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With the recent announcement of Samsung’s new generation of smartphones, we consider Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S23 Plus.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 was announced on February 1st as the follow-up to the popular Galaxy S22 series. It shares a few similarities with the S22, but pulls ahead in a number of key areas that are worth getting excited about. If you’re interested in learning the differences between the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S22, we’ve covered everything you need to know here at Videogamer.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus was released alongside the S23, sitting somewhere between the S23 and S23 Ultra. Though it can often be sidelined by Samsung’s flagship S23 Ultra, the S23 Plus is a great middle-ground for those who value a large display and battery life without going all out on the specs.
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. If your top priority is getting the best value for money, it might be worth checking out Samsung Galaxy’s previous generation, as we consider whether the Samsung Galaxy S22 will drop in price.
As for the S23 and S23 Plus, we’re going to make things a little easier by comparing what we think are the key comparison areas between the two. 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 vs S23 Plus – specs
| Specs | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus |
| Size | 6.1″ | 6.6″ |
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340p | 1080 x 2340 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Battery | 3,900mAh | 4700mAh |
| Charger | 25W (wired), 15W (wireless) | 45W (wired), 15W (wireless) |
| Cellular | 5G | 5G |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Main camera | 3 lens (50MP, 10MP, 12MP) | 3 lens (50MP, 10MP, 12MP) |
| Selfie camera | 10MP | 10MP |
As you can see from the table above, there are a number of key similarities between the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus.
Like the S23 Ultra, both share a high refresh rate of 120Hz that delivers that 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.
This smooth and responsive performance is also helped by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipsets that both phones have. Ensuring a seamless experience while streaming content or gaming thanks to accelerated ray tracing and improved AI processing, expect both the S23 and S23 plus to cope well with the demands of cloud gaming.
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Both phones share the same camera lenses, largely sticking to the same design as their predecessors. They feature a triple rear camera setup – a 50MP primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and 85-degree field of view, a 12MP ultra-wide angle sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 12-degree field of view, and a 10MP telephoto sensor with f/2.4 aperture and 3x optical zoom capabilities. If you’re interested in going above and beyond in smartphone photography, you should definitely consider the S23 Ultra instead. The S23 and S23 Plus also enjoy several new camera features including portrait and video portrait mode and 8K video recording at 30FPS.
You’ll notice that the S23 Plus features a larger 6.6 QHD screen, while the S23 measures a smaller FHD 6.1 inch screen, making the S23 Plus potentially better suited for watching content and gaming. Ultimately though size comes down to personal preference.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S23 Plus – battery life
Battery life is an important consideration, especially if you’re out a lot, or else like to use your phone to take photos, which tends to sap a lot of battery.
Both the S23 and S23 Plus have good batteries, though the Plus enjoys the larger 4,700mAh battery. This is a good improvement from last year’s S22 and S22 Plus, especially thanks to the increased power efficiency from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Read More: Is Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 good for gaming?
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S23 Plus – design
As we’ve briefly mentioned, the most apparent difference between the S23 and S23 Plus is the screen size. If you prefer a smaller display, then the S23 will be better suited to you.
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Both phones borrow from their predecessors, sharing 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.
Ultimately, both phones are fairly similar in design. The greatest difference looks like it’s been saved for the S23 Ulta.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S23 Plus – value for money
Since both phones are 2023 releases, you can expect to pay premium prices.
The S23 is better value for those who are happy with smaller storage and battery. If you don’t think of yourself as a heavy phone user, the S23 is potentially better value for your needs.
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The S23 Plus has the edge in performance, meaning you’re paying for those extra features. Ultimately, there aren’t that many differences between the phones that make us believe the S23 Plus is worth it over the S23. If you want a phone with a clear edge over the S23, definitely consider the S23 Ultra instead.
Price Check: Samsung Galaxy S23
Price Check: Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
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, storage and display. It’s probably a more popular choice for heavy phone users or mobile gamers who benefit from a 4600mAh battery and larger QHD AMOLED display.
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The S23 remains a sound option for those looking to upgrade to the latest features without going all out on top-of-the-class specs.
Thanks to their powerful chipsets, both phones perform well. Your final decision ultimately comes down to your preference for size, and your budget.
