Galaxy S23+ Vs iPhone 13 Pro

Galaxy S23+
Galaxy S23+
Starting at

Refurbished price:295.00

Versus €1,019.00 new

See options
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:313.00

Versus €1,149.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro, launched in September 2021, represent distinct approaches to flagship smartphone design. While the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a larger display and a more recent Android experience, the iPhone 13 Pro provides a refined iOS ecosystem with a focus on professional-grade camera capabilities in a more compact form factor. Both devices operate on different platforms, with the Samsung running Android and the iPhone running iOS, which significantly influences the user experience from customisation to app integration.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its build quality, software support, and the availability of repairs. Both the Galaxy S23 Plus and the iPhone 13 Pro are constructed with durable materials and receive consistent software updates, contributing to their practical lifespan.

  • Release Timeline and Age: The Galaxy S23 Plus is a newer device, released in early 2023, while the iPhone 13 Pro was released in late 2021. This two-year difference means the S23 Plus has a longer remaining period for official software support.
  • OS Support Duration: Samsung typically provides four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates for its flagship devices. The Galaxy S23 Plus, launched with Android 13, is expected to receive major OS updates until Android 17, with security patches extending until 2028. Apple generally supports iPhones with major iOS updates for 5 to 6 years after release, with security updates often continuing beyond that. The iPhone 13 Pro, launched with iOS 15, is likely to receive major iOS updates until around 2027 or 2028.
  • Build and Repairability: Both devices feature robust constructions. The Galaxy S23 Plus uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back with an Armor Aluminum frame, offering strong resistance to drops and scratches. The iPhone 13 Pro features a Ceramic Shield front cover and a stainless steel frame, which also contributes to its durability. Both models carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Year of Release

2023

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in daily use is a key differentiator, with both devices offering smooth operation but with varying strengths in specific tasks due to their underlying architectures.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a more recent generation processor, which contributes to efficient power management and sustained performance during demanding tasks like high-end gaming and heavy multitasking. The iPhone 13 Pro, while older, benefits from Apple's integrated hardware and software, providing a fluid experience for everyday apps and consistent frame rates in games.
  • System Responsiveness and RAM: The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM, facilitating smooth app switching and multitasking. The iPhone 13 Pro has 6GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS optimization, ensures applications launch quickly and transitions remain smooth without noticeable lag.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 Plus generally offers longer runtimes between charges due to its larger battery capacity (4700 mAh) and the efficiency of its newer processor. The iPhone 13 Pro, with a 3095 mAh battery, still provides good battery life, often lasting a full day for typical users, benefiting from iOS's power optimization.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on a smartphone is largely defined by its display, and both the Galaxy S23 Plus and iPhone 13 Pro offer high-quality screens with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). The iPhone 13 Pro has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering excellent contrast and color accuracy with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 Plus can reach a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, and features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The iPhone 13 Pro's display offers up to 1200 nits peak brightness and also includes ProMotion technology, providing an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for a fluid user experience.
  • Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The larger 6.6-inch screen of the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a more expansive viewing area, which can be beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. The iPhone 13 Pro's 6.1-inch display provides a more compact form factor, making it easier for one-handed use while still delivering a high-quality visual experience.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1170 x 2532

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though they approach imaging with different strengths and features.

  • Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 13 Pro also has a triple 12MP camera system, comprising a main wide lens, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 Plus is noted for its ability to produce consistently good pictures with vibrant colors, and its night mode performs well. The iPhone 13 Pro excels in natural color reproduction and offers strong low-light performance, with its main and ultrawide cameras being highly sensitive to light. The iPhone 13 Pro also introduced a macro photography mode.
  • Video Recording Quality: The Galaxy S23 Plus supports video recording up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, and offers good video stabilization. The iPhone 13 Pro records video up to 4K at 60 frames per second and includes features like Cinematic mode for depth-of-field effects and ProRes video recording for professional workflows.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience of these devices.

  • Connectivity Options: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S23 Plus includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, offering advanced wireless capabilities. The iPhone 13 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Port Types and Biometrics: The Galaxy S23 Plus uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and features an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 13 Pro utilizes Apple's proprietary Lightning port and relies on Face ID for biometric authentication.
  • Weight, Dimensions, and Materials: The Galaxy S23 Plus measures 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm and weighs 195g, offering a larger footprint. The iPhone 13 Pro is more compact at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm and weighs 204g, making it slightly heavier for its size due to its stainless steel frame.

Weight

168 g

203 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

User feedback on the Galaxy S23 Plus often highlights its strong battery life and the quality of its large, bright display, which remains highly visible in various lighting conditions. Some users note its excellent performance for demanding applications and gaming. Criticisms sometimes point to its position between the more compact S23 and the feature-rich S23 Ultra, making it a less distinct choice for some.

The iPhone 13 Pro consistently receives praise for its video recording capabilities, natural color reproduction in photos, and the overall smooth and responsive iOS experience. Its compact design is often appreciated for comfortable one-handed use. Some users, however, might find the smaller screen less immersive compared to larger Android counterparts.

Users prioritizing a larger screen for media consumption, a more recent Android operating system, and extended battery life may find the Galaxy S23 Plus well-suited to their needs. Those who prefer a more compact device, a focus on professional video tools, and a long-standing reputation for software stability and ecosystem integration may lean toward the iPhone 13 Pro. Both devices continue to perform at a high level years after their initial release. Opting for a quality-assured refurbished model of either device presents an eco-friendly alternative, allowing access to these high-end features while contributing to a more sustainable choice.

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