In today’s fast-paced world, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. With so many options all sporting different features, how does one determine which is the best smartphone? With each passing year, technology giants introduce new features and improvements to their flagship devices, making it challenging to choose the right smartphone that meets our needs. In this article, we will compare three of the best smartphones currently available: the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung S23 Ultra, and Google Pixel 7 Pro. We will explore the devices’ features, including design, camera, performance, battery life, and price, to help you make an informed decision about which smartphone is best for you. So buckle up, and let’s dive into the world of the latest smartphones.
Specs
| Specs | iPhone 14 Pro Max | Samsung S23 Ultra | Google Pixel 7 Pro |
| Weight | 240 g (8.47 oz) | 234 g (8.25 oz) | 212 g (7.48 oz) |
| Memory & Storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Display | 6.7 inches, 1290 x 2796 pixels, LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10 | 6.8 inches, 1440 x 3088, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ | 6.7 inches, 1440 x 3120, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Processors | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy | Google Tensor G2 |
| Rear Camera | 48 MP Main(wide), 12 MP Ultrawide, 12 MP 3x Telephoto | 200 MP Main(Wide), 10 MP 10x Periscope Telephoto, 10 MP 3x Telephoto, 12 MP Ultrawide | 50MP Main(wide), 48 MP 5x Telephoto, 12 MP Ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | 10.8 MP |
| Charging Speed | 27 Watts | 45 Watts | 23 Watts |
| Battery Capacity | 4323 mAh | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Release Date | September 7th 2022 | February 1st 2023 | October 6th 2022 |
| Price | $1100 | $1200 | $950 |
Battery
On paper, both the Samsung S23 Ultra and the Google Pixel 7 Pro have 677 mAh more battery than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. But, as we’ve been reminded constantly over the last few years by Apple, smaller battery capacity doesn’t translate to worse battery life. In almost every test, the iPhone 14 Pro Max outperforms both the S23 Ultra and the Google Pixel 7 Pro. The gap between the S23 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro Max isn’t that much, but it is there with the Google Pixel 7 Pro.
So when it comes to battery life among these three flagship phones, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the undeniable winner.
Camera
If there’s one thing the manufacturers of these three phones continually brag about, it’s how they’ve got the best camera system on a smartphone ever. The main highlight of the camera on the S23 Ultra is the new 200 MP sensor, which gives you unmatched levels of detail in pictures to the point that you can crop them and they’ll look very sharp. Other areas where the S23 shines are in its best-in-class zoom, nightography (low-light pictures), and impressive video recording capabilities.
As for the Pixel 7 Pro, it excels at taking pictures and capturing skin tones perfectly. It’s one of the few phones that push the boundaries of AI. A result of this advancement is the Photo Unblur feature. This allows you to unblur most photos, even if they were not taken using the Pixel 7 Pro.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max, as expected, is a powerhouse when it comes to photography. Taking best-in-class videos along with features like cinematic mode, which gives your videos a cinematic feel by blurring out-of-focus objects, Another awesome feature the iPhone 14 Pro Max sports is the Photonic Engine, which improves each individual pixel when a picture is taken.
In all honesty, you cannot go wrong with any of these phones when it comes to cameras. It all boils down to your preference because these three phones handle light and colors differently.
Software
At the time of writing, the iPhone 14 Pro Max runs on iOS 16.2. The S23 Ultra and the Pixel 7 Pro both run Android 13, but with different skins on top: the Pixel runs Pixel Ui and the Samsung runs One Ui.
In terms of smoothness and animation, all three phones perform very well. You’d be hard-pressed to find a real difference between them. The Samsung S23 Ultra takes the cake in terms of bloatware, with significantly more than the other two devices. The Pixel and iPhone came in second and third, respectively. As for features, the S23 Ultra has more features than both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Pixel 7 Pro, with the Pixel coming in second and the iPhone coming in last.
Now onto aesthetics. The Google Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are tied, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max comes in last. Both One Ui and Pixel Ui are filled with beautiful, colorful, and vibrant designs by default, while iOS 16 on the iPhone looks more formal, at least when compared to One Ui and Pixel Ui.
Another thing worth comparing between the three phones’ software is customization. Slowly, iOS has been catching up with Android’s level of customization, but it’s not there quite yet. As far as the Pixel Ui and One Ui goes, both are very customizable. One Ui edges ahead of the Pixel because it offers more customization options and has a tool called Goodlock (or Finelock, depending on your region), which gives you the ability to customize almost anything on your Samsung device.
