Blind camera comparison video: iPhone 12 Pro Max x Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

In January, Samsung debuted its latest smartphone lineup, which includes the Galaxy S21 Ultra, a direct competitor to the iPhone 12 Pro Max that Apple launched in October. In our last YouTube video, we set the two smartphones against each other for a blind comparison of the camera.

In the video above and in the photos of this article, we label the images with an “A” or a “B”, with each letter corresponding to a different smartphone. All images are taken directly from the camera, without editing.

The idea is to look at the images and decide which aesthetic you prefer before unveiling which camera is which, so for the full experience, it’s worth watching our video, but we’ll also share the results at the end of this article.

We compare several different camera modes, such as Portrait and Night mode, along with different lens options ranging from ultra wide angle to telephoto. When considering photos, check for elements such as color temperature differences, highlights and whether there are burst areas (excessively bright), sharpness of the subject in portrait and video photos, stabilization and tremors.

Both the 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ and the Galaxy S21 Ultra have fantastic camera hardware and are capable of capturing great images in most lighting conditions; therefore, most of the time, the choice of a winner depends on your personal preferences.

Since we are not making a traditional comparison between these two smartphones, there are some features of the Galaxy S21 that deserve to be highlighted. Samsung used to limit its pen, the S-Pen, to Note models, but this year, the S-Pen is compatible with the Galaxy S21 Ultra and is useful for taking notes, drawing, signing documents and more.

There is also a reverse wireless charging feature to charge headphones or another smartphone and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor on the display, which is something that we may see Apple adopt in the future.

As for the camera, there are four lenses including ultra wide angle (12MP), wide angle (108MP with laser auto focus) and dual telephoto (both 10MP). The camera’s functionality is similar to that of the 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ for the most part, but Samsung has Space Zoom, which is a 100x optical + digital zoom option. Space Zoom was available last year, but this year has been improved. The 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ does not have an equivalent feature and cannot expand as much.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra also has a shorter minimum focusing distance, allowing it to be used for close-up macro shots, something that iPhone 12 models are not able to do.

Going back to the photo comparison test, if you’re wondering what the photos are, there is an answer below the range.

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All “A” images came from ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌, while all “B” images came from Galaxy S21 Ultra. If you saw our previous comparison between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20, you may have already known the results.

Apple’s algorithms for the sky are designed to increase color, tending to a cool, blue tone during the day that is highly recognizable compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Photos on the 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ are more vibrant, while the S21 Ultra has a more uniform color profile. Neither is entirely real, with the actual color somewhere in between.

Clarity and sharpness are similar for both smartphones and, in general, all images are sharp and clear. Portrait photos are more or less the same, but Apple iPhones have always had problems with certain items, such as cups.

There are noticeable differences in night mode. The S21 Ultra does not do well with warm lighting in some situations, so some of these photos have a hue that tends to be very warm. The video is also similar (everything was captured in 4K at 30fps), without major differences in quality or stabilization.

Which photos did you prefer in the camera test? Were you surprised by the results? Let us know in the comments.