Home > Smartphone comparison > Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max – which one to choose?

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

74 out of 100
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
VS
77 out of 100
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Here we compared two flagship smartphones: the 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy) that was released on February 1, 2023, against the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is powered by Apple A16 Bionic and came out 5 months before. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the devices.

Select the amount of RAM to evaluate performance and value for money more precisely
Memory
  1. Differences
  2. Review
  3. Specs
  4. Benchmarks
  5. Battery life
  6. Camera
  7. Comments (28)

Key differences

An overview of the main advantages of each smartphone
Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
  • The rear camera has a 10x optical zoom
  • Supports higher wattage charging (45W versus 23W)
  • Fingerprint scanner
  • Slow-motion recording at 960FPS
  • 33% better performance in AnTuTu Benchmark (1762K versus 1324K)
  • Has 33% more RAM: 8GB versus 6GB
  • Reverse charging feature
  • CPU with a higher amount of cores (+2)
Reasons to consider the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • Shows 16% longer battery life (30:06 vs 26:01 hours)
  • Delivers 38% higher peak brightness (1751 against 1266 nits)
  • 33% faster in single-core GeekBench 6 test: 2669 and 2010 points

Review

Evaluation of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max crucial features
Display
Screen quality, color accuracy, brightness
Camera
Photo and video recording quality
Performance
CPU and memory performance (apps, system)
Gaming
Capabilities for playing modern games
Battery
Battery life, charging type and speed
Connectivity
Networks, ports, data transmission
DeviceFacts Score
Final comparison evaluation
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Value for money (Beta)

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Currency
8 / 256 GB
VS
6 / 128 GB
49.0
(Average)
Value Index
78.3
(Good)

Tests and specifications

Comparison table of technical specifications and tests
Phone:
Galaxy S23 Ultra
vs
iPhone 14 Pro Max

Display

Type Dynamic AMOLED OLED
Size 6.8 inches 6.7 inches
Resolution 1440 x 3088 pixels 1290 x 2796 pixels
Aspect ratio 19.3:9 19.5:9
PPI 500 ppi 460 ppi
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Adaptive refresh rate Yes (24-120 Hz) Yes (1-120 Hz)
Max rated brightness 1200 nits 2000 nits
Max rated brightness in HDR 1750 nits 1600 nits
HDR support Yes, HDR10+ Yes, Dolby Vision
Touch sampling rate 240 Hz -
Screen protection Gorilla Glass Victus 2 -
Screen-to-body ratio 89.5% 88.3%
Display features - DCI-P3
- Always-On Display		 - DCI-P3
- Always-On Display
Display tests
RGB color space 96.9% 99.9%
PWM 240 Hz 240 Hz
Response time 2 ms 1 ms
Contrast ∞ Infinity ∞ Infinity
Peak brightness test (auto)
Galaxy S23 Ultra
1266 nits
iPhone 14 Pro Max +38%
1751 nits
Sources: NotebookCheck [3], [4]

Design and build

Height 163.4 mm (6.43 inches) 160.7 mm (6.33 inches)
Width 78.1 mm (3.07 inches) 77.6 mm (3.06 inches)
Thickness 8.9 mm (0.35 inches) 7.85 mm (0.31 inches)
Weight 233 g (8.22 oz) 240 g (8.47 oz)
Waterproof IP68 IP68
Advanced cooling Vapor chamber -
Rear material Glass Glass
Frame material Metal Metal
Colors White, Black, Gray, Blue, Green, Red, Purple Black, Silver, Gold, Purple
Fingerprint scanner Yes, in-display No
Screen-to-body ratio

Performance

Chipset specifications of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
SoC
Chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy Apple A16 Bionic
Max clock 3360 MHz 3460 MHz
CPU cores 8 (1 + 2 + 2 + 3) 6 (2 + 4)
Architecture - 3 cores at 2 GHz: Cortex-A510
- 2 cores at 2.8 GHz: Cortex-A710
- 2 cores at 2.8 GHz: Cortex-A715
- 1 core at 3.2 GHz: Cortex-X3		 - 4 cores at 2.02 GHz: Sawtooth
- 2 cores at 3.46 GHz: Everest
L3 cache 8 MB -
Manufacturing TSMC TSMC
Lithography process 4 nanometers 4 nanometers
Neural processor (NPU) Hexagon Apple Neural Engine
GPU
Graphics Adreno 740 5 core Apple GPU
GPU shading units 1536 640
GPU clock 680 MHz 1398 MHz
FLOPS ~2089 GFLOPS ~1789.4 GFLOPS

