iPhone or Samsung: Which smartphone should you choose in 2023? | NextPit

iPhone or Samsung Galaxy? This is the question that many of us ask today. Samsung with its Galaxy S23 and Apple with its iPhone 14 both offer good smartphones that are difficult to choose when it comes down to the crunch. This is why we went through the hard work of breaking down everything in great detail, comparing the range of smartphones of these two brands to inform you which of the two: Apple or Samsung, make the best smartphones in 2023.

The Apple vs Samsung debate goes far beyond the simple choice of a smartphone. Choosing an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy is also choosing an ecosystem, a particular user experience with its privacy features, or its update policy. This article aims at informing you of all the necessary elements required before settling on a decision that will suit you best.

On the other hand, the purpose of this article is not to settle a debate of “Samsung vs Apple, who is the best?” Rather, we want to help the average user or questioning geek make an informed choice between a Samsung smartphone and an Apple iPhone in 2023.

iPhone or Samsung: Catalog range and prices

Apple is known to be very different from its competitors. While brands like Oppo or Xiaomi have confusing ranges with plenty of the models having almost identical specifications, the Cupertino giant has always insisted on having the leanest catalog possible. Thus, this year is no different with eight models on offer in its store.

The unique thing about the iPhone 14 range is how the Mini variant of the previous two generations has been replaced by a Plus model, with Apple having turned its back on fans of compact smartphones to satisfy phablet enthusiasts.

Samsung’s advantages over Apple:

• Huge catalog of devices.
• More affordable handsets.

Apple’s advantages over Samsung:

• Clearly-defined product range.
• Older models are still competitive in terms of features and performance.

In recent years, the number of products from Apple’s smartphone line has increased a little, with the arrival of the mini variant while maintaining a long software update policy for older iPhones. This makes the iPhone product range the smallest among the top five smartphone manufacturers today.

Apple’s iPhone catalog and prices

As mentioned above, as of September 2022, Apple’s catalog includes eight models, five of which were launched in 2022, two in 2021, and one in 2020. In addition to its new iPhone 14, the manufacturer has retained its iPhone 12, SE (2022) as well as the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini in the catalog, without reducing the price of the latter.

The exception would be the iPhone SE (2022) in March 2022, which doubles up as an entry-level handset while offering specifications that are on par with the once-flagship iPhone 13 at a far more affordable price point.

With the launch of the iPhone 14 line, all eight models are 5G compatible. In addition, all models except the iPhone SE (2022) feature an OLED display.

Samsung’s smartphone catalog and prices

Like many Android manufacturers, Samsung has a very comprehensive range of smartphones that covers all price segments. You will find how the South Korean manufacturer offers entry-level smartphones from $100 onward to premium foldable smartphones that cost a whopping $1,799 a pop. These smartphones cover from the bare essentials to highly sophisticated models with support for features such as the S-Pen stylus and foldable displays.

Samsung’s line of smartphones is made up of the Galaxy family, which also includes wearables, headsets, tablets, notebooks, and other gadgets. The family is divided into categories such as:

• Galaxy Z (foldable phones)
• Galaxy S (premium handsets)
• Galaxy A and M (entry-level and mid-range models)
• Galaxy XCover (rugged handsets that target the corporate segment)

Since Apple doesn’t offer entry-level and mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A, M, and Xcover ranges do not compete directly with the brand’s models. Therefore, for this comparison, we have only considered models that are in the same price range as the iPhone range sold by Apple. These are smartphones with beautiful OLED screens, SoCs that allow you to play demanding games, a versatile camera module with several cameras, or support for 5G.

In 2023, the pricing argument is not as relevant as it used to be, as Samsung is marketing smartphones that are almost as expensive as Apple’s. However, while the prices of Apple’s models usually remain stable until a new generation is released, Samsung’s smartphone prices normally drop far too soon after their release. This makes the iPhone a pretty good purchase by any standard.

This has an impact on the depreciation and resale price of its devices, in the case of iPhones, as they normally receive new operating system versions and security updates for a longer period of time, a gap something which Samsung has been trying to narrow in recent months.

iPhone or Samsung: Quality-to-price ratio (hardware)

Let’s say it right from the start, Apple is clearly not a champion when it comes to value for money. The Cupertino-based company is known for offering smartphones that don’t push the envelope when it comes to new technologies as their competitors but at higher prices. As for Samsung, even if prices have risen in recent years to approach those of Apple, the brand strives to offer the latest technological innovations in each new generation of flagships.

