Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Currently, the two companies with the best product lines in the premium market are Apple and Samsung. Users are curious about last year’s flagships, even if Yes, we are referring to the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. With its strong Samsung chipset, pro-grade cameras, long-lasting battery life, beautiful display, and some helpful AI capabilities, Samsung’s flagship from the previous year is packed with flagship-level features
The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, is one of the few Apple devices that will soon enable Apple Intelligence capabilities. So, is it better to get the Galaxy S23 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro Max? In this article, we have compared the specifications of the two devices side by side. Now let us get started without further ado.
Camera systems
Daylight photos: Both phones capture excellent photos in good lighting, with the iPhone’s colors looking more true-to-life, and Samsung’s appearing more vibrant and saturated.
Zoom capabilities: The S23 Ultra features dedicated 3x and 10x optical zoom lenses, offering greater versatility for distant subjects. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a single 5x optical telephoto lens, which produces excellent image quality for portraits and moderate zoom.
Low-light performance: Both phones take great low-light and night mode shots. The S23 Ultra can sometimes over-process night images, smoothing out fine details, while the iPhone can sometimes struggle with exposing bright lights correctly.
Video recording: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is superior for overall video quality, with better dynamic range, colors, and stabilization. The S23 Ultra has the advantage of recording in 8K resolution.
Performance and software
Processor: The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s A17 Pro chip outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy in raw benchmark scores, with better single and multi-core performance. For everyday tasks, the performance difference is negligible.
Software experience: The choice between Apple’s iOS and Samsung’s Android-based One UI is a matter of personal preference. iOS is praised for its simplicity, consistency, and privacy features, while Android offers greater customization and flexibility. The S23 Ultra’s software experience is enhanced by the built-in S Pen, which unlocks advanced productivity features.
OS updates: Apple typically offers software updates for iPhones for more years than Samsung supports its Android devices.
Display and design
Display quality: Both devices feature high-quality 120Hz OLED displays. The S23 Ultra’s screen is slightly larger and has a higher resolution and pixel density, though the difference is difficult to notice. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has higher peak brightness.
Design and ergonomics: The iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its titanium frame and slightly more rounded edges, is lighter and more comfortable to hold. The S23 Ultra is heavier and has a boxier design to accommodate the S Pen.
Security: The iPhone uses Face ID for biometric authentication, while the S23 Ultra has an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.
Battery and charging
Battery life: The S23 Ultra’s larger 5,000 mAh battery can last longer during certain tasks like voice calls. However, tests show both phones offer excellent, comparable battery life for a full day of heavy usage, despite the iPhone having a smaller battery.
Charging speeds: The S23 Ultra charges significantly faster than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, supporting 45W wired charging versus the iPhone’s maximum of 27W.
Wireless charging: Both phones support wireless charging. The S23 Ultra adds reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other Qi-compatible devices.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if: You are already in the Apple ecosystem, want the most powerful raw performance, prioritize seamless video recording, and prefer a lighter design and more natural-looking photos.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if: You prefer the Android operating system, want the most versatile camera with long-range optical zoom, require a built-in stylus, and value faster charging speeds and customizable features.