Galaxy S23+ Vs iPhone 15 Plus

Galaxy S23+
Galaxy S23+
Starting at

Refurbished price:293.00

Versus €1,019.00 new

See options
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:421.00

Versus €979.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (released in February 2023) and the iPhone 15 Plus (released in September 2023) are both large-screen smartphones designed for users who prioritize expansive displays and extended battery life. While the Galaxy S23 Plus operates on Android, offering a customizable experience, the iPhone 15 Plus runs on iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem. Key differentiators include their operating systems, display refresh rates, and camera system approaches.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, both offer robust software support and durable builds, though their release timelines place them in slightly different positions for future updates.

  • Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is guaranteed to receive four years of Android operating system updates, extending its support to Android 17, along with five years of security updates. The iPhone 15 Plus, being an Apple device, typically receives iOS updates for five to six years from its release, potentially offering a slightly longer period of major OS upgrades.
  • Physical Durability: Both smartphones feature IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, indicating they can withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone 15 Plus incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple states offers enhanced drop performance, while the Galaxy S23 Plus uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection.
  • Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary by region and independent assessments, both devices are designed with modern smartphone construction, meaning professional repair is generally recommended for significant damage. Users seeking to maximize the lifespan of their device might consider a quality-assured refurbished option as a sustainable choice.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S23 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus deliver strong performance for daily tasks and demanding applications, though they achieve this with different underlying hardware architectures.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a current-generation Android processor, which provides smooth operation for multitasking, gaming, and running intensive applications. The iPhone 15 Plus utilizes a powerful, previous-generation Apple processor, ensuring a highly responsive user experience across iOS applications and games.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM, facilitating efficient multitasking and quick app switching. The iPhone 15 Plus features 6GB of RAM, optimized by iOS to handle numerous applications and maintain fluidity.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer ample internal storage, with the Galaxy S23 Plus available in 256GB and 512GB configurations, and the iPhone 15 Plus offering 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 Plus, with its 4700 mAh battery, often provides excellent battery life, frequently lasting a full day and sometimes extending to two days for moderate users. The iPhone 15 Plus, featuring a 4383 mAh battery, is widely praised for its exceptional endurance, often delivering up to two days of use on a single charge, making it a strong contender for users prioritizing long battery life.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display experience on both the Galaxy S23 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus is vibrant and immersive, catering to media consumption and daily interaction with large, high-quality panels.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering deep blacks and rich colors with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The iPhone 15 Plus sports a slightly larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing excellent contrast and color accuracy with a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: Both phones offer high peak brightness levels for clear visibility in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S23 Plus can reach up to 1750 nits of peak brightness, while the iPhone 15 Plus can achieve up to 2000 nits for outdoor peak brightness, enhancing readability under direct sunlight.
  • Refresh Rate: A notable difference lies in their refresh rates. The Galaxy S23 Plus features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which allows for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 15 Plus maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1290 x 2796

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though they approach imaging with slightly different hardware and software philosophies.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 15 Plus comes with a dual-camera system, featuring a 48MP main sensor that uses pixel binning for detailed 24MP photos and offers a 2x optical-quality telephoto option through sensor cropping, alongside a 12MP ultrawide lens.
  • Low-Light and Everyday Photography: Both devices excel in everyday photography, producing images with good color, exposure, and detail. The iPhone 15 Plus shows improvements in low-light performance and offers enhanced portrait mode capabilities. The Galaxy S23 Plus also delivers strong low-light results and offers various modes for creative photography.
  • Video Recording: The iPhone 15 Plus is highly regarded for its video recording capabilities, offering 4K Dolby Vision video up to 60 frames per second with strong stabilization. The Galaxy S23 Plus can record 8K video at 30 frames per second, providing high resolution for those who need it, and also features improved video stabilization.
  • Front Camera: Both phones are equipped with 12MP front-facing cameras, capable of capturing detailed selfies and supporting various portrait modes and video calls.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical features and design elements differentiate these two large-screen smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S23 Plus supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and features a USB-C 3.2 port for faster data transfer speeds. The iPhone 15 Plus also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, but its USB-C port operates at USB 2.0 speeds, which is slower for data transfer compared to its Pro counterparts and the Galaxy S23 Plus.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S23 Plus utilizes an under-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 15 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, featuring a flat display and a design with individual camera cutouts. The iPhone 15 Plus measures 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm and weighs 201g, with a slightly rounded edge design and a color-infused glass back. Both offer a comfortable grip for their size, though the iPhone 15 Plus is marginally larger and heavier.
  • Unique Features: The iPhone 15 Plus introduces the Dynamic Island, an interactive area around the front camera cutout that displays alerts and live activities. The Galaxy S23 Plus offers Samsung's One UI, providing extensive customization options for the Android operating system.

Weight

168 g

171 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

USB-C (USB 2)

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus often highlights its strong overall performance, excellent battery life, and versatile camera system as key strengths. Many appreciate its bright, vibrant display and the extensive customization options offered by Android. Some users, however, noted that it felt like an iterative update compared to its predecessor, and some wished for a higher resolution display like other premium Android phones.

The iPhone 15 Plus receives significant praise for its exceptional battery life, often cited as one of its most compelling features, and its large, bright OLED display. Users also commend its improved main camera and the integration of the Dynamic Island. Common criticisms include the 60Hz refresh rate, which some find less fluid than higher refresh rate displays on competing devices, and the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens.

For users prioritizing a highly customizable Android experience with a smooth 120Hz display and a dedicated telephoto camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus may be a more suitable choice. Its robust performance and long battery life make it a reliable daily driver. Conversely, individuals who value an integrated ecosystem, class-leading battery endurance, and a consistently strong camera for photos and video, and who are comfortable with a 60Hz display, might find the iPhone 15 Plus to be a better fit. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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