Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely vs iPhone 14 Professional Max: Which flagship do you have to purchase?

2022 was a tough yr for smartphones, however two firms, Apple and Samsung, nonetheless dominated the market. The reason being fairly apparent: Each events make actually good telephones, among the greatest telephones that we have examined at ZDNET. 

This yr, Samsung seems to remain on prime with its market-leading entrant, the Galaxy S23 Extremely. The cellphone is ultra-big, full of ultra-specs and options, and… ultra-expensive.

But when the perfect smartphone out there is what you are after — and also you’re keen to pay for it — then I would not hesitate to advocate Samsung’s newest flagship alongside Apple’s tried and examined iPhone 14 Professional and iPhone 14 Professional Max. 

Additionally: Samsung unveils Galaxy S23 collection reside at Unpacked

Each units symbolize the perfect of their respective manufacturers. Should you’re able to slap your pockets down and reap all the advantages that the flagship smartphones have to supply, let this comparability information you to the perfect funding.

Specs

	Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely	iPhone 14 Professional and Professional Max
Show	6.8-inch AMOLED with 120Hz (LTPO)	6.1-inch/6.7-inch Tremendous Retina XDR with ProMotion (120Hz)
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon Eight Gen 2 for Galaxy	Apple A16 Bionic Chip
RAM/Storage	8GB/12GB with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	6GB with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery	5,000 mAh	3,200 mAh/4,323 mAh (estimated)
Digicam	200MP huge, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto, 12MP entrance	48MP huge, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto, 12MP telephoto, 12MP entrance
Connectivity	5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave)	5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave)
Colours	Phantom Black, Cream, Inexperienced, Lavender	Area Black, Deep Purple. Gold, Silver
IP ranking	IP68 water and dirt resistance	IP68 water and dirt resistance
Worth	Beginning at $1,199	Beginning at $999 and $1,099

---

You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely if…

1. You need every thing however the kitchen sink

Samsung’s Extremely line has develop into infamous for providing nearly every thing {that a} smartphone can present, whether or not you want it or not. That holds true with this yr’s flagship mannequin, with options just like the S Pen for stylus controls, a five-camera setup that is headlined by a whopping 200-megapixel sensor, a SIM card slot that is extra vital than ever due to Apple’s anti-consumer behaviors, and all of the One UI fix-ins that make Samsung’s software program expertise some of the customizable.

The Galaxy S23 Extremely is among the few telephones that may one way or the other justify its $1,000-plus itemizing value.

Additionally: S23 vs S22: What are the principle variations?

2. Cellular leisure has develop into your each day ritual (and extra)

Does anybody else really feel like they’re consuming extra media content material from their telephones than ever earlier than? Should you’re like me, then the cell leisure expertise on the Galaxy S23 Extremely could also be much more interesting than all of the options I discussed earlier than — and that you have now misplaced rely of. For one, the system makes use of Samsung’s personal Dynamic AMOLED show, which will get noticeably brighter (1,750 nits) and sharper (QHD+) than Apple’s greatest iPhone. Samsung’s gotten so good at calibrating these panels that even the iPhone 14 Professional makes use of one, critically.

Additionally: Samsung brings superior smartphone OLED tech to laptops

Did I point out that there isn’t any obnoxious, pill-shaped cutout named Dynamic Island on the highest of the display? If you need essentially the most immersive cell leisure machine, then the Galaxy S23 Extremely is the best way to go. 

3. The trade-in gives are simply too good

Carriers are all the time attempting to upsell Apple’s newest and best, however there isn’t any beating Samsung’s aggressive trade-in gives come launch season. Even for those who personal a cellphone that is 5 to 6 years outdated, there is a excessive likelihood that your service, and even Samsung itself, will knock a few hundred bucks off of the Galaxy S23 Extremely for those who commerce it in. AT&T will fortunately settle for cracked telephones, too, from what I am listening to.

You should purchase the iPhone 14 Professional if…

1. Battery life comes earlier than the rest

On paper, the Galaxy S23 Extremely (5,000 mAh) has a bigger battery capability than even the iPhone 14 Professional Max (4,323 mAh). However for those who’ve been within the recreation lengthy sufficient, you already know that numbers do not outline the winner; the facility effectivity of the cellphone does. With the iPhone 14 Professional Max particularly, Apple is combining the effectivity of its A16 Bionic Chip with its ever-simplified iOS 16 expertise to ship among the greatest endurance numbers we have examined at ZDNET.

Additionally: 5 iOS 16 options I am unable to reside with out

The iPhone’s standby time remains to be king, too, with the 14 Professional being able to placing a tougher pause on background utilization than Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Extremely.

2. You have already offered your soul to Apple

As a lot as I do not need to take the simple means out of the Samsung versus Apple debate, you could have successfully picked a winner already based mostly on different merchandise you personal. For instance, if you have already got a pair of AirPods or an iPad or a MacBook, or a mixture of the three, then there are clear advantages to purchasing an iPhone, like iMessage syncing and AirDrop, to finish the ensemble.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy E book Three Extremely vs Apple MacBook Professional: A premium laptop computer showdown

3. Some emergency options are higher than none

In an surprising flip of occasions, Apple promoted its iPhone 14 Professional collection again in September for its life-saving options greater than, say, its colours. This shift in precedence speaks volumes to Apple’s imaginative and prescient for the iPhone, a pocket companion that may offer you any data you want, at any time when, wherever. Options like Emergency SOS and Crash Detection, whereas hidden within the background, can genuinely prevent from life’s harmful encounters.

Options to think about

Open to different smartphone prospects? Contemplate these ZDNET-recommended units:

This text was initially printed by zdnet.com. Learn the unique article right here.