How does a high-mass star differ from a low-mass star as both enter the final stages of their life cycle?

High-mass stars end their life cycle in dramatic supernova explosions, leading to the formation of neutron stars or black holes, while low-mass stars, like our Sun, undergo a gentler death, shedding their outer layers to create planetary nebulae and leaving behind a white dwarf. The core collapse in high-mass stars occurs due to gravitational forces overwhelming the pressure from nuclear fusion, whereas low-mass stars gradually decrease fusion rates as they exhaust their nuclear fuel. Consequently, the final stages of their evolution are characterized by vastly different processes and end products.