The War Of Two Sophisticated Phones, This Is A Comparison Of Apple IPhone 12 And Samsung Galaxy S21

Two high-end phones are fighting for the market in the same segment. (photo: special)

JAKARTA - Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are two of the best high-end smartphones available on the market today. The former was launched in October 2020 starting at IDR 16 million while the latter was launched in January 2021 starting at IDR 17.5 million.

Choosing one of these two is a tough decision given how much engineering they have made. In this iPhone vs Samsung guide, we help you approach your buying decision.

1. Camera: 4K vs. 8K

First, let's talk specifications. iPhone 12 Pro Max has a total of four cameras. 12MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto, and 12MP front camera. It can record videos up to 4K on the front and back.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a total of five cameras. The 108MP main sensor is supported by Laser Autofocus, a 10MP telephoto lens, an additional 10MP periscope telephoto lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens (which also doubles as a macro camera), and a 40MP front camera. It can shoot up to 8K video on the back and 4K video on the front.

For pure lovers who love natural-looking photos and videos, the iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers an output that feels realistic and consistent across all cameras and functions but sometimes has to look a bit flat.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a more capable camera system with aggressive image processing algorithms that produce high-contrast vivid photos, but at the expense of looking unnatural or oversaturated under certain conditions.

Camera comparison, iPhone 12 and Galaxy S21. (Special)

While the shots look pleasing to the eye, the output is more experimental and doesn't have the same level of consistency as the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

That said, both phones have their respective areas of specialization. Portrait Mode, video quality, and Night Mode are absolutely stunning on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. But in terms of zoom capabilities, Optical Image Stabilization, and overall camera experience, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is definitely a winner for its versatility.

2. Performance: A14 Bionic vs. Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100

The iPhone 12 Pro Max phone is powered by the Apple-made A14 Bionic chip that runs iOS 14.1 and comes with 6GB of RAM and 128/256/512GB of internal storage.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra competes with the Snapdragon 888 in the US and China or the internal Exynos 2100 chip in most other parts of the world. It runs its native One UI 3.1 skin on top of Android 11 and comes with either 12 or 16GB of RAM and 128/256/512GB of internal storage.

On average, the sheer performance presented by the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra is very similar. The former has better rendering speed while the latter opens apps slightly faster.

3. Display: Super Retina XDR vs. Dynamic AMOLED 2X

The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes with a 60Hz Super Retina XDR panel and can reach a peak brightness of 1200 nits. The display spans 6.7 inches, surpassing the FHD+ resolution at 1284x2778 pixels with a pixel density of 458 ppi which scales to a screen-to-body ratio of around 87.4%.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with an adaptive 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with HDR10+ support and can reach a peak brightness of 1500 nits. The display spans 6.8 inches with a QHD resolution at 1440x3200 pixels with a density of 515 ppi which scales the screen-to-body ratio around 89.8%.

Both panels are highly responsive, stunning to look at, and color-accurate. However, the Galaxy S21 Ultra still remains strong even in the scorching afternoon sun due to its higher peak brightness. It also looks sharper due to its higher pixel density, though there's no noticeable difference in everyday use.

The screen on this device is also smoother with a higher refresh rate and feels more modern to look at thanks to its higher screen-to-body ratio. This should come as no surprise as Samsung has a reputation for building the best display technology in the industry.

4. Battery: 3687mAh vs. 5000mAh

The ideal battery is one that you don't have to worry about and can ensure that it won't die suddenly when you need it most. The Galaxy S21 Ultra packs a powerful 5000mAh battery with fast 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging support.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 3687mAh battery and supports "fast" 15W charging using Apple's MagSafe charger which took over 3 hours to go from empty to full. However, because the internal A14 Bionic chip is highly efficient and integrates well with Apple's ecosystem, it doesn't consume a lot of power throughout the day, allowing it to last nearly as well as the S21 Ultra.

5. Build Quality: Stainless Steel vs Aluminum

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is protected by Apple's new Ceramic Shield (a hybrid between glass and ceramic) on the front which is said to be tougher than any smartphone glass. The back of the device doesn't enjoy the same protection and is protected by the weaker glass found on last year's iPhone 11. The frame is made of strong stainless steel which easily shows fingerprints.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass Victus protection on both sides and has a softer frame made of aluminum. When tested, both devices did a good job of resisting accidental scratches and drops. However, the new bulging contour cut design of the S21 Ultra can sometimes take a toll on the camera module when exposed to it directly.

When compared to Gorilla Glass Victus, Apple's Ceramic Shield isn't as strong as the tech giant advertises. Both devices have the same level of strength and can withstand everyday use without major damage, and are backed by the official IP68 rating.

The frosted matte finish on both devices feels smooth to the touch and helps avoid fingerprint smudges.