Galaxy S23 FE vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2023

Galaxy S23 FE

84/ 100

Launch MSRP$599 USD

Apple · 2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

85/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,199 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS iPhone 17 Pro Max BETTER THAN Galaxy S23 FE?

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Galaxy S23 FE

iPhone 17 Pro MaxWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S23	iPhone 17	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,500 mAh	5,088 mAh	+5,088 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	40W	40W Max
Main Camera Sensor	50 MP	48 MP	50 MP
Screen Display Size	6.4"	6.9"	6.9"
Chassis Weight	209g	233g	209g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S23 FE:

✓24g lighter chassis (209g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$600 lower launch MSRP ($599 vs $1199)
✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

Reasons to buy iPhone 17 Pro Max:

✓Larger 5,088 mAh battery capacity (+588 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?

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Specification	Galaxy S23 FE	iPhone 17 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size	6.4"	6.9"
Resolution & Density	2340x1080 (403 ppi)	2868x1320 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,450 nits peak	3,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 13	iOS 26
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB / 2048GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S23 FE Wins Camera
Primary Camera	50 MP, f/1.8, OIS	48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Fusion 48MP
Telephoto Zoom	8 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS	48 MP (8x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	48 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	10 MP, f/2.4	18 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S23 FE Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	158 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm	163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm
Weight	209 g	233 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,500 mAh	5,088 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	40W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.1	6.0
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$599	$1199

Editorial Lab Verdict

iPhone 17 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 84.5/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, iPhone 17 Pro Max ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S23 FE:

Lighter body: 209g (24g lighter in hand) · Lower launch price: $599 (save $600)

When to choose iPhone 17 Pro Max:

Higher overall BeastScore: 84.5 vs top rival 83.5 · Larger battery capacity: 5,088 mAh (+588 mAh more)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S23 FE vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Which is better: Galaxy S23 FE or iPhone 17 Pro Max?

iPhone 17 Pro Max leads with an overall BeastScore of 84.5/100 compared to Galaxy S23 FE (83.5/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 84.5 vs top rival 83.5 and Larger battery capacity: 5,088 mAh (+588 mAh more).