Iphone 13 Pro Max Vs Galaxy S21 Ultra Two Years Later Is The Camera Still Better On The Iphone

When Apple released the iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung launched the Galaxy S21 Ultra in early 2021, both devices set new standards for mobile photography. The competition was fierce: Apple emphasized computational photography and video prowess, while Samsung leaned into high-resolution sensors and versatile zoom capabilities. Two years later, with no hardware changes but ongoing software updates, the question remains—has the iPhone’s camera retained its edge?

The answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” Camera performance over time depends not only on initial hardware but also on software optimization, processing consistency, low-light handling, and user experience in everyday conditions. After extensive testing, field reports, and analysis of photo output from both devices in 2023 and 2024, here's a comprehensive look at how these flagships hold up.

Initial Camera Specs: A Quick Recap

To understand how each phone has aged, it helps to revisit their original configurations. Both phones launched with triple-camera systems, but their philosophies diverged significantly.

Feature	iPhone 13 Pro Max	Galaxy S21 Ultra
Main Sensor	12MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide)	108MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide)
Ultra-Wide	12MP, f/1.8, 13mm	12MP, f/2.2, 13mm
Telephoto	12MP, f/2.8, 77mm (3x optical)	10MP, f/2.4, 70mm (3x optical)
Periscope Zoom	No	Yes – 10MP, f/4.9, 240mm (10x optical)
Video Recording	ProRes, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 4K 60fps)	8K 24fps, HDR10+

From the start, Samsung offered more flexibility with zoom and higher resolution, while Apple focused on sensor-shift stabilization, dynamic range, and seamless integration between lenses. But specs don't tell the full story—especially after two years of real-world use.

Color Science and Image Consistency Over Time

One area where the iPhone continues to outperform the S21 Ultra is color accuracy and consistency across lighting conditions. Apple’s image processing prioritizes natural skin tones, balanced white balance, and minimal oversaturation. Even in mixed lighting or challenging environments, the iPhone tends to produce photos that require little to no editing before sharing.

In contrast, the S21 Ultra often leans into Samsung’s signature vibrant profile. While pleasing for social media, this can result in overly saturated skies, unnatural greens, or exaggerated contrast in backlit scenes. Over time, users have reported that this aggressive tuning hasn’t aged well—especially when compared to newer Samsung models that adopted a more neutral tone.

“Apple’s commitment to true-to-life color reproduction gives the iPhone lasting appeal, especially for photographers who value authenticity over instant pop.” — David Lin, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMARK

Additionally, the iPhone maintains consistent behavior across all three lenses. Switching between wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto results in minimal shifts in exposure or tone. On the S21 Ultra, transitions between the 108MP main sensor and the periscope lens can sometimes feel disjointed, particularly in low light when the high-res mode drops down to 9MP.

Tip: If you frequently share photos without editing, the iPhone’s reliable default output reduces post-processing time.

Low-Light and Night Mode Performance in 2024

Night photography remains a key battleground. Both phones introduced advanced Night Modes, but their execution differs. The iPhone 13 Pro Max uses深度融合 (Deep Fusion) and Smart HDR 4 to layer multiple exposures, preserving texture and minimizing noise. In practical terms, this means cleaner shadows, better detail in dark fabrics, and fewer artifacts around bright light sources.

The S21 Ultra, while capable, sometimes struggles with haloing around streetlights and over-brightening foreground subjects. Its larger sensor collects more light, but aggressive sharpening and noise reduction can lead to a “plastic” look in skin or smooth surfaces. This effect has become more noticeable as users compare older S21 Ultra shots with those from newer Galaxy models that refined the algorithm.

After two years, battery degradation and thermal throttling also play a role. Users report that older S21 Ultras take longer to process Night Mode shots and occasionally cancel captures due to overheating during extended sessions. The iPhone, thanks to Apple’s tighter hardware-software integration, maintains faster processing times even on devices with moderate battery wear.

Zoom and Versatility: Where Samsung Still Shines

If there’s one area where the S21 Ultra still holds an advantage, it’s zoom versatility. With 10x optical periscope zoom and up to 100x digital zoom, it offers unmatched reach for distant subjects—wildlife, architecture, or concert shots. The iPhone’s 3x telephoto, while excellent for portraits and moderate cropping, simply can’t compete in magnification.

