Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Both phones deliver flagship performance with distinct strengths. iPhone 16 Plus features Apple's efficient A18 chip, a vibrant 2000-nit Super Retina XDR display, and 25W MagSafe wireless charging, though it's limited to 60Hz refresh and starts at 128GB storage. Galaxy S23+ counters with a 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, faster 45W wired charging, telephoto zoom capabilities, and 8K video recording. Samsung's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 matches performance while offering more versatile camera hardware including optical zoom. iPhone edges ahead in software optimization and display peak brightness, while Samsung provides faster charging speeds and higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling. For content creators, Samsung's zoom and 8K recording capabilities offer more flexibility. For everyday users prioritizing fluidity and ecosystem integration, iPhone wins. Samsung's $100 premium narrows given its faster charging and 120Hz display.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
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 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
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 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 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 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 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 (5-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | 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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