Samsung Galaxy S23 vs OnePlus 12 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 12
OnePlus 12
Oneplus

General

Launch Date February 17, 2023 December 11, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 78.83 cm³ 114.58 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.63 "/g 3.1 "/g
Weight 168 g 220 g
Height 146.3 mm 164.3 mm
Width 70.9 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 7.6 mm 9.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime
  • Flowy Emerald
  • Silky Black
  • Silver (Glacial White)

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.82 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1440 x 3168
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.1 % 90.8 %
Pixel Density 425 PPI 510 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 600 nits
HBM Brightness 1200 nits 1600 nits
Peak Brightness 1750 nits 4500 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 104.81 mAh/in² 116.10 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.47 mAh/cm³ 47.13 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3900 mAh 5400 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 740 Adreno 750

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 17 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23OnePlus 12Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6164.3 x 75.8 x 9.2OnePlus 12 is noticeably larger and heavier. S23 is more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use.
Weight (g)168220Significant weight difference; S23 is much lighter for extended use.
Display
Size (inches)6.16.82OnePlus 12 offers a significantly larger screen for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution1080 x 23401440 x 3168OnePlus 12 has a sharper display with higher pixel density, resulting in clearer text and images.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)17504500OnePlus 12's much higher peak brightness provides superior outdoor visibility.
Panel TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XLTPO AMOLEDBoth offer excellent color accuracy and contrast. OnePlus 12's LTPO panel allows for dynamic refresh rate adjustment, potentially saving battery.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 8 Gen 3OnePlus 12 has a newer, more powerful processor, likely resulting in faster performance and better efficiency.
RAM (GB)812/16/24OnePlus 12 offers significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5050Comparable resolution, but sensor details suggest potential differences in image quality.
Ultrawide (MP)12.248OnePlus 12's ultrawide boasts a much higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail.
Telephoto (MP)1064OnePlus 12 features a higher resolution telephoto lens, offering potentially better zoom capabilities.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)39005400OnePlus 12 has a substantially larger battery, likely translating to significantly longer battery life.
Fast Charging (W)25100OnePlus 12 supports much faster wired charging, significantly reducing charging times.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Advantages:

  • Compactness and Ergonomics: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and pocket portability.

OnePlus 12 Advantages:

  • Performance: Newer and more powerful processor and significantly more RAM for smoother, faster performance.
  • Display: Larger, sharper display with higher peak brightness for a more immersive viewing experience.
  • Battery: Larger battery capacity and significantly faster charging for extended usage and quicker top-ups.
  • Camera System: Higher resolution ultrawide and telephoto cameras, potentially capturing more detail and offering better zoom performance. Although megapixels aren't everything, the combination of sensor size, aperture, and processing contribute to final image quality. The OnePlus has a clear advantage in telephoto capabilities with its 64MP sensor compared to the S23's 10MP.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23: Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone for easy one-handed use, value portability, and don't require the absolute highest performance or largest screen.

OnePlus 12: Users who prioritize performance, a large and vibrant display for media consumption and gaming, long battery life, and fast charging. Also suitable for photography enthusiasts due to the more versatile camera system.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is one-handed usability and portability?
  2. Do you need the highest performance and latest features, or is a good balance of performance and efficiency sufficient?
  3. How heavily do you rely on your phone for media consumption, gaming, and photography?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Heavy User: OnePlus 12 for its performance, battery, and large display.
  • Casual User: Samsung Galaxy S23 if portability and ease of use are paramount.
  • Photographer/Videographer: OnePlus 12 for its superior camera hardware.

My Choice: OnePlus 12

While I appreciate the compact form factor of the Galaxy S23, the OnePlus 12's significant advantages in performance, battery life, display quality, and camera capabilities make it the more compelling device for me. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, coupled with the ample RAM, promises a future-proof performance experience. The larger, brighter display with LTPO technology enhances media consumption and gaming. The significantly larger battery and blazing fast 100W charging alleviate battery anxiety. Finally, the higher resolution ultrawide and telephoto lenses offer greater versatility for photography. The slight increase in size and weight is a trade-off I'm willing to make for these substantial gains.

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.

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