Galaxy S21 Ultra camera:

• Wide: 108-megapixel f/1.8 with OIS

Laser Autofocus

• Ultra-wide: 12-megapixel f/2.2 (120-degree FOV)

Macro mode

• Telephoto 1: 10-megapixel f/2.4 with 3x optical zoom + OIS

• Telephoto 2: 10-megapixel f/4.9 with 10x optical zoom + OIS

100x Space Zoom

• Selfie: 40-megapixel f/2.2

iPhone 12 Pro Max camera:

• Wide: 12-megapixel f/1.6 with OIS

• Ultra-wide: 12-megapixel f/2.4 (120-degree FOV)

• Telephoto: 12-megapixel f/2.2 with OIS

12x digital zoom

LiDAR Scanner

• Selfie: 12-megapixel f/2.2

When it comes to general night street photography, you can see the Galaxy S21 Ultra kicks ass. Dynamic range is good and exposure is often better than on iPhone 12 Pro Max. There's also a big difference in color temperature. The iPhone 12 Pro Max tends to be warmer. Maybe too warm to set the mood.

What makes a good night shot? A good balance between the light and the dark. A brighter image may look better, but shadows and contrast are key, too. Personally, I think the S21 Ultra image looks better.

There's no contest which phone takes better night photos at maximum zoom. The S21 Ultra can capture the moon – craters and all — and the iPhone 12 Pro Max just can't.

The next shot is a more fair zoom comparison. The Galaxy S21 Ultra's 10x optical zoom vs. the iPhone 12 Pro's 10x digital zoom. S21 Ultra still stomps on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It's not even close.

Ultra-wides are dangerously similar. Again, there's a difference in color temperature with the S21 Ultra skewing more blue and the iPhone 12 Pro more orange. The S21 Ultra shot is sharper, but the black sky also isn't as black.

One of the worst things about the iPhone 12 Pro Max's camera is lens flaring. It's especially noticeable in night photos. Compare these two shots. There's less refraction and thus green circles/flares in the center of S21 Ultra image.

Shooting through glass is a challenge for any camera, let alone a phone camera. But the S21 Ultra does a terrific job. Great exposure. Great dynamic range. Great detail. Great sharpness. Are you getting it?

Selfie round goes to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It has sharper details and better dynamic range. The Galaxy S21 Ultra completely wrecks my face with face smoothing and soft details. Sure, my face looks baby soft, but that's not reality. I can Facetune my own face thank you very much.

Night portrait mode with the selfie camera is a different story. The iPhone 12 Pro Max really struggles when there isn't enough light. Winner goes to the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

More smartphone camera reviews:

👑Galaxy S21 Ultra review: The iPhone 12 Pro Max gets put to shame

📸 Pixel 5 vs. iPhone 12: Which takes better night photos?

📱 iPhone 12 Pro Max review: Extremely overhyped camera

😮 The OnePlus 8 Pro's camera puts the Note 20 Ultra's to shame