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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a top-notch camera is essential for you and you're willing to invest in the highest quality, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with its advanced camera setup, including a very powerful telephoto lens and an integrated stylus for productivity, might be the better choice. However, if you prefer iOS over Android, and a smaller screen size suits you, then the Apple iPhone 15 Pro, which is usually cheaper, could be the right option. The iPhone also excels in video recording features. In terms of battery life, the S23 Ultra has a larger battery, potentially offering longer usage between charges. Choose the iPhone 15 Pro for a more budget-friendly, iOS experience with solid performance, or the Galaxy S23 Ultra for a superior camera system and larger display in an Android device. 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 Pro
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class battery life
Key differences
Video Quality
10.0
8.0
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro provides a standout video recording experience with its superior video stabilization, higher video dynamic range, and better low light performance, which is especially beneficial for capturing smooth and vivid content in various lighting conditions. While the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra also offers excellent video capabilities, including very good video stabilization and dynamic range, its video software experience and microphone quality are rated slightly lower than the iPhone's, making the iPhone 15 Pro a better option for users seeking top-notch video quality.
Battery
7.3 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has 7.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$1,099
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has a price of $1,099 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
9.5
9.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple iPhone 15 Pro to have best in class overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro boasts the best selfie camera, alongside exceptional photo and video experiences across the board, including resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance, due to its sophisticated camera software and processing. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a very capable telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom for versatile photography, but its selfie camera, while very good, doesn't match the iPhone's, despite its strong overall camera performance in other aspects.
Photo Quality
9.5
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 15 Pro both have best in class photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro excels in taking photos including selfies with top-rated software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, making it ideal for those who prioritize image quality and photo-taking capabilities. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a very good photo-taking experience with an impressive selfie camera and excellent camera versatility due to its higher-resolution sensors and super telephoto optical zoom.
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How the Apple iPhone 15 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,099 | $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 | 6.1" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 461 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A17 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 10/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3274 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 | 5.77" x 2.78" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.60 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 | 6e | 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 | Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2023
"The iPhone 15 Pro is the one to get if you want a powerful flagship you can easily use it with one hand. Not only is the titanium design stronger and lighter, Apple made the design smaller with slimmer bezels. You also get very strong cameras with night mode and portrait improvements, blazing performance from the A17 Pro chip and a smart Action button."
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 Pro 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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FAQs
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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
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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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