Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked Verizon vs iPhone 13 Pro Max • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max, launched in September 2021, are both advanced smartphones designed to offer a comprehensive mobile experience. While the Galaxy S21 FE operates on the Android platform, the iPhone 13 Pro Max runs on Apple's iOS, presenting distinct software ecosystems. These devices primarily differentiate themselves through their operating systems, build materials, and specific camera capabilities.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including their initial release and ongoing software support.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 13 Pro Max was released in September 2021, making it slightly older than the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, which debuted in January 2022. This difference in launch dates impacts their respective software support cycles.
• Software Longevity: The iPhone 13 Pro Max launched with iOS 15 and, as of March 2026, supports iOS 18.x and even iOS 26.3, indicating a robust and extended period of software updates from Apple. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and has received updates up to Android 14. Apple generally provides a longer duration of major operating system updates compared to many Android manufacturers, which can translate to more years of new features and security patches for the iPhone.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning they can withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone 13 Pro Max incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover and a stainless steel frame, offering enhanced resistance to drops and scratches. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus for its front display and an aluminum frame, paired with a plastic back.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for handling daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking. Both devices offer capable internal components for smooth operation.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 13 Pro Max is equipped with a powerful current-generation chip that delivers exceptional speed and efficiency, allowing for seamless navigation, rapid app launches, and fluid performance even with intensive gaming or video editing. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, depending on the region, features a high-end processor from its release year, which capably handles demanding apps and multitasking, providing a responsive user experience.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPhone 13 Pro Max comes with 6GB of RAM, which, combined with its optimized operating system, ensures efficient multitasking and quick switching between applications. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers configurations with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 13 Pro Max is recognized for its extended battery life, often capable of lasting up to two days with moderate usage, making it suitable for users who require prolonged power without frequent recharging. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, with its 4500 mAh battery, generally provides a full day of use, though heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge before the day ends.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratio. It has a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, resulting in a sharp 458 pixels per inch (ppi). The Galaxy S21 FE 5G sports a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and 401 ppi, also delivering rich colors and good clarity.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The iPhone 13 Pro Max includes ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 10Hz to 120Hz, providing exceptionally smooth scrolling and responsiveness while conserving battery life when high refresh rates are not needed. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also features a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a fluid visual experience, particularly noticeable during scrolling and gaming.
• Brightness for Outdoor Use: For visibility in bright conditions, the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits and can reach up to 1200 nits for HDR content. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G can achieve a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits, with typical brightness often around 700-800 nits, providing good outdoor visibility.

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, catering to various photography needs.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a triple 12MP camera system, including a wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, enhanced by sensor-shift optical image stabilization on the wide lens and a LiDAR scanner for improved low-light focusing and Night mode portraits. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a versatile triple camera setup, consisting of a 12MP wide lens with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Features: The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers advanced features like Apple ProRAW for greater editing flexibility, Cinematic Mode for video with shallow depth of field (recorded at 1080p), and a dedicated macro photography mode for close-up shots. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides features such as HDR10+ video recording and a 32MP front camera that uses pixel binning for detailed selfies.
• Video Recording Capabilities: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second with their main rear cameras. The iPhone 13 Pro Max also supports 4K video recording at 24 and 30 frames per second. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G can record 4K video with its front camera as well.