Spec Comparison

Design & Build:  iPhone 15 Pro Max

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a glass front and back made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, combined with an aluminum frame. The iPhone 15 Pro Max steps it up with a glass front and back, but with a more robust titanium frame. The iPhone 14 Pro Max, on the other hand, features a stainless steel frame with a glass front and back.

Display: Draw

The iPhone 15&14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra all boast large OLED displays, but they differ in several aspects. Apple's iPhone 15&14 Pro Max sports a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and a resolution of 2796x1290, resulting in 460 pixels per inch. Their unique "Dynamic Island" design utilizes the space between the Face ID sensors and the front-facing camera to display relevant information, offering a distinctive look. On the other hand, Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra features a slightly larger 6.8-inch AMOLED display with curved edges, boasting a sharper resolution of 1440x3088 and 500 pixels per inch. However, it falls slightly short in brightness with a peak of 1,750 nits. All three phones support a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals and have always-on display capabilities. While Apple's display shines in brightness and innovative design, Samsung's screen excels in sharpness and offers added pen support for creative users.

Performance: iPhone 15 Pro Max

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the new 3nm A17 Pro chip, an enhanced version of the previous year's 4nm A16 Bionic, boasting an additional graphics core. This advancement promises a slight performance edge over the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple's hallmark has always been its seamless hardware-software integration, which often gives it an edge in real-world performance. The iPhone 15&14 Pro Max runs on iOS 17, a significant upgrade from iOS 16, offering features like Contact Posters and NameDrop. While iOS may not offer the customization breadth of its Android counterparts, it often scores higher on security and streamlined user experience.

On the other hand, Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra is equipped with the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This robust chip, combined with options of 8GB or 12GB of RAM, ensures the device can handle any task effortlessly. The S23 Ultra initially ships with One UI 5, but an upgrade to One UI 6 is on the horizon. This Android-based UI offers users a wide range of customization, though some users find it more bloated compared to the streamlined iOS or Pixel UI.

Camera: Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the lead in the camera department with a 200 MP primary sensor, accompanied by 10 MP periscope telephoto, 10 MP telephoto, and 12 MP ultrawide lenses. Both iPhones feature a 48 MP primary sensor and 12 MP ultrawide lenses, with an additional TOF 3D LiDAR scanner. But the 15 Pro Max includes a 12 MP periscope telephoto instead of 12 MP telephoto in 14 Pro Max, and provides 3D (spatial) video capability.

Battery & Charging: Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Galaxy S23 Ultra houses a 5000 mAh battery, supporting 45W wired charging(up to 65% in 30 minutes), 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with an estimated 4852 mAh battery, offering 50% charge in just 35 minutes, and supports 15W wireless (MagSafe) and 7.5W wireless (Qi) charging. The iPhone 14 Pro Max, with its 4323 mAh battery, also supports similar wireless charging capabilities and can achieve 50% charge in 30 minutes.

Price: iPhone 14 Pro Max

In terms of pricing, both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are priced at $1199. The iPhone 14 Pro Max, being a year older, is now available at a more affordable rate of approximately $899.

Conclusion

Choosing between the iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boils down to brand preference, specific feature requirements, and budget. While the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a superior camera and display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max excels in build quality and performance. The iPhone 14 Pro Max remains a viable option for those looking for flagship features at a reduced price.