Samsung Galaxy S23+ vs Apple iPhone 15 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date February 17, 2023 September 22, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 91.39 cm³ 85.9 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.37 "/g 3.26 "/g
Weight 196 g 187 g
Height 157.8 mm 146.6 mm
Width 76.2 mm 70.6 mm
Thickness 7.6 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime
  • Black Titanium
  • White Titanium
  • Blue Titanium
  • Natural Titanium

Display

Screen Size 6.6 " 6.1 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1179 x 2556
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.9 % 88.2 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 461 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 1000 nits
HBM Brightness 1200 nits 2000 nits
Peak Brightness 1750 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 107.90 mAh/in² 87.99 mAh/in²
Battery Density 51.43 mAh/cm³ 38.11 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4700 mAh 3274 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Hexa-core (2x3.78 GHz + 4x2.11 GHz)
GPU Adreno 740 Apple GPU (6-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, Gen 2, DisplayPort

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 13 17
Maximum OS Version 17 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23+Apple iPhone 15 ProPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3iPhone 15 Pro is noticeably smaller and slightly thicker. More pocketable, but potentially less comfortable for one-handed use due to width.
Weight (g)196187Negligible weight difference in real-world usage.
Build MaterialMissingMissingCannot compare build quality and durability without this information.
Display
Display Size (inches)6.66.1S23+ offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution (pixels)1080 x 23401179 x 2556iPhone 15 Pro has a sharper display due to higher pixel density (461 ppi vs 393 ppi). Text and images will appear crisper.
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDBoth are high-quality OLED displays with excellent color accuracy and contrast. LTPO on iPhone allows for variable refresh rate, potentially saving battery.
Peak Brightness (nits)17502000iPhone 15 Pro's higher peak brightness improves outdoor visibility.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Apple A17 ProBoth are flagship chipsets, expected to deliver top-tier performance. A17 Pro, being newer, likely has a performance edge. Direct comparison difficult without benchmark scores.
CPUOcta-coreHexa-coreCore count difference doesn't directly translate to real-world performance. Both are powerful CPUs.
GPUAdreno 740Apple GPU (6-core)Apple's GPUs are generally considered very powerful. Performance comparison needs further benchmarks.
RAM (GB)88Same RAM capacity. RAM management differs between iOS and Android, affecting how this translates to performance.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5048Megapixel count isn't the sole determinant of image quality. Both should offer excellent image quality. iPhone's larger sensor (1/1.3") likely performs better in low light.
Ultrawide (MP)12.212Similar ultrawide capabilities expected.
Telephoto (MP)1012iPhone 15 Pro has a higher resolution telephoto lens.
DXOMark Score133 (Overall)154 (Overall)iPhone 15 Pro scores significantly higher in DXOMark tests, suggesting superior overall camera quality.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)47003274 (Data suggests 3650)S23+ has a significantly larger battery capacity, likely resulting in longer battery life. Discrepancy in iPhone battery data should be noted.
Fast Charging (W)4527S23+ supports significantly faster charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Advantages:

  • Larger Display: More immersive media experience and better multitasking.
  • Longer Battery Life: Significantly larger battery capacity.
  • Faster Charging: Less downtime for charging.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Advantages:

  • Sharper Display: Higher pixel density and peak brightness.
  • Higher Performance (Likely): Newer A17 Pro chip and Apple's strong GPU performance.
  • Better Camera System: Higher DXOMark scores and larger main sensor suggest superior image quality, particularly in low light.
  • LTPO Display: More power efficient due to variable refresh rate.

Trade-offs:

  • S23+: Larger display and battery come at the cost of a larger phone size.
  • iPhone 15 Pro: Smaller battery capacity for a more compact design. Higher price point.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Ideal User:

  • Users who prioritize battery life and a large screen for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
  • Budget-conscious users seeking flagship performance.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Ideal User:

  • Users who prioritize camera quality, performance, and a compact form factor.
  • Users invested in the Apple ecosystem.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What screen size do you prefer? Larger screen for media consumption or a more pocketable device?
  2. How important is battery life to you? Prioritize all-day usage or convenient fast charging?
  3. What is your budget? iPhone 15 Pro commands a premium price.

My Choice: Apple iPhone 15 Pro

While the Samsung Galaxy S23+ offers a compelling combination of a large display and long battery life, I would choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. The deciding factors for me are the superior camera system indicated by DXOMark scores and the likely performance advantage of the A17 Pro chip. The sharper, brighter display with LTPO technology is also a significant plus. Although the smaller battery is a drawback, I prioritize performance and camera quality over screen size and battery life. The compact form factor of the iPhone 15 Pro also aligns with my personal preference. Finally, access to the broader Apple ecosystem, including seamless integration with other Apple devices, solidifies my choice.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.