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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S23 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
Ratings: 4.4★ vs 4.7★
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Samsung Galaxy S23
★4.4
(101)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Graphics:Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
★4.7
(348)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
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Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23
★4.4(101)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
★4.7(348)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(101)Best Buy | ★4.7(348)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028) | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510) | Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Adreno 740 (719 MHz) | Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro) |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 425 ppi) | 2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 48–120 Hz | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display |
Peak Brightness | 1200 nits (HBM); 1750 nits peak (outdoor) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 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) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video | 48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (70 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels |
Optical Zoom | 3x optical zoom; 30x Space Zoom | 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x | Up to 25x |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240/960 fps | 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 |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback | 4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC | 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 |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s) | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back |
Dimensions | 5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm) | 6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm) |
Weight | 5.93 oz (168 g) | 7.99 oz (227 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Face ID |
Extras | Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support (varies by carrier) | 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 |
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Samsung Galaxy S23
Rating:★4.4(101)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Graphics:Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution:2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 425 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Adaptive 48–120 Hz
Peak Brightness:1200 nits (HBM); 1750 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (70 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
Optical Zoom:3x optical zoom; 30x Space Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x
Video Recording:8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240/960 fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps
Battery:3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s)
Durability:IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back
Dimensions:5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm)
Weight:5.93 oz (168 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition
Extras:Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support (varies by carrier)
✓ Pros:
- • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip outperforms standard version
- • Compact, lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
- • Bright 1750 nits display ensures excellent outdoor visibility
- • Versatile camera system with genuine 3x optical zoom
- • Solid battery life for its size class (3900 mAh)
✗ Cons:
- • Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0)
- • Charging speed is limited to 25W (significantly slower than competitors)
- • Lacks UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support found in Plus/Ultra models
- • Refresh rate floor is 48Hz (not 1Hz like LTPO panels on Ultra)
- • Small screen size may be limiting for heavy media consumption
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Rating:★4.7(348)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
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)
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels
Optical Zoom:5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range
Digital Zoom:Up to 25x
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
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W
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
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.99 oz (227 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
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
✓ Pros:
- • Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders
- • 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly
- • Excellent battery life (4685 mAh), among the best in class
- • Dedicated Camera Control button mimics a DSLR shutter
- • Support for 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording for professional slow-motion
✗ Cons:
- • Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users
- • Fastest charging speeds (MagSafe 25W) require purchasing a new puck and adapter
- • US models lack a physical SIM tray (eSIM only)
- • Base storage starts at 256GB, raising the entry price
- • USB-C cable included in the box is limited to USB 2 speeds (pro transfer speeds require separate cable)
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Which one is better?
Based on ratings and feature balance, Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has a slight edge for overall satisfaction. Samsung Galaxy S23 remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: Samsung Galaxy S23 (Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip outperforms standard version, Compact, lightweight design is easy to use with one hand)
For value or versatility: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders, 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly)
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S23 and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S23 excels if you value powerful snapdragon 8 gen 2 for galaxy chip outperforms standard version. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is better if you prioritize largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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