The ultimate showdown: iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

It’s Apple vs Samsung in a head-to-head match between the two most advanced flagship smartphones in the market. 💪 In one corner, we have the iPhone 13 Pro Max armed with a 120Hz refresh rate, a more durable battery, and the new A15 Bionic chip, of course.

In the other corner is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 — the third in its generation — turning heads with its unusual flip phone design, great performance and multitasking capabilities. It’s going to be a close match, so we HAD to dig out the juicy details!

IPHONE 13 PRO MAX: GOING PRO FOR PERFORMANCE

The powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 puts the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 in the same ballpark as the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s A15 Bionic. In short, you won’t notice much difference when it comes to speed. Both phones can run any game or app in the market without any problems. 👌

But having multiple screens seems to put the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 at a disadvantage. Even with a larger 4,400mAh battery, you’ll likely notice that your Galaxy Z Fold3 will give out by the end of the day. That’s not the case with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which will easily power through the next day despite its humble 4,352mAh battery. And although it’s nothing a power bank can’t fix, when it comes to performance, we’ll have to go with Apple.

SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD3: DOUBLING DOWN ON A UNIQUE DESIGN

If you’ve owned an iPhone before, you can probably guess what to expect. Even with 4 attractive colors – Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue – the iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn’t seem all that different from its predecessor. But it does have a Ceramic Shield back and a stainless-steel frame going for it, and the IP68 certification also means that it’s dust resistant and water-resistant up to 6 meters deep.

But even if it’s not Samsung’s first attempt at a flip phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3’s improved build has made it a fan favorite for people who appreciate the novelty of a foldable phone. Coming in 3 sophisticated colors — Phantom Black, Phantom Green, Phantom Silver — the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 isn’t shabby when it comes to its durability, with an IPX8 certification, a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus front cover, and an aluminum frame. Oh, and you don’t have to worry about any creases — Samsung guarantees it’ll last up to 200,000 folds. 😱

Samsung has taken a huge risk putting out a foldable phone, but that risk seems to have paid off with some sources saying that the Galaxy Z Fold3 has sold 5x more units than the Galaxy Z Fold2. For making flip phones fun again, Samsung wins this round. Hands down.

IPHONE 13 PRO MAX: STILL THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S FAVORITE

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 isn’t a step-up when compared to the previous generation. Even with 5 cameras, the only real upgrade for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is the OIS on the 12MP Telephoto lens, which helps with image stabilization. It also struggles in low-light conditions. However, the new Night Mode can help by stitching together extra detail from the phone’s other sensor, perfect if you’re strolling around Singapore after dark.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max, on the other hand, is the clear winner when it comes to photography specs. Its triple-lens rear camera setup boasts a 12 MP f/1.5 wide, f/1.8 ultra wide and a f/2.8 telephoto — a huge upgrade from the already impressive iPhone 12 Pro Max.

And we haven’t even mentioned all the new features. Well, look at its True Tone flash fit with an algorithm that discharges the flash based on your lighting conditions, making sure that your pink and red skin tones remain crisp and detailed.

The best part is the storage space. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 only comes with either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max has 4 options ranging from 128GB, 256G, 512GB, and 1TB. If you don’t mind the price, the 1TB option should get you enough storage to last you the next couple of iPhones. But it’s no contest, the iPhone 13 Pro Max clearly wins in this category.

SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD3: MADE TO MULTITASK

Before we pick our winner, we should mention what the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 really excels at. With multiple screens, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Samsung is leaning so much into Galaxy Z Fold3’s multitasking capabilities. Running multiple apps at once is super useful for anyone wanting to take notes while watching a video. And with S pen compatibility, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 will likely find a place in the hands of anyone using their phone for some serious work.

THE FINAL VERDICT? 🤔

If you don’t mind the learning curve, the Galaxy Z Fold3 is not only a workhorse but also promises loads of fun with its flip phone concept. The safer choice would be the iPhone 13 Pro Max with its winning formula.

Both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 are unquestionably the best performing in the Singapore market right now regardless of their price. But ultimately, the right phone for you depends on your needs.

At the end of the day, either is perfect if you just want a simple upgrade.