Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max
Short answer: buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra for the 200MP camera with 10x zoom, the built-in S Pen, faster charging and a local SIM that works without paying PTA tax. Buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max for class-leading video, Dynamic Island, an Always-On screen and strong resale value. Both are 2022 to 2023 flagships that still feel fast in 2026.
Updated 24 October 2026
Design and build
The S23 Ultra has an Armor Aluminium frame, a glass back, curved screen edges and a built-in S Pen. It weighs 234 g. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a stainless steel frame with a textured matte glass back and flat edges, and weighs 240 g. Both are IP68.
Both are large and heavy phones. The iPhone's steel frame feels premium but picks up scratches, so a case is a good idea. The Samsung is taller and slimmer in the hand.
Display
The S23 Ultra has a 6.8 inch QHD+ (1440 x 3088) Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 1 to 120Hz and 1750 nits peak. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 6.7 inch LTPO OLED (1290 x 2796) with ProMotion from 1 to 120Hz, Always-On display and up to 2000 nits outdoors.
The iPhone is brighter in direct sun and has Dynamic Island for live activities. The Samsung is sharper, and the S Pen lets you take notes straight on the screen. Both are excellent for video.
Performance and chipset
The S23 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. The iPhone 14 Pro Max uses the A16 Bionic. Both are fast and efficient, and both handle PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact and video editing smoothly.
The A16 is slightly faster in single-core tasks, while the Snapdragon is strong in graphics. Neither phone has the overheating problems of earlier flagships, which is good news in Pakistan's summer.
Cameras
The S23 Ultra has a 200MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 10MP 10x periscope. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 48MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide and a 12MP 3x telephoto.
For zoom the Samsung is clearly ahead, with sharp photos at 10x and usable shots well beyond. For video the iPhone wins with very stable 4K 60fps Dolby Vision, ProRes and 4K Cinematic mode. In daylight both take excellent photos; the iPhone looks more natural, the Samsung more vivid.
Battery and charging
The S23 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery with 45W wired, 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 4323 mAh battery with fast wired charging (about 50% in 30 minutes) and 15W MagSafe.
Battery life is close, with both lasting a full day. The Samsung charges faster with a 45W adapter. On a used iPhone, battery health matters: our used iPhone 14 Pro Max units have 95 to 99% battery health.
Specs side by side
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy vs A16 Bionic
- Display: 6.8 inch QHD+ 120Hz vs 6.7 inch 120Hz LTPO, Always-On
- Peak brightness: 1750 nits vs 2000 nits
- Main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Zoom: 10MP 3x + 10MP 10x vs 12MP 3x
- Battery: 5000 mAh vs 4323 mAh
- Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless vs fast wired, 15W MagSafe
- Port: USB-C 3.2 vs Lightning (USB 2)
- Stylus: built-in S Pen vs none
- Weight: 234 g vs 240 g
- Launch software: Android 13, One UI 5.1 vs iOS 16
Software and updates
The S23 Ultra was promised four Android upgrades from Android 13 and has Galaxy AI features such as Circle to Search. The iPhone 14 Pro Max launched with iOS 16 and still gets the current iOS, but it does not support Apple Intelligence. Apple usually supports iPhones for longer, which helps resale value.
Non PTA and SIM notes in Pakistan
Our iPhone 14 Pro Max units are used Non PTA phones with 95 to 99% battery health. A Non PTA iPhone is not registered with PTA's DIRBS, so a local SIM works only for a limited time unless you register it and pay the PTA tax. Note that US iPhone 14 Pro Max units are eSIM only. Read iPhone JV vs PTA vs Non PTA (iPhone JV vs PTA vs Non PTA: What Each Term Really Means).
Our Galaxy S23 Ultra is a Non Custom box pack unit that is PTA Patch Approved, so a local SIM works normally.
Who should buy which
Buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want the best zoom, the S Pen, a bigger battery and no PTA tax worries.
Buy the iPhone 14 Pro Max if you love iOS, shoot a lot of video and care about resale value. For a newer iPhone match, see Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max (Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max).
