Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 13 Pro Max • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, launched in September 2021, represent flagship smartphones from their respective manufacturers. Both devices offer premium experiences, but they cater to different user preferences through their distinct operating systems and hardware philosophies. The S21 Ultra runs on Android, offering extensive customization and a versatile camera system, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max operates on iOS, known for its streamlined user experience and robust video capabilities.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was released in January 2021, making it several months older than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which launched in September 2021. This difference in age can impact the remaining duration of official software support.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received its last major Android OS update (Android 15-based One UI 7.0) in the first half of 2025, with security updates concluding around February 2026. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, on the other hand, typically receives iOS updates for approximately 5-6 years from its release, suggesting a slightly longer period of active software support.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received a repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating it is challenging to repair due to the extensive use of glue and a non-modular display cable. While a specific score for the iPhone 13 Pro Max was not found in the provided information, iPhones generally present repair challenges due to their construction.

Both devices offer robust performance for demanding applications and multitasking, though they achieve this through different hardware configurations.

• Storage Options: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage, without an option for expandable storage. The iPhone 13 Pro Max provides more varied options, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and a 1TB configuration, also without expandable storage.
• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is powered by a current-generation processor (Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 depending on region) that handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly. The iPhone 13 Pro Max features an Apple-designed processor (A15 Bionic) that delivers responsive performance for gaming and intensive tasks, and was noted for its speed at the time of its release.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for most users, though heavy usage might require a midday charge. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, with its 4352mAh battery, is recognized for its exceptional battery longevity, often providing up to two days of use for many users. Both support fast wired and wireless charging.

The visual experience on both smartphones is characterized by large, high-quality displays, each with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels, offering a sharp and vibrant viewing experience. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, also providing deep blacks and rich colors.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: Both devices incorporate adaptive refresh rate technology, with the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G ranging from 10Hz to 120Hz, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max also offering ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. For brightness, the iPhone 13 Pro Max can reach up to 1000 nits typical brightness and 1200 nits peak for HDR content, while the S21 Ultra also offers a bright and colorful display.
• Screen Size and Viewing: The slightly larger 6.8-inch display on the S21 Ultra 5G provides a marginally more expansive viewing area compared to the 6.7-inch screen of the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Both offer immersive experiences for media consumption and productivity.

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems designed for high-quality photography and videography, though they approach imaging with different strengths.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a quad-camera setup including a 108MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom. The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a triple 12MP camera system with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses, providing 3x optical zoom in and a 6x optical zoom range.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra 5G is known for its versatile zoom capabilities, with usable results up to 30x digital zoom and vibrant, punchy photos. The iPhone 13 Pro Max excels in consistent image quality across its lenses, strong low-light performance, and features like macro photography.
• Video Recording Quality: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports 8K video recording at 24fps and 4K at 30/60fps. The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers 4K video recording at up to 60fps, with advanced features like Cinematic mode for shallow depth of field (1080p at 30fps) and ProRes video recording for professional workflows.