Galaxy S23 Vs iPhone 14 Plus

Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23
Starting at

Refurbished price:245.00

Versus €959.00 new

See options
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:313.00

Versus €879.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23, released in February 2023, and the Apple iPhone 14 Plus, launched in October 2022, represent distinct approaches to flagship smartphone design. While both offer robust performance and advanced camera systems, they differ significantly in their operating systems and overall user experience. The Galaxy S23 runs on Android, offering a customizable interface, whereas the iPhone 14 Plus operates on iOS, known for its streamlined ecosystem.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected practical lifespan, including software support and repairability.

  • Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S23 is expected to receive four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until approximately 2028. The iPhone 14 Plus, running on iOS, typically receives 5-6 years of major operating system updates from its release date, offering a comparable, if not slightly longer, period of software relevance.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S23 has demonstrated a good repairability score, with a design that facilitates easier battery replacement and internal components that are often labeled for guidance during repairs. The iPhone 14 Plus also features a more repair-friendly internal design compared to its predecessors.
  • Expected Lifespan: Both devices are built with durable materials and are designed for extended use. Users of the Galaxy S23 have expressed intentions to use the device for 3-4 years, with potential battery replacement to extend its life further.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 Plus deliver strong performance for daily tasks and demanding applications, though they achieve this through different hardware configurations.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 is equipped with a current-generation processor optimized for its ecosystem, enabling smooth multitasking and efficient handling of graphics-intensive games and applications. The iPhone 14 Plus utilizes a powerful chip with a 5-core graphics processing unit, ensuring responsive performance across iOS applications and a fluid user experience.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 14 Plus is recognized for its extended battery life, with some tests showing nearly 12 hours of continuous web surfing and the potential for two full days of use for some individuals. The Galaxy S23 also offers substantial battery performance, typically lasting a full day for most users and achieving over 10 hours in web browsing tests.
  • Storage and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S23 offers 8GB of RAM and storage options up to 512GB, with 256GB and 512GB variants utilizing a faster storage format. The iPhone 14 Plus comes with 6GB of RAM and similar storage configurations. Both devices provide a highly responsive user experience, with quick app loading and efficient navigation.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is vibrant and clear, though they employ different display technologies and characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 14 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors with a resolution of 2778 by 1284 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch. The Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels, providing a pixel density of 425 pixels per inch.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23's display can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring good visibility in bright outdoor conditions, and features an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 48Hz to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations. The iPhone 14 Plus offers a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, but its refresh rate is fixed at 60Hz.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the iPhone 14 Plus provides an expansive canvas for media consumption and multitasking. The Galaxy S23, while smaller, offers a very bright and colorful display that is well-suited for various content.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S23 features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 14 Plus comes with a dual-camera system, comprising a 12MP main camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultrawide camera.
  • Photography Performance: Both phones excel in everyday photography, producing detailed and clear images. The iPhone 14 Plus's main camera benefits from a larger sensor and faster aperture for improved low-light performance. The Galaxy S23 is also noted for its excellent photo and video quality across various scenarios.
  • Video Capabilities and Front Camera: The Galaxy S23 supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second. The iPhone 14 Plus offers 4K video recording and features Cinematic mode for depth-of-field effects. Both devices include a 12MP front-facing camera, with the iPhone 14 Plus's TrueDepth camera gaining autofocus for clearer selfies.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity, modern Wi-Fi standards, and Bluetooth. The Galaxy S23 utilizes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, a widely adopted standard. The iPhone 14 Plus retains the Lightning port, though future iPhone models have transitioned to USB-C. In some regions, the iPhone 14 Plus is eSIM-only.
  • Biometric Security: The iPhone 14 Plus relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition. The Galaxy S23 incorporates an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S23 is a more compact device, measuring 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and weighing 168 grams, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The iPhone 14 Plus is larger, with dimensions of 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm and a weight of 203 grams, offering a larger screen experience in a relatively lightweight design for its size. Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Weight

167 g

150 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S23 often highlights its excellent screen, capable camera system, and impressive battery life for its compact size. Many appreciate its comfortable ergonomics and overall flagship performance. Some users have noted concerns regarding the scratch resistance of the display glass and occasional software inconsistencies.

The iPhone 14 Plus receives frequent praise for its exceptional battery life, often cited as one of its strongest features, and its large, immersive display. Users value the expansive screen for media consumption and general use. Criticisms sometimes point to the 60Hz refresh rate, which some users find less fluid compared to devices with higher refresh rates, and the absence of a telephoto camera.

Users prioritizing a compact form factor with a high-refresh-rate display and a versatile camera system, including a telephoto lens, may find the Samsung Galaxy S23 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value a larger screen experience, extended battery longevity, and the streamlined iOS ecosystem might lean towards the iPhone 14 Plus. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing a sustainable choice for consumers.

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