Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs iPhone 13 Pro Max

Galaxy S22+ 5G
Galaxy S22+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:194.00

Versus €1,174.01 new

See options
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Starting at

Refurbished price:372.00

Versus €1,249.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max, launched in September 2021, are both high-end smartphones from their respective ecosystems. While the Galaxy S22 Plus operates on Android with Samsung's One UI, the iPhone 13 Pro Max runs on Apple's iOS, offering distinct user experiences. Key differentiators include their display technologies, camera capabilities, and overall battery performance.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected practical lifespan.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 13 Pro Max was released in September 2021, making it slightly older than the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, which launched in February 2022. This difference in release dates can influence the duration of software support.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is expected to receive approximately four years of Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from its release. The iPhone 13 Pro Max typically receives iOS updates for about five to six years from its launch. This suggests the iPhone may offer a slightly longer period of major software feature updates.
  • Repairability and Durability: Both devices feature robust builds with glass fronts and backs, and metal frames. The iPhone 13 Pro Max uses Ceramic Shield for its front display, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back. Both models also carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating similar levels of protection against environmental elements.

Year of Release

2022

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from launching applications to managing multiple processes simultaneously.

  • Storage Options: The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a wider range of internal storage configurations, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 13 Pro Max is widely recognized for its extended battery life, often providing up to two days of use for many users, with some tests showing over 18 hours of video playback. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, with its 4500 mAh battery, generally offers a full day of use, with web browsing tests indicating around 9 to 10 hours of screen-on time.
  • System Responsiveness: Both devices are equipped with powerful processors designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. Users can expect fluid navigation, quick app loading times, and efficient performance across a variety of tasks on both the Android and iOS platforms. The iPhone 13 Pro Max features 6GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing deep blacks and vibrant colors with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch (ppi). The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G has a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, offering a pixel density of 393 ppi. Both displays deliver sharp visuals for typical viewing distances.
  • Brightness Levels: For outdoor visibility, the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G boasts a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, which can be beneficial in bright sunlight.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both smartphones incorporate adaptive refresh rate technology. The iPhone 13 Pro Max's ProMotion display can dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 10Hz to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and animations while conserving battery life for static content. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, contributing to a fluid user experience.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer advanced camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 13 Pro Max is equipped with a triple 12MP camera system, including a wide-angle lens with a large sensor, a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an ultrawide lens. It also features a LiDAR scanner for improved depth sensing. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G features a triple camera setup with a 50MP wide-angle main sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone 13 Pro Max excels in low-light photography, producing bright and clear images, and offers a macro photography mode for close-up shots. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also shows improved low-light performance compared to its predecessors, with its larger main sensor contributing to cleaner night shots. Both phones deliver vibrant and detailed everyday photos.
  • Video Recording and Audio: The iPhone 13 Pro Max introduced Cinematic mode, which allows for automatic focus transitions in videos, and supports ProRes video recording. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max records up to 4K. Both devices offer stereo speakers for media consumption.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate these smartphones in daily use.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G cellular connectivity, ensuring fast mobile data speeds. The iPhone 13 Pro Max uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port for charging and data transfer, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G features a more universal USB-C port. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G supports Wi-Fi 6E, a newer standard than the Wi-Fi 6 found in the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
  • Biometric Security: The iPhone 13 Pro Max relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G utilizes an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and also offers 2D face recognition.
  • Physical Characteristics: The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a larger and heavier device, measuring 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm and weighing 240 grams. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is slightly more compact and lighter at 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and 195-196 grams. This difference in size and weight can impact one-handed use and pocketability.

Weight

195 g

238 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

User feedback for the iPhone 13 Pro Max frequently highlights its exceptional battery life as a major advantage, often allowing for two days of use on a single charge. Its camera system is also consistently praised for producing high-quality photos and videos, particularly in low-light conditions and with features like Cinematic mode. Some users, however, note its considerable weight and large size as potential drawbacks, making it less comfortable for extended one-handed use.

For the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, users appreciate its vibrant and bright display, along with its improved camera capabilities compared to previous generations. The device's performance is generally considered excellent for everyday tasks. Common criticisms include battery life that, while good, may not match the longevity of some competitors, and observations that the device can sometimes run warm under heavy load.

Users prioritizing extended battery life and a robust video recording suite may find the iPhone 13 Pro Max well-suited to their needs. Those who prefer the Android ecosystem, a slightly lighter device, and a brighter display for outdoor use might lean towards the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G. Both devices offer strong performance and camera capabilities, making the choice often come down to operating system preference and specific feature priorities. For those seeking a more sustainable choice, both models are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

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