However, quality at maximum zoom has degraded slightly over time. Dust accumulation inside the periscope module (a known issue in early units) and minor misalignment from daily wear can reduce clarity. Meanwhile, the iPhone’s fixed-focus telephoto lens remains stable and sharp, benefiting from consistent software tuning.

For most users, though, mid-range zoom (2x–5x) is more relevant. Here, the iPhone often produces clearer, better-exposed results thanks to superior multi-frame processing and HDR blending. The S21 Ultra defaults to its 3x telephoto in this range but may switch abruptly to digital zoom beyond that, leading to inconsistency.

Real-World Example: Travel Photography After Two Years

Consider Sarah, a travel blogger who purchased both phones in 2021 for international assignments. She used the S21 Ultra for its zoom capabilities during safaris and mountain hikes, while relying on the iPhone for cityscapes and portrait work.

By late 2023, she noticed her S21 Ultra began showing signs of wear: slower autofocus in cold climates, occasional purple fringing in backlit scenes, and reduced responsiveness in Pro Video mode. The iPhone, despite similar usage, maintained steady performance. Her edited photo sets increasingly favored iPhone captures for their reliability and ease of batch processing.

She eventually retired the S21 Ultra for primary shooting but kept it as a backup for super-telephoto needs. “The iPhone just feels more predictable,” she said. “I don’t have to second-guess whether the shot will be usable.”

Software Updates and Long-Term Support

This is perhaps the most critical factor in the comparison. Apple committed five years of iOS updates to the iPhone 13 series, meaning the 13 Pro Max will receive updates through at least 2026. These updates include camera improvements—such as enhanced Smart HDR, better low-light detection, and refinements to Portrait Mode.

Samsung promised four years of major Android upgrades and five years of security patches for the S21 series. As of 2024, the S21 Ultra has received Android 14 with One UI 6.0, but further major updates are uncertain. Some features, like improved night stacking and AI-based scene optimization, were added—but not at the same pace or depth as Apple’s annual computational photography upgrades.

Long-term software support directly impacts camera longevity. An updated processing pipeline can breathe new life into aging hardware. The iPhone benefits from this cycle more consistently than the S21 Ultra, which now lags behind newer Galaxy flagships in AI-enhanced photography.

Checklist: Evaluating Your Aging Flagship Camera

• ✅ Test photo consistency across all lenses
• ✅ Compare low-light shots side-by-side with newer devices
• ✅ Check processing speed and shutter lag
• ✅ Review battery health—poor battery can affect camera performance
• ✅ Ensure you’re running the latest OS version for optimal tuning
• ✅ Assess zoom reliability and focus accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone 13 Pro Max camera better than the S21 Ultra in 2024?

In overall consistency, color accuracy, and long-term software support, yes—the iPhone generally delivers more reliable and natural-looking photos. However, the S21 Ultra still excels in optical zoom range and high-resolution capture under ideal conditions.

Can the S21 Ultra keep up with newer smartphones?

In daylight and well-lit scenarios, yes. But in low light, video stabilization, and AI processing, it falls behind current-gen devices. Its 10x zoom remains useful, but image quality doesn’t match modern periscope systems.

Does battery degradation affect camera performance?

Indirectly, yes. As batteries age, phones may throttle performance to manage power, leading to slower processing, longer shutter lag, and reduced thermal headroom for sustained camera use—especially in Night Mode or 8K video.

Final Verdict: The iPhone Ages Gracefully

Two years on, the iPhone 13 Pro Max camera hasn’t just held its ground—it has aged more gracefully than the Galaxy S21 Ultra. While Samsung’s hardware was more ambitious, Apple’s focus on consistency, accurate color science, and long-term software investment has paid off. For users who prioritize reliability, natural-looking photos, and future-proof updates, the iPhone remains the stronger choice.

The S21 Ultra still has niche advantages, particularly in zoom and resolution, but its processing quirks and diminishing update momentum make it less compelling over time. Ultimately, great mobile photography isn’t just about megapixels or zoom specs—it’s about trust. And right now, the iPhone inspires more of it.

🚀 Still using either device? Share your experience—what do your photos look like today? Join the conversation and help others decide what truly lasts.