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Samsung Galaxy Note8 vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Note8
8.9 / 10
Compass Score
From 86 critic reviews
Full review →
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 41 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

Galaxy Note8

+
Good
+ Bright, vivid screen
+ Blazing performance
+ Plenty of storage
+ S-Pen support
+ IP68 water and dustproofing
+ Great camera
−
Not
− So-so battery life
− Price
− Too big for one-handed use
− Awkward fingerprint scanner placement
− Bixby still inaccurate

iPhone 13 Pro Max

The decision between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max essentially comes down to screen size and battery life. If you want the best of both — and don’t mind the price tag — the Pro Max is the ultimate 2021 iPhone model.

Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper Galaxy Note8 means giving up most on: Camera zoom

Galaxy Note8
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Price (MSRP)
$929
Price (MSRP)
$1,099
OS
Android
OS
iOS
Processor
Qualcomm MSM8998 napdragon 835 Octa core
Processor
Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Hexa-core
Camera zoom
2×
Camera zoom
6×
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
195g (6.9 oz)
Weight
240g (8.5 oz)
Fingerprint
Yes
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

Galaxy Note8
iPhone 13 Pro Max
DxOMark v5
—
DxOMark v5
141
photo 140 · video 146
AnTuTu v10
—
AnTuTu v10
—
GSMArena endurance
—
GSMArena endurance
—
iFixit repairability
—
iFixit repairability
—
Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
Galaxy Note8
6.4" × 3"
iPhone 13 Pro Max
6.3" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
Galaxy Note8
0.4"
iPhone 13 Pro Max
0.3"
Height
6.4" (162 mm)
Height
6.3" (160.8 mm)
Width
3" (75 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.4" (9 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.7 mm)
Weight
195g (6.9 oz)
Weight
240g (8.5 oz)
Screen
6.3"
Screen
6.7"

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

Common questions

Galaxy Note8 vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: FAQ

Which is better, the Galaxy Note8 or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 13 Pro Max earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.9 for the Galaxy Note8. That 0.1-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which phone has better zoom, the Galaxy Note8 or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers 6 optical zoom, while the Galaxy Note8 tops out at 2. Optical zoom preserves full detail at distance; digital zoom crops and upscales, which softens fine textures. If you regularly shoot sports, wildlife, or concerts, the iPhone 13 Pro Max gives you noticeably sharper reach.
Which phone is more affordable, the Galaxy Note8 or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The Galaxy Note8 launches at $929, which is $170 less than the iPhone 13 Pro Max at $1,099. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.

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