Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2; estimated prices are $1199 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads — 63/100 vs 48/100 (a 15-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (4823 mAh vs 3900); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (2,601,000 vs 1,660,456); the Samsung Galaxy S23 is noticeably lighter (168g vs 233g).
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Higher AnTuTu: 2601000 vs 1660456
- Better Geekbench Single: 3933 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10223 vs 5311
- Bigger battery: 4823 vs 3900 mAh
- Faster charging: 40W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (72/100 vs 28/100)
- Longer battery life (41/100 vs 13/100)
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 168g vs 233g
- Cheaper: $799 vs $1199
- Better camera (67/100 vs 66/100)
- Better design/ergonomics (90/100 vs 8/100)
- Better value for money (55/100 vs 27/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 15 points higher (63/100 vs 48/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (72/100 vs 28/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (41/100 vs 13/100). In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 leads (55/100 vs 27/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (72/100 vs 28/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (67/100 vs 66/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (41/100 vs 13/100). In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (90/100 vs 8/100). In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (55/100 vs 27/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | |
| AnTuTu | 2601000 | 1660456 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3933 | 2004 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10223 | 5311 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4823 mAh | 3900 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 133 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 128GB / 256GB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 13 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 1750 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | 157.8×76.2×7.6 mm | |
| Weight | 233 g | 168 g | |
| Price | $1199 | $799 |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2868x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S23
- 6.1" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 4823 mAh
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S23
- 3900 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
We compared Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S23 by 56.6% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $400. Samsung Galaxy S23 is cheaper by $400.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (72/100 vs 28/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (67/100 vs 66/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (41/100 vs 13/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (90/100 vs 8/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (55/100 vs 27/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 — the overall rating gap is 15 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 63/100, the Samsung Galaxy S23 — 48/100.
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on performance (72/100 vs 28/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a better fit for active users. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for everyday use.