Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) runs on the Apple A18 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2; launch prices were $1199 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads — 77/100 vs 66/100 (a 11-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 3900); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (1,782,199 vs 1,656,761); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the stronger camera (161 vs 133); the Samsung Galaxy S23 is noticeably lighter (168g vs 227g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23
What makes Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1782199 vs 1656761
- Better Geekbench Single: 3400 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 8400 vs 5311
- Bigger battery: 4685 vs 3900 mAh
- Faster charging: 27W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (85/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (89/100 vs 67/100)
- Longer battery life (47/100 vs 29/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 82/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 better?
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 168g vs 227g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1199
- Better portability (83/100 vs 40/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 11 points higher (77/100 vs 66/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads (85/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 67/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads (47/100 vs 29/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — 64/100, Samsung Galaxy S23 — 46/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (85/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (89/100 vs 67/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (47/100 vs 29/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (83/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | |
| AnTuTu | 1782199 | 1656761 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3400 | 2004 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8400 | 5311 | |
| Display | 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4685 mAh | 3900 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 161 | 133 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 12 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB | |
| OS | iOS 18 | Android 13 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 1750 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.0×77.6×8.3 mm | 157.8×76.2×7.6 mm | |
| Weight | 227 g | 168 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $799 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2868x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S23
- 6.1" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 4685 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S23
- 3900 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S23 by 7.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $400. Samsung Galaxy S23 was $400 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (85/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (89/100 vs 67/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (47/100 vs 29/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (83/100 vs 40/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 — the overall rating gap is 11 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 77/100, the Samsung Galaxy S23 — 66/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on camera score (89/100 vs 67/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on performance (85/100 vs 75/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for active users.