In February, Samsung launched the Galaxy S23 Ultra and in September the iPhone 15 Pro Max arrives from Apple.
Both smartphones are top models in the premium segment and direct competitors. Let’s find out the differences that will separate these two terminals when Apple launches the new generation of its iconic smartphone.
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | |
| dimensions | 159.8×76.7×8.2mm | 163.4×78.1×8.9mm |
| Screen | 6.7″, OLED, 120Hz | 6.8″, AMOLED, 3088×1440 pixels, 120Hz |
| Processor | A17 Bionic (3nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | Up to 8GB (LPDDR5) | Up to 12GB (LPDDR5X) |
| Storage | Up to 1TB | FROM up to 1TB |
| Camera | 48 + 12 + 12 MP, 5-6x optical zoom | 200 + 12 + 10 + 10 MP, 3x optical zoom (telephoto), 10x optical zoom (periscope) |
| Battery | 4200-4300mAh | 5000mAh |
| Charging | 27 watts, USB-C | 45 watts, USB-C |
1. Different processors based on different manufacturing processes.
Let’s start with the heart and brain of the top two models that feature state-of-the-art premium chips. All the rumors point to the fact that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will arrive equipped with the new A17 Bionic, based on the 3nm manufacturing process.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a customized version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that is based on the 4nm process.
The Apple terminal is expected to present a more powerful performance, but above all, if we take into account all the information released so far, excellent energy efficiency. It seems that TSMC has focused on this last parameter to improve battery life.
In any case, the A17 Bionic should outperform the Snapdragon processor in Samsung’s model for its 3nm manufacturing process. But it should be noted that the Galaxy S23 Ultra integrates an overclocked version of the Qualcomm chip, so only with benchmarking tests can we see the level of superiority of the new Bionic chip.
Both smartphones have the same internal storage limit of up to 1TB. But in RAM they differ. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will have a maximum of 8 GB while the S23 Ultra has 12 GB. The latter should prove to be more proficient in multitasking, although the iPhone handles this situation very well.
2. Camera: the megapixels and optical zoom values ​​that drive the models away
For iPhone fans, the 15 Pro Max model brings some great news. It will pack a larger 48-megapixel sensor and finally the smartphone will integrate a periscope sensor that will provide 5-6x optical zoom.
But even so, in terms of specifications, it is far from the arguments of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which has the ISOCELL HP2 of 1/1.3 inches in size and 200 megapixels of resolution as the main sensor. It also features a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom and a 10-megapixel periscope sensor with 10x optical zoom.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to provide good image quality, even better than its predecessor, as the introduction of a larger sensor will allow more light to enter. But it’s just as likely that it won’t be able to capture the Moon quite as well as its rival Galaxy S23 Ultra. At this point, Samsung may emerge victorious.
3. Different battery and charge
The two premium models should also differ in terms of built-in batteries and respective supports for fast wired charging. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a massive 5000 mAh battery and supports 45 watts.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max should integrate a battery in the 4,200 to 4,300 mAh range with support for 27-watt fast charging. Although it has lower specs at this point, the iPhone is known for its excellent power efficiency. Aspect that should improve the new A17 Bionic chip.
For this reason, it is difficult to assess, at this time and without tests carried out, which of the two will be able to accompany the user for a longer time. Bets accepted…
These will be at least three differences that rivals Apple and Samsung will have. But we will have to wait until September of this year, when the iPhone 15 Pro Max arrives, to do a real face-to-face.