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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a top-tier camera is crucial for you, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has better camera capabilities including a high-resolution main camera and more sophisticated video recording options. However, Apple iPhone 15 Plus has excellent camera performance as well, with notably good still photo and video quality. For a bigger screen and higher refresh rate, the Samsung is superior, offering a more fluid visual experience, though the iPhone has a larger peak brightness which could be useful in bright outdoor conditions. The Samsung also boasts a larger built-in storage and slightly longer battery life. Both devices are premium, with the Samsung typically costing a bit more. The iPhone operates on iOS and Samsung on Android, which might influence your choice based on ecosystem preference. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.6
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 15 Plus has very good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus boasts strong selfie performance, delivering vivid resolution, dynamic range, and low-light results in both photo and video formats, while its photo software enhances image quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels with its camera versatility, providing a high-resolution telephoto lens with significant optical zoom and an equally impressive selfie camera, along with a comprehensive photo and video software experience.
Photo Quality
8.5
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes very good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus delivers superior selfies because it is rated very good for selfie quality, outperforming the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra which is also rated very good, but the iPhone 15 Plus holds an edge. Both phones take great photos due to high marks in software experience, dynamic range, and low-light performance, but the iPhone 15 Plus is praised for its better overall photo capabilities.
Video Quality
9.1
8.0
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus takes excellent videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus stands out for video capture, offering the best resolution and frame rate options, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with excellent microphone quality. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra provides very good video capabilities across the board with excellent mic quality, but doesn't quite match the peak performance of the iPhone in these areas.
Battery
8.9 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has 8.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$829
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a price of $829 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$829 | $1,200 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 22, 2023 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A16 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.9 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4383 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.33" x 3.06" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.09 oz | 8.25 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 270 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Yellow, Pink, Blue, Green, Black | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Eric Zeman | October 2023
"Apple's iPhone 15 Plus is the phone to get if battery life and budget are your top concerns. It outlasts the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, coming in second only to the top-shelf Pro Max. Otherwise, it includes a larger display than the standard iPhone 15, the same speedy processor, a fine pair of cameras, excellent wireless radios, and a waterproof build."
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,100
Recommendations made
86,190
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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