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iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G

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Starting at

£369

£1,199 new

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Starting at

£397

£1,249 new

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iPhone 14 Pro MaxStarting at £369See options
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5GStarting at £397See options
4.8/5 (35 reviews)
5.0/5 (10 reviews)

In a nutshell

They share the same 120Hz refresh rate and the same IP68 rating. The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G has the lower launch price, a 10x optical telephoto and Galaxy AI. The iPhone 14 Pro Max counters with longer OS support until about 2029 (est.), a brighter 2000-nit screen and a smaller 6.7-inch screen.

At 256GB, the iPhone 14 Pro Max launched at £1309 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G at £1249.

Available models

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Pristine, Excellent, Great, Good

Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Pristine, Excellent, Great, Good

Durability

iPhone 14 Pro Max 75/100
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G 58/100

The iPhone 14 Pro Max should be supported for longer, with OS updates until about 2029 (est.) against about 2027 (est.) on the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G.

Software support:The iPhone 14 Pro Max should get OS updates until about 2029 (est.) and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G until about 2027 (est.). That gives the iPhone 14 Pro Max the longer support window.

Frame:The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a stainless steel frame and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G an armour aluminium one.

Front glass:The iPhone 14 Pro Max has Ceramic Shield on the front and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Weight:The iPhone 14 Pro Max weighs 240g and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G 234g, so the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G is the lighter phone.

Released

2022
2023Newer

Updates until (est.)

2029Supported for longer
2027

Water resistance

IP68
IP68

Frame

Stainless steel
Armour Aluminium

Weight

240g
234gLighter

Release date

16 September 2022
17 February 2023

Front glass

Ceramic Shield
Gorilla Glass Victus 2

Dimensions

160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm
163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm

Biometrics

Face ID
–

Security updates until

–
2028

Performance

iPhone 14 Pro Max 63/100
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G 75/100

Only the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G supports Galaxy AI.

Chip:The iPhone 14 Pro Max runs the A16 Bionic and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy.

AI features:Only the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G supports Galaxy AI. The iPhone 14 Pro Max does not.

Storage:The iPhone 14 Pro Max launched in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.

Chip

A16 Bionic
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy

RAM

6GB
–

Storage options

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB

AI features

No
YesHas AI features

Screen quality

iPhone 14 Pro Max 90/100
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G 89/100

The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G has the bigger screen, at 6.8 inches.

Size:The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G's 6.8-inch screen is bigger than the 6.7-inch screen on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Panel:The iPhone 14 Pro Max uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel at 2796 x 1290 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at 3088 x 1440.

Brightness:The iPhone 14 Pro Max peaks at 2000 nits against 1750 on the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G, by the makers' figures, so it is easier to read in bright sun.

Smoothness:Both refresh at the same 120Hz.

Screen size

6.7"
6.8"Bigger screen

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED
Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Refresh rate

120Hz
120Hz

Resolution

2796 x 1290
3088 x 1440

Peak brightness

2000 nits (maker figure)
1750 nits (maker figure)

Camera

iPhone 14 Pro Max 70/100
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G 88/100

The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G reaches further, with a 10x optical telephoto.

Main camera:The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G has a 200MP main camera against 48MP on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which leaves more detail to crop into.

Zoom:The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G has a 10x optical telephoto against 3x on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so it gets closer to distant subjects.

Video:The iPhone 14 Pro Max records video at up to 4K 60fps Dolby Vision and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G at up to 8K 30fps.

Ultrawide:Both have the same 12MP ultrawide.

Main camera

48MP
200MPMore megapixels

Ultrawide

12MP
12MP

Telephoto

12MP
10MP

Optical zoom

3x
10xMore zoom

Front camera

12MP
12MP

Video recording

4K 60fps Dolby Vision
8K 30fps

Battery

iPhone 14 Pro Max 77/100
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G 79/100

Battery

4323mAh
5000mAhBigger battery

Wired charging

–
45W

Wireless charging

MagSafe 15W, Qi2
Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0

Video playback (maker)

Up to 29 hours
–

Connectivity

iPhone 14 Pro Max 64/100
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G 81/100

The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G has the newer Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6E.

Wi-Fi:The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G has Wi-Fi 6E against Wi-Fi 6 on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which only pays off with a newer router.

Port:The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a Lightning (USB 2) and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G USB-C (USB 3.2). Only the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G uses USB-C.

5G:Both have the same 5G support.

Bluetooth:Both have the same Bluetooth 5.3.

5G

Yes
Yes

Port

Lightning (USB 2)
USB-C (USB 3.2)

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6E

SIM

Nano-SIM + eSIM
–

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3

Our verdict

Buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max if you want longer OS support until about 2029 (est.) and a brighter 2000-nit screen. Buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G if you want the lower launch price and a 10x optical telephoto.

Buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max if

  • You want longer OS support until about 2029 (est.)
  • You want a brighter 2000-nit screen
  • You want a smaller 6.7-inch screen
Shop from £369

Buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G if

  • You want the lower launch price
  • You want a 10x optical telephoto
  • You want Galaxy AI
Shop from £397

FAQs

The iPhone 14 Pro Max should get OS updates until about 2029 (est.) and the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G until about 2027 (est.). That gives the iPhone 14 Pro Max the longer support window.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G has a 10x optical telephoto against 3x on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, so it gets closer to distant subjects.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G's 6.8-inch screen is bigger than the 6.7-inch screen on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Every Reboxed phone has a minimum of 80% battery health. If you want the closest thing to new, some phones offer our New Battery Upgrade, professionally installed before your phone is dispatched. If it's available, you'll see it on the product page.

Pristine, Excellent, Great and Good. Pristine has zero blemishes and at least 90% battery health. Good can show noticeable wear on the casing but works perfectly. Every grade is TechCheck certified and comes with a 12-month warranty.

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