNot enough data
Key differences
  • vivo Y21 5G has the bigger battery6,500 mAh vs 5,088 mAh
  • vivo Y21 5G charges faster44W vs 40W
  • vivo Y21 5G has a sharper main camera50 MP vs 48 MP
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen6.9" vs 6.74"
  • vivo Y21 5G is lighter209 g vs 233 g
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has a sharper selfie camera18 MP vs 5 MP
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM12 GB vs 8 GB
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max has the faster chipApple A19 Pro vs MediaTek Dimensity 6300
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max is better protected from water and dustIP68 vs IP65
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 17 Pro Max
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.9" display at 120 Hz
Reasons to buy vivo Y21 5G
  • ✓24 g lighter (209 g vs 233 g), easier to hold
  • ✓Bigger 6,500 mAh battery (+1,412 mAh)
  • ✓50 MP main camera

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 17 Pro Maxvivo Y21 5G
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDColor IPS Screen
Screen Size6.9"6.74"
Resolution & Density2868x1320 (460 ppi)~ 260 PPI
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz
Brightness3,000 nits peak1,200 nits peak
Screen ProtectionNot listedNot listed
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A19 Pro (3nm)MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm)
CPU CoresNot listedNot listed
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (6-core)Mali-G57 MC2
Operating SystemiOS 26Android v16 16
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12 GB LPDDR8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1024GB / 2048GB128 GB
Storage SpeedNot listedNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 vivo Y21 5G Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Fusion 48MP50 MP
Telephoto Zoom48 MP (8x optical zoom), f/2.8, OISNone (digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.2N/A
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
Not listed
Front Video
Not listed
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens18 MP, f/1.95 MP
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 vivo Y21 5G Lightest Chassis
Dimensions163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm167.4 x 77.1 x 8.4 mm
Weight233 g209 g
Build MaterialsNot listedNot listed
SIM TypeNot listedNot listed
Water ResistanceIP68IP65
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity5,088 mAh6,500 mAh
Wired Fast Charging40W wired fast charging44W
Wireless Charging25W wireless chargingNot listed
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedNot listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Yes, with wifi-hotspot
Bluetooth6.0Yes
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.0Yes, USB-C v2.0
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedNot listed
Satellite FeaturesNot listedNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedNot listed
Launch Price$1,199Price on request
Our verdict

iPhone 17 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 84.5/100

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger screen (6.9" vs 6.74") and sharper selfie camera (18 MP vs 5 MP). The vivo Y21 5G is worth a look if you prefer its bigger battery (6,500 mAh vs 5,088 mAh).

Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want

Optical telephoto zoom (1 telephoto lens) · Brighter screen: 3,000 nits vs 1,200 nits

Buy vivo Y21 5G if you want

Larger battery: 6,500 mAh vs 5,088 mAh · Lighter: 209 g vs 233 g (24 g less)

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 17 Pro Max or vivo Y21 5G?

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger screen (6.9" vs 6.74") and sharper selfie camera (18 MP vs 5 MP). The vivo Y21 5G is worth a look if you prefer its bigger battery (6,500 mAh vs 5,088 mAh). BeastScore: iPhone 17 Pro Max 84.5/100, vivo Y21 5G 84.0/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 17 Pro Max and vivo Y21 5G?

iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5088 mAh battery. vivo Y21 5G has a 6.74-inch display and 6500 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 17 Pro Max and vivo Y21 5G compare for speed?

iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 90/100 for performance; vivo Y21 5G scores 41/100.

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