Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S23

