Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T vs iPhone 12 Pro Max • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, launched in November 2020, represent distinct approaches to high-performance smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both offer robust capabilities for everyday use, they differ significantly in their operating systems, camera philosophies, and overall design. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G runs on Android, offering a customizable experience, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro Max operates on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 12 Pro Max, released in November 2020, precedes the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, which launched in January 2022. This difference means the iPhone 12 Pro Max will likely receive software updates for a shorter period compared to the newer Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
• OS Support & Updates: Apple typically provides iOS updates for 5-6 years from a device's release, meaning the iPhone 12 Pro Max, originally on iOS 14.1, is expected to receive updates for several more years. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, starting with Android 12, is also expected to receive multiple years of Android version updates and security patches, potentially extending to Android 14 and beyond.
• Durability & Repairability: The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a Ceramic Shield front cover and a stainless steel frame, contributing to its robust build and enhanced drop resistance. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for its display and has an aluminum frame with a plastic back, offering good protection against everyday wear. Both devices carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, capable of withstanding submersion.

Both smartphones deliver strong performance for daily tasks and demanding applications, though they achieve this through different hardware and software optimizations.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is equipped with a powerful processor that ensures a fluid user experience, handling demanding applications and multitasking with ease. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, depending on the region, features either a high-performance Snapdragon or Exynos processor, both designed to provide smooth operation for gaming and heavy usage without significant lag.
• Multitasking & Responsiveness: Users of both devices can expect quick app loading times and seamless transitions between applications. The iPhone 12 Pro Max's integrated hardware and software allow for efficient background process management, while the Galaxy S21 FE 5G's ample RAM options (6GB or 8GB) support robust multitasking.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is known for its exceptional battery longevity, often providing extended usage times even for heavy users, with some reports indicating over 15 hours of video playback. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, with its larger battery capacity, generally offers a full day of use for average users, though intensive activities like prolonged gaming or streaming may require more frequent charging. Both support fast wired and wireless charging, though neither includes a power adapter in the box.

The visual experience on both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the iPhone 12 Pro Max is characterized by vibrant colors and sharp details, thanks to their advanced display technologies.

• Display Technology: The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks and high contrast. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, also known for its vibrant color reproduction and excellent contrast.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both phones provide high-resolution screens that ensure crisp text and detailed images. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 2778-by-1284-pixel resolution at 458 ppi, while the Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers 1080 x 2400 pixels at approximately 401 ppi.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPhone 12 Pro Max reaches up to 800 nits typical brightness and 1200 nits peak brightness for HDR content, providing good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, and also offers high brightness levels, including 1200 nits peak brightness.

Both devices offer versatile camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, each with unique strengths and features.

• Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a triple 12MP camera setup, including Ultra Wide, Wide (with a larger sensor and sensor-shift optical image stabilization), and Telephoto lenses (2.5x optical zoom). It also incorporates a LiDAR Scanner for improved low-light autofocus. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a triple camera system with a 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and up to 30x Space Zoom.
• Photography Features: The iPhone 12 Pro Max excels in low-light photography with Night mode and offers advanced features like Apple ProRAW for greater editing flexibility. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes Night Mode for both front and rear cameras, Scene Optimiser, and AI Face Restoration for enhanced portraits.
• Video Capabilities: Both phones are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports HDR video recording with Dolby Vision, providing enhanced dynamic range and color. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers features like Director's View, allowing users to switch between lenses while recording, and also supports HDR10+ video.