Benchmarks

Benchmark comparison of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)
Compute Score (GPU)
Compute Score (GPU) 9254 22851
Single-core score 2010 2669
Multi-core score 5245 7024
Sources: Geekbench [3], [4]
AnTuTu Benchmark 11
Galaxy S23 Ultra +33%
1762339
iPhone 14 Pro Max
1324600
CPU 556398 329807
GPU 445907 444294
Memory 285085 150297
UX 474949 400202
Total score 1762339 1324600
Samples [31 tests] [8 tests]
3DMark Steel Nomad Light
Stability 81% -
Graphics test 8 FPS -
Graphics score 1098 -
3DMark Solar Bay
Stability 77% 74%
Graphics test 20 FPS 16 FPS
Section 1 23 FPS 20 FPS
Section 2 20 FPS 16 FPS
Section 3 18 FPS 12 FPS
Graphics score 5383 4266
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
Stability 69% 71%
Graphics test 22 FPS 19 FPS
Graphics score 3723 3335
Sources: 3DMark [5], [6]
PCMark 3.0
Web score 17072 -
Video editing 7852 -
Photo editing 33655 -
Data manipulation 13329 -
Writing score 19857 -
Submit your benchmark results

Recent User Tests

The latest benchmark tests that have been submitted by users
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
DateBenchmarkResult
📘 2026-10-03 -> ThekinggoatAnTuTu 121914947
📘 2026-10-03 (Thekinggoat)Geekbench 7 CPU1471 / 4766
📘 2026-10-03 (Thekinggoat)AnTuTu 121914947
📘 2026-09-28 -> Saad_irqAnTuTu 121959121
📘 2026-09-23 (Horizon377)AnTuTu 121894819
Add View all (56)
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
DateBenchmarkResult
📘 2026-08-09 -> Kryon296AnTuTu 111425670
📘 2026-08-09 -> Kryon296AnTuTu 111302538
📘 2026-08-09 (Trinh Anh Khoi)AnTuTu 111302538
📘 2026-07-17 (Astreeek)AnTuTu 111267503
📘 2026-07-16 (Oleg)AnTuTu 111267503
Add View all (14)

Memory

RAM
RAM size 8 GB 6 GB
Memory type LPDDR5X LPDDR5
Memory clock 4200 MHz -
Channels 4 4
Storage
Storage size 256 GB 128 GB
Storage type UFS 4.0 NVMe
Memory card No No

Software

Operating system Android 13 (Can be upgraded to Android 16) iOS 16 (Can be upgraded to iOS 27)
ROM One UI 8.0 -
OS size 39.9 GB -
OS updates 4 years 6 years
Security updates 5 years 6 years

Battery

Capacity 5000 mAh 4323 mAh
Max charge power 45 W 23 W
Battery type Li-Ion Li-Ion
Replaceable No No
Wireless charging Yes (15 W) Yes (7.5 W)
Reverse charging Yes, (wireless) No
Bypass charging Yes No
Fast charging Yes (68% in 30 min) Yes (48% in 30 min)
Full charging time 0:59 hr 1:52 hr
Battery life tests
Web browsing 09:57 hr 11:49 hr
Watching video 15:38 hr 18:59 hr
Gaming 06:22 hr 06:50 hr
Standby 130 hr 144 hr
General battery life
Galaxy S23 Ultra
26:01 hr
iPhone 14 Pro Max +16%
30:06 hr
Add your battery life
Smartphones With Long Battery Life (139th and 42nd place)

Main camera

Matrix 200 megapixels 48 megapixels
Image resolution 16320 x 12240 8064 x 6048
Zoom Optical, 10x Optical, 3x
Flash LED Dual LED
Stabilization Optical Optical
8K video recording Up to 30FPS No
4K video recording Up to 60FPS Up to 60FPS
1080p video recording Up to 120FPS Up to 60FPS
Slow motion 960 FPS (1080p) 240 FPS (1080p)
Angle of widest lens 120° 120°
Lenses 1) Standard: 200 MP
2) Telephoto: 10 MP
3) Telephoto: 10 MP
4) Ultrawide: 12 MP
1) Standard: 48 MP
2) Telephoto: 12 MP
3) Ultrawide: 12 MP
4) Depth
Camera features - Bokeh mode
- Pro mode
- RAW support		 - Bokeh mode
- Pro mode
- RAW support
Standard lens
Image resolution 200 MP 48 MP
Aperture f/1.7 f/1.8
Focal length 23 mm 24 mm
Sensor Samsung ISOCELL HP2 Sony IMX803
Sensor size 1/1.3" (≈ 0.77 inch) 1/1.28" (≈ 0.78 inch)
Pixel size 0.64 micron 1.22 micron
Autofocus Laser autofocus Phase autofocus (Dual Pixel)
Stabilization Optical Optical
Telephoto lens
Image resolution 10 MP 12 MP
Aperture f/4.9 f/2.8
Focal length 230 mm 77 mm
Sensor Sony IMX754 Sony IMX713
Sensor size 1/3.52" (≈ 0.28 inch) 1/3.5" (≈ 0.29 inch)
Pixel size 1.12 micron 1 micron
Stabilization Optical Optical
Ultra-wide lens
Image resolution 12 MP 12 MP
Aperture f/2.2 f/2.2
Focal length 13 mm 13 mm
Sensor Sony IMX564 Sony IMX633
Sensor size 1/2.55" (≈ 0.39 inch) 1/2.55" (≈ 0.39 inch)
Pixel size 1.4 micron 1.4 micron
Stabilization Digital Digital

DxOMark main camera tests

Photo quality
Video quality
Generic main camera score
Bokeh 70 80
Preview 73 91
Zoom 141 139
Samples Photo samples of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra from DxOMark Photo samples of Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max from DxOMark

Selfie camera

Megapixels 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Image resolution 4000 x 3000 4032 x 3024
Aperture f/2.2 f/1.9
Focal length 26 mm 23 mm
Sensor Samsung S5K3LU Sony IMX714
Sensor size 1/3.24" (≈ 0.31 inch) 1/3.6" (≈ 0.28 inch)
Pixel size 1.12 micron 1.12 micron
Autofocus Phase autofocus Phase autofocus
Stabilization Digital Digital
Video resolution 2160p (4K) at 60 FPS 2160p (4K) at 60 FPS
Depth sensor (TOF 3D) No Yes
DxOMark front camera
Photo 139 139
Video 145 154

Connectivity

Wi-Fi standard Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax)
Wi-Fi features - Dual Band
- Wi-Fi MiMO
- Wi-Fi Direct
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Wi-Fi Display		 - Dual Band
- Wi-Fi MiMO
- Wi-Fi Direct
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Wi-Fi Display
Bluetooth version 5.3 5.3
Bluetooth features LE LE
USB type USB Type-C -
USB version 3.2 2
USB features - Charging
- USB-Storage mode
- OTG		 - Charging
- USB-Storage mode
- OTG
DisplayPort Yes, DP 1.2 Yes
GPS GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS
NFC* Yes Yes
Infrared port No No
Network
Number of SIM* 1 -
Type of SIM card Nano eSIM
Multi SIM mode Standby -
eSIM support* Yes Yes
Hybrid slot No No
LTE Cat* 20 20
5G support Yes Yes

Sound

Speakers Stereo Stereo
Headphone audio jack No No
FM radio No No
Dolby Atmos Yes Yes
Speakers test
Max loudness

Other

Category Flagship Flagship
Announced February 2023 September 2022
Release date February 2023 September 2022
Launch price (MSRP) $1199 $1099
Successor - Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
SAR (head) 0.96 W/kg -
SAR (body) 1.4 W/kg -
Sensors - Hall-effect sensor
- Barometer
- Proximity sensor
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Compass
- Fingerprint		 - Barometer
- Proximity sensor
- Gyroscope
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Compass
- Face recognition sensor
Bundled charger Not included Not included
*Disclaimer! NFC, GSM network support, and some other specs can be different depending on the country.

