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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority for you and you want a phone with high-end photography capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is superior, offering more powerful cameras and better video quality along with 8K video recording. However, it comes at a higher price. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) is more budget-friendly but has a single main camera without the advanced features found in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The iPhone also has a smaller screen, which could be a plus if you prefer a more compact phone, but a minus if you enjoy larger displays. The Galaxy S23 Ultra also has a significantly better battery life, and both phones support 5G. If you're tied into the Apple ecosystem or prefer iOS, the iPhone SE might be more suitable, but if you're comfortable with Android and a higher price point, the Galaxy S23 Ultra would offer more advanced features overall. 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 SE (2022)
- The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
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
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a top-tier selfie camera and exceptional versatility with its camera system, which includes a range of features such as high-resolution photos, software experience, dynamic range, low-light performance, and a telephoto lens with optical zoom, making it a superior choice for photography enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) offers a more basic camera setup which delivers fair selfie quality and photo-taking capabilities but may suffice for casual users who prefer simplicity and potentially a lower price point.
Photo Quality
5.5
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes better selfies than the Apple iPhone SE (2022), largely owing to its superior camera versatility and better performance in areas like dynamic range and low light conditions. The Galaxy S23 Ultra also boasts a higher resolution and more sophisticated photo software experience, contributing to its excellent photo quality compared to the fair results from the iPhone SE.
Video Quality
6.6
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra outshines the Apple iPhone SE (2022) in video capture, offering a superior resolution and framerate, which results in sharper and smoother videos. Furthermore, the Galaxy S23 Ultra excels with advanced video software features, better stabilization, wider video dynamic range, and enhanced performance in low light conditions, also paired with higher microphone quality, making it excellent for video recording compared to the fair capabilities of the iPhone SE.
Battery
4.9 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$429
$1,200
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $1,200 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.45" x 2.65" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 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 | 5.0 | 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)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 270 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Front | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
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 SE (2022) 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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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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