Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
32mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.7"
OLED
OLED
1290x2796
48
MP
MP
12mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
4323
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
8 Advantages 
20 Advantages | 27 Common items in both devices |
| Dynamic AMOLED / Super Retina XDR OLED |
| HDR10+ / Dolby Vision/HDR10 |
| 120Hz |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| f/1.8 (aperture) |
| +20 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Model | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S21 FE 5G SM-G990U1 (Snapdragon) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (A2849, A3105, A3106, A3108) |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Apple |
| Release date | 1/7/2022, Announced: 1/4/2022 | 9/22/2023, Announced: 9/12/2023 |
| Depth | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.25 millimeters (0.32 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 74.5 x 155.7 millimeters (2.93 x 6.13 in) | 76.7 x 159.9 millimeters (3.02 x 6.3 in) |
| Weight | 177 grams (6.2 ounces) | 221 grams (7.74 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back | Titanium frame, glass front and back |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Screen size | 6.4" inches | 6.7" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~85.3% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.8% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1290x2796 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 411 PPI | 460 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 1 billion |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Ceramic Shield |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display | 1000nits[typ], 2000nits[peak] Dolby Vision/HDR10 Always-On Display Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| System version | Android 12 | iOS 17 |
| Firmware update | Android 14 | feature not registered |
| User Interface | One UI 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) | 64bit: Apple A17 Pro (3nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 680 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 680 (Quad-core) | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 3.78GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.1GHz E-Core (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) | Apple GPU Pro (6-core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) Geekbench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 1487226 (v10) Geekbench: 7237 (v6.0) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| RAM memory | 6GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (97GB available) UFS 3.1 | 1TB (960GB available) NVMe (SSD) |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | e-SIM (Eletronic) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 2000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78, 79) | SA/NSA/Sub6 () mmWave () |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6, mmWave |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123°13mm1/3"1.12µm 8MP telephoto f/2.476mm1/4.5"1.0µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom | (quad camera) 48 megapixels 12MP periscope telephoto f/2.8120mm1.12µmPDAFOIS5x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°1/2.55"1.4µmPDAF 0.3MP TOF 3D LiDAR-scanner |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 8000x6000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 24mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | 1/1.28" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization on both cameras |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@240fps (slow motion) 720p@960fps (slow motion) | 1080p@240fps ProRes RAW Cinematic mode |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 32 megapixels | (dual front camera) 12 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D |
| Front camera resolution | 6528x4896 pixels | 4000x3000 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/1.9 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 23mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.74" inches | 1/3.6" inches |
| Pixel size | 0.8µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.1 Type-C reversible connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C SlimPort® | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.3 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 4323 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 27W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Graphite, White, Lavender, Olive | • Colors: Black titanium, White titanium, Blue titanium, Natural titanium • Apple Pay • Face ID • MagSafe |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | iPhone 15 Pro Max (1TB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.77W/kg (head), 0.9W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |