Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S23 leads — 48/100 vs 40/100 (a 8-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (5100 mAh vs 3900); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 edges out the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Performance 0
Display 100
Camera 66
Battery 44
Design 50
Value for money 55
Samsung Galaxy S23
Performance 28
Display 100
Camera 67
Battery 13
Design 90
Value for money 55
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
  • Bigger battery: 5100 vs 3900 mAh
  • Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W

  • Longer battery life (44/100 vs 13/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 better?
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP

  • Higher performance (28/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better camera (67/100 vs 66/100)
  • Better design/ergonomics (90/100 vs 50/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Samsung Galaxy S23 scores 8 points higher (48/100 vs 40/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 leads (28/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (44/100 vs 13/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (28/100 vs 0/100). 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 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (67/100 vs 66/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (44/100 vs 13/100). In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (90/100 vs 50/100). In the "value for money" category, both devices are on the same level — 55/100.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for everyday use.
Samsung Galaxy S23: The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for everyday use.
Specs comparison
Specification Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy S23
Processor Apple A20 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
AnTuTu 1660456
Geekbench Single 2004
Geekbench Multi 5311
Display 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 6.1" AMOLED
Resolution 1320x2868 2340x1080
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5100 mAh 3900 mAh
Charging 25W 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 27 Android 13
Brightness (peak) 1750 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 157.8×76.2×7.6 mm
Weight 168 g
Price $799
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Telephoto: 48MP
  • Front: 18MP
66
camera
Samsung Galaxy S23
  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
67
camera
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 1320x2868
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Samsung Galaxy S23
  • 6.1" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2340x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • 5100 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 25W
44
battery
Samsung Galaxy S23
  • 3900 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 15W
13
battery
Benchmarks
Price and availability
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Price unknown
Samsung Galaxy S23
$799
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (28/100 vs 0/100).

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 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (67/100 vs 66/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (44/100 vs 13/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (90/100 vs 50/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, both devices are on the same level — 55/100.

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 edges out the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 40/100, the Samsung Galaxy S23 — 48/100.

Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 leads on performance (28/100 vs 0/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for everyday use.