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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a superior camera experience with higher still photo and video quality, making it an excellent choice for photography enthusiasts; however, its premium price tag reflects this high-end performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ provides respectable camera capabilities at an upper midrange price, which could be more cost-effective for those who prioritize value. Both phones have large screens and use OLED technology for vibrant picture quality, but the iPhone has a slightly larger display. Additionally, the Apple device has longer battery life, which could be beneficial for heavy users. When considering operating systems, the iPhone runs iOS, which might appeal to users already in the Apple ecosystem, while the Galaxy S23+ operates on Android, offering a different user experience and potentially more customization options. If budget is less of a concern and camera performance along with iOS ecosystem advantages are top priorities, go for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. If you're looking for a balance between cost and camera quality on the Android platform, the Galaxy S23+ is a solid option. 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+
- The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
10.0
8.3
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has best in class overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S23+ has very good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max leads with the best camera performance, especially in selfie quality, thanks to its top-rated software experience and versatility, making it ideal for users prioritizing photographic excellence. Meanwhile, while the Samsung Galaxy S23+ also offers a robust camera experience with very good ratings across the board, including selfies, it's better suited for those who seek a balance of features and perhaps prefer the Android ecosystem.
Photo Quality
10.0
8.3
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes very good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max provides an outstanding photography experience due to superb software optimization for photos, excellent dynamic range for capturing details in varied lighting, and strong low-light performance which is ideal for night photography. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ also delivers a very good photo experience with a solid selfie quality, but falls short of the iPhone's performance in software sophistication, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities, making the iPhone the top choice for photography enthusiasts who prioritize photo quality above all else.
Video Quality
10.0
7.8
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is recognized for having superior video capabilities, including top-tier software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ also delivers excellent video performance, but it falls slightly behind the iPhone 15 Pro Max in these specific areas, making the iPhone the better choice for those highly valuing video production quality.
Battery
9.8 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has 9.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,100
$1,000
$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+ costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is 6.6 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $1,000 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 390 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4441 mAh | 4700 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" | 6.21" x 3" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.80 oz | 6.91 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/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 285 | |
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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Lime, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
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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+
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Axel Metz | March 2023
"Despite not boasting the same camera credentials as its pricier sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus will remain a top-tier handset for several years thanks to its industry-leading processor and magnificent display. It may prove an attractive proposition for Galaxy newcomers in the market for a big-screen all-rounder."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23+
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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