iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra sit in the flagship smartphone class, and Apple and Samsung are clearly watching each other. Count the areas and a pattern appears. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is ahead in 3 of 5, led by a clear margin in memory & storage.
At a glance
- Display iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Performance iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Camera Galaxy Note 20 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera2.2
- 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
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The iPhone 15 Pro Max has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The numbers aren’t close. The iPhone 15 Pro Max lists 256 GB for base storage, while the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra lists 128 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.
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera
A clear win for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 108 MP against 48 MP. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. 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 15 Pro Max has 33% higher peak brightness
Here the iPhone 15 Pro Max pulls well ahead of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, with 2,000 nits compared to 1,500 nits. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
-
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a 0.46 oz lighter build
On paper, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a touch ahead here, listing 7.34 oz against 7.80 oz. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a newer 3 nm chip process
The iPhone 15 Pro Max doesn’t just edge this one; 3 nm against 7 nm is a lead you’ll feel. Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
Design & Size
- iPhone 15 Pro Max 6.30 in × 3.02 in × 0.32 in
- Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 6.49 in × 3.04 in × 0.32 in
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the larger phone of the two, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the more compact choice. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra undercuts the iPhone 15 Pro Max by 0.46 oz on weight.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.30 in | 6.49 in |
| Width | 3.02 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.80 oz | 7.34 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Stainless steel |
Display
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads
The display comparison is one-sided. The iPhone 15 Pro Max leads where it counts. In its favor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has 33% higher peak brightness. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra stands out with 7.8% sharper pixel density. For anyone who cares most about display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the safer choice.
Peak brightness
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 2,000 nits Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 1,500 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Pixel density
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 460 ppi Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 496 ppi The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra packs its pixels more tightly, which shows most in small text, fine patterns and zoomed-in photos.
Performance
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads
By a small margin, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the stronger of the two in this area. Point to the iPhone 15 Pro Max for a newer 3 nm chip process. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life. So if performance tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Process node
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 3 nm Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 7 nm The iPhone 15 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 15 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 15 Pro Max leads
On memory & storage, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Here the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. 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. On the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, you get a microSD slot. The memory & storage verdict goes to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Base storage
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 256 GB Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 128 GB The iPhone 15 Pro Max starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
Max storage
iPhone 15 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.
Camera
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra leads
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the clear pick if camera is what you care about most. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra answers with a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos. Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max and you get a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. Anyone shopping mainly on camera should start with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Main camera
iPhone 15 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.
Front camera
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 12 MP Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: 10 MP A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
The battery & charging section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. If battery & charging was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
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 15 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 15 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 865+ (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 7 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB (winner) | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | Yes (winner) |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 15 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 | 5× | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 15 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 | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 17 | Android 10 (One UI 2.5) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.30 in | 6.49 in |
| Width | 3.02 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.80 oz | 7.34 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Stainless steel |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,199 (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
Choosing the iPhone 15 Pro Max saves $101 at launch prices, which is nice but not decisive. If value matters, the iPhone 15 Pro Max makes a strong case: it saves $101 and wins more of the comparison.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2023; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if…
- you shoot a lot of photos and video (256 GB vs 128 GB base storage)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,000 nits vs 1,500 nits peak brightness)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (3 nm vs 7 nm process node)
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (1 TB vs 512 GB top option)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $101 more
Choose the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra if…
- you like to crop into your photos (108 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you want the lighter phone (7.34 oz vs 7.80 oz)
- you notice fine detail in text and photos (496 ppi vs 460 ppi pixel density)
- you want to add storage later with a microSD card
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
We’d point most buyers to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The main exception is if your top priority is a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera.
Which is larger, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
Going by the official dimensions, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the larger one: 6.49 × 3.04 × 0.32 in against the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 6.30 × 3.02 × 0.32 in.
Which is faster, the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
Going by the specs, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes out ahead: it offers a newer 3 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 15 Pro Max have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
On paper, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has the stronger camera setup, with a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s display better than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the stronger display on paper, with 33% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max cheaper than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra launched at $101 more than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, based on prices as of September 2023.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra come from rival camps, Apple and Samsung, but they’re chasing the same person: you. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB, and for most people that’s not a small thing. There’s more, too: the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers 33% higher peak brightness. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra isn’t without merit: a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera is a real advantage.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is built for people who weigh display heavily, and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for people who weigh camera.
My pick: the iPhone 15 Pro Max; the one scenario where I’d reach for the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is if what you want most is a higher-resolution 108 MP main camera.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.