iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy S22
Cross-brand comparisons are where priorities show. Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S22 target the same flagship smartphone space in different ways. Across 5 compared areas, the iPhone 14 Pro Max takes 3. The widest gap shows up under display. Money matters here as well, since the iPhone 14 Pro Max started out $299 above the Galaxy S22.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Camera iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price Galaxy S22 wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera1.4
- Display5.1
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Camera1.3
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 S22 has a 2.58 oz lighter build
The iPhone 14 Pro Max lists 8.47 oz; the Galaxy S22 comes in at 5.89 oz. That’s not a rounding error. The Galaxy S22 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has 54% higher peak brightness
At 2,000 nits versus 1,300 nits, this is a decisive lead for the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 0.6-inch larger screen
Numbers like 6.7 in against 6.1 in only tell you which is larger (here, the iPhone 14 Pro Max), not which is better. Screen size is personal. If you watch a lot on your phone, the extra area pays off; if you text one-handed on the go, compact is kinder.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
If max storage is one of your priorities, this settles it: the iPhone 14 Pro Max leads clearly with 1 TB to the Galaxy S22’s 256 GB. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s bigger maximum.
-
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a dedicated 12 MP telephoto camera
On telephoto camera, the iPhone 14 Pro Max edges out the Galaxy S22, 12 MP to 10 MP. A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the iPhone 14 Pro Max a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
Design & Size
- iPhone 14 Pro Max 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S22 5.75 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
Size is a trade-off, not a score: the iPhone 14 Pro Max is larger, the Galaxy S22 more compact. The iPhone 14 Pro Max carries an extra 2.58 oz.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Armor Aluminum |
Display
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
In this area the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a lead the Galaxy S22 can’t close. The iPhone 14 Pro Max stands out with 54% higher peak brightness. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks. For anyone who cares most about display, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the safer choice.
Peak brightness
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 2,000 nits Galaxy S22: 1,300 nits 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.
Screen size
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6.7 in Galaxy S22: 6.1 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on performance; the numbers are close throughout. For performance, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
CPU cores
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6 Galaxy S22: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 14 Pro Max squeezes out a win in the memory & storage section. Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max and you get a bigger top storage option. 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. So if memory & storage tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Max storage
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 1 TB Galaxy S22: 256 GB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
iPhone 14 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 14 Pro Max does a little better in the camera section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the Galaxy S22. The iPhone 14 Pro Max scores with a dedicated 12 MP telephoto camera. Telephoto lenses earn their keep at concerts, school events and portraits: anywhere you can’t simply walk closer. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Telephoto camera
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 12 MP Galaxy S22: 10 MP A dedicated telephoto camera captures distant subjects and portraits without heavy cropping, which keeps detail intact.
Front camera
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 12 MP Galaxy S22: 10 MP A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
Both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S22 cover battery & charging equally well on paper. Neither phone gives you a reason to choose it on battery & charging.
Software & Updates
This section is descriptive. The iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S22 list different components for software & updates, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 425 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits (winner) | 1,300 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 3× |
| 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 S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 3,700 mAh Smallest battery in class |
| 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 S22 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 16 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,099 | $800 (winner) |
“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
That’s $299 between the two launch prices, a spread of 37% that makes the Galaxy S22 the value-minded choice. What does the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s extra $299 actually get you? Mainly 54% higher peak brightness and a bigger top storage option.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2022. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max if…
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,000 nits vs 1,300 nits peak brightness)
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 256 GB maximum)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (12 MP vs 10 MP telephoto)
- you notice fine detail in text and photos (460 ppi vs 425 ppi pixel density)
Choose the Galaxy S22 if…
- you want the lighter phone (5.89 oz vs 8.47 oz)
- you’d put the $299 saving toward something else
- you want the more compact phone
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S22?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you specifically want a 2.58 oz lighter build, where the Galaxy S22 has the edge.
Which is larger, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S22?
Going by the official dimensions, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the bigger of the two at 6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in. The Galaxy S22 measures 5.75 × 2.78 × 0.30 in.
Does the iPhone 14 Pro Max have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S22?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the edge for photography, offering a dedicated 12 MP telephoto camera and a sharper 12 MP selfie camera.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s display better than the Galaxy S22’s?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the edge here, offering 54% higher peak brightness and 8.2% sharper pixel density.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max cheaper than the Galaxy S22?
Going by launch prices, the Galaxy S22 costs $299 less than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Prices as of September 2022; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S22?
The Galaxy S22 is lighter, by 2.58 oz.
Executive Summary
I love a proper cross-brand matchup, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max against the Galaxy S22 is exactly that. The biggest reason I lean toward the iPhone 14 Pro Max is simple: it has 54% higher peak brightness. And the iPhone 14 Pro Max doesn’t stop there; it also offers a bigger top storage option. That said, the Galaxy S22 answers with a 2.58 oz lighter build, which some people will value more.
The way I see it, people who prioritize display will be happier with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and those who prioritize portability with the Galaxy S22.
My pick: the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the one I’d buy, unless you value a 2.58 oz lighter build above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.