iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy S23 Ultra
The iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra sit in the same flagship smartphone class, but Apple and Samsung don’t always agree on what matters most. Taken area by area, the Galaxy S23 Ultra wins 2 of 5. That doesn’t make the iPhone 14 Pro Max a bad choice, but it does set the baseline.
At a glance
- Display Trade-off
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Galaxy S23 Ultra wins
- Camera Galaxy S23 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 14 Pro Max wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera1.4
- Display6.3
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera6.1
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
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The Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10× optical zoom versus 3×
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 10× for the Galaxy S23 Ultra versus 3× for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The Galaxy S23 Ultra reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
-
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The iPhone 14 Pro Max lists 128 GB; the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes in at 256 GB. That’s not a rounding error. Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
-
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
At 200 MP versus 48 MP, this is a decisive lead for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
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The Galaxy S23 Ultra has an extra rear camera
If rear cameras is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Galaxy S23 Ultra leads clearly with 4 to the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s 3. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s extra lens adds.
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The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 0.04 in slimmer body
The numbers aren’t close. The iPhone 14 Pro Max lists 0.31 in for thickness, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra lists 0.35 in. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
Design & Size
- iPhone 14 Pro Max 6.33 in × 3.06 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S23 Ultra 6.43 in × 3.07 in × 0.35 in
Neither is the “big one” here; the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra are matched on size. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is neither lighter nor heavier than the Galaxy S23 Ultra in any way that counts. Pick the iPhone 14 Pro Max and you get a profile 0.04 in thinner.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.43 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.07 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 8.25 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Trade-off
Neither has the whole package on display. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has 14% higher peak brightness, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra has 8.7% sharper pixel density. So on display, match the strength to your needs and you’ll choose well.
Peak brightness
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 2,000 nits Galaxy S23 Ultra: 1,750 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Pixel density
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 460 ppi Galaxy S23 Ultra: 500 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
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on performance; the numbers are close throughout. Net result on performance: level.
CPU cores
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6 Galaxy S23 Ultra: 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
Galaxy S23 Ultra leads
The memory & storage numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Galaxy S23 Ultra gives you 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The Galaxy S23 Ultra starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos. Anyone shopping mainly on memory & storage should start with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Base storage
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 128 GB Galaxy S23 Ultra: 256 GB If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years.
Camera
Galaxy S23 Ultra leads
The Galaxy S23 Ultra dominates the camera section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Galaxy S23 Ultra pulls ahead with 10× optical zoom versus 3×. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping. The iPhone 14 Pro Max steps ahead thanks to a dedicated 12 MP telephoto camera. For camera, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the one to beat.
Optical zoom
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 3× Galaxy S23 Ultra: 10× Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from.
Main camera
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 48 MP Galaxy S23 Ultra: 200 MP More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
The battery & charging specs are close enough that neither gets the point. 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 S23 Ultra list different components for software & updates, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 500 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits (winner) | 1,750 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| 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 S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 10× (winner) Longest zoom in class |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 29 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 16 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.33 in | 6.43 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.07 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 8.47 oz | 8.25 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Stainless steel | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,099 (winner) | $1,200 |
“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
A price gap of $101 at launch won’t make or break this decision. Is the Galaxy S23 Ultra worth $101 extra? What you get for the money is 10× optical zoom versus 3× and 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked February 2023. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 14 Pro Max if…
- you want the slimmer phone (0.31 in vs 0.35 in)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (12 MP vs 10 MP telephoto)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,000 nits vs 1,750 nits)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($101 less)
Choose the Galaxy S23 Ultra if…
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (10× vs 3× optical zoom)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you like to crop into your photos (200 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you like switching between focal lengths (4 vs 3 cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
For most people, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the stronger choice, unless you care more about a 0.04 in slimmer body than anything else.
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max bigger than the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra is too small to matter.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering 10× optical zoom versus 3× and a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera.
Which costs less, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the cheaper option, launching at $101 less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra (launch prices as of February 2023).
Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max lighter than the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Neither by much. The iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra weigh almost the same.
Which has more storage, the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with more room: 256 GB versus 128 GB.
Executive Summary
Two companies, two answers to the same question. That’s how I see the iPhone 14 Pro Max from Apple and the Galaxy S23 Ultra from Samsung. I’d put 10× optical zoom versus 3× at the top of the list, and it belongs to the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Add 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB to the list, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra looks even better. I don’t want to sell the iPhone 14 Pro Max short, though: it has a 0.04 in slimmer body.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is for you if a slim build tops your list; the Galaxy S23 Ultra is for you if memory & storage does.
My pick: the Galaxy S23 Ultra, unless what you want most is a 0.04 in slimmer body, in which case the iPhone 14 Pro Max earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.