Apple iPhone XS vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Both devices command the same $999 price point but represent distinctly different eras of smartphone technology. Apple's iPhone XS delivers the refined iOS experience with its excellent Super Retina OLED display at 725 nits and reliable A12 Bionic performance, though it's hampered by a modest 2658 mAh battery and dated 60Hz refresh rate. Samsung's Galaxy S23+ substantially outpaces it with a larger 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen hitting 1750 nits brightness, 120Hz smoothness, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, complemented by a capacious 4700 mAh battery supporting 45W charging. The camera systems illustrate generational advancement: Galaxy S23+ features a 50 MP main sensor with superior zoom capabilities and 8K video, while iPhone XS manages only 12 MP with 4K. Modern connectivity favors Samsung with 5G, USB-C, and Wi-Fi 6E versus the XS's Lightning port and Wi-Fi 5. For 2024 standards, Galaxy S23+ is the clear recommendation, offering substantially better hardware, battery endurance, and future-proofing despite both phones being priced identically.
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+ 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 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+
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 XS | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 195 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, glass back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 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 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 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, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2658 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.8 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1125 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 725 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| 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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