Samsung Galaxy S23 FEvsApple iPhone 16 Pro Max
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
Verdict
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wins 4 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the overall winner, 4 / 5 — camera is its standout. It costs USD 1,199 — USD 750 more than the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. Pay the premium if camera is your priority.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes Performance — led by storage (256 GB).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes Display — led by screen size (6.9 in).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes Camera — led by camera score (151 pts).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max takes Battery — led by battery (4,685 mAh).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes Price — led by price (449 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you want a lower price — 449 USD vs 1,199 USD.
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,700,000 pts vs 1,200,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want more room for photos and apps — 256 GB vs 128 GB.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a bigger screen — 6.9 in vs 6.4 in.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a sharper screen — 460 ppi vs 403 ppi.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 2,000 nits vs 1,450 nits.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want sharper selfies — 12 MP vs 10 MP.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want better video quality — 98 pts vs 92 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want a better camera — 151 pts vs 127 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want longer battery life — 4,685 mAh vs 4,500 mAh.
At a glance
- Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Click a label to jump to that section ↓
Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if price matters most. It costs USD 449, the lowest price in this group.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if camera matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 1,199.
Pros & cons
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- 3x telephoto
- Wireless charging
- Big discount
- Older chipset
- Battery life average
- Thick bezels
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Best-in-class video
- Large 6.9-inch display
- Excellent battery life
- Very expensive
- Heavy
- Slow 25 W charging