In today’s smartphone market, the camera has become one of the most important features for consumers. With the release of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Google Pixel 7 Pro, and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, users are now faced with a tough decision when it comes to choosing the best smartphone camera.
If you’re in the market for a new phone, you may be wondering which one has the best camera capabilities. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive comparison of the cameras of these three smartphones and help you determine which one is the best fit for your needs (and wants).
From image quality and zoom capabilities to low-light performance and other features, we’ll provide a detailed analysis of each device’s camera and what it can do. Let’s jump right in!
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Pixel 7 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Pixel 7 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Cameras | 4 back, 1 front | 3 back, 1 front |
| Back Camera Features | Main: 200-megapixel Ultrawide: 12-megapixel Telephoto: 10-megapixel (3x optical zoom) Telephoto: 10-megapixel (10x optical zoom, 100x Space zoom) | Main: 50-megapixel Ultra-wide: 48-megapixel Telephoto: 12-megapixel |
| Front Camera Features | 12-megapixel | 10.8-megapixel |
| Video | 1080p: 30 FPS or 60 FPS 4K resolution video (3840 x 2160 pixels): 60 FPS HDR10+ 8K resolution (7680 x 4320 pixels): 24 FPS or 30 FPS | 3840×2160 (4K UHD): 60 fps1920x1080 (Full HD): 60 fps |
| Release Date | February 2023 | October 2022 |
| Available Colors | Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, Cream Exclusive colors when bought through Samsung directly: Sky Blue, Lime | Obsidian(black), Snow (white), Hazel (green) |
| Price Range | $1,199.99 – $1,619.99 | $899 – $1,099 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | iPhone 14 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Camera | 4 back, 1 front | 3 back, 1 front |
| Back Camera Features | Main: 200-megapixel Ultrawide: 12-megapixel Telephoto: 10-megapixel (3x optical zoom) Telephoto: 10-megapixel (10x optical zoom, 100x Space zoom) | Primary: 48-megapixel Ultra-wide: 12-megapixel Telephoto: 12-megapixel |
| Front Camera Features | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video | 1080p: 30 FPS or 60 FPS 4K resolution video (3840 x 2160 pixels): 60 FPS HDR10+ 8K resolution (7680 x 4320 pixels): 24 FPS or 30 FPS | 4K video recording: 24 FPS, 25 FPS, 30 FPS, or 60 FPS 1080p HD video recording: 25 FPS, 30 FPS, or 60 FPS 720p HD video recording: 30 FPS Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR: 30 FPS Action mode up to 2.8K: 60 FPS |
| Release Date | February 2023 | September 2022 |
| Available Colors | Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, Cream Exclusive colors when bought through Samsung directly: Sky Blue, Lime | Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple |
| Price Range | $1,199.99 – $1,619.99 | $1,099 – $1,599 |
- Factory unlocked 2023 Android smartphone, U.S. version
- 256GB Storage
- 200MP camera
- Night mode
- Long battery life
- S Pen included
- Phantom Black color
- Unlocked 5G
- Google Tensor G2 and the Titan M2 security chip
- Pixel's Adaptive Battery
- 6.7-inch display
- Intelligently adjusts to 120Hz for smoother, more responsive performance
- 5x telephoto lens
- 128 GB memory
- 5G cellular with A16 Bionic
- 256GB storage
- 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display featuring Always-On and ProMotion
- Dynamic Island capability
- 48MP main camera for up to 4x greater resolution
- Cinematic mode now in 4K Dolby Vision up to 30 FPS
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Pixel 7 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: What’s the Difference?
Each of these three devices has unique features and capabilities that set them apart from one another, especially where their cameras are concerned. Let’s take a closer look at what each device has to offer.
Camera Hardware
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a quad-camera setup, with a 200MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens. The Pixel 7 Pro, on the other hand, has a triple-camera setup with a 50MP wide lens, a 48MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The iPhone 14 Pro Max also has a triple-camera setup, with a 48MP primary lens, a 12MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the most advanced camera hardware out of the three devices, with a higher number of lenses and higher megapixel counts for each lens.
Zoom Capabilities
Zoom capabilities are a critical aspect of smartphone cameras, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra stands out in this area. The device has 10x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom, making it the clear winner in terms of zoom capabilities. The Pixel 7 Pro has 5x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max has 6x optical zoom and up to 15x digital zoom.
If zoom capabilities are important to you, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the clear winner in this category.
©Framesira/Shutterstock.com
Low-Light Performance
Low-light photography is essential for capturing high-quality photos in darker settings. All three devices have their own unique capabilities in this area. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has improved low-light performance in Night mode. Similarly, the Pixel 7 Pro has Night Sight for better low-light photography. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has Night mode for improved low-light performance.
In terms of overall low-light performance, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 7 Pro are both strong contenders with the iPhone 14 Pro Max trailing slightly behind.
