Samsung Galaxy M55 vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max: An In-Depth Comparison
The smartphone market is saturated with choices, but few comparisons are as intriguing as those between Samsung and Apple devices. The Samsung Galaxy M55—a mid-range contender launched in 2024—stands as a testament to Samsung’s commitment to offering feature-rich smartphones at accessible prices. Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple’s flagship from 2021, continues to be a benchmark for performance and build quality even years after its release.
This article delves into a comprehensive comparison between these two devices, examining design, display, performance, software, camera capabilities, battery life, and value for money. Whether you’re considering an upgrade or simply curious about how these two phones stack up, this analysis will provide the insights you need.
1. Design and Build Quality
Samsung Galaxy M55
The Galaxy M55 adopts a modern and minimalist design. It features a plastic back and frame, which helps keep the device lightweight but may not feel as premium as glass or metal. The front is dominated by a large display with slim bezels and a small punch-hole camera at the top center. The back houses a triple-camera setup arranged vertically.
Key Points:
Materials: Plastic back and frame, Gorilla Glass front
Dimensions: 163.9 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm
Weight: 180g
Colors: Black, Light Green, Blue
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple’s design philosophy emphasizes premium materials and durability. The iPhone 13 Pro Max features a stainless steel frame, a textured matte glass back, and Ceramic Shield front protection. Its squared-off edges and substantial weight give it a solid, luxurious feel.
Key Points:
Materials: Stainless steel frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back
Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm
Weight: 238g
Colors: Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue, Alpine Green
Comparison
While the Galaxy M55 is lighter and easier to handle for extended periods, the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s premium materials and robust construction set it apart. The iPhone is heavier but exudes a sense of luxury and durability that the M55’s plastic build cannot match.
2. Display
Samsung Galaxy M55
Samsung is renowned for its display technology, and the M55 is no exception. It features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations.
Display Specs:
Type: Super AMOLED+
Size: 6.7 inches
Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels (~393 ppi)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Brightness: Up to 1000 nits (peak)
iPhone 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 13 Pro Max sports a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. It supports ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and offers exceptional brightness and color accuracy.
Display Specs:
Type: Super Retina XDR OLED
Size: 6.7 inches
Resolution: 2778 x 1284 pixels (~458 ppi)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz (ProMotion)
Brightness: Up to 1200 nits (peak, HDR)
Comparison
Both phones offer large, vibrant, and smooth displays with 120Hz refresh rates. The iPhone 13 Pro Max edges ahead with higher resolution and brightness, resulting in sharper images and better visibility in bright conditions. However, the M55’s AMOLED+ panel is still excellent and more than sufficient for most users.
3. Performance
Samsung Galaxy M55
The Galaxy M55 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, a capable mid-range processor. It is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming performance for its price segment.
Performance Specs:
Chipset: Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU: Adreno 644
RAM: 8GB/12GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB (expandable via microSD)
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple’s A15 Bionic chip remains one of the fastest smartphone processors, even years after its debut. It delivers flagship-level performance, excelling in gaming, productivity, and creative tasks.
Performance Specs:
Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
CPU: Hexa-core (2×3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4×1.82 GHz Blizzard)
GPU: 5-core Apple GPU
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (no microSD support)
Benchmark Comparison
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core):
Galaxy M55: ~2900
iPhone 13 Pro Max: ~4700
AnTuTu:
Galaxy M55: ~600,000
iPhone 13 Pro Max: ~850,000
Comparison
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a clear winner in raw performance, thanks to its A15 Bionic chip. It handles demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking with ease. The M55, while competent for everyday use and moderate gaming, cannot match the processing power of Apple’s flagship.
4. Software Experience
Samsung Galaxy M55
The M55 ships with Android 14 and Samsung’s One UI 6.1. One UI is known for its customization options, feature-rich interface, and regular updates. Samsung also promises up to four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches.
Key Features:
Highly customizable interface
Samsung Knox security
Samsung ecosystem integration (DeX, SmartThings)
Expandable storage
iPhone 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 13 Pro Max runs iOS 17 (as of 2024), offering a smooth, secure, and highly optimized experience. iOS is known for its simplicity, seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem, and long-term software support—often more than five years.
Key Features:
Intuitive and consistent UI
Tight integration with Apple devices (Mac, iPad, Apple Watch)
Regular and timely updates
App Store quality and security
Comparison
Android and iOS both have their strengths. The M55’s Android offers greater flexibility and customization, while iOS provides unmatched stability, security, and longevity. For users invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a natural fit. Those who prefer customization and Android’s openness will appreciate the M55.