Lastly, updates. This is where iOS and the iPhone 14 Pro Max shines. Because with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you would be getting major iOS updates for at least the next 5–6 years, compared to 4 years with the S23 Ultra and 3 years with the Pixel 7 Pro. The iPhone 14 Pro Max will also get updates faster. So when it comes to updates and longevity, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the better device.
Charging Speed
Charging speed is the next area we need to consider when determining the best smartphone, and all three phones perform kind of disappointingly. The Samsung S23 Ultra sports a fast charging speed of 45 watts and can charge from 0 to 100 in just under an hour. The iPhone 14 Pro Max and Pixel 7 Pro feature fast charging speeds of up to a measly 27 watts and 23 watts, respectively. Both take around an hour and 45 minutes to fully charge.
The S23 Ultra is the clear winner here, taking at least 40 minutes less time to fill up. The Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max perform woefully here, especially when you consider their price tags. And the fact that flagship phones from companies like Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi have been charging from 0-100 in just 30 minutes plus for a few years now.
Performance
| Benchmark(Higher is better) | A16 Bionic (iPhone 14 Pro Max) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy (Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra) | Tensor G2 (Google Pixel 7 Pro) |
| Geekbench | Single-Core Score Multi-Core Score | Single-Core Score Multi-Core Score | Single-Core Score Multi-Core Score |
| Antutu |
On paper, the iPhone 14 Pro Max scores higher than both the Samsung S23 Ultra and the Google Pixel 7 Pro. But is that all there is to it? The answer is no. The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the clear winner in benchmark tests, but when you use all three phones separately, you won’t find much to complain about in terms of performance in day-to-day usage.
But where you’ll notice a significant difference in performance between the Pixel 7 Pro and the other two flagship phones is when you run graphically intensive games and other power-hungry apps like Lightroom. The weaker Tensor G2 processor on the Pixel 7 Pro starts to fall behind its competitors. It throttles faster and harder and heats up significantly.
In terms of performance, the iPhone 14 Pro Max takes the lead, with the S23 Ultra close behind. The Pixel 7 Pro comes in last place.
Display
All three smartphones sport incredibly beautiful high-resolution displays with variable refresh rates to save battery while making sure you have a smooth scrolling experience. The only difference between the three phones here is that the Pixel 7 can only go down to a 10 Hz refresh rate, while the S23 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro Max can go all the way down to 1 Hz. But that’s something I doubt you’d notice.
The biggest difference between all three phones’ displays is their peak brightness. And the iPhone is the leader here. The Samsung S23 Ultra and the Pixel 7 pack a whopping 1750 nits and 1500 nits display respectively, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max sports a record-breaking 2000 nits peak brightness display. Ironically, that display is made by Samsung themselves.
Build and design
Build and design are probably the two areas where all three flagship smartphones have the most differences, so it’s very important to note when determining the winner for best smartphone. Starting from the rear design, the S23 Ultra features individually placed camera lenses that make for a minimalistic yet elegant look. The Pixel 7 Pro features a very unique design. It has a horizontal visor design that houses its triple camera system. And lastly, the iPhone 14 Pro Max packs the same tried-and-true design as its predecessors. With an elegant triangular placement, camera lenses are housed in the top corner of the phone.
On the front, both the Pixel 7 Pro and S23 Ultra feature a single hole-punch notch along with curved sides and super slim bezels. The iPhone 14 Pro Max, on the other hand, features a big pill hole cut out in the middle called the “Dynamic Island.” So with the Pixel 7 Pro and the S23 Ultra, you’ll get a more seamless viewing experience.
Price
In the United States, the S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max start at $1200 and $1100, respectively, while the Pixel 7 Pro starts at $950. So the Pixel 7 Pro is the cheapest phone of the bunch while still performing mostly at the same level. In terms of value for your money, the Pixel 7 Pro is the best here. But is that enough to tip the scales in it’s favor, naming it ‘best smartphone’?
Conclusion
In conclusion, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung S23 Ultra, and Google Pixel 7 Pro are all exceptional smartphones with their unique strengths and weaknesses. The iPhone 14 Pro Max takes the crown for battery life, the S23 Ultra boasts an impressive camera system, and the Pixel 7 Pro excels in its AI capabilities. In terms of software, all three phones perform very well, but the S23 Ultra has the most features while the iPhone has the least bloatware. Ultimately, choosing the best smartphone comes down to personal preference and which features matter the most to you. With this comparison of specs and features, you can make an informed decision about which smartphone is the right fit for your needs.
