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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 16, 2024·
If you prioritize a top-tier camera and the largest possible screen, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is outstanding, but it comes at a premium price. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE offers solid camera capabilities with a slightly smaller screen at a midrange cost. The iPhone boasts a more sophisticated camera system and higher overall build quality, whereas the Galaxy has a higher battery capacity, which could result in longer battery life. The iPhone runs iOS and the Galaxy uses Android, so consider which operating system you prefer. Both phones support the latest wireless and charging standards, but if price is a significant consideration, the Galaxy S23 FE will likely meet your needs without stretching your budget. 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 15 Pro Max
- Best in class for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
10.0
7.7
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has best in class overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers superior photo and video capabilities, especially for portraits and selfies, due to its top-of-the-line dynamic range, low light performance, and selfie quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE still provides very good camera performance, including selfie quality, but doesn't match the iPhone's highest level of camera versatility or software enhancements.
Photo Quality
10.0
7.7
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers superior selfie quality due to its higher selfie camera score and also benefits from better overall photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes very good photos but ranks lower in these key areas, including selfie performance, despite offering high-quality images and versatility in its camera performance.
Video Quality
10.0
7.2
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max captures the best videos due to its superior video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality, which contribute to clearer, steadier, and richer videos even in challenging conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good videos with commendable performance, but lacks the top-tier video stabilization and dynamic range found in the iPhone, making it less optimal for professional-grade video capture.
Battery
9.8 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has 9.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$1,100
$600
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a price of $1,100 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | October 26, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 10/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 10/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.8 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4441 mAh | 4500 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 | 6.3" x 3.02" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.80 oz | 7.37 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 | 6e | 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, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a powerful flagship phone that delivers upgrade-worthy features, including a lighter and more compact titanium design, a bigger 5x zoom and a useful Action button. The A17 Pro chip is the fastest around and enables console-quality gameplay, while the battery lasts an epic 14 hours."
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Iyaz Akhtar | October 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is easily one of the best midrange Android phones on the market. The S23 FE has some appealing features you won't find on the Pixel 8 like a dedicated telephoto camera, a bigger screen, and the ability to use it like a computer via Samsung's Dex mode. So if productivity is more important to you than camera tricks, you won't find a better phone than the Galaxy S23 FE."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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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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
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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.
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