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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 51 critic reviews
Full review →
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 107 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Feels like last year’s model with a premium, but excels in display brightness and battery life.

+
Good
+ Stunning display
+ Dynamic Island feature
+ Powerful A16 chip
+ Long battery life
+ Excellent camera quality
−
Not
− High price
− Hefty and bulky
− No major design change
− eSIM only in US
− Lacks Wi-Fi 6E

Galaxy S23 Ultra

A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life.

+
Good
+ Impressive 200MP camera
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Built-in S Pen
+ Fast performance
+ Durable design
−
Not
− High price point
− Bulky design
− Charging not included
− Slight shutter lag
− Color saturation issues
Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper iPhone 14 Pro Max means giving up most on: Weight

iPhone 14 Pro Max
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
$1,099
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Hexa-core
Processor
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Octa-core
Camera zoom
6×
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
45W
Wireless charging
15W
Wireless charging
10W
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
240g (8.5 oz)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

iPhone 14 Pro Max
Galaxy S23 Ultra
DxOMark v5
146
photo 143 · video 149
DxOMark v5
140
photo 139 · video 137
AnTuTu v10
—
AnTuTu v10
—
GSMArena endurance
—
GSMArena endurance
—
iFixit repairability
—
iFixit repairability
—
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPhone 14 Pro Max
6.3" × 3.1"
Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 14 Pro Max
0.3"
Galaxy S23 Ultra
0.4"
Height
6.3" (160.7 mm)
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Width
3.1" (77.6 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.9 mm)
Depth
0.4" (8.9 mm)
Weight
240g (8.5 oz)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
Screen
6.7"
Screen
6.8"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Common questions

iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: FAQ

Which is better, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Both phones earn identical Compass Scores of 9.0, meaning critics rate them equally overall. The right choice depends entirely on which trade-offs matter more to you. Scroll through the spec-by-spec breakdown above to see where each phone pulls ahead.
Which takes better photos, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or Galaxy S23 Ultra?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 14 Pro Max at 143 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra at 139 for still photography. A 4-point gap on DxOMark's scale typically translates to visible differences in dynamic range, noise control, or colour accuracy. Real-world results also depend on computational processing and your shooting habits, so consider browsing sample shots for scenes you care about most.
Which phone is more affordable, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max launches at $1,099, which is $100 less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra at $1,199. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Should I buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 14 Pro Max: "Feels like last year’s model with a premium, but excels in display brightness and battery life." On the Galaxy S23 Ultra: "A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated October 2026. Suggest a correction →