Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max dominates with its premium Super Retina XDR OLED display featuring 120Hz LTPO technology, superior 1000 nits brightness, and exceptional color accuracy. Its A15 Bionic processor delivers unmatched performance with a 5-core GPU, while the professional-grade camera system captures stunning 4K Dolby Vision ProRes video with optical zoom. Samsung's Galaxy A16 5G counters with excellent value and practical features: a larger 5000 mAh battery, USB-C charging, and a respectable 50MP main camera. However, its MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 90Hz AMOLED display, and 1080p video recording fall short of premium expectations. The iPhone excels in processing power, display quality, video capabilities, and ecosystem integration. Galaxy A16 wins on battery capacity, repairability, and affordability. For users prioritizing performance and camera excellence, iPhone 13 Pro Max is the clear choice; budget-conscious users seeking reliable daily performance should consider the Galaxy A16.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max if…
- →ProMotion 120Hz display arrived for first time on iPhone Pro
- →Best-in-class battery life among 2021 iPhones
- →ProRes video recording up to 4K
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G if…
- →Six generations of OS updates — unprecedented for a $199 phone
- →5G connectivity at true budget pricing
- →Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Pros
- ProMotion 120Hz display arrived for first time on iPhone Pro
- Best-in-class battery life among 2021 iPhones
- ProRes video recording up to 4K
- Macro photography with ultrawide camera
- Cinematic mode for shallow depth-of-field video
Cons
- Very heavy at 238 g
- Notch still present despite slimmed-down design
- Lightning connector limiting transfer speeds
- Large size is unwieldy for smaller hands
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Pros
- Six generations of OS updates — unprecedented for a $199 phone
- 5G connectivity at true budget pricing
- Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display
- All-day 5000 mAh battery easily lasts through heavy use
- NFC for contactless payments included
Cons
- Only 4 GB RAM feels tight for multitasking
- Camera quality falls off sharply in low light
- 90Hz display is a step below 120Hz competitors
- IP54 is splash-resistant only — not waterproof
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy A16 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 238 g | 192 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Plastic |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision ProRes | 1080p@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | 2 MP, f/2.4, macro |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4352 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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