Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro – which one should you go for?

You may be wondering what’s the difference between the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro and you’d certainly not be alone.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus was released on February 17th, with the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the standard Galaxy S23. The S23 Plus is the middle ground between the two, boasting a larger screen and bigger battery, but without the S23 Ultra’s 200 megapixel camera, and S Pen. If you’re sticking to a budget, it might be worth checking out our pick of S23 Plus alternatives that will inform you of what else is on the market for a similar price.

How does it compare to Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro? Released in September last year, the 14 Pro has struck a great balance between familiarity and bringing something new to the table, thanks to its incredible camera function and impressive display.

You may be weighing up which phone to go for, and how it matches up to what your main usage will be – whether that be for everyday browsing, watching content, or even gaming. With the iPhone 14 Pro’s newly improved refresh rate and the S23 Plus’ supreme battery life, there really is everything to play for. Your top priority might be getting the best value for money, in which case we’ve investigated whether the Samsung Galaxy S22 will drop in price. Otherwise, it’s worth checking out how the S23 Plus compares to the S21 Plus if you’re considering whether an upgrade is worth it.

We’re going to make things a little easier by comparing what we think are the key comparison areas between the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro. We’ll look at everything from specs to features, and even design and value for money so you can make an informed choice.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro – specs

Specs	Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus	iPhone 14 Pro
Size	6.6″	6.1″
Display	AMOLED	OLED
Resolution	1080 x 2340	1179 x 2556
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2	Apple A16 Bionic
Battery	4700mAh	3200 mAh
Charger	45W (wired), 15W (wireless)	27W, 15W (wireless)
Cellular	5G	5G
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz
Touch sampling rate	240Hz	240Hz
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
RAM	8GB	6GB
Main Camera	3 lens (50MP, 10MP, 12MP)	3 lens (48MP, 12MP, 12MP)
Selfie Lens	10MP	12MP

As you can see from the table above, there are a number of key similarities between the S23 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro. Both share a refresh rate of 120Hz that delivers a silky smooth experience with minimal motion blur. Regardless of which phone you choose, a 120Hz refresh rate will ensure your phone feels responsive and speedy.

Speaking of performance, you’ll notice there is a difference in chipsets. The S23 Plus is fitted with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 which enables ray tracing and high refresh rates. You can expect around a 25% better performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 which has been used in the previous generation of Samsung Galaxy phones. The performance is so close between the 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic, that we’ve broken down the differences in more depth so you can make a more informed decision between the two.

Read More: S22 vs iPhone 14 – which one should you go for?

The area where the Galaxy S23 Plus makes strides ahead of Apple is in the battery department. With just 3200mAh, the iPhone 14 Pro simply cannot compete with the S23 Plus’ 4700mAh. This is unfortunately old news for Apple, though it’s worth adding that new iOS software helps ensure minimal battery usage that significantly improves the iPhone 14 Pro’s battery life. This means that if you’re a heavy phone user, or else like mobile gaming, the Samsung S23 Plus looks like the better choice for you.

Of course, a major difference you’ll notice in your everyday usage is the difference in size. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus measures 6.6 inches compared to the iPhone 14 Pro’s 6.1 inches. We can’t say which size is better as it comes down to personal preference. It’s likely that if you have smaller hands, the Plus size might take some time to get used to, but then if you’re watching a lot of content or gaming, the larger screen size is probably preferable.

Read More: S23 Plus vs S22 Plus – which one should you go for?

Finally, though the cameras look remarkably similar on paper, there are a few key differences between the two, though both have a strong photography focus. The iPhone 14 Pro’s front camera has the edge here, providing a pleasing shallow depth of field that blurs the background when your face is close enough. With 48 megapixels, the main camera similarly performs extremely well. The S23 Plus’ boasts an additional 2 MP that doesn’t give the phone an automatic edge, though it does stand out for taking excellent photos in low light.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro – battery life

Battery life is an important consideration, especially if you’re out a lot, or else like to use your phone for taking photos which tends to sap a lot of battery.

Read More: Best gaming phones – our top picks

As we’ve briefly mentioned, the S23 Plus clearly has the better battery at an impressive 4700mAh. It’s the better option for mobile gamers and heavy phone users, though the iPhone 14 Pro can easily last for a day without needing to recharge, thanks to its battery-saving features.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro – design

The Galaxy S23 Plus takes its inspiration from its S22 Ultra predecessor. It shares the same triple rear camera setup situated in the top left corner. However, this time, there is no camera island. Instead, each camera’s sensor has separate raised rings while the LED flash is flushed into the body of the phone.

Read More: Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 7 Pro – which one should you go for?

Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, the S23 Plus features a larger display, so if you prefer to fit your phone easily in your hand, go for the iPhone. It also comes equipped with Samsung’s S Pen which is a fun extra feature for taking handwritten notes among other things.

If you are leaning towards Apple, but crave a larger display, opt for the iPhone 14 Pro Max which is on par with the S23 Plus.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs iPhone 14 Pro – value for money

Since the iPhone 14 Pro has been out for longer than the S23 Plus, you can expect to see marginally lower prices since the S23 Plus has only just launched.

That’s not to say the iPhone 14 Pro is the best value choice. If we’re judging by specs alone, the S23 Plus potentially has the edge and does not cost significantly more than the iPhone 14 Pro.

Read More: Best Samsung S23 alternatives – our top picks

However, if you’re already an Apple user, the iPhone 14 Pro is potentially worth it for its seamless integration with other Apple products like AirPods or the Apple Watch. Apple also has the advantage of longevity over Samsung. Though Samsung now offers four years of major Android updates for its flagship phones, iPhones can easily last for over five years, again making a strong case for the iPhone 14 Pro.

Price Check: iPhone 14 Pro in deep purple, 128GB via Newegg

Price Check: Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus via Samsung

Which should you go for?

As we’ve come to expect covering the latest tech, your final choice comes down to personal preference. Ultimately, it’s a balancing act between price and performance.

There’s no denying that the S23 Plus is a fantastic phone that delivers strongly on battery life, camera quality, and gaming use. It’s true that the iPhone 14 Pro, like other Apple products, can often be overhyped, especially when you consider its significantly less powerful battery than the S23 Plus. However, the iPhone 14 Pro has its place as a highly durable option, and compliments existing Apple products.

Thanks to their powerful chipsets, both phones perform well. Your final decision ultimately comes down to your preference for size.