For example, if we were to compare the technical specifications of the latest “vanilla” flagships of Apple and Samsung, i.e. the Galaxy S23 and the iPhone 14, we can clearly see that Samsung offers a much more interesting smartphone, whether it is the screen, camera, or the fast charging capability.

However, we have to admit that the technical specifications are not everything, and that shows with the software optimization performed on the Apple iPhone. Anyway, the most important thing is to understand the price positioning of each manufacturer for its products.

Technical specifications compared

Model

Apple iPhone 14
Samsung Galaxy S23

Image

SoC
Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
Hexa-core:
2x Avalanche @ 3.23 GHz
4x Blizzard
Apple GPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
1x ARM Cortex-X3
2x ARM Cortex-A715
2x ARM Cortex-A710
3x Cortex-A510
Qualcomm Adreno 740

Storage
128 GB
256 GB
512 GB
128 GB
256 GB
512 GB

Expandable storage
No

Screen
6.1-inch OLED (Super Retina XDR)
1170 x 2532 pixels, 460 dpi
60 Hz refresh rate
1200 nits maximum brightness
6.1-inch OLED (Dynamic AMOLED) 2X
1080 x 2340 pixels, 422 dpi
120 Hz refresh rate
Maximum brightness of 1300 nits

Camera
12 MP main camera: f/1.5 aperture / Dual Pixel PDAF / sensor-shift OIS
12 MP ultra wide-angle camera: f/2.4 aperture / 120° FOV
12 MP selfie camera : f/2.2 aperture / 1/3.6″ / 120° FOV
50 MP main camera: f/1.8 aperture / Dual Pixel AF / OIS
12 MP ultra wide-angle camera: f/2.2 aperture / Dual Pixel PDAF / 120° FOV
10 MP telephoto camera: aperture f/2.4 | OIS | 3x optical zoom | 36° FOV
12 MP selfie camera: f/2.2 aperture

Video
4K at 24/25/30/60 fps / 1080p at 25/30/60 fps / 720p at 30 fps
HDR / Dolby Vision HDR / Stereo Sound / Cinematics Mode / OIS with Sensor Shift
8K at 24/30 fps | 4K at 30/60 fps | 1080p at 30/60/120 fps | HDR10+|.
Selfie sensor: 4K at 30/60 fps | 1080 at 30 fps

Battery
3279 mAh
Wired charging 20 W USB PD 2.0
Wireless charging 15 W Qi/MagSafe
Charger not included
3900 mAh
Wired charge 25W USB PD 3.0
Wireless charging: 10W Qi
Reverse wireless charging: 4.5W
Charger not included

Audio
Stereo
No headphone jack

Price
from $799
from $799

Technical specifications in comparison

Model

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Illustration

SoC
Apple 16 Bionic
Hexa-core:
2x Avalanche @ 3.23 GHz
4x Blizzard
Apple GPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
1x ARM Cortex-X3
2x ARM Cortex-A715
2x ARM Cortex-A710
3x Cortex-A510
Qualcomm Adreno 740

Storage
128 GB
256 GB
512 GB
1 TB
256 GB
512 GB
1 TB

Expandable storage
No

Screen
6.7″ OLED “Super Retina XDR”
2796 x 1290 pixels, 460 dpi
120 Hz refresh rate
Maximum brightness of 2000 nits
6.8″ OLED “Dynamic AMOLED 2X”
1440 x 3088 pixels, 501 dpi
120Hz refresh rate
Maximum brightness of 1750 nits

Camera
48 MP main camera: f/1.78 aperture / Dual Pixel PDAF / Sensor Shift OIS
12 MP ultra wide-angle camera : f/2.2 aperture / 120° FOV / PDAF
12 MP telephoto lens: f/1.78 aperture / PDAF / OIS / 2x zoom
LiDAR sensor
12 MP selfie camera : f/1.9/ 1/3.6″ aperture / 120° FOV
200 MP main camera: f/1.7 aperture / multi-directional PDAF / OIS
12 MP ultra wide-angle camera: f/2.2 aperture / 120° FOV / Super Steady Video
10 MP telephoto lens: f/2.4 aperture / Dual Pixel PDAF / OIS / 3x optical zoom
10 MP telephoto lens: f/4.9 aperture / Dual Pixel PDAF / OIS / 10x optical zoom
12 MP selfie camera : f/2.2 aperture / Dual Pixel PDAF

