Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iPhone 12 Pro Max: An In-Depth Comparison
The smartphone industry is fiercely competitive, with manufacturers constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. Two of the most prominent flagships in recent years are the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. Both devices represent the pinnacle of their respective ecosystems, offering cutting-edge features, powerful hardware, and refined designs. This article delves deep into a detailed comparison of these two titans, examining their design, display, performance, camera systems, battery life, software experience, and more.
1. Design & Build Quality
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The S22 Ultra marks a significant evolution in Samsung’s design language. It inherits the legacy of the Note series, featuring a squared-off design and integrated S Pen support. The device boasts a robust Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back, with an aluminum frame that exudes premium quality. The rear camera housing is seamlessly integrated, with individual lenses protruding slightly from the back panel, giving it a minimalist yet sophisticated look.
Dimensions: 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm
Weight: 228g
Colors: Phantom Black, Phantom White, Burgundy, Green, and more
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max continues the company’s tradition of elegant, industrial design. It features a flat-edged stainless steel frame and Ceramic Shield front, which Apple claims is the toughest glass on any smartphone. The back is textured matte glass, giving it a refined feel. The camera module is housed in a square bump, a signature look for recent iPhones.
Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm
Weight: 228g
Colors: Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue
Verdict
Both phones are exquisitely crafted, but the S22 Ultra’s inclusion of the S Pen and its Note-inspired design give it a unique edge for productivity enthusiasts. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, on the other hand, offers a timeless, luxurious feel with its stainless steel frame.
2. Display
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung is renowned for its displays, and the S22 Ultra doesn’t disappoint. It features a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a QHD+ resolution (3088 x 1440 pixels). The display supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+, and can reach a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits. The curved edges and minimal bezels create an immersive viewing experience.
Screen Size: 6.8 inches
Resolution: 3088 x 1440 pixels (~500 ppi)
Refresh Rate: 1-120 Hz adaptive
Brightness: Up to 1750 nits (peak)
iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which is a notable difference compared to the S22 Ultra.
Screen Size: 6.7 inches
Resolution: 2778 x 1284 pixels (~458 ppi)
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Brightness: Up to 1200 nits (peak)
Verdict
The S22 Ultra clearly outshines the iPhone 12 Pro Max in terms of display technology, offering a higher resolution, brighter screen, and smoother 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. For media consumption, gaming, and productivity, the S22 Ultra’s display is superior.
3. Performance
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The S22 Ultra is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (in the US and select markets) or Samsung Exynos 2200 (in other regions). It is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage. The device handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease.
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200
RAM: 8GB / 12GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
GPU: Adreno 730 / Xclipse 920
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple’s A14 Bionic chip powers the iPhone 12 Pro Max, built on a 5nm process. It is coupled with 6GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Despite having less RAM on paper, Apple’s optimization ensures top-tier performance, with the A14 Bionic still holding its own against newer Android chips.
Processor: Apple A14 Bionic
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
GPU: Apple-designed 4-core
Benchmark Comparison
Geekbench 5 (Multi-core):
S22 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1): ~3500
iPhone 12 Pro Max (A14 Bionic): ~4100
AnTuTu:
S22 Ultra: ~900,000
iPhone 12 Pro Max: ~700,000
Verdict
While the S22 Ultra boasts higher RAM and storage options, the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s A14 Bionic remains a powerhouse, especially in single-core performance and efficiency. For most users, both devices offer more than enough power for any task.
4. Camera Systems
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The S22 Ultra is a camera powerhouse, featuring a versatile quad-camera setup:
108MP Wide (f/1.8, OIS)
12MP Ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120˚)
10MP Periscope Telephoto (10x optical, f/4.9, OIS)
10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4, OIS)
Laser autofocus, LED flash
Key Features:
100x Space Zoom (digital)
8K video recording at 24fps
Advanced night mode
Pro-grade RAW support
iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a triple-camera system:
12MP Wide (f/1.6, OIS)
12MP Ultra-wide (f/2.4, 120˚)
12MP Telephoto (2.5x optical, f/2.2, OIS)
LiDAR Scanner for depth sensing
Key Features:
Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3
Apple ProRAW
Dolby Vision HDR video recording (up to 60fps)
Night mode on all cameras
Photo Comparison
Daylight: Both phones capture excellent detail and dynamic range, but the S22 Ultra’s 108MP sensor allows for higher-resolution shots and more cropping flexibility.
