Apple and Samsung's latest salvos in the smartphone wars have further raised the bar at the high-end of the market. The recent additions of the Galaxy S21 Ultra and the iPhone 12 Pro Max to Samsung and Apple's ranges, respectively, give power-users their best options yet. But, for audiophiles and cinephiles expecting the best from their smartphones, which is the one to go for?
Answering that question has never been more difficult. Specs only tell part of the story, and users need to really understand what those specs mean in the real world. For instance, 60 frames per second (fps) video is only as good as the WiFi or cellular network that delivers it. If the network can’t handle the weight of 60 fps, then performance is going to crumble. In certain ways the Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12 Pro Max have more in common than sets them apart: stunning cameras, sleek enclosures, and the latest Android and iOS bells and whistles.
There are notable differences, though, that an avid video hound will care about. The screens, for instance, are among the largest on the market, outside of perhaps the Galaxy Note. The iPhone 12 Pro Max boasts a 6.7-inch display, while Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra display is even bigger at 6.8 inches. That, however, doesn’t tell the whole story. With the iPhone’s notorious notch taking up space at the edge of the device, there are fewer visible pixels on the iPhone than the numbers suggest.
Galaxy S21 Ultra Edges iPhone 12 Pro Max
The S21 Ultra, with its AMOLED display, gets the edge for viewing angles and durability, while Apple’s Retina display tends to do better in outdoor light. Samsung’s S21 Ultra gets a slight edge for resolution with its 3,200 x 1,440-pixel display topping Apple’s 2,778 x 1,284-pixel display. Brightness is impressive across the devices, with the Samsung chalking up 1,500 peak nits compared to Apple's 1,200 nits max brightness. Samsung also delivers 120Hz and Apple 60Hz in terms of refresh rates, meaning Samsung users are likely to see smoother video playback.
The two phones are running a dead heat with respect to audio. The internal speaker units are both well received. Both support all of the standard file types that mostly work behind the scenes. Bluetooth of course is supported. Your most important decision is going to be what wireless headphones to pair with.
Naturally all of that flawless video and crystal-clear audio is going to be worthless to you unless your device has the juice to power it. Again there is mostly good news here as the devices’ batteries have more than kept pace with the power-hungry features that they are jam-packed with. The S21 Ultra is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, while the iPhone Pro Max contains a 3,687mAh battery. Samsung bests Apple and retains its charge for an additional 45 minutes when subjected to the same web surfing test, according to reports.
Both devices run powerhouse engines that can easily drive memory-hungry audio and video apps. If cost is an issue you can go with Apple’s $1,099 128GB model ($100 less than Samsung’s comparable phone). If you’re looking for the absolute best sharpness and brightness in your picture, Samsung delivers a marginally better experience.