Video
8K at 24/30 fps / 4K at 24/25/30/60 FPS / 1080p at 30/60/120/240 fps (selfie)
ProRes / HDR / Dolby Vision HDR / stereo sound / OIS with Sensor Shift / Cinematic Mode, Action Mode
8K at 24/30 fps | 4K at 30/60 fps | 1080p at 30/60/240 fps | HDR10+|.
Selfie Sensor: 4K at 30/60 fps | 1080 at 30 fps

Battery
4352 mAh
Wired charging 20 W USB PD 2.0
Wireless charging 15 W Qi/MagSafe
Charger not included
5000 mAh
45W USB PD 3.0 wired charge
10W Qi Wireless Charging
4.5W Reverse Wireless Charge
Charger not included

Audio
Stereo
No headphone jack

Price
from $1,099
from $1,199

After adopting the 120 Hz refresh rate with its ProMotion mode in 2021, Apple marked the occasion this year with a new camera and the disappearance of the notch, replaced by the Dynamic Island on its iPhone 14 Pro (Max). The new iPhones thus offer a design a little bit more and also a new main camera that is closer to those of the main competitors, at least in terms of the resolution count.

While Samsung stands out with superlative figures in its extravagant specs, Apple’s strong point would be the integration of its components, especially its SoCs. Apple’s iPhones are regularly the most powerful on the market and the brand does not hesitate to show it by comparing its SoCs with the competition. For example, the new A16 Bionic is touted to be 40% more powerful than its direct Android competitor (presumably the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC).

As a quick reminder: In 2023, all Galaxy S23 series models were announced with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC (as soon as we test the new models, we will update the benchmarks in the table below).

iPhone 14 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22

Graphics benchmarks

Test
Apple iPhone 14
Samsung Galaxy S22

Geekbench 5 single/multi
Single: 1,699
Multi: 4,817
Single: 1,158
Multi: 3,414

3DMark Wild Life
Too powerful
5,374

Wild Life Stress Test
Best loop: 9,761
Worst Loop: 8,321
Best Loop: 5,581
Worst Loop: 3,537

In short, the best smartphone is not necessarily the one with the best technical specifications, because having the latest fashionable components is not always enough. This is also true for the price because the most expensive flagship is not always the best. The 128 GB iPhone 14 is similarly priced to the Samsung Galaxy S22, but not drastically better.

At the top end of the market, Apple and Samsung offer more or less the same. It is especially in the mid-range that Samsung has a clear advantage since… Well, since Apple is not well-represented in that segment at all. And where does the iPhone SE 2022 stand in all this? I don’t really consider it a mid-range/entry-level device like the Galaxy A53 or A54, so it is a moot point.

Conclusion

Samsung’s advantages over Apple:

• More advanced specifications.
• A powerful and more affordable mid-range device.
• Better screens for all its smartphones.

Apple’s advantages over Samsung:

• Not excessively higher prices at the top of the range segment.
• Performance is often better than the technical specifications suggest.
• The most powerful smartphones on the market, all brands included.

iPhone or Samsung: The user interface

The user interface has always been Apple’s strong point in its battle against Samsung. iOS is praised for its very good optimization and its almost perfect integration with the Apple ecosystem. By buying an iPhone, you will benefit from the successful interconnectivity between the different Apple products.

On the other hand, over the years, Samsung has caught up with Apple and now offers an ecosystem that while not as well developed, is still functional and efficient. Thanks to elements such as your Samsung account, SmartThings, or even exclusive features for its devices such as DeX mode, Samsung tries to offer a similar experience to Apple but with a slightly less closed ecosystem.

These days, Apple and Samsung are moving in similar directions and users from both camps can enjoy a great software experience on either brand’s products.

In 2023, depending on whether you choose an iPhone or a Galaxy, you’ll be integrating with iOS 16 or One UI 5. Both OSs offer well-thought-out user experiences that are quite popular with fans of each side. iOS 16 continues what iOS 15 started by bringing, among other things, improved widgets, a new lock screen, and Always-On-display.

