Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
iPhone 15 Plus delivers premium performance with the A16 Bionic chip and exceptional 2000-nit Super Retina XDR display, though it's stuck at 60Hz refresh rate. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE counters with a 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED panel, larger 4500 mAh battery, and telephoto lens capability at $300 less. Processing power heavily favors Apple, evidenced by its consistent optimization and gaming performance. Camera systems differ strategically: iPhone 15 Plus excels in video processing with Dolby Vision 4K, while S23 FE offers versatile 3x optical zoom and superior low-light performance via f/1.8 aperture with OIS. Battery life edges toward Samsung, though both support wireless charging. Software preference depends entirely on ecosystem loyalty. For users prioritizing raw performance and video quality, the iPhone justifies its premium. Budget-conscious buyers seeking display refresh rate, camera versatility, and value should choose the S23 FE.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if…
- →Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- →Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- →48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
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 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
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 15 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 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 | 4383 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | 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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