Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE offers exceptional value at $429, featuring the flagship A15 Bionic processor, IP67 water resistance, and dependable iOS 15 performance. Its 4.7-inch Retina LCD display delivers adequate clarity at 625 nits, though the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated. Camera performance is solid with 12MP main and 4K video recording, but battery life suffers from the compact 2018 mAh capacity. Samsung's Galaxy S23+ commands premium pricing at $999 with substantially superior specifications: a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 120Hz with 1750 nits peak brightness, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and a quad-camera system including 50MP main with OIS, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses. Battery capacity nearly doubles at 4700 mAh with faster 45W charging. For casual users prioritizing affordability, the iPhone SE remains competitive; however, the Galaxy S23+ justifies its premium through advanced camera capabilities, superior display technology, and significantly better battery longevity. Choose the S23+ for flagship features, or the iPhone SE for budget-conscious Apple ecosystem users.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) if…
- →Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- →Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
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 SE (3rd generation)
Pros
- Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Compact and lightweight design
- Touch ID home button
- Long iOS software support
Cons
- Dated design with thick bezels
- Single rear camera
- Small 4.7-inch LCD display
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Modest battery life
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 SE (3rd generation) | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 144 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2018 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 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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