Apple iPhone XS vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Comparing these phones reveals a significant generational gap, with the Galaxy S23 FE substantially outperforming the iPhone XS despite its lower price point. Samsung's device features a larger 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and superior brightness at 1450 nits, versus the iPhone's 5.8-inch OLED at 60Hz. Camera capabilities heavily favor the S23 FE, offering a 50MP main sensor with OIS, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses compared to the XS's dual 12MP setup. Battery performance is dramatically better on Samsung with a 4500mAh capacity and 25W fast charging, while Apple's 2658mAh requires external charging accessories. Performance-wise, both deliver capable processors, though the S23 FE supports 5G and offers 8GB RAM versus 4GB. Build quality slightly favors the iPhone with stainless steel construction, but Samsung's newer design, USB-C, and additional features provide better overall value. At $599 versus $999, the Galaxy S23 FE delivers superior modern specifications and longer support prospects. For most users seeking current technology, Samsung represents the stronger choice.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XS if…
- →First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- →eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- →Excellent Super Retina OLED display
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 XS
Pros
- First 7nm A12 Bionic chip in a smartphone
- eSIM support for dual SIM capability
- Excellent Super Retina OLED display
- Improved Face ID speed over iPhone X
- Premium stainless steel build
Cons
- Small battery at 2658 mAh
- No ultrawide camera
- 5W charger in the box
- Minimal upgrade over iPhone X
- No Night mode for camera
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 XS | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 209 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2658 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.8 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1125 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | 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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