Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
After testing both, the standout feature of the iPhone is its impressive 33-hour video playback, perfect for those long travel days. Meanwhile, the S23 FE's 50MP camera delivers notable detail, making it a strong fit for photography enthusiasts. The trade-off? Key specs: Display: 6.9" vs 6.4" and Battery: 4685 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (premium flagship) and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (high-end) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7★ (348 reviews) | ✓4.8★ (13 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders | Dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket) |
| Main Drawback | Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users | Significantly thicker bezels compared to standard S23 |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Premium |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Adreno 730
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(348)Best Buy | ★4.8(13)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific* |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro) | Adreno 730 |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion) |
Display Size | 6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.4" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,450 nits (Peak) |
Resolution | 2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi) | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | 60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1,450 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels | 8MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom |
Optical Zoom | 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range | 3x Optical Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 25x | Up to 30x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes up to 4K 120 fps with external recording | 8K @ 24fps; 4K @ 30/60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 10MP, f/2.4 |
Battery | 4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed) | 4,500mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported | 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W | 15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back | IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back) |
Dimensions | 6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm) | 6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm) |
Weight | 7.99 oz (227 g) | 7.37 oz (209 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Samsung DeX, Stereo speakers, Samsung Knox |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders
- 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly
Cons
- Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users
- Fastest charging speeds (MagSafe 25W) require purchasing a new puck and adapter
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Adreno 730
8GB
128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion)
Pros
- Dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket)
- Premium build with IP68 rating and aluminum frame
Cons
- Significantly thicker bezels compared to standard S23
- Uses older Gorilla Glass 5 (vs. Victus 2 on S23)
Which one is better?
Grab the S23 FE if you want a lighter phone at 7.37oz and still enjoy an impressive camera experience.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if: you need a larger 6.9" display for streaming, want 33 hours of video playback, or love taking high-quality photos with a 48MP camera.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if: you prefer a lighter phone at 7.37oz, want a dedicated 3x optical zoom for detailed shots, or are looking to save money without sacrificing performance.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.7★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 348 reviews vs 13
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Conclusion
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE leads with a 4.8★ rating versus 4.7★. That said, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max could still be the right pick depending on your specific priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S23 FE?
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better choice if you prioritize largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE wins if you value dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket). Both are rated highly (4.7★ vs 4.8★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max offers largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders, while Samsung Galaxy S23 FE stands out with dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket). Consider that Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE significantly thicker bezels compared to standard s23. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.