Galaxy S23+ Vs iPhone 14 Plus

Galaxy S23+
Galaxy S23+
Starting at

Refurbished price:293.00

Versus €1,019.00 new

See options
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:317.00

Versus €879.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (released February 2023) and the Apple iPhone 14 Plus (released October 2022) are large-screen smartphones offering distinct experiences within their respective ecosystems. While both devices provide robust performance and capable camera systems, they differ significantly in display technology, camera versatility, and operating system features. The Galaxy S23 Plus operates on Android, featuring Samsung's One UI, while the iPhone 14 Plus runs on Apple's iOS.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, both offer substantial software support and durable designs.

  • Software Updates: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is expected to receive four major Android operating system upgrades and five years of security updates, extending its software longevity until around Android 17. The iPhone 14 Plus typically receives iOS updates for approximately 5-6 years from its release, providing a comparable period of software support.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S23 Plus features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, paired with an aluminum frame. The iPhone 14 Plus incorporates Apple's Ceramic Shield on the front and a glass back with an aerospace-grade aluminum design. Both devices carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating similar levels of protection against environmental elements.
  • Expected Lifespan: Users can anticipate a practical lifespan of several years from either device, with consistent performance and security updates ensuring continued functionality. The choice between them for longevity may depend more on preference for Android or iOS ecosystem support.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver smooth and responsive performance for daily tasks, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S23 Plus handles demanding applications and multitasking efficiently, providing a fluid user experience. The iPhone 14 Plus also offers strong performance, ensuring applications launch quickly and run without hesitation.
  • Multitasking Capabilities: With its larger amount of RAM, the Galaxy S23 Plus can keep more applications open in the background without needing to reload them, which benefits users who frequently switch between multiple apps. The iPhone 14 Plus, while having less RAM, is optimized to manage background processes effectively within the iOS environment, maintaining smooth transitions.
  • Gaming and Intensive Use: For graphically intensive games and heavy workloads, the Galaxy S23 Plus provides a powerful experience, maintaining stable frame rates and efficient thermal management. The iPhone 14 Plus also performs well in gaming, offering a consistent and enjoyable experience for most mobile titles.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is vibrant, though they employ different display technologies and refresh rates.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering deep blacks, rich colors, and a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The iPhone 14 Plus comes with a slightly larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing excellent contrast and color accuracy with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S23 Plus can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone 14 Plus offers a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, which is also suitable for outdoor use, though the S23 Plus can get brighter.
  • Refresh Rate: A key difference lies in the refresh rate; the Galaxy S23 Plus features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 14 Plus has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is consistent but less fluid compared to higher refresh rate displays.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they approach photography with different hardware configurations and features.

  • Rear Camera System: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. This allows for greater flexibility in framing shots, from wide landscapes to distant subjects. The iPhone 14 Plus has a dual-camera system, consisting of an upgraded 12-megapixel main camera with a larger sensor for improved low-light performance and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.
  • Low-Light Photography and Video: Both devices perform well in low-light conditions, capturing detailed and well-exposed images. The iPhone 14 Plus introduces features like Photonic Engine for enhanced low-light processing and Action mode for smoother video recording, akin to using a gimbal. The Galaxy S23 Plus offers 8K video recording, while the iPhone 14 Plus records up to 4K.
  • Front Camera: The Galaxy S23 Plus includes a 12-megapixel front camera. The iPhone 14 Plus also features a 12-megapixel TrueDepth front camera, which now includes autofocus for sharper selfies.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish these two large-screen devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both phones support 5G cellular connectivity and modern Wi-Fi standards. The Galaxy S23 Plus uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, offering broad compatibility with accessories. The iPhone 14 Plus utilizes Apple's Lightning port.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S23 Plus incorporates an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 14 Plus relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S23 Plus measures 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm and weighs 196g. The iPhone 14 Plus is slightly larger and heavier at 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm and 203g. Both offer a substantial feel in hand, with the S23 Plus being marginally more compact and lighter.

Weight

168 g

150 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and iPhone 14 Plus both cater to users seeking a large-screen smartphone experience, but they appeal to different priorities. User sentiment often highlights the Galaxy S23 Plus for its versatile camera system, particularly the inclusion of a telephoto lens, and its smoother 120Hz display. Many users appreciate the flexibility of the Android operating system and Samsung's additional features like DeX for a desktop-like experience. Criticisms sometimes point to the iPhone 14 Plus's 60Hz display as a drawback compared to many Android counterparts. Conversely, the iPhone 14 Plus is frequently praised for its exceptional battery life, often cited as one of the best in its class, and the consistent, intuitive experience of iOS. Its camera system, while lacking a dedicated telephoto, is noted for its reliable image quality and advanced video stabilization features like Action mode. Some users may find the Lightning port less convenient than USB-C in a multi-device household.

Users prioritizing a highly fluid display, a more comprehensive camera setup with optical zoom, and the customization options of Android may find the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus better suited to their needs. Those who value industry-leading battery endurance, the streamlined simplicity of iOS, and robust video capabilities will likely lean towards the iPhone 14 Plus. Both devices represent solid choices, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for making an informed, sustainable choice.

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