5. Camera Systems
Samsung Galaxy M55
The M55 features a versatile triple-camera setup:
Main: 50MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS
Ultra-wide: 8MP, f/2.2, 123˚
Macro: 2MP, f/2.4
Front: 50MP, f/2.4
It offers solid performance in daylight, with good color reproduction and dynamic range. Low-light performance is decent, thanks to OIS and night mode, but it cannot compete with flagship sensors.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple’s camera system is widely praised for its consistency and computational photography prowess:
Main: 12MP, f/1.5, 1.9µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
Telephoto: 12MP, f/2.8, 3x optical zoom, OIS
Ultra-wide: 12MP, f/1.8, 120˚, PDAF
LiDAR scanner
Front: 12MP, f/2.2
The iPhone excels in all lighting conditions, especially low light. Its video capabilities are industry-leading, with support for ProRes, Dolby Vision HDR, and Cinematic Mode.
Camera Samples & Performance
Daylight: Both phones perform well, but the iPhone’s color science and detail retention are superior.
Low Light: The iPhone captures brighter, cleaner images with less noise.
Ultra-wide: The iPhone’s ultra-wide lens is sharper and more color-accurate.
Macro: The M55’s dedicated macro lens is fun, but the iPhone’s macro mode (via ultra-wide) is more detailed.
Selfies: The M55’s 50MP front camera offers high resolution, but the iPhone’s processing delivers more natural skin tones.
Video: The iPhone is unmatched, with 4K60, Dolby Vision, and excellent stabilization.
Comparison
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the clear winner for photography and videography enthusiasts, offering more consistent results across all scenarios. The M55 is capable for its price, but cannot match the iPhone’s versatility and quality.
6. Battery Life and Charging
Samsung Galaxy M55
Battery: 5000mAh
Charging: 45W wired (no wireless charging)
Battery Life: Easily lasts a full day of heavy use, thanks to efficient hardware and a large cell.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Battery: 4352mAh
Charging: 27W wired, 15W MagSafe wireless, 7.5W Qi wireless
Battery Life: Among the best in iPhones, typically lasting 1.5 days with mixed usage.
Comparison
The M55’s larger battery gives it a slight edge in raw capacity, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s optimization means both phones offer excellent endurance. The iPhone’s support for wireless and MagSafe charging adds convenience, while the M55’s faster wired charging is a plus for those who prefer cables.
7. Connectivity and Additional Features
Samsung Galaxy M55
5G support
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.2
Expandable storage (microSD)
No official IP rating
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Dual SIM
iPhone 13 Pro Max
5G support
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
No expandable storage
IP68 water and dust resistance
Face ID (3D facial recognition)
Dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM)
Comparison
The iPhone offers better water resistance and more secure biometric authentication with Face ID. The M55’s microSD slot is a boon for users who need expandable storage. Both offer modern connectivity standards.
8. Price and Value for Money
Samsung Galaxy M55
Launch Price: ~$400 (varies by region)
Target Market: Mid-range consumers
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Launch Price: $1,099 (now available at lower prices, ~$700-900, depending on storage and condition)
Target Market: Premium flagship users
Comparison
The M55 offers impressive value for money, delivering a large display, good cameras, and solid performance at a fraction of the iPhone’s price. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, while more expensive, justifies its cost with premium build, superior performance, and longer software support.
9. User Experience and Ecosystem
Samsung Galaxy M55
Samsung’s ecosystem includes Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, SmartThings, and DeX desktop mode. While not as tightly integrated as Apple’s, it offers flexibility and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple’s ecosystem is unmatched for those who use multiple Apple devices. Features like AirDrop, Handoff, iMessage, Continuity, and seamless integration with Macs, iPads, and Apple Watches enhance the overall experience.
10. Pros and Cons
Samsung Galaxy M55
Pros:
Affordable price
Large, bright 120Hz AMOLED display
Good battery life with fast charging
Expandable storage
Clean, customizable One UI
Cons:
Plastic build feels less premium
Camera performance lags behind flagships
No wireless charging or official IP rating
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Pros:
Premium build quality
Outstanding performance
Best-in-class cameras and video
Long-term software support
Excellent display and battery life
Strong ecosystem
Cons:
Expensive, even after price drops
No expandable storage
Heavier and bulkier
Slower wired charging compared to some Android phones
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M55?
Users seeking a capable, affordable Android phone with a large display and good battery life.
Those who value expandable storage and fast charging.
Users who prefer Android’s flexibility and Samsung’s One UI.
Who should buy the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Users who want the best performance, camera quality, and build.
Those invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Buyers who prioritize long-term software support and resale value.
The Samsung Galaxy M55 and iPhone 13 Pro Max cater to different audiences. The M55 is a fantastic value-for-money option in the mid-range segment, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a top-tier flagship, even years after its release. Your choice should depend on your budget, platform preference, and the features you value most.
