Galaxy S23+ Vs iPhone 15 Pro

Galaxy S23+
Galaxy S23+
Starting at

Refurbished price:300.00

Versus €1,337.64 new

See options
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:510.00

Versus €1,165.38 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, and the iPhone 15 Pro, launched in September 2023, are both high-end smartphones offering distinct experiences within their respective ecosystems. While the Galaxy S23 Plus operates on the Android platform, the iPhone 15 Pro runs on iOS. Key differentiators include their display technologies, camera systems, and overall design philosophies, catering to varied user preferences.

Scores

Durability

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

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 15 Pro, being released in September 2023, is a newer device compared to the Galaxy S23 Plus, which launched in February 2023. This difference in release dates means the iPhone 15 Pro will likely receive software updates for a slightly longer period.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides four years of major Android OS updates and five years of security updates for its flagship devices, while Apple generally offers five to six years of iOS updates. This suggests the iPhone 15 Pro may have an edge in software support duration.
  • Repairability: The iPhone 15 Pro initially received a lower repairability score from iFixit, but was later promoted to a 7 out of 10 due to software improvements allowing for easier part calibration, though challenges with proprietary parts remain. The Galaxy S23 Plus's repairability is generally considered moderate, though specific scores were not widely published.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver robust performance for daily tasks, gaming, and demanding applications, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor optimized for its ecosystem, ensuring smooth operation across various applications and multitasking scenarios. The iPhone 15 Pro features an advanced processor designed to handle intensive tasks, offering top-tier performance for gaming and professional-grade applications.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of both devices report a highly responsive and fluid experience, with applications loading quickly and transitions appearing seamless. The iPhone 15 Pro's processor is noted for its efficiency, contributing to consistent performance even under heavy load.
  • Storage Options: The Galaxy S23 Plus is available with 256GB and 512GB storage options. The iPhone 15 Pro offers a wider range of storage capacities, including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, providing more flexibility for users with extensive storage needs.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is immersive, with each offering a high-quality display tailored to different preferences.

  • 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 15 Pro comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering a higher resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels, resulting in a sharper image with approximately 460 pixels per inch.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer excellent brightness levels, with the Galaxy S23 Plus reaching up to 1750 nits peak brightness and the iPhone 15 Pro achieving up to 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. Both devices feature adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and fluid animations, though the Galaxy S23 Plus can scale down to 48Hz while the iPhone 15 Pro's ProMotion technology offers a wider adaptive range.
  • Screen Features: The iPhone 15 Pro includes Apple's Dynamic Island and an Always-On display feature, which are not present on the Galaxy S23 Plus.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1179 x 2556

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, though with some differences in their approach and capabilities.

  • Camera System Configuration: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 15 Pro also has a triple-camera system, including a 48MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Both have 12MP front-facing cameras, with the iPhone 15 Pro's offering autofocus.
  • Photography Performance: Both devices excel in everyday photography, producing detailed images with good color reproduction. The iPhone 15 Pro is noted for its improved low-light performance and the ability to capture 48MP HEIF photos, offering more detail. The Galaxy S23 Plus is praised for its vibrant colors and improved portrait and zoom capabilities over its predecessor.
  • Video Recording: Both phones offer high-quality video recording, with the iPhone 15 Pro supporting advanced features like Log video recording, which can be beneficial for professional video editors. The Galaxy S23 Plus also provides strong video performance with good stabilization.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience between these two devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity and modern Wi-Fi standards. A notable difference is the port type: the Galaxy S23 Plus uses a USB-C port, while the iPhone 15 Pro also adopted USB-C, offering faster data transfer speeds compared to previous iPhone models.
  • Biometric Security and Action Button: The Galaxy S23 Plus utilizes an in-display fingerprint sensor and facial recognition for security. The iPhone 15 Pro relies on Face ID for biometric authentication and introduces a customizable Action Button, replacing the traditional mute switch, which can be programmed for various functions.
  • Build Materials and Dimensions: The Galaxy S23 Plus features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its display and has dimensions of 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm, weighing 196g. The iPhone 15 Pro utilizes a titanium frame, a Ceramic Shield front cover, and a textured matte glass back, measuring 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm and weighing 187g, making it slightly more compact and lighter.

Weight

196 g

171 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback on platforms like Reddit indicates that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is frequently praised for its exceptional battery life, often lasting up to two days for many users, and its vibrant display. Some users appreciate its larger screen size compared to the standard S23 model. Criticisms sometimes point to its camera, while capable, not always matching the absolute top tier in specific scenarios compared to its Ultra sibling. The iPhone 15 Pro receives commendation for its powerful performance, premium titanium build, and the versatility of its camera system, particularly for detailed photography and advanced video features. Some heavy users, however, have noted that its battery life, while good for a full day, may not extend significantly into a second day.

Users prioritizing extended battery endurance and a larger Android display may find the Galaxy S23 Plus well-suited to their needs. Those who value a more compact device with a highly refined iOS experience, advanced camera capabilities, and a wider range of storage options might lean towards the iPhone 15 Pro. Both devices represent strong choices in the premium smartphone segment, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new, allowing for informed and sustainable choices.

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