Samsung Galaxy S23+ vs Samsung Galaxy S25
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S25 represents a meaningful generational leap over the S23+, despite its lower price point. Display brightness jumps dramatically from 1750 to 2600 nits, while the processor upgrade to Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers substantially faster performance with the Adreno 830 GPU. Battery capacity decreased slightly to 4000 mAh, though efficiency gains may offset this. Charging slowed from 45W to 25W, a notable compromise. Weight reduction from 195g to 162g enhances everyday usability significantly. Both phones share identical camera systems and display sizes are comparable (6.6 vs 6.2 inches). Software advantages favor the S25 with Android 15 and One UI 7 versus the S23+ on Android 13. The S25 adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. For most users, the S25 offers superior value with better performance, efficiency, and modern features at $200 less. Choose the S23+ only if you prefer faster charging or need the larger display.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 if…
- →Compact and pocketable flagship
- →Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- →12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S25
Pros
- Compact and pocketable flagship
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
- Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long 7-year software support promise
Cons
- Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
- Slow 25W charging
- 1080p resolution instead of QHD
- No major camera hardware upgrades
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 195 g | 162 g |
| Material | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.6 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1750 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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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