A match between Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max is expected to be one of the most important smartphone duels early next year. The decade-and-a-half rivalry between Apple and Samsung is renewed with each new generation of phones, and it looks no less fierce once the next series of Galaxy S devices appear in early 2023.
Apple took the leap with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which quickly became one of the best phones overall. The iPhone’s new cameras, Dynamic Island display and super powerful yet efficient chipset make it one of the best phones we’ve ever tried.
We won’t know what the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, or the Samsung Galaxy S23 series in general, will bring for some time, as we’re still months away from their planned launch. However, word has spread and we hear that the S23 Ultra will bring its own chipset as well as camera enhancements to take the fight straight to the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
If you’re trying to figure out which phone you’ll want to buy or just want to know which phone will be left standing when the fight is over, read on for a detailed Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max comparison based on our time with the phone. ‘Apple and the rumors we’ve heard so far about the next Samsung device.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: price and availability
You can buy an iPhone 14 Pro Max starting at $1,099 right now, but you might have to wait to get your hands on the phone. Based on iPhone 14 order dates at the time of writing, there’s a one-month lag between when you order your iPhone 14 Pro Max and when it arrives.
The price of the Galaxy S23 Ultra will remain a mystery until its launch date, but if we had to guess, we’d guess it would cost around the same $1,199 that Samsung charges for the current Galaxy S22 Ultra. It’s possible Samsung could raise the price, but hopefully that doesn’t happen, as the Ultra is quite expensive as is, and already $100 more than the iPhone it’s up against.
As for the S23 release date, we expect to see Samsung’s new phones around January or February. A big rumor has it that mid-January could be when Samsung makes its move because it won’t want to hang around letting rivals like the iPhone remain the newest and most feature-packed phone on the block.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Design
It’s hard to see the differences between the iPhone 14 Pro Max and last year’s iPhone 13 Pro Max, but they’re there. The camera bump on the back of the iPhone is now slightly larger to make room for the improved optics, and there’s also now a new Dynamic Island housing for the front cameras instead of the notch familiar from the iPhone.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max also comes in a refreshed color set, consisting of Space Black, Deep Purple, Silver, and Gold. But in general, Apple’s new handset features the flat-back, matte-glass iPhone Pro design you’re probably already familiar with.
According to the latest leaked Galaxy S23 Ultra renders, Samsung’s next phone appears to be virtually identical to the Galaxy S22 Ultra it replaces. The individual rear cameras, square profile, curved sides and punch-hole selfie camera seem to still be there, as is the built-in S Pen slot, so you’ll always have a handy way to draw and take proper handwritten notes. all on a handheld device.
According to a source, the only potential changes to the Galaxy S23 Ultra are thicker bezels. We might also see a slight increase in the height and width of the phone, but we can’t imagine we’ll notice those fractional-inch differences once the S23 Ultra arrives.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Display
As with the iPhone 13 Pro Max before it, the iPhone 14 Pro Max uses a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, with an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz and Super Retina XDR resolution (between FHD and QHD). It’s an impressive display, with high brightness and vivid, accurate colors. The display also improves with the addition of an always-on display, bringing the iPhone 14 Pro Max up to par with the best Android phones.
We should see the Galaxy S23 Ultra arrive with a 6.8-inch adaptive 120Hz that offers the same QHD resolution as the S22 Ultra. A rumor suggested that Samsung would update the display somehow, although there are few details on how. We’ll be looking for other rumors on this topic, to see what kind of advantage Samsung might be able to squeeze out of the iPhone.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Cameras
Apple has given the iPhone 14 Pro Max a camera boost in the form of a new 48MP main camera capable of shooting 12MP and 48MP RAW for more brightness or detail according to user preferences. The new device has also got the same 12MP autofocus selfie camera as the other iPhone 14 models, while its ultra-wide sensor is twice as large as before. The 12MP 3x telephoto lens and depth-sensing LiDAR scanner remain the same.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra will likely get an update to the main camera as well. It apparently gets a new 200MP camera to replace the S22 Ultra’s 108MP sensor, allowing users the highest resolution possible on a smartphone. Other than that, rumors say no changes are to be expected for either of the two 10MP telephoto lenses, and while the rumors haven’t covered them yet, we don’t imagine any changes. neither for 12MP or 40MP ultra wide selfie cameras.
While it can’t match Samsung’s mighty telephoto zoom range, the iPhone 14 Pro Max currently tops our best camera phone guide, beating the Galaxy S22 Ultra by a whole four spots. Samsung will have to improve its photo processing algorithms as well as its hardware to beat Apple, as its oversaturated and over-smoothed images have kept it from keeping pace with Apple’s phones.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Performance
The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro Max delivers incredible performance well ahead of any current Android phone, including Samsung. The Galaxy S23 Ultra will struggle to top it, no matter what chip it ends up with.
Currently, it looks like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which would be heading to all Galaxy S23 models sold globally. It’s also possible that Samsung will turn to its own Exynos 2300 chips in some countries, as it did with previous Galaxy S versions.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Battery and charging
We know that the iPhone 14 Pro Max packs a 4,323mAh capacity, with 20W wired charging and 15W MagSafe wireless charging. Looking at the rumors, we should see a 5,000mAh battery again in the S23 Ultra. At the very least, you’d expect 25W charging, although the S23 Ultra seems more likely to retain the 45W charging capabilities that Samsung introduced in the S22 Ultra.
Looking at our current page on best phone battery life, we see the iPhone 14 Pro Max taking second place, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra nowhere to be found. In fact, Samsung’s current flagship trailed the iPhone by almost 5 hours in our custom battery test with the phones’ adaptive refresh rates enabled. Samsung could really improve battery life if it wants to beat the iPhone.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Outlook
There’s no doubt that we’re looking at the two best phones for 2023 in a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max comparison. The only difference is that we know the iPhone is already great, while there are still a few months to wait before we see how good the new Ultra Galaxy is.
We expect the iPhone to retain its edge in performance and battery efficiency – it could continue to lead in camera quality, depending on changes Samsung introduces. But the Galaxy S23 Ultra looks set to continue beating the iPhone in terms of charging speed, display size and resolution, not to mention the productivity potential opened up by its included S Pen stylus.
The truth won’t be revealed until early next year when Samsung unveils its new Galaxy S models. Until then, we’ll follow the Galaxy S23 Ultra rumors and continue to put the iPhone 14 Pro Max through its paces. to get the best idea of which phone is winning this showdown and how.