Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Both phones share Samsung's excellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, but the S23+ justifies its $200 premium with meaningful upgrades. Its 6.6-inch screen versus 6.1 inches offers noticeably more display real estate at identical 120Hz refresh rates and brightness levels. Battery capacity jumps significantly from 3900 to 4700 mAh, delivering substantially longer endurance, while charging speeds nearly double from 25W to 45W. Video recording steps up to 8K capability on the larger model. Both feature identical 50MP main cameras with OIS, yet the S23+ adds Wireless PowerShare functionality. Storage expandability favors the Plus with 512GB options available. For most users, the standard S23 provides excellent value and handles daily tasks flawlessly. However, those prioritizing battery longevity, larger displays, and faster charging will find the S23+ worth the investment. The S23 remains the smarter choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking flagship performance.
Who Should Buy
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
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
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
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 | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 168 g | 195 g |
| Material | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 10 MP 3x optical | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3900 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1750 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | 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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