In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, the competition is fierce, and two giants are leading the charge: the two most popular devices which can be compared are the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Samsung unveiled its model on February 17, 2023, and the model contains a good camera, long battery backup, and a great screen. The same year, Apple launched the new iPhone 15 Pro Max version with a periscope camera, USB type C port, and a titanium frame on September 22, 2023.
This article will discuss these devices and explain their differences in display, performance, camera, and battery life. Whether you are a fan of Apple's ecosystem or like Samsung devices' versatility, we will assist you in choosing which smartphone should occupy your pocket. Read on to understand their pros and cons!
Comparison of Features of iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ulta
Feature |
||
Announced |
September 12, 2023 |
February 01, 2023 |
Release Date |
September 22, 2023 |
February 17, 2023 |
Dimensions |
159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
Weight |
221 g (7.80 oz) |
234 g (8.25 oz) |
Build |
Glass front and back (Corning-made glass), titanium frame |
Glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
SIM |
Nano-SIM and eSIM (International), Dual eSIM (USA), Dual SIM (China) |
Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM |
Water/Dust Resistance |
IP68 (up to 6m for 30 min) |
IP68 (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
Display Type |
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
Display Size |
6.7 inches (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
6.8 inches (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
Resolution |
1290 x 2796 pixels, (~460 ppi density) |
1440 x 3088 pixels, (~500 ppi density) |
Display Protection |
Ceramic Shield glass |
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
OS |
iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 18 |
Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
Chipset |
Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) |
Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
CPU |
Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz) |
Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
GPU |
Apple GPU (6-core graphics) |
Adreno 740 |
Internal Storage |
256GB/512GB/1TB, 8GB RAM |
256GB/512GB/1TB, 8GB/12GB RAM |
Storage Type |
NVMe |
UFS 4.0 |
Main Camera |
48 MP (wide), 12 MP (periscope telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR |
200 MP (wide), 10 MP (telephoto), 10 MP (periscope telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide) |
Main Camera Features |
Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
Main Camera Video |
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps |
8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps |
Selfie Camera |
12 MP (wide), SL 3D (depth/biometrics sensor) |
12 MP (wide) |
Selfie Camera Features |
HDR, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps) |
Dual video call, Auto-HDR, HDR10+ |
Selfie Camera Video |
4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps |
4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Sound |
Stereo speakers |
Stereo speakers |
3.5mm Jack |
No |
No |
Comms |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB |
USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort |
USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
Sensors |
Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Fingerprint (under display), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Battery Type |
Li-Ion 4441 mAh, non-removable |
Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
Charging |
27W, 50% in 30 min (wired), 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wired |
45W wired, 65% in 30 min, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless |
Colors |
Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium |
Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition |
Check Out: iPhone 15 vs 15 Pro Comparison Guide: Which Suits Your Lifestyle in 2024?
1) Excellent Design
The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a design that can be preferred over the Galaxy S23 Ultra in certain aspects. Specifically, one can distinguish the iPhone 15 Pro Max due to its flat metal frame and plane sides. The phone includes the Ceramic Glass Shield, also known as Gorilla Glass, which was jointly designed with Corning to increase the protective layer without diminishing beauty. The incorporation of a titanium frame makes it strong and, at the same time, looks classy.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a more curved design on the corners. It has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and the back and an Armor Aluminum alloy frame, making it sleek and robust. Regarding the general camera design, the iPhone has a large rectangle on the back to house the lenses, while the Galaxy has a nearly invisible panel in the same place.
2) Size and Weight
Looking at the dimensions of the devices, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has dimensions of 76.7×159.9×8.3 mm and a weight of 229 grams, which makes it slimmer, thinner, shorter, and lighter than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It tips the scale at 221 grams, which is slightly lighter and more comfortable to hold primarily due to the smooth and flat screen. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is lighter at 234 grams and comes with a bigger screen that provides a much better experience when it comes to viewing.
3) Display Quality
The iPhone 15 Pro Max incorporates a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR touchscreen. It has ProMotion technology, which varies the refreshing rate from 1Hz to 120Hz for super-smooth scrolling and rapidity. Like the previous model, the iPhone 14 Pro Max sustains thin edges and has a Dynamic Island punch-hole camera notch.
Similarly, the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with a 6.8-inch display. It also has a high dynamic refresh rate of up to 120Hz and clear clarity up to QHD+. Thus, both panels look gorgeous, with no crucial differences in the display characteristics that a viewer would not identify if glancing, for instance, at the screen.
