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Updated January 10, 2024·
For top-notch photography and video, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers slightly better overall camera quality, and it comes with a whopping 200-megapixel main camera compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 48 megapixels, giving you crisper photos and the ability to crop without losing detail. If you're drawn to large screens with a little extra real estate, the S23 Ultra's 6.8-inch screen edges out the iPhone's 6.7 inches. However, iPhone enthusiasts might appreciate the 14 Pro Max for its coherent ecosystem with other Apple devices, its familiar iOS, and an exceptional build quality that's consistent with Apple's reputation. On the flip side, Android users would be more accustomed to the Galaxy's operating system. Additionally, if you prefer longer battery life, the S23 Ultra slightly surpasses the iPhone. Lastly, if you're considering expandable storage, stylus support, or prefer using a USB-C port, the S23 Ultra accommodates those features, whereas the iPhone does not. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Video Quality
9.5
8.0
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max leads in video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, contributing to its top-notch video quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra provides a very good video experience with a strong emphasis on high resolution and frame rates alongside impressive mic quality for audio capture.
Cost
$1,000
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has a price of $1,000 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
9.2
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max both have excellent overall cameras quality.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max leads in selfie quality, making it an outstanding choice for selfie enthusiasts, and it offers an exceptional photos software experience alongside strong performance in both photos and video categories. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels with its camera versatility, featuring a very capable telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom for distant shots, and a generally very good camera performance across the board.
Photo Quality
9.1
9.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to have best in class photos, while the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max takes excellent photos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is renowned for its outstanding front-facing (selfie) camera, which, along with its high camera versatility, contributes to its ability to take the best photos. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, while offering excellent photo capabilities, particularly shines in camera versatility with a very capable telephoto lens that includes 10x optical zoom, giving it an edge in zoomed photography.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has 10 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $1,200 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 16, 2022 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A16 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 9.5/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4323 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.33" x 3.06" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.47 oz | 8.25 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 270 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, Space Black | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Britta O'Boyle | March 2023
"The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is not just big in form, it's big in character. There's a refreshed design that's really striking, especially in this larger format, coupled with performance enhancements, battery improvements, camera improvements, the Always-On Display and the Dynamic Island feature. It will be too big for some, but if you're looking for the best iPhone Apple has made to date in the biggest possible format, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is definitely the one - it is excellent."
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
153,000
Recommendations made
86,700
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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