Image Processing
Each device has its own image processing software that affects the final quality of the photos. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra uses Samsung’s own image processing software, which can produce highly detailed and sharp images. Additionally, the Pixel 7 Pro uses Google’s computational photography technology. This subsequently produces highly detailed and vibrant images with excellent dynamic range. The iPhone 14 Pro Max uses Apple’s image processing software, which tends to produce more natural-looking images with less contrast compared to the other two devices.
©ymgerman/Shutterstock.com
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels. Thus, it offers excellent color reproduction and contrast. The Pixel 7 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This model still produces vibrant colors and sharp images. The iPhone 14 Pro Max also has a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, offering excellent color accuracy and brightness.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery, which offers excellent battery life. It can subsequently last all day with heavy usage. The Pixel 7 Pro also has a 5,000mAh battery, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 4,323mAh battery, which is not bad, but it will require more frequent charging compared to the Google and Samsung alternatives.
©Mr.Mikla/Shutterstock.com
Price
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the most expensive out of the three devices, starting at $1,399. The Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max starts at $1,099.
Other Features
Aside from camera hardware, zoom skills, and low-light performance, each device has its own unique aspects that set it apart. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has impressive video recording capabilities, with 8K video recording and the ability to take 100MP stills from 8K video.
The Pixel 7 Pro also has astrophotography mode for capturing stunning photos of the night sky, as well as Portrait Light and Motion Mode features. The iPhone 14 Pro Max offers ProRes video recording, ProRAW, and Night mode portraits.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers the most advanced camera hardware and zoom capabilities, while the Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have their own unique strengths in areas like low-light performance and more camera features.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Pixel 7 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: 11 Must-Know Facts
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 200-megapixel primary camera, which is the highest resolution among the three devices.
- The Pixel 7 Pro features Google’s computational photography technology, which can produce highly detailed and vibrant images with excellent dynamic range.
- The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a LiDAR scanner, which enables it to capture depth information and produce more accurate portraits with a blurred background effect.
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 10x optical zoom and a 100x digital zoom, which is the highest zoom capability among the three devices.
- The Pixel 7 Pro has a dedicated astrophotography mode, which allows you to capture detailed photos of the night sky.
- The iPhone 14 Pro Max features Apple’s ProRAW format, which allows for more advanced editing capabilities in post-processing.
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max both offer 8K video recording capabilities, while the Pixel 7 Pro offers 4K recording.
- The Pixel 7 Pro has a larger sensor size than both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which can result in better low-light performance and improved dynamic range.
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max both feature Pro modes, allowing you to manually adjust settings such as shutter speed, ISO, and white balance for more control over your photos.
- The Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max both have dedicated ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a single lens that can switch between ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto modes.
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max both feature advanced autofocus technology, which can track moving subjects and keep them in focus even when they move out of the frame. The Pixel 7 Pro also has good autofocus performance, but it may not be as advanced as the other two devices.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Pixel 7 Pro vs. iPhone 14 Pro Max: Which One is Better?
When it comes to choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 7 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Each device has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a powerhouse when it comes to camera capabilities. It has a high-resolution primary camera sensor and impressive zoom capabilities. It also has a large, high-quality display and plenty of processing power. However, it’s also the most expensive of the three devices. Additionally, its size and weight may be a turn-off for some users.
- Factory unlocked 2023 Android smartphone, U.S. version
- 256GB Storage
- 200MP camera
- Night mode
- Long battery life
- S Pen included
- Phantom Black color
Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Pixel 7 Pro, on the other hand, is a great option for photography enthusiasts — particularly those who value Google’s computational photography technology. It’s also the most affordable of the three devices. Furthermore, its smaller size and lighter weight may be more appealing to some users. However, its battery life may be a concern for heavy users, and it may not be as powerful as the other two devices.
- Unlocked 5G
- Google Tensor G2 and the Titan M2 security chip
- Pixel's Adaptive Battery
- 6.7-inch display
- Intelligently adjusts to 120Hz for smoother, more responsive performance
- 5x telephoto lens
- 128 GB memory
iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a solid all-around option, with its powerful processing, excellent camera capabilities, and premium design. It also features unique features like the LiDAR scanner and ProRAW format. However, it’s also fairly expensive and may not be as customizable or open as some Android devices.
- 5G cellular with A16 Bionic
- 256GB storage
- 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display featuring Always-On and ProMotion
- Dynamic Island capability
- 48MP main camera for up to 4x greater resolution
- Cinematic mode now in 4K Dolby Vision up to 30 FPS
The Verdict
If camera capabilities are your top priority and the price isn’t a concern, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may be the best option.
If you value computational photography and affordability, the Pixel 7 Pro may be the way to go.
If you want a premium all-around device with unique features, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is worth considering.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mr.Mikla/Shutterstock.com.
