Galaxy S23 Vs iPhone SE (2022)

Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23
Starting at

Refurbished price:249.00

Versus €959.00 new

See options
iPhone SE (2022)
iPhone SE (2022)
Starting at

Refurbished price:127.00

Versus €549.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23, an Android-based smartphone, was unveiled in February 2023, offering a modern design and advanced features. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022, an iOS device, was released in March 2022, maintaining a classic Apple design. The primary distinctions between these two devices lie in their operating systems, overall design philosophy, and camera capabilities, catering to different user preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S23 was released in February 2023, while the iPhone SE 2022 launched earlier in March 2022. This means the Galaxy S23 benefits from a slightly newer starting point for software updates and overall technological relevance.
  • OS Support: Samsung typically provides several years of Android OS updates and security patches for its flagship devices, including the S23. Apple is known for its extended software support, often providing iOS updates for 5-6 years or more, which means the iPhone SE 2022, despite its earlier release, is likely to receive software updates for a considerable period.
  • Durability: The Galaxy S23 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, along with an aluminum frame, and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2022 utilizes an aerospace-grade aluminum and glass design, with what Apple describes as the toughest glass in a smartphone on the front and back, similar to the iPhone 13. It carries an IP67 rating, protecting against water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S23 and iPhone SE 2022 offer robust performance, though they approach it from different ecosystems and hardware configurations.

  • Everyday Tasks: The Galaxy S23 handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive experience for daily use, gaming, and productivity. The iPhone SE 2022 also delivers a very fast and fluid experience across applications and for gaming, capable of driving its system flawlessly.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23, with its 3900 mAh battery, is designed to comfortably last a full day for most users, with some reports indicating up to 10 hours and 27 minutes of screen-on time under adaptive display settings. The iPhone SE 2022, equipped with a 2018 mAh battery, offers sufficient power for typical daily usage, though heavy users might find themselves charging more frequently.
  • System Responsiveness: Both devices exhibit excellent system responsiveness. The Galaxy S23's hardware ensures quick app loading and seamless transitions. The iPhone SE 2022's optimized software and hardware integration contribute to its consistent and snappy performance.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on these two smartphones differs significantly due to their display technologies and design philosophies.

  • Display Technology: The Galaxy S23 features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast. The iPhone SE 2022 comes with a smaller 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, which offers good color accuracy and brightness, though it doesn't match the contrast levels of an OLED panel.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 provides a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 425 ppi, offering sharp and detailed visuals. The iPhone SE 2022 has a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels at 326 ppi, which is clear for its size but less dense than the S23's display.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S23's display can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, and features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The iPhone SE 2022 has a typical brightness of 625 nits and a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

750 x 1334

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy S23 and iPhone SE 2022 cater to different photographic needs and expectations.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 boasts a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots. The iPhone SE 2022 features a single 12MP wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS. While it performs well in good lighting conditions, it lacks the versatility of multiple lenses.
  • Low-Light and Video: The Galaxy S23 excels in low-light photography and offers advanced video recording capabilities, including 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps, with features like HDR10+ and gyro-EIS for stabilized footage. The iPhone SE 2022 captures good images in decent light but lacks a dedicated Night Mode, which can result in darker and grainier photos in dimly lit environments. It supports 4K video recording at up to 60fps.
  • Front Camera: The Galaxy S23 has a 12MP front camera, capable of capturing detailed selfies and supporting 4K video recording at 60fps. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 7MP front-facing camera, which performs adequately in good lighting.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements differentiate these two devices, impacting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity: Both devices support 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds. The Galaxy S23 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The iPhone SE 2022 also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Ports and Sensors: The Galaxy S23 uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. It includes an under-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. The iPhone SE 2022 retains the Lightning port and features a physical Home button with Touch ID for fingerprint recognition. Neither device includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Dimensions and Build: The Galaxy S23 measures 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and weighs 168 grams, offering a modern, compact form factor with minimal bezels. The iPhone SE 2022 is smaller and lighter at 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm and 144 grams, featuring a design reminiscent of older iPhone models with more prominent bezels.

Weight

167 g

144 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

4.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone SE 2022 cater to distinct user preferences, each with its own set of strengths. Users often praise the Galaxy S23 for its vibrant AMOLED display, versatile camera system, and modern design. Many appreciate its strong battery life and the flexibility offered by the Android operating system. Some common criticisms, however, sometimes point to Samsung's software experience or the device's size for those preferring a smaller phone.

On the other hand, the iPhone SE 2022 is frequently lauded for its compact size, powerful internal components, and the familiar iOS experience, particularly by users who prefer a physical home button and Touch ID. Its performance is often highlighted as a significant advantage for its form factor. Criticisms often revolve around its dated design, including the larger bezels and LCD screen technology, as well as the single rear camera's limitations in certain scenarios, especially low light.

Users prioritizing a modern, expansive display, a comprehensive camera system, and the customization options of Android will find the Galaxy S23 well-suited to their needs. Those who value a compact form factor, the consistent performance of iOS, and a traditional design with a physical home button may lean toward the iPhone SE 2022. Both devices represent quality-assured options, and considering a refurbished model can be an eco-friendly alternative for either choice.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons