Apple iPhone 14 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra commands a $300 premium over the iPhone 14 Plus, and it largely justifies that difference through superior specifications. The S23 Ultra's 200 MP main camera with 10x periscope zoom vastly outmatches the iPhone's single 12 MP lens, while 8K video recording and dual telephoto options make it the clear winner for photography enthusiasts. Its 5000 mAh battery outlasts the 14 Plus's 4325 mAh by roughly 20 percent, paired with significantly faster 45W charging versus 20W. The display is genuinely better: 120Hz refresh rate (versus 60Hz), higher 2200-nit peak brightness, and superior 3088 x 1440 resolution create noticeably sharper, smoother visuals. Performance is comparable between the A15 Bionic and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, though the S23 Ultra edges ahead with 12 GB RAM standard. The iPhone 14 Plus wins only on ecosystem integration, size portability (7.80 mm thickness), and slightly lighter weight at 203g. For power users and camera-focused buyers, the S23 Ultra's hardware advantages justify its higher price. Those prioritizing simplicity, lighter form factor, or integrated Apple services should stick with the 14 Plus.
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 Ultra if…
- →200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- →Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
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- 60Hz display feels outdated compared to ProMotion models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 Ultra
Pros
- 200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
- Bright 2200-nit display readable in direct sunlight
- IP68 dust and water resistance
Cons
- Very heavy at 234 g, tiring for extended use
- Thick 8.9 mm body compared to rivals
- 45W charging is slow for a $1199 flagship
- No significant camera hardware upgrade over S22 Ultra main sensor
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 16 | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 203 g | 234 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.80 mm | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.5, sensor-shift OIS | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/1.9, autofocus | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode, Action mode | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP 10x periscope + 10 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4325 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2778 x 1284 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 2200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz + 4x1.82 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
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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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