4) Brightness and Clarity
Concentrating on brightness, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is brighter, with a peak of 2,000 nits, which makes it easier to use it in a sunny environment. However, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a peak brightness of 1,750 nits, which may not be as noticeable outside as the iPhone.
5) Durability and Water Resistance
The sleek devices boast great endurance, with an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of 68 for dust and water, which would suffice for day-to-day use. In this case, using premium material in both models makes them look fashionable and robust.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra target different trends and styles but offer great displays. The iPhone depends more on phenomenal minimalist design and noticeably lighter and brighter images than the Galaxy, which provides an extensive, bezel-less curved screen for a fully theatrical experience. Finally, the decision regarding these two flagships will be determined by specific preferences concerning the design and characteristics of the display.
6) High-End Performance
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the first to be powered by the new 3nm Apple A17 Pro chipset. It enhances the general efficiency of processing and improves the graphical processing system. The transistors' density is billions, so excellent performance is guaranteed for this chipset, especially in gaming and power-hungry applications. The A17 Pro chipset is marketed to deliver console-like gameplay, rendering the device ideal for gamers.
Regarding this, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a powerful 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Here, Samsung has done an excellent job in DynamiC processing, and they have simply overclocked this chipset a notch higher. This beast is seen as offering a very silky user interface. Thus, the user can efficiently perform multiple tasks or quickly switch from one application to another. Like any other modern smartphone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, which also helps the device's multitasking capabilities.
7) Camera Comparison
There is nothing more exciting than having the best smartphone photography, and two of the best are the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It is essential to distinguish their camera features to make it easier to decide which suits you.
8) Main Camera Specifications
iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Main Camera: 48MP
- Periscope Lens: 5.0X optical zoom
- Image Quality: Source images that are closer to nature and less post-processed with a default resolution 24MP
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is centred on the quality of the pictures produced and their realistic look. Again, a 48 MP primary camera comes with another 5. 0X periscope lens to increase the zooming capability while improving the display quality.
Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Main Camera: 200MP
- Periscope Lens: 10X optical zoom with 100X digital zoom
- Camera Setup: Dual telephoto lenses alongside the primary sensor
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a magnificent primary camera of 200MP, which enables high resolution. Its 10X periscope lens coupled with its 100X digital zoom gives it the power for people interested in shooting distant objects.
9) Zooming Capabilities
The new 5. All the 0X periscope cameras on the iPhone offer clear and crisp details of objects and people as seen through the 5X magnification lens. It performs one of the best, but the zooming feature does not extend it to the extent its counterpart provides.
Zoom is one of the most prominent features, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra performs exceptionally well. The 10X periscope camera enables versatility; the digital zoom is up to 100X. That means you can shoot pictures while remaining at a safe distance. It is best suited for use in wildlife and nature.
10) Video Recording Features
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a strong contender in video recording, featuring:
- Dolby Vision HDR support
- ProRes Log recording
Such features help prepare outstanding subjects with even better dynamics, colours, and details. The iPhone excels at this, especially when zooming in, which indicates its strengths, in this case, video capturing.
Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Galaxy S23 Ultra also offers impressive video capabilities:
- HDR support
- 8K video recording
Though the Galaxy offers solid video quality, especially at 3X zoom, the iPhone takes the lead at 5X, making it the go-to choice for videographers.
Therefore, when comparing the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra, we see that they are both phone models with outstanding camera quality. It is worth pointing out that the iPhone provides natural image quality and video shooting, while the Galaxy amazes with a zoom feature and high-quality pictures. Finally, it may come to consumers' preferences regarding such things as video quality or the possibility of actively zooming in on distant objects.
11) Audio Quality
Like previous models, the iPhone 15 Pro Max does not disappoint in sound quality. At its core, it has a stereo speaker configuration with a bass-firing loudspeaker and another speaker in the microphone's position. This design allows those who love listening to music, playing games, watching movies, or using virtual reality sets to have a vibrant, interactive experience.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra also comes out on top for its hybrid stereo speaker setup. This model features an additional bottom-firing speaker and a tweeter with an amplifier, so the muffled sound is noticeable. Whether it is music playback or video viewing, the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts solid audio quality that is still very much in the same ballpark as the iPhone.