Conclusion

If the performance, gaming, and software are more important to you, then choose the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. But if the connectivity is more of a priority – go for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Cast your vote

So, which phone would you choose?
10736 (79.7%)
2729 (20.3%)
Total votes: 13465

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User opinions

You can share your opinion or ask a question in the comments below
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Avatar
Roy August 14, 2023 at 10:35 AM
I'm a computer scientist. I've used iPhones up to the 13 Pro Max, and I've found them lacking. iOS seems like such a time-consuming operating system. While the ecosystem features might appeal to some, I find them more suited for those who prefer convenience over control. Being a Linux user, I prefer to manage things myself. I've switched to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and it's an incredible device. It's arguably the best phone I've ever owned, especially for multitasking. The S-Pen is exceptionally handy for quick circuit design sketches. In terms of performance and utility, Samsung seems to be way ahead of Apple. 😃
+140 Reply
Avatar
Zeon July 24, 2023 at 05:56 PM
Apple wins for three big reasons: a much more valuable name brand image which creates enormous resale value for unopened devices in the future. You won't ever find a 2008 Samsung phone auctioned for $50000. Second, Apple has the advantage of seamless software integration and updates. Third, Apple's iPhone is more security and privacy-focused.
+67 Reply
Avatar
cool story bro September 6, 2023 at 06:28 PM
Apple "wins" and "loses". It all comes down and depends on what people want and what people are looking for. My personal opinion about Apple: - Uninspiring/boring/bland (but it works great!) - Too many restrictions (perhaps safer but I like to tinker) - Overpriced (Samsung and other OEM's seem to join this tactic) About the points you made: - Resale value is a thing, but not a problem for everyone - This also goes two ways: I don't want integration or everything to be synced to-/or in the cloud - debatable: Android is open-source, but not everything added (on)to it, is. Let alone if you buy certain brands where You're the product, instead of the other way around. Unfortunately, Apple/iOS isn't the holy grail (n)either. But it's good to have different camps for competition The choice is Yours! :-)
+23 Reply
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Doug December 2, 2023 at 06:46 AM
That doesn't make apple a winner except with people who want someone else making their decisions for them. The value of the phone is based on fanboy hysteria and name recognition which is why most people stick with IPhones. Doesn't make them superior by any stretch of the imagination. Where do you start. I'm getting rid of my Iphone after two years of endless frustration. Not compatible with the most recognized and used music and video encoding software on the planet. that's a big negative. The apple map system which you have to work to avoid using is notoriously unreliable and works on the same mapping system the old Tom Toms used. I did home nursing and apple mapping would send me to the wrong location about 80% of the time. The google mapping is based on the map system that Garmin used. These are actual issues that people use daily. Add to that the keyboard that one tech magazine described as "maddening" and apples insistence of forcing you to be limited to only that keyboard. That is utterly outrageous. I spent over 4000 on a macbook pro which collects dust because in spite of it's 2500 price tag my 400.00 HP runs circles around it. I'm now selling my macbook, the watch and having a Samsung 23 Ultra shipped so I can get rid of the piece of trash Iphone that I've had nothing but problems with since day 1. I would also add that if you think apples draconian controls are about privacy and security I have some swamp land to see you really cheap. Apple spies on EVERY single thing you do. They track everything you do on the phone no different than google does with Android devices. They wrap their false platitudes of trying to control what you can and can't do with a device you paid for in that BS to convince gullible people there is a difference in privacy and security.
+8 Reply
Avatar
I have no name June 30, 2023 at 03:00 PM
To be honest, Samsung outshines iPhone in this comparison (obviously), but people will still opt for the iPhone over Samsung despite its higher cost. Samsung needs to devise a strategy to capture customers' attention. iPhone users should recognize the fact that Samsung is simply the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).
+90 Reply
Avatar
Excellent June 5, 2023 at 12:50 PM
I see no reason why I should compare a 48MP camera to a 100MP one; that's just like comparing a day-old baby to an adult. If Apple is compared with gadgets that claim to have the same specifications, you'll find out they're the best.
+40 Reply
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im not givin out my name August 23, 2023 at 02:35 PM
You have to, because thats their equal. They are releasing that 48mp to compete with a 200mp
+18 Reply
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Yes May 14, 2023 at 06:46 AM
Apple is the best, forget all these scores
+108 Reply
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Apple Samsung Fan April 11, 2023 at 10:20 PM
