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The smartphone world is currently in the midst of a fierce showdown at the top of the heap, and we're focusing on three giants - the iPhone 15 Pro, the Pro Max, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Despite the fact that they all come with a hefty price tag, they continue to attract a large audience. That's because they share the common goal of being the preeminent presence in today's smartphone market.

A new contender, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max not only feature sleek new action buttons and Apple's latest high-speed CPUs, but also an improved optical zoom telephoto lens.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has easily claimed the throne as the best high-end Android phone thanks to its impressive zoom capabilities, excellent battery life and built-in S Pen stylus. However, which of these top phones is more deserving of a new companion in your pocket and bag? We'll compare the differences between them.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may be too big and too expensive, while the iPhone 15 Pro gives you options

While I've loved the 6.7-inch iPhone Pro Max for years, the slightly larger 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is more comfortable in the hand.

Recently, however, I've started using the PopSocket pen, a cell phone accessory that seems to be everywhere and makes it easier to hold and use your smartphone, especially one that's larger for one hand.

With PopSocket, I was able to understand how the average user would use the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Of course, mobile users can opt for the 6.6-inch Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or the 6.1-inch Samsung Galaxy S23, but this may reduce camera performance.

Meanwhile, at the Apple Pro level, you can choose between the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro or the slightly larger 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max. Aside from the size difference, the two phones are virtually identical, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max having a slight edge in telephoto zoom and battery.

The curves and edges of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra make it difficult for me to hold it comfortably in one hand. These design choices give it a slight sliding nature that could probably be fixed in most cases. The slightly curved edges of the iPhone 15 Pro, on the other hand, offer a more relaxed grip.

Oh, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at the same price as the iPhone 15 Pro. However, you'll get more storage because the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with 256GB of storage, while the iPhone 15 Pro, which is priced at $7,999, only comes with 128GB of storage.

In short, it's clear that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra seems to offer good value for money.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max have different displays

While watching the trailer for The Fast and the Furious: Chapter 4, I had a weird sense of déjà vu on my iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra.

I then noticed that the iPhone 15 Pro Max's rendering of the blue sky is slightly pale compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. As seen previously in the iPhone vs. Galaxy comparison, Samsung tends to deliver oversaturated colors. While the brighter blues on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra look bolder, I'm not sure I'd want to use this filter on the screen.

That's because I prefer the Filmmaker Mode available on the LG C2 OLED TV. I am looking for the most realistic images and want to see things as per realistic expectations. However, if you like to enjoy movies, shows and games in the most brilliant colors, go for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

If refresh rate is important to you, note that the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra don't differ much in this regard. Both boast refresh rates of up to 120Hz and offer an always-on display panel that lets you see things like the time and weather even when your phone's screen is off.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro have similar screens, but if you tend to favor oversaturated colors, then going with the Samsung may be a better choice.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max's lenses are a neck-and-neck battle

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is undoubtedly the best of the best in terms of zoom functionality, but is simplicity more practical at times? Compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Samsung S23 Ultra looks more intense in its photo processing, showing extremely bright blues and reds.

However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max rendered more accurate (albeit duller) blacks when shooting the AirPods Max.

Then I performed the ultimate test: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra took macro shots of a number of items, capturing the narrowest edges that looked slightly sharper and more vibrant.

However, I probably wouldn't have even noticed the differences without a closer look. And, this could simply be because Samsung tends to be more saturated in its image processing.

The most fundamental difference is how each phone's camera handles the light from the awning, with noise being more noticeable in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's photos.

Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra took similar photos, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra rendered stronger, less natural colors on multiple occasions.

Apple has a dynamic feature that Samsung doesn't have

Whether you choose to buy the iPhone 15 Pro or the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you'll get a feature that Samsung can't offer: the Action Button. Located directly above the volume up button, this small multifunction button replaces the previous mute switch and defaults to the same "mute" function as before. However, when you go into the Settings app and tap on the Action Button, you'll find a number of other options to configure.

