Blind Camera Comparison Video: iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

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

In the video above and the photos in this article, we tagged images with an ‘A’ or ‘B’, with each letter matching a different smartphone. All images are directly from the camera without editing.

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

We compared different camera modes like Portrait Mode and Night Mode, as well as the different lens options ranging from ultra wide angle to telephoto. Look at the photos, look at elements like color temperature differences, highlights and whether there are blown (too bright) areas, the sharpness of the subject in portrait photos, and for video, stabilization and wobble.

Both the 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ and Galaxy S21 Ultra have fantastic camera hardware and are capable of capturing amazing images in most lighting conditions. Choosing a winner usually comes down to your personal preferences.

Since we are not doing a traditional comparison between these two smartphones, there are some Galaxy S21 features that are worth highlighting. Samsung used to limit its stylus, S-Pen, to Note models, but this year the S-Pen is compatible with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and it’s handy for taking notes, drawing, signing documents and more.

There’s also a reverse wireless charging feature to charge headphones or another smartphone, and an on-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which is actually something Apple will see in the future.

As for the camera, there are four lenses, including ultra wide (12MP), wide (108MP w / laser autofocus) and dual telephoto lenses (both 10MP). Camera functionality is mostly similar to the toiPhone 12 Pro Max‌, but Samsung does have Space Zoom, which is a 100x digital + optical zoom option. Space Zoom was available last year, but this year it has been improved. The 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ has no equivalent function and can not zoom in that far.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra also has a shorter minimum focusing distance, so it can be used for close-up macro shots, something the iPhone 12 models cannot do.

If you ask back after the photo comparison test, there is an answer under the break if you are wondering what photos are.

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All the “A” pictures come from the 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌, while all the “B” pictures come from the Galaxy S21 Ultra. If you’ve seen our previous comparison between the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy Note 20, you may have known all the results.

Apple’s aerial algorithms are designed to enhance the color and tend to have a blue, cool tone during the day which is very recognizable compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The 12iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ photos are more vivid, while the S21 Ultra has a flatter color profile. Neither is true to life, with the right color somewhere in the middle.

Clarity and sharpness are the same for both smartphones, and in general all the photos are bright and clear. Portrait mode photos are more or less the same, but Apple’s iPhones have always struggled with certain items such as a drinking glass.

There are noticeable differences in night mode. The S21 Ultra does not perform well with hot lighting in some situations, and some of these photos have a tint that is too hot. Video is also similar (everything is captured in 4K at 30 fps), with no major differences in quality or stabilization.

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