iQOO 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S23
The Verdict
iQOO 12 delivers exceptional value with a larger 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, superior 120W charging, and more versatile camera system including telephoto capabilities. Samsung Galaxy S23 prioritizes compactness at 168g, offers IP68 water resistance that iQOO lacks, and features more refined software with One UI. Battery capacity heavily favors iQOO at 5000mAh versus 3900mAh, though both manage full-day usage. Display brightness reaches 3000 nits on iQOO compared to S23's 1750 nits, providing better outdoor visibility. Camera performance is competitive, though S23 excels at video stabilization with optical image stabilization on both main and telephoto. For performance per dollar, iQOO 12 presents superior specs and faster charging at $529 versus $799. Samsung justifies premium pricing through durability ratings and software refinement, appealing to users prioritizing longevity and ecosystem integration. iQOO 12 is the better choice for power users seeking flagship performance at mid-range pricing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch size is rare in flagship phones
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
- →Lightweight at 168 g for comfortable one-handed use
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Samsung Galaxy S23
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch size is rare in flagship phones
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
- Lightweight at 168 g for comfortable one-handed use
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Four years of OS and five years of security updates
Cons
- Small 3900 mAh battery limits all-day endurance
- Slow 25W charging with no charger in box
- Only 8 GB RAM
- No 4K@60fps ultrawide video recording
Full Specifications
| Spec | iQOO 12 | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 202 g | 168 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | None | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3900 mAh |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 3000 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 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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