iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
In the flagship smartphone class, the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are natural rivals. On balance, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the stronger package: it leads in 3 out of 5 areas, most clearly in display.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Performance iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Camera Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera1.4
- Display6.1
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera2.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has 5× optical zoom versus 3×
The spread here is large: 5× on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra versus 3× on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Expect to notice it. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a 1.13 oz lighter build
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra makes its strongest case: 7.34 oz against 8.47 oz. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra clearly leads on main camera, and 108 MP versus 48 MP is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has 33% higher peak brightness
On peak brightness, the iPhone 14 Pro Max posts 2,000 nits against 1,500 nits for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 1 TB for the iPhone 14 Pro Max versus 512 GB for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Design & Size
- iPhone 14 Pro Max 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 6.49 in × 3.04 in × 0.32 in
On overall dimensions, the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are separated by very little. There’s 1.13 oz between them, and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is on the lighter side.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.49 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 7.34 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Display
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 14 Pro Max dominates the display section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The iPhone 14 Pro Max stands out with 33% higher peak brightness. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins here with 7.8% sharper pixel density. Bottom line for display: the iPhone 14 Pro Max has the edge.
Peak brightness
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 2,000 nits Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 1,500 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Pixel density
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 460 ppi Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 496 ppi Higher pixel density keeps text and fine detail crisper, although the benefit shrinks once both panels are already sharp at normal viewing distance.
Performance
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
It’s a narrow one, but the performance round goes to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a newer 4 nm chip process. Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict. If performance is your priority, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the phone to pick.
Process node
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4 nm Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 7 nm The iPhone 14 Pro Max’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much.
CPU cores
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6 Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 8 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra keeps it close on memory & storage, yet the iPhone 14 Pro Max holds a small lead. Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max and you get a bigger top storage option. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s bigger maximum. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pulls ahead with a microSD slot. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Max storage
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 1 TB Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 512 GB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
microSD slot
iPhone 14 Pro Max: no Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: yes With the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, running out of space can be fixed with a card; with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the storage you buy is the storage you keep.
Camera
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra leads
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins the camera section decisively. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has the edge with 5× optical zoom versus 3×. Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from. The iPhone 14 Pro Max gives you a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. Anyone shopping mainly on camera should start with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Optical zoom
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 3× Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 5× Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
Main camera
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 48 MP Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 108 MP The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if battery & charging was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. For battery & charging, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Software & Updates
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the software & updates details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 496 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits (winner) | 1,500 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 865+ (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm (winner) | 7 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | Yes (winner) |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 108 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 5× (winner) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 4,500 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 29 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 16 | Android 10 (One UI 2.5) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.49 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 7.34 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,099 (winner) | $1,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price is almost a tie, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max launching $201 below the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. If value matters, the iPhone 14 Pro Max makes a strong case: it saves $201 and wins more of the comparison.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2022; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max if…
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,000 nits vs 1,500 nits peak brightness)
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (1 TB vs 512 GB top option)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (4 nm vs 7 nm process node)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (12 MP vs 10 MP front camera)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $201 more
Choose the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra if…
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (5× vs 3× optical zoom)
- you want the lighter phone (7.34 oz vs 8.47 oz)
- you like to crop into your photos (108 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you notice fine detail in text and photos (496 ppi vs 460 ppi pixel density)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
We’d point most buyers to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The main exception is if having 5× optical zoom versus 3× matters more to you than the rest.
Which is larger, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the edge in performance thanks to a newer 4 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 14 Pro Max have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering 5× optical zoom versus 3× and a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the stronger display on paper, with 33% higher peak brightness.
Which costs less, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra launched at $201 more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, based on prices as of September 2022.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. Here’s what matters most to me: the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers 33% higher peak brightness. There’s more, too: the iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a bigger top storage option. On the other side, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra brings 5× optical zoom versus 3×, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
If you’d rather have strength in display, go with the iPhone 14 Pro Max. If camera is what you’d miss, go with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
My pick: if it were my money, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, unless what you want most is 5× optical zoom versus 3×.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.