Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Detailed Comparison
/ Detailed Comparison of Google Pixel 8 Pro, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
By Babloo Farkade.
Date: 08 Oct 2023 13:59 PM IST
In the ever-competitive world of smartphones, Google’s Pixel 8 Pro has entered the ring, armed with a new processor, enhanced display, and improved cameras compared to its predecessor. However, it faces fierce competition from two heavyweight contenders that dominate the premium smartphone market: the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Let’s dive into the comparison of how these three giants stack up against each other.
Processing Power
The Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with the new Tensor G3 chipset, the third generation of Google’s custom-designed silicon aimed at enhancing on-device AI processing. While Tensor chipsets may not match the raw performance of the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip in the Galaxy S23 Ultra in benchmark tests like Geekbench, they bring unique capabilities. These include media-editing features like Magic Eraser for removing elements from photos, Audio Magic Eraser for reducing background noise, and Best Take for combining the best parts of burst photos. These software advantages give the Pixel 8 Pro an edge, even though Magic Eraser is technically available for other phones through the Google Photos app.
Software Updates
One standout advantage of the Pixel 8 Pro is the promise of seven years of Android operating system and security updates. This significantly surpasses the four years of OS updates and five years of security updates offered by Samsung phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Apple’s stance on the duration of software support is somewhat uncertain, with the latest iOS 17 update leaving behind older iPhone models like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, released in 2017. Five years of OS updates is the conservative estimate for a new iPhone.
Camera Capabilities
The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a powerful rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide, and a 48-megapixel telephoto with 5x optical zoom. On paper, these cameras are expected to produce sharper photos than the 12-megapixel ultrawide and 12-megapixel telephoto cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, testing will be needed to compare them to Apple’s unique “tetraprism” technology in its zoom camera. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, with its 200-megapixel main camera and two telephoto lenses (3x optical zoom and 10x optical zoom), presents a formidable challenge in the camera department, though its starting price of $1,200 reflects its advanced camera specs.
Display and Design
In terms of display, the Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 3,120×1,440 pixels, boasting a brightness of up to 2,400 nits and a 1 to 120Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch OLED screen offers a slightly lower resolution, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra matches the Pixel’s resolution with its 6.8-inch AMOLED display. Both Apple and Samsung phones support a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
When it comes to design, each phone offers a distinct look. The Pixel 8 Pro retains its predecessor’s horizontal camera block, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a square camera block with larger lenses. The Galaxy S23 Ultra opts for minimalism with a clean back cover design, housing its five cameras.
Hardware and Battery
All three phones share similar hardware specifications, with variations in RAM and storage options. The Pixel 8 Pro starts with 12GB of RAM and offers storage capacities ranging from 128GB to 1TB. Apple doesn’t disclose RAM specifics but provides storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Galaxy S23 Ultra begins with 8GB of RAM and offers storage choices of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
None of the three phones supports expandable storage, necessitating reliance on cloud storage or external SSDs for additional storage needs. Battery capacity details for the iPhone remain undisclosed, while the Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 5,050mAh battery, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with a 5,000mAh battery.
In a notable change, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has adopted a USB-C port instead of the traditional Lightning connector, offering 25 watts of wired charging and 15 watts of wireless charging. The Pixel 8 Pro supports up to 30 watts of wired charging and 23 watts of wireless charging, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra leads the pack with 45 watts of wired charging and 15 watts of wireless charging.
These flagship smartphones each bring their own strengths and unique features to the table, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference and priorities. Whether you prioritize camera quality, software updates, or design, these devices offer a diverse range of options in the premium smartphone market.
The Detailed Comparison Chart:
| Feature / Specification | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7″ OLED, 3120x1440px, 1-120Hz | 6.7″ OLED, 2796x1290px, 120Hz | 6.8″ AMOLED, 3088x1440px, 120Hz |
| Pixel Density (ppi) | 489 | 460 | 500 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.4x3x0.3 | 6.29×3.02×0.32 | 6.43×3.07×0.35 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 162.6×76.5×8.8 | 159.9×76.7×8.25 | 163.3x78x8.9 |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 213g (7.5 oz) | 221g (7.81 oz) | 234g (8.25 oz) |
| Mobile Software | Android 14 | iOS 17 | Android 13 |
| Camera Setup | 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto | 48MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x telephoto | 200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP 10x telephoto |
| Front-facing Camera | 10.5MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Video Capture | 4K | 4K | 8K |
| Processor | Google Tensor G3 | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM/Storage Options | 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (RAM undisclosed) | 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 12GB + 1TB |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | None |
| Battery Capacity | 5,050mAh | Undisclosed (Apple claims up to 29 hours of video playback) | 5,000mAh |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Under display | None (Face ID) | Under display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone Jack | None | None | None |
| Special Features | 5G, 7 years of OS updates, 13W Qi wireless charging, IP68 rated, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | 5G, MagSafe, satellite connectivity, eSIM support | 5G, wireless PowerShare, S Pen, 100x Space Zoom, UWB, 45W wired charging |
| US Price (Off-contract) | $999 (128GB) | $1,199 (256GB) | $1,200 (256GB) |
| UK Price | £825 (128GB) | £1,199 (256GB) | £1,249 (256GB) |
| Australia Price | AU$1,575 (128GB) | AU$2,199 (256GB) | AU$1,949 (256GB) |
| India Price | ₹1,06,999 (128GB) | ₹1,59,900 (256GB) | ₹1,21,999 (256GB) |
Conclusion: In summary, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Google Pixel 8 Pro are both remarkable smartphones, each with its own set of strengths and features. Your choice ultimately depends on your priorities, whether it’s the operating system, camera capabilities, performance, or design. Consider your individual needs and preferences when making the decision between these two flagship devices.