Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S22
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max commands a $300 premium over Samsung's Galaxy S22, and that gap reflects meaningful differences. The Pro Max offers a larger 6.7-inch display with superior brightness (2000 nits vs 1300) and adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, paired with Apple's A16 Bionic chip that delivers faster real-world performance and better app optimization. The camera system excels with a 48MP main sensor, advanced computational photography, and Dolby Vision video recording. However, Samsung holds advantages in several areas: the Galaxy S22 is significantly lighter (167g vs 240g), uses USB-C instead of Lightning, includes 8GB RAM versus 6GB, and offers expandable storage options. Its 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture captures excellent detail, and the 8K video capability impresses on paper, though practical use remains limited. Battery capacity favors neither decisively (4323mAh vs 3700mAh), though both phones manage full-day usage. For users invested in Apple's ecosystem or prioritizing premium display quality and computational capabilities, the Pro Max justifies its cost. Budget-conscious buyers or those preferring lighter phones with faster charging speeds and modern USB connectivity should choose the Galaxy S22.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max if…
- →First iPhone with Dynamic Island
- →New 48 MP main camera with ProRAW
- →Always-on display introduced
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 if…
- →Compact flagship with 6.1-inch 120Hz AMOLED
- →Triple camera with 3x telephoto
- →Lightweight at 167 g
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Pros
- First iPhone with Dynamic Island
- New 48 MP main camera with ProRAW
- Always-on display introduced
- Excellent battery life
- Bright 2000-nit ProMotion display
Cons
- Heavy at 240 g
- Still uses Lightning instead of USB-C
- Expensive flagship pricing
- Slow charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy S22
Pros
- Compact flagship with 6.1-inch 120Hz AMOLED
- Triple camera with 3x telephoto
- Lightweight at 167 g
- Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection
- Four years of OS updates from Samsung
Cons
- Small 3700 mAh battery with mediocre endurance
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 runs hot
- Slow 25W charging
- No microSD card slot
- No charger in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 16 | Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 240 g | 167 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm | 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4323 mAh | 3700 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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