Apple ARM Neoverse V2 : Samsung ARM Cortex X4, Apple iOS 17 : Samsung Android 14 One UI 6. Apple Samsung CPU GPU Hardware, Operating System Software.
+32 Reply
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Apple Samsung Fan April 11, 2023 at 10:15 PM
Now, Samsung needs to improve its value, market cap, and CPU performance. Apple's CPU is ARM Neoverse V2, while Samsung's CPU is ARM Cortex-X3. Samsung requires an ARM Neoverse V3 CPU and GPU to compete. Even if Samsung's hardware surpasses Apple's hardware, they still lag behind Apple's software. Samsung must surpass both Apple's CPU and operating system to come out on top.
+28 Reply
Avatar
Lee March 21, 2023 at 03:28 AM
Too bad android security is low. Their apps are horrible. Samsung support runs out twice as fast. The only chip that’s faster is the 12 ram. Which cost way more than the stock iPhone. iPhone works way better with Mac than android does with pc.
+35 Reply
Avatar
im not givin out my name March 23, 2023 at 05:52 PM
none of this is true. security is great, apps are even more than iphone and work amazingly, the cpu actually is way faster in games, the fact that you said "12 ram" shows you know nothing about specs. windows has integrated android support that works great. samsungs are also cheaper. ive used iphones. i prefer android. you should try it
+80 Reply
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1234 April 7, 2023 at 09:55 PM
What do you mean, bruh? Apple only has one more year, not twice as much as Samsung. What "12 RAM" processor are you talking about? Also, Google doesn't own Windows, you moron. Don't expect them to help you with an OS they can't control. By the way, Chromebooks work way better with Androids than iPhones do with Macs.
+19 Reply
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im not givin out my name April 11, 2023 at 02:23 PM
1234, true, but chromebooks barely work in the first place. on one right now and lagging with 4 tabs
+4 Reply
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doug December 2, 2023 at 06:52 AM
You clearly have never had an Android phone. I'm currently getting rid of the Iphone I've had for two years that has been an utter disaster in every way. Incidentally, it's great that it works well with the Mac because the mac is just as difficult to use as the Iphone with the ridiculous restrictions. it takes sometimes 4 to 8 mouse clicks to accomplish the same thing on a pc you could do with 2. Raw numbers also don't tell the story in any way. I would point out that the keyboard you are forced to use actually made a tech magazine where they described it as maddening. It's not compatible with the most universally used audio and video codecs. I've never had such a horrible experience as spending all my time trying to find workarounds to all of Apple's draconian restrictions.
0 Reply
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Parsa March 9, 2023 at 05:48 PM
Let's look at the matter logically, s23 ultra is better without prejudice, but it depends on your habit and taste
+64 Reply
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Competition March 6, 2023 at 11:11 AM
Technically s23's rival is the 15 pro max
+46 Reply
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LeBron March 11, 2023 at 06:06 PM
No, cause the iphone launch is in November
+33 Reply
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Guest July 22, 2023 at 03:59 AM
That's true. I always see YouTubers posting the S23 Ultra against the iphone 14 Pro Max but the 15 Pro Max hasn't come out yet.
+1 Reply
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You dont need my name February 10, 2023 at 08:18 PM
The S23 Ultra is definitely better in a lot of ways.
+133 Reply
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Mateo February 16, 2023 at 05:45 PM
As an iPhone user, I can agree that Samsung really hit it out of the park with their S23 and S22 Ultras.
+72 Reply
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Leo February 10, 2023 at 05:21 AM
Even though Samsung S23 Ultra is similar (or even better) in comparison to iPhone 14 pro max, the majority will go for iPhone only in that price range, because of the strong brand image, customer support, iOS software, and exclusive apps and features it offers.
+76 Reply
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Unknown 2 April 11, 2023 at 04:58 AM
Leo, one UI 5.1 is more stable and more smoother than ios 16.4.1 too and it has many things that ios will never receive till 2100.
+34 Reply
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Christian Francis June 4, 2023 at 10:01 AM
I agree with you, normally in terms of choice people prefer iphone over Samsung
+3 Reply
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Unknown February 3, 2023 at 12:49 AM
Now SAMSUNG is the king forever
+126 Reply
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Opz February 2, 2023 at 06:28 PM
For the first time, Samsung beats the iPhone in performance.
+151 Reply
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Has February 4, 2023 at 03:46 PM
Snapdragon gen 1 Samsung beats it Exynos 2100 beaten a12 each gen phone has been beating each other different is iphone stick with the same chip.
+53 Reply
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im not givin out my name March 20, 2023 at 09:05 PM
not the last time!
+23 Reply
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