Apple iPhone 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S23

Our Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S23 has the clearer hardware edge over Apple iPhone 11, especially a sharper 422 PPI display, the higher-resolution 50MP rear camera, and a larger 3,900 mAh battery. Apple iPhone 11 starts lower SIM-free at £111, roughly £98 below Samsung Galaxy S23; software is a real divider too, with iPhone 11 on Apple iOS and Galaxy S23 on Android 13. Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you care most about a sharper 422 PPI display and the higher-resolution 50MP rear camera; choose Apple iPhone 11 if the lower cost is the priority.

The iPhone 11 is the cheaper one to own: around £486 over a typical contract, £58 less than the S23 5G.

Expert Rating
4.5
19 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.1"
Display
IPS LCD Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution
828 x 1792 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
324 422
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Battery
3,110 mAh 3,900 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 13
SIM Type
Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity
Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
Weight
194 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance
IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£18.00/mo (£9.00 upfront) £20.00/mo (£19.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£119.99 £239.00

Prices updated 26 July 2026

Apple iPhone 11 Apple iPhone 11 Samsung Galaxy S23 Samsung Galaxy S23
Expert Rating 4.5
19 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.1"
Display IPS LCD Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 828 x 1792 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 324 422
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Battery 3,110 mAh 3,900 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 13
SIM Type Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
Weight 194 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £18.00/mo
£9.00 upfront
£20.00/mo
£19.00 upfront
SIM-free £119.99 £239.00
Prices updated 26 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 11
Apple iPhone 11

24 Months

64GB

Green

100GB

Data

£18 per month, £9 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S23

24 Months

128GB

Cream

100GB

Data

£20 per month, £19 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy S23 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 11 is cheaper on contract at £486.00 over the life of the deal from £18.00 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S23 has the sharper display at 422 pixels per inch versus 324, and the Apple iPhone 11 uses a IPS LCD panel while the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 11 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 11 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £119.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 11 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 use?

The Apple iPhone 11 is powered by the Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+), while the Samsung Galaxy S23 uses the Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the more portable of the two: it's 27g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm, and is slimmer at 7.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 11 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 11 is rated IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 run?

The Apple iPhone 11 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S23 runs Android 13. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.