Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 commands a $200 premium with its superior A18 chip, brighter 2000-nit Super Retina XDR display, and faster 20W charging. Samsung's Galaxy S23 FE counters with a larger 6.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, bigger 4500mAh battery, optical zoom telephoto lens, and notably lower price point. Camera performance favors Samsung for versatility with its 50MP main sensor and 3x optical zoom, while iPhone 16 delivers cleaner processing and Dolby Vision video. Battery endurance clearly goes to Samsung despite smaller charging wattage. Performance-wise, the A18 edges Exynos 2200 in real-world tasks. For budget-conscious buyers wanting larger displays and longer battery life, Samsung offers compelling value. However, if you prioritize processing speed, screen brightness, and iOS ecosystem integration, iPhone 16 justifies its cost. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE represents better value overall.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 if…
- →A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
- →Compact and lightweight design
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 16
Pros
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Compact and lightweight design
- Improved 48 MP main camera
- Strong battery life for its size
Cons
- Still 60Hz display in 2024
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto lens
- No always-on display
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 16 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 170 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 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 | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3561 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 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 A18 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| 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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 16 or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.