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; launch prices were $1199 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads — 75/100 vs 66/100 (a 9-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 (2,538,751 vs 1,656,761); the Samsung Galaxy S23 is noticeably lighter (168g vs 233g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23
What makes Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1656761
- 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 (92/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (71/100 vs 67/100)
- Longer battery life (53/100 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 233g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1199
- Better portability (83/100 vs 30/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 9 points higher (75/100 vs 66/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 75/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (53/100 vs 29/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — 60/100, 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 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (92/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (71/100 vs 67/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (53/100 vs 29/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (83/100 vs 30/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 1656761 | |
| 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 | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $799 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
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
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 4823 mAh
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S23
- 3900 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
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 53.2% 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 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (92/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (71/100 vs 67/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (53/100 vs 29/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (83/100 vs 30/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S23 by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
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 75/100, the Samsung Galaxy S23 — 66/100.
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on performance (92/100 vs 75/100).
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 gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for active users.