BeastCompare - Independent Smartphone Battles & Specifications
Home/Battles/Galaxy S23 FE vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
Lab Benchmark Battle

Galaxy S23 FE vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄
Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung · 2023

Galaxy S23 FE

$599
83.5/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
83.5
Benchmark
Performance80/100
Camera91/100
Battery78/100
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

$1499
92.8/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
92.8
Benchmark
Performance96/100
Camera94/100
Battery94/100

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

Swipe across ⇄
Reasons to buy Galaxy S23 FE:
  • ✓40g lighter chassis (209g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
  • ✓$900 lower launch MSRP ($599 vs $1499)
  • ✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
  • ✓Larger 5,567 mAh battery capacity (+1,067 mAh more capacity)
  • ✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
  • ✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

Swipe across ⇄
SpecificationGalaxy S23 FEiPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen
Screen Type & TechDynamic AMOLED 2XLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.4"6.9"
Resolution & Density2340x1080 (403 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness1,450 nits peak1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionScratch-resistant glassCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / ProcessorHigh performance SoC Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresMulti-core high performanceHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsIntegrated GraphicsApple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemAndroid 13iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory8 GB12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage128GB / 256GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedHigh-speed flashNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics
Primary Camera50 MP, f/1.8, OIS48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto Zoom8 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera12 MP, f/2.248 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthNoneTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Front Video
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens10 MP, f/2.418 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions
Dimensions158 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight209 g249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsGlass front, metal/glass frameGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNano-SIM / eSIM supportNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity4,500 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging25W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging15W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingReverse wireless chargingReverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerStereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth5.1Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.2USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compassFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS via satellite (select markets)Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsStandard finishesBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Launch Price$599$1,499 / €1,600
Editorial Lab Verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, iPhone 18 Pro Max ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its Apple A20 Pro architecture and verified 94/100 camera rating.

When to buy Galaxy S23 FE:
Lighter body: 209g (40g lighter in hand) · Lower launch price: $599 (save $900)
When to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max:
Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 83.5 · Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+1,067 mAh more)
Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S23 FE vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Which phone is better: Galaxy S23 FE or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads with an overall BeastScore of 92.8/100 compared to Galaxy S23 FE (83.5/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 92.8 vs top rival 83.5 and Larger battery capacity: 5,567 mAh (+1,067 mAh more).

What are the primary battery and display differences between Galaxy S23 FE and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a 6.4-inch display and 4500 mAh battery, while iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do the camera capabilities compare between Galaxy S23 FE and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

In lab hardware evaluations, Galaxy S23 FE scores 91/100 in camera performance, while iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 94/100.

Similar Hardware Tier

Related Smartphones (Based on Benchmark Scores)

Galaxy Z Fold8
samsung · 2026

Galaxy Z Fold8

Score: 92/100
OnePlus 15
oneplus · 2025

OnePlus 15

Score: 93/100
Redmi Note 13 Pro+
xiaomi · 2023

Redmi Note 13 Pro+

Score: 91/100
Vivo X300s
vivo · 2026

Vivo X300s

Score: 93/100
Oppo Find X9 Ultra
oppo · 2026

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

Score: 92/100
ASUS ROG Phone 10 Pro Edition
asus · 2026

ASUS ROG Phone 10 Pro Edition

Score: 92/100
Realme GT 8 Pro
realme · 2025

Realme GT 8 Pro

Score: 93/100
Honor Pad 20 Pro
honor · 2026

Honor Pad 20 Pro

Score: 90/100
Trending Matchups

Related Smartphone Battles & Comparisons

Battle #184 vs 84

Galaxy S23 FE vs Galaxy A26 5G

Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
V/S
Galaxy A26 5G
Galaxy A26 5G
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #293 vs 92

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Galaxy Z Fold8

iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
V/S
Galaxy Z Fold8
Galaxy Z Fold8
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #384 vs 84

Galaxy S23 FE vs Pixel 10a

Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
V/S
Pixel 10a
Pixel 10a
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #493 vs 93

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs OnePlus 15

iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
V/S
OnePlus 15
OnePlus 15
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #584 vs 84

Galaxy S23 FE vs 9RT 5G Premium Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE IN 256GB MT2111

Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
V/S
9RT 5G Premium Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE IN 256GB MT2111
9RT 5G Premium Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE IN 256GB MT2111
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #693 vs 91

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Redmi Note 13 Pro+

iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
V/S
Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #784 vs 84

Galaxy S23 FE vs Mi 13

Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
V/S
Mi 13
Mi 13
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #893 vs 93

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Vivo X300s

iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
V/S
Vivo X300s
Vivo X300s
Compare Both Phones→