The bulk of the new features of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is mostly software. / © NextPit

Apple has thus caught up with Android and as usual, the Cupertino company has taken its time but has managed to implement in a very appreciable way, features that have been available on Android for a while. I invite you to read our complete guide to iOS 16 to learn more.

As for One UI, it’s one of the most popular Android skins along with Xiaomi’s MIUI. For example, it is more widely used than stock Android, Google’s original Android interface. Visually, One UI is quite a departure from stock Android and is a rather heavy skin, but it is very complete.

This is the look of Samsung’s One UI 5: It sure is more colorful / © NextPit

Samsung’s One UI offers a good multitasking experience thanks to features like split screen, floating windows, or the ability to clone applications to have two accounts. To learn more about its features, read our full review of One UI 5.

• Also read: These are the Samsung smartphones that will receive Android 13

iOS and One UI are starting to get more and more similar, so the final choice will ultimately boil down to your personal preferences. Do note, however, that iOS is exclusive to Apple while One UI depends on Android updates, so you will not receive the latest version as quickly on a Samsung compared to an Apple iPhone.

Conclusion

Samsung’s advantages over Apple:

• More customizable interface.
• Much more advanced multitasking optimization.

Apple’s advantages over Samsung:

• Smooth and frictionless experience within the Apple ecosystem.
• Very high data protection.
• High-quality native applications.
• Clear and uncluttered design.

iPhone or Samsung: Update policy

The update policy was one of the main selling points of Apple’s iPhones, but over the years, Samsung has also been able to improve on this aspect by reducing the gap. The iPhone is generally kept up-to-date for 5 years and all models receive the update almost at the same time. Samsung now offers 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches for its flagships.

Apple’s update policy

According to the official Apple page, we can see that iOS 16, for example, is available for even the iPhone 8/8 Plus which were released in 2017. These models have therefore received 5 new versions of iOS since their launch (not counting the version present by default at release). No Android manufacturer offers such extensive software maintenance.

iPhone vs Samsung Updates. / © NextPit

The graph above illustrates this gap quite well, although the methodology used to count the duration of software maintenance is erroneous. Indeed, the graph assumes that one year is equivalent to one update. This works for iPhones since each new model is released at the same time as each new (major) version of iOS. But for Samsung, its flagships are launched at the beginning of the year with the previous year’s Android version and then updated within the same year once a new Android version is released.

Samsung’s upgrade policy

In recent years, Samsung has made great strides with its update policy. While most Android manufacturers are content to offer 2 or rarely 3 versions of Android and 3 years of security patches, the South Korean manufacturer offers 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches for its high-end smartphones.

So, with a Galaxy S22 for example, you should be able to receive Android 16 in 2025. However, this promise mainly caters to high-end models only. Indeed, mid-range models like the Galaxy A54 and A34 should receive 3 versions of Android and 4 years of security patches.

• Find out: How many updates different Android manufacturers offer

Conclusion

• There are no real pros and cons here since Apple’s update policy is simply better than Samsung’s. But, it should also be noted that Samsung is the best among all Android manufacturers.

iPhone or Samsung: Data protection

iOS is more secure than Android, that’s a fact. Data protection is one of the points where Apple is ahead of Samsung, but it should be noted that in recent years, thanks in particular to the advances of Android 12 in terms of data security, the gap has narrowed.

When it comes to security, the number of criteria to be taken into account is far too large for the scope of this article. That’s why I’ve limited myself to the privacy and security features of each manufacturer.

Samsung’s privacy features

One UI 4 quickly introduced the new features found in Android 12, including the new privacy controls. The privacy panel is accessible from the privacy menu, and like iOS 15 (and MIUI before both), you’ll be notified whenever apps use features like geolocation, camera, and the microphone.

Not immediately enabling background activation of geolocation is also a plus. It must be performed from the page dedicated to the application in question from the system settings. Additional steps that are supposed to discourage or at least make you think twice before letting an application track you even while you are not using it makes things safer.

Scoped storage (launched on Android 10) which allows you to compartmentalize data based on the different applications was interesting. This means one app has access to a particular silo without another app sharing the same space. In practical terms, this limits app access to only a few folders in internal storage, so apps can’t see your other files.

