Apple iPhone 14 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 14 Plus commands a premium price with iOS 16, the proven A15 Bionic chip, and outstanding display brightness at 1200 nits, though it's limited to 60Hz refresh and offers only a 12MP main camera. Samsung's Galaxy S23 FE delivers considerably better value at $599, featuring a superior 50MP main camera with 3x optical zoom, 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display, faster 25W charging, and 8GB RAM versus Apple's 6GB. Performance-wise, both handle demanding tasks smoothly, but Galaxy S23 FE provides more camera versatility and smoother scrolling. Camera enthusiasts will appreciate Samsung's telephoto lens and higher megapixel count, while Apple loyalists gain ecosystem benefits and computational photography strengths. For most buyers seeking flagship features without premium pricing, Galaxy S23 FE offers exceptional value. iPhone 14 Plus suits those deeply embedded in Apple's ecosystem. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE for its superior specs-to-price ratio and modern 120Hz display.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 14 Plus if…
- →Largest iPhone screen at 6.7 inches at a lower price than Pro Max
- →Excellent all-day battery life thanks to large 4325 mAh battery
- →Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite safety features
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Pros
- Largest iPhone screen at 6.7 inches at a lower price than Pro Max
- Excellent all-day battery life thanks to large 4325 mAh battery
- Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite safety features
- Photonic Engine improves low-light photography
- MagSafe ecosystem for accessories and wireless charging
Cons
- 60Hz display feels outdated compared to ProMotion models
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto camera — only dual lens system
- Notch instead of Dynamic Island
- 12 MP camera resolution unchanged from previous generations
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 16 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 203 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.80 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5, sensor-shift OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/1.9, autofocus | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode, Action mode | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4325 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz + 4x1.82 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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