Apple iPhone XS Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S23 FE delivers superior value at nearly half the iPhone XS Max's price point. Display technology favors Samsung with its 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel (1450 nits) versus Apple's 60Hz Super Retina OLED (725 nits), offering noticeably smoother scrolling and better outdoor visibility. Camera systems differ philosophically: iPhone XS Max excels with its dual 12MP setup and optical zoom precision, while Galaxy S23 FE matches with a more versatile quad-camera array headlined by a 50MP main sensor. Battery capacity strongly favors Samsung at 4500mAh with faster 25W charging compared to iPhone's 3174mAh battery. Performance remains competitive between Apple's A12 Bionic and Samsung's Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, though Samsung adds 5G connectivity and USB-C. For most users prioritizing modern features, longer battery life, and significant savings, Galaxy S23 FE is the better choice.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS Max if…
- →Largest iPhone display at the time (6.5 inches)
- →Dual SIM with eSIM support introduced
- →Gorgeous Super Retina OLED display
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone XS Max
Pros
- Largest iPhone display at the time (6.5 inches)
- Dual SIM with eSIM support introduced
- Gorgeous Super Retina OLED display
- A12 Bionic with first 7nm mobile chip
- Stereo speakers with wide sound
Cons
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Very expensive starting at $1099
- No Night mode in camera
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XS Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 208 g | 209 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3174 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2688 x 1242 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
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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