Looking for an honest Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S21 5G comparison in 2026? We scored both smartphones on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. In our overall scoring the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max comes out ahead 57/100 to 46/100 — a 11-point gap. The widest gap is in design and build, where the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G pulls noticeably ahead. On price the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G undercuts the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max by 422% ($133.99 vs $699), which materially changes the value calculus for budget-conscious buyers.
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G in the smartphones category, especially in performance (benchmark 130 vs 75), scoring 57 vs 46. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
Picking Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max over Samsung Galaxy S21 5G means trading these off.
Apple
$699
Scores are relative within the smartphonescategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 Pro MaxW | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7"✓ | 6.2" |
| Display Type | OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | — | 2400 x 1080 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness | 1000nits | 1300nits✓ |
| HDR | — | HDR10+ |
| Protection | — | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Snapdragon 888 |
| CPU | — | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz & 3x2.80 GHz & 4x2.2 GHz) |
| GPU | — | Mali-G78 MP14 / Adreno 660 |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB✓ |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB |
| Storage Options | — | 128GB, 256GB |
| Main Camera | 12MP | 64MP✓ |
| Aperture | — | f/1.8 |
| OIS | — | Yes |
| Video | — | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Front Camera | 12MP✓ | 10MP |
| Battery | 4352mAh✓ | 4000mAh |
| Charging | 27W✓ | 25W |
| Wireless Charging | — | 15W |
| OS | iOS 18 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | — | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Biometrics | — | Ultrasonic fingerprint |
| Dimensions | — | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 238g | 169g✓ |
| Colors | — | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink |
| Price | 699$ | 133.99$✓ |
Buy Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if…
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 5G if…
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G in the smartphones category, especially in performance (benchmark 130 vs 75), scoring 57 vs 46. If you want the better overall smartphones, Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is the recommended choice.
Yes, Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max scores higher overall (82 vs 71).
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is cheaper at $133.99 vs $699 for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has a larger battery (4,352mAh vs 4,000mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G), which generally means longer use between charges.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has the larger display (6.7" vs 6.2").
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a higher-resolution main camera (64MP vs 12MP). Note that megapixels are one factor — sensor quality and processing also matter.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is lighter at 169g vs 238g.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has more RAM (8GB vs 6GB), which helps with multitasking.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: May 21, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.