Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Both phones deliver flagship performance at the same $999 price point, but with different strengths. The iPhone 15 Pro edges ahead with its superior display, boasting 2000 nits of brightness versus the Galaxy S23+'s 1750 nits, and a more compact 6.1-inch screen paired with a titanium frame that feels more premium. Apple's A17 Pro chip matches the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy in raw performance, though real-world differences are minimal. Camera quality favors the iPhone 15 Pro's computational approach and Dolby Vision video recording, while Samsung's 50MP main sensor with OIS and 8K video capability provide versatility that appeals to content creators. Battery life is where Samsung pulls ahead significantly: the 4700 mAh capacity and 45W charging substantially outlast the iPhone's 3274 mAh battery with 20W charging. The Galaxy S23+ also offers more storage flexibility starting at 256GB. Software preference depends on ecosystem loyalty. Choose the iPhone 15 Pro for display quality, design, and iOS integration. Pick the Galaxy S23+ if battery endurance and fast charging matter more to you.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Pro if…
- →Lightweight titanium design
- →Powerful A17 Pro chip
- →USB-C with USB 3 speeds
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- →Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- →4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Pros
- Lightweight titanium design
- Powerful A17 Pro chip
- USB-C with USB 3 speeds
- Customizable Action button
- Compact but feature-packed
Cons
- Only 3x telephoto vs Pro Max's 5x
- Battery life trails Pro Max
- Slow charging speeds
- Some early thermal issues
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- 4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
- Four years of OS updates and five years of security patches
- Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM at the $999 price point
- FHD+ resolution instead of QHD+ on the 6.6-inch display
- 45W charging is slower than Chinese competitors
- No expandable storage or microSD slot
- Design is very similar to S22+ with minimal visual changes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 187 g | 195 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 3x | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3274 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | 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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