Camera access notification released with Android 12 / © NextPit

For file managers, One UI 4 has brought a new permission “Access to all files”, which allows them to work as in previous versions. However, the application must meet certain conditions to receive this permission. All other applications are limited to “Access to media only”.

One UI also allows you to give only your approximate location. So when an app first asks for permission to access your location, in addition to choosing when the location can be shared, you will be able to choose not to share your precise location. However, the application will be able to request permission to access the precise location for a given purpose later.

Samsung also offers its Secret Folder which allows you to store all your photos, videos, files, applications, and data away from prying eyes in a folder secured by a password or the fingerprint sensor. This folder is protected by Samsung Knox which guarantees that your data is protected against any malicious attacks.

Also, One UI offers a handy feature in the Samsung browser. Indeed, Samsung Internet automatically starts in private browsing mode if you have used this mode during your last browsing.

Apple’s privacy features

Apple has also put a lot of emphasis on security recently with the ATT or App Tracking Transparency which strictly controls the access of third-party and native applications to your personal data. You can learn more by reading our tutorial which shows how to activate the ATT function on your iPhone.

iOS 15 introduced several other new privacy-related features. I invite you to read our full guide to iOS 15 to learn more about it if you haven’t already.

With iOS 16, Apple has continued its momentum by launching Safety Check and automatic verification. With Safety Check, Apple wants to offer more control to users who share passwords or access certain apps and data like geolocation. Safety Check helps combat abuse in toxic relationships by quickly revoking access to data and the location that was previously shared with others.

Automatic verification is a new feature from Apple that bypasses CAPTCHAs, those annoying verification tools that make sure you’re not a robot. To do this, iCloud automatically verifies your Apple ID and device in the background, so you don’t have to fill out a Captcha when authenticating to a website or app.

Conclusion

• Both iOS and Android/OneUI have come a long way when it comes to data protection. Manufacturers understand that more and more users value it and make it a purchase criterion for their new smartphones.
• But in any case, no matter how much control an interface gives you over your data, the level of threat depends on factors beyond your control, such as the irregularity of updates and the ease and speed with which hackers can exploit vulnerabilities.
• Apple offers more frequent and regular updates for all its devices, a closed ecosystem that is harder to penetrate, and an app store with a stricter verification process. All these factors are still missing in Android. While the balance of power is not as greatly skewed as it was in the past, Apple is still a step above.

iPhone or Samsung: Resale value

When choosing a new smartphone, it’s important to bear in mind when you’re going to part with it one day. The average user keeps his or her smartphone for 2 to 3 years before reselling it to finance the purchase of its replacement.

According to a study commissioned and published last January by Bankmycell, Android smartphones shed an average of more than 33% of their value in 2020, compared to about 16% for iPhones. This decline accounts for over 50% of its price for a mid-range/entry-level smartphone.

Android flagships lose more than 30% of their initial value one year after launch / © NextPit

• Discover also how to buy a smartphone at the best time by anticipating price drops

Android smartphones drop in price much faster than iPhones. Indeed, iPhones retain their value better over time than Samsung’s Galaxy range. You will be able to resell an iPhone for a far better price than a Galaxy smartphone. However, this is not a bad thing in itself.

To buy the latest Samsung flagship, you usually only have to wait a few months to see its price drop, while to replace your iPhone with the latest model, you have to wait much longer for its price to drop.

• Read also our tutorial on how to resell your old iPhone at the highest price

Conclusion

Advantages of Samsung compared to Apple:

• Possibility to find smartphones at a better price only a few months after their release.
• Flagships experience nice price drops, unlike iPhones.
• The second-hand market forces e-tailers to make promotions regularly.

Advantages of Apple compared to Samsung:

• Possibility to resell your iPhone at a good price one or two years after purchase.

So, for the few of you who read this article to the end, I hope that these comparison elements between Apple and Samsung were useful to you. Don’t hesitate to give me feedback on this format, tell me what you think about it, or if you would like to have this kind of guide for other brands. I’ve tried to be as comprehensive as possible without writing a 50-page book either. If I’ve missed something critical or made a mistake, please let me know in the comments.

Last updated in March 2023. Please note that previous comments have been preserved for reference.