Low Light: The S22 Ultra’s night mode is superb, but Apple’s computational photography and LiDAR-assisted low-light portraits are industry-leading.
Zoom: The S22 Ultra’s periscope lens enables up to 10x optical and 100x digital zoom, far surpassing the iPhone’s 2.5x optical and 12x digital zoom.
Video: The iPhone 12 Pro Max leads with Dolby Vision HDR and superior stabilization, but the S22 Ultra offers 8K video and more manual controls.
Verdict
The S22 Ultra offers more versatility, especially for zoom and high-resolution photography. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max excels in video quality and computational photography. Both are among the best camera phones available.
5. Battery Life & Charging
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Endurance: Easily lasts a full day with heavy use
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Battery Capacity: 3687 mAh
Charging: 20W wired, 15W MagSafe wireless, 7.5W Qi wireless
Endurance: Also lasts a full day, thanks to iOS optimizations
Real-World Usage
Both phones can comfortably last a day of heavy use, but the S22 Ultra’s larger battery and more aggressive fast-charging give it an edge. However, Apple’s efficiency ensures the iPhone 12 Pro Max keeps pace despite a smaller battery.
6. Software Experience
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
OS: Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable)
Features: Highly customizable, S Pen support, Samsung DeX, multitasking enhancements
Updates: Samsung promises 4 years of major OS updates
iPhone 12 Pro Max
OS: iOS 14 (upgradable to latest iOS)
Features: Seamless ecosystem integration, privacy features, regular updates
Updates: Apple typically supports devices for 5+ years
Ecosystem
Samsung: Works well with Galaxy Buds, Watches, Tablets, Windows PCs (via Link to Windows)
Apple: Deep integration with Macs, iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePod
Verdict
The choice here depends on user preference. Android offers more customization and productivity features (especially with the S Pen), while iOS provides unmatched simplicity, security, and ecosystem synergy.
7. S Pen vs Apple Pencil
A unique feature of the S22 Ultra is its S Pen integration. It supports low-latency handwriting, drawing, air gestures, and productivity shortcuts. The iPhone 12 Pro Max does not support the Apple Pencil, which is exclusive to iPads.
S22 Ultra: Built-in stylus, ideal for note-taking, sketching, and productivity
iPhone 12 Pro Max: No stylus support
8. Connectivity & Extras
S22 Ultra
5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Ultra-wideband (UWB)
IP68 water and dust resistance
Dual SIM + eSIM support
Expandable storage: No
iPhone 12 Pro Max
5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
Ultra-wideband (UWB)
IP68 water and dust resistance
Dual SIM (nano + eSIM)
Expandable storage: No
Both phones offer the latest in connectivity, though the S22 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6E, which is faster than the iPhone’s Wi-Fi 6.
9. Price & Value
S22 Ultra
Launch Price: Starts at $1199 (USD)
Frequent discounts and trade-in offers
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Launch Price: Starts at $1099 (USD)
Apple’s devices retain value longer
10. Conclusion: Which Should You Buy?
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra stands out for its:
Superior display (120Hz, QHD+, brighter)
Versatile camera system with unmatched zoom
S Pen productivity
Faster charging and bigger battery
iPhone 12 Pro Max excels in:
Build quality and design
Video recording and computational photography
Long-term software support and ecosystem integration
Consistent performance and reliability
Choose the S22 Ultra if:
You value productivity features like the S Pen
You want the best possible display and camera versatility
You prefer Android and Samsung’s customization
Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max if:
You are invested in the Apple ecosystem
You prioritize video quality and software longevity
You prefer iOS’s simplicity and privacy features
Both devices are exceptional, but they cater to different user needs. The S22 Ultra is a productivity powerhouse and multimedia champion, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a reliable, well-rounded flagship with superb video capabilities and ecosystem perks.