12) Battery Life
The iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra are battery-friendly devices with good battery capacity. The iPhone 15 Pro Max's standard battery lasts a day at 4,422mAh. However, heavy users might require recharging it more frequently or while engaging in a game.
However, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has an additional 5,000mAh battery capacity, so it can comfortably last even longer with a single full charge. Depending on what they are doing, the Galaxy S23 Ultra will provide users with power for a long time, and they need not worry about battery power. The battery issue is another area where the Galaxy S23 Ultra has an advantage over the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
13) Charging Speed
If we compare the charging type, the S23U scored high in this department with a 45W wired charge, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max only has 27W of wired charge. This implies that the Galaxy, in this case, can be charged faster than the iPhone.
Nonetheless, compared to charging power, both phones get charged to their maximum at more or less the same time, which may be a variant. Interestingly, it takes an average of 91 minutes for either of the two devices to be fully charged from the utterly dead state. The charging dashboard shows that within 15 minutes of charging, the iPhone 15 Pro Max gains about 37% battery while the Galaxy S23 Ultra earns only 28%. It also demonstrates that the Galaxy has a faster charging capacity, which means that although the iPhone may begin at a better speed, its charging capacity cannot compare to the Galaxy.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has fast charging at a 27W charging capacity, good enough for daily use or an arguably tough nut to crack in contrast to the Galaxy. Moreover, using the 45W fast charging, consumers can easily power up the Galaxy S23 Ultra quickly. This means your phone takes little time to charge and is always available to make that important call. Considering the charging speed, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has the upside if you are in a rush or need to charge it up faster.
14) Battery Test Performance
The battery tests show that both devices perform comparably in real-world usage. Streaming Netflix for 60 minutes results in an 8% battery drop for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and a 7% drop for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, indicating their efficiency in video playback. However, when it comes to light gaming, the iPhone consumes more power, showing a 9% reduction in battery life compared to the Galaxy's 5%.
15) Software Longevity
Apple has a reputation for excellent software backup, always offering at least five years of device support. iPhone 15 Pro Max will not be an exception in this context, as these models guarantee updates until 2028. They also let the consumer extend support by continuously receiving regular updates for the newest features, security improvements, and revisions that can be accessed without the gadget.
Samsung also clearly stands for software updates as well. The Galaxy S23 Ultra can expect four years of major operating system updates and five years of security updates. This means that users can get timely updates and services for their devices, making them relevant in the market irrespective of the prevailing technological changes.
16) Operating System Features
The iPhone 15 Pro Max operates on Apple's IOS; the brand is well known for its seamless compatibility with other Apple products. The integration here means that it is possible to have a seamless user experience across iPads, Macs and the Apple Watch. iOS operates on security and individuality, and that's why it is favoured by many people. The simplicity of the design and frequent releases and updates enable the users to get the newest options and reap consistent functionality.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra works on Android, which can be customized to the user's preference. Users can make their particular setup on the interface to their own taste, starting from the first screen's layout and ending with different third-party applications. Android allows users more freedom in this area, but it might take some time to learn how to fine-tune their experience on the device. One UI by Samsung improves the Android environment, customizing it in such a way as to allow for easier and better use of the interface.
They provide excellent support and individual characteristics in the software confrontation between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is solid in terms of durability and embedding into the Apple environment; on the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is outstanding in customization and constant updates.
17) Special Features
Unique features set these devices apart. The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces Dynamic Island and Live Activities for an interactive experience, alongside an Action button for customizable tasks. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, however, includes a built-in S Pen, enhancing functionality for note-taking and editing.
Check Out: S23 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: Key Differences and Upgrades Explained
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Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Buy?
The choice between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is more of a preference debate. Regarding this topic, one will desire a brighter screen, faster processor, and the ability of the iPhone's operating system to last for a longer time; for any person who considers him or herself a severe Apple user, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a good product. In return, the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a longer battery life, faster charging, and the adaptability of the camera system, thus making it ideal for power and Android enthusiasts. In both cases, you will have two of the best smartphones in the current market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Samsung S23 or the iPhone 15?
The Galaxy S23 has a higher refresh rate display than the iPhone 15.
Which phone can beat the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
Regarding the Displays, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Which iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Samsung S24 Ultra is better?
Hence, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has better zooming and larger camera pixels.
Which camera is best, iPhone or Samsung?
In terms of zoom and low light, Samsung may have the upper hand, while the iPhone wins in Portrait mode.