For example, I have it set to launch Halide, which is my favorite third-party camera app. I use the Shortcuts option to quickly open any app I want.

For those who prefer to use Apple's regular camera app, the Action Button offers additional benefits, such as instantly capturing a moment by clicking the second button, which acts as a shutter release. The Action Button can also toggle focus modes, such as Do Not Disturb; turn on iPhone's flashlight; and even start recording a voice memo.

In contrast, Samsung tried to use the customizable Bixby button on the Samsung Galaxy S8, but it was quickly phased out. We hope the Actions button stays around longer on the iPhone 15 Pro.

As a result, the iPhone 15 Pro's action buttons offer some modifications that can't be matched in terms of customizability.

iPhone 15 Pro still can't be styled on the Galaxy S23 Ultra's stylus

While Apple is keeping its Pencil stylus still focused on the iPad lineup, Samsung knows that offering the S Pen stylus in the mobile space is crucial. The decision seems reasonable. I've tried carrying around paper and pen, and the S Pen pen offers the closest digital alternative.

However, it's unlikely that pens and notepads will be completely replaced by the S Pen and cell phones. Of course, the S Pen will still come in handy in an emergency, and it's easy to carry around when you need it. However, I found the S Pen's barrel to be too thin and uncomfortable to use. I also found it relatively unnatural when writing on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's display. The pen tip was too smooth, making the experience slightly unnatural.

So even though the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers an included S Pen, Samsung still seems to trump Apple when it comes to the stylus experience.

The iPhone 15 Pro stands alone in its performance

The iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are both blazing fast phones that perform as smoothly as a calm stream in everyday use. Nonetheless, this year's performance test data shows that there's still a significant gap between Apple and Samsung.

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max outperformed the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in almost every test. the A17 Pro chip used by Apple performed well in Geekbench 6's multi-core and single-core benchmarks, outperforming the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 overall.

Both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra were able to run the game smoothly without any noticeable lag.

However, when it comes to mobile gaming, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max seem to have the edge. Apple's A17 Pro chip is powerful enough for console-quality gaming.

All in all, the iPhone 15 Pro can be considered a strong performer, and with its speed advantage, it is clearly ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which also performs well.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has more battery life than iPhone 15 Pro Max

While we're in the process of revising the official battery benchmarks, I can share my personal experience with the iPhone 15 Pro Max - the battery performance has been in the "needs to be recharged once a day" range, with more or less charge! More or less. Compared to our battery tests on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, it suffered from Apple's battery life crushing.

It's worth noting that despite the iPhone's stellar performance in battery life tests, there's been very little in-depth, practical discussion. We expect Apple to adjust or catch up on this. I'll try turning off the always-on display feature altogether to see if that makes a difference in battery performance.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra won twice in this round, mainly due to its faster charging speed of up to 45W compared to the iPhone's 20W.

All things considered, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the more durable option in terms of battery life, providing you with a more assured endurance experience so you don't have to worry about battery power anymore.

Summary

So, which high-end smartphone should you choose? That depends largely on your needs. While the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the top choice for Android users, the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max show strong competition for the throne of high-end phones, no matter which operating system you prefer.

Apple surprised people by introducing the "action" button. While Apple's excellence in raw performance is nothing new, it's great to see the iPhone setting new heights in mobile gaming, providing users with a console-level experience.

Also, we probably don't need to rekindle the Android vs. iOS rivalry, but I do like some of the new features in iOS 17, especially the Spirit Island that brings a whole new feel to message exchange.

That's not to say the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra lacks unique superpowers. With DeX mode, you can use the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as an alternative to a laptop with an external monitor, and a partnership with Adobe means Lightroom is integrated into the camera app.

Powerful zoom and stylus features, plus impressive battery life, make the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra an irresistible phone choice if you can get used to its size. Both phones deserve their high price tags, but I personally prefer the iPhone 15 Pro Max. of course, there's no denying that I wish it had the battery durability of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra so I wouldn't have to worry about carrying around a portable charger.

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