Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy M54 5G
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max commands a 2.75x premium over Samsung's Galaxy M54 5G, and the pricing difference reflects genuinely different priorities.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max commands a 2.75x premium over Samsung's Galaxy M54 5G, and the pricing difference reflects genuinely different priorities. The iPhone 13 Pro Max delivers superior display technology with its 120Hz Super Retina XDR OLED panel featuring 1000 nits peak brightness, paired with the exceptionally powerful A15 Bionic chipset that outpaces the Exynos 1380 significantly in gaming and app performance. Its camera system, while lower in megapixel count at 12MP main sensor, produces superior image quality and features optical image stabilization, Dolby Vision ProRes recording at 4K60fps, and a 3x telephoto lens. The stainless steel build with IP68 rating feels premium and offers better durability. However, Samsung's Galaxy M54 5G makes compelling compromises for budget-conscious users. Its 6000mAh battery substantially outlasts the iPhone's 4352mAh capacity, the 108MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture captures impressive detail in daylight, and it costs $700 less. The plastic construction and lack of wireless charging are notable omissions, and the Exynos processor struggles with demanding tasks. For professionals, content creators, or those prioritizing performance, the iPhone 13 Pro Max justifies its cost. For everyday users seeking excellent battery life and value, the Galaxy M54 5G delivers remarkable capability at half the price.
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 M54 5G if…
- →Massive 6000 mAh battery provides exceptional multi-day endurance
- →120Hz Super AMOLED Plus display is vibrant and smooth
- →108 MP main camera captures detailed daylight photos
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 M54 5G
Pros
- Massive 6000 mAh battery provides exceptional multi-day endurance
- 120Hz Super AMOLED Plus display is vibrant and smooth
- 108 MP main camera captures detailed daylight photos
- 5G connectivity for future-proof network access
- MicroSD expansion for additional storage
Cons
- Only 25W charging is slow for the 6000 mAh battery
- Exynos 1380 is a mid-range chip — struggles with heavy gaming
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- Plastic build feels cheap for the price
- 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro are filler cameras
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy M54 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 238 g | 199 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65 mm | 166.4 x 77.3 x 8.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 108 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision ProRes | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4352 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy M54 5G.

