Pricing

The iPhone 14 Pro Max begins at £1,199 for the 128GB model, but if you opt for the maximum 1TB version, you’ll be shelling out a staggering £1,749. On the other hand, the S23 Ultra doesn’t offer a 128GB option; it starts at 256GB with 8GB RAM, priced at £1,249, and goes up to £1,599 for 1TB storage and 12GB RAM.

Samsung seems to have the upper hand when it comes to trade-in deals. While Apple offers a maximum of £565 for an old device, many find it challenging to reach that figure due to Apple's stingy trade-in values. Conversely, Samsung offers up to £600 for your old smartphone, which I personally benefited from when trading in my S22 Ultra. Additionally, Samsung is currently providing a free upgrade from 256GB to 512GB and from 512GB to 1TB.

Thus, if you have an old phone to trade in, Samsung makes the process more rewarding, but both devices remain quite expensive without trade-ins.

Design, Display, and Features

At first glance, these phones appear similar in size, but the S23 Ultra is slightly taller while being lighter by a few grams. Both devices exude a premium feel, ensuring you won’t feel disappointed upon unboxing. Personally, I prefer the color options of Samsung, especially the Sky Blue variant, but that’s subjective.

When it comes to displays, both phones utilize OLED technology with dynamic 120Hz refresh rates, yet the S23 Ultra boasts a higher pixel density and resolution, making it the superior choice. Even though the iPhone 14 Pro Max achieves higher peak brightness, the S23 Ultra’s display is more expansive due to its pinhole camera, unlike the Dynamic Island feature on the iPhone, and its smaller bezels.

One downside for the S23 Ultra is the absence of an equivalent to Apple’s True Tone feature, but that’s a minor drawback considering its other advantages, including a superior always-on display and a fingerprint reader. Additionally, the S Pen, integrated into the S23 Ultra, attracts a dedicated user base, a feature Apple has yet to replicate.

Performance and Battery Life

The introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the UK version of the S23 Ultra has significantly improved its performance, finally matching the speed of the iPhone. Previously, users had to contend with Samsung’s problematic Exynos chip, but that’s now a thing of the past.

In day-to-day use, both devices operate smoothly without crashes, making them enjoyable to use. However, the S23 Ultra excels in battery life. While the iPhone 14 Pro Max can last approximately two days on a single charge, the S23 Ultra comfortably extends into three days, largely due to its efficient standby time.

Camera

For a thorough comparison of the cameras, I recommend watching my YouTube video. That said, photography is subjective, and there are instances where the differences are nearly indistinguishable. The S23 Ultra occasionally captures more detail, while the iPhone may over-sharpen images, affecting contrast.

The iPhone tends to excel in capturing the sky accurately, whereas the S23 Ultra can overly saturate blues. The S23 Ultra's shutter lag, especially with moving subjects, can also be a downside, affecting its performance in quick capture scenarios. However, when it comes to zoom capabilities, Samsung takes the lead with its impressive 100X zoom.

Selfies are commendable on both devices, showcasing the efforts of both Samsung and Apple in this area. Nevertheless, in terms of video recording, the iPhone maintains an edge due to its superior stabilization and vibrant footage.

Conclusion

I find myself tempted to switch to the S23 Ultra permanently. It’s an impressive device that I enjoy using, akin to the experience with the Pixel 7 Pro. However, my attachment to the Apple ecosystem and the camera limitations hold me back.

Despite these concerns, the S23 Ultra is worth considering unless you're deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. The camera lag can be resolved, and the device offers many other compelling features. Samsung ultimately prevails in this comparison, especially since regions like the UK have finally moved away from Exynos. The S23 Ultra stands out and highlights that Apple must elevate its game with the forthcoming iPhone 15.

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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on February 20, 2023.