Phone Comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
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Verdict
Pros & cons
Galaxy S23 Ultra
A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life.
+
What's good
+
Impressive 200MP camera
+
Long-lasting battery
+
Built-in S Pen
+
Fast performance
+
Durable design
−
What's not
−
High price point
−
Bulky design
−
Charging not included
−
Slight shutter lag
−
Color saturation issues
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.
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
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 iPhone 13 Pro Max means giving up most on: Weight
Galaxy S23 Ultra
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
$1,099
OS
Android
iOS
Processor
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Octa-core
Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Hexa-core
Camera zoom
—
6×
Battery life
—
—
Wired charging
45W
—
Wireless charging
10W
—
Display
Color
Color
Software support
—
—
Repairability
—
—
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
240g (8.5 oz)
Fingerprint
Yes
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Spec data
How they compare
Choosing the cheaper iPhone 13 Pro Max means giving up most on: Weight
Galaxy S23 Ultra
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Price (MSRP)
$1,199
Price (MSRP)
$1,099
OS
Android
OS
iOS
Processor
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Octa-core
Processor
Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Hexa-core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
6×
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
45W
Wired charging
—
Wireless charging
10W
Wireless charging
—
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
234g (8.3 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 S23 Ultra
iPhone 13 Pro Max
DxOMark v5
140
photo 139 · video 137
141
photo 140 · video 146
AnTuTu v10
—
—
GSMArena endurance
—
—
iFixit repairability
—
—
Third-party data
Testing & benchmarks
Galaxy S23 Ultra
iPhone 13 Pro Max
DxOMark v5
140
photo 139 · video 137
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 S23 Ultra
6.4" × 3.1"
iPhone 13 Pro Max
6.3" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
Galaxy S23 Ultra
0.4"
iPhone 13 Pro Max
0.3"
Galaxy S23 Ultra
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
6.3" (160.8 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.4" (8.9 mm)
0.3" (7.7 mm)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
240g (8.5 oz)
Screen
6.8"
6.7"
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Height
6.3" (160.8 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.4" (8.9 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.7 mm)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
Weight
240g (8.5 oz)
Screen
6.8"
Screen
6.7"
Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.
Common questions
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 13 Pro Max: FAQ
Which is better, the Galaxy S23 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
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 Galaxy S23 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 13 Pro Max at 140 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra at 139 for still photography. A 1-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 Galaxy S23 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro Max?
The iPhone 13 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 Galaxy S23 Ultra or the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
Our critics' take on the Galaxy S23 Ultra: "A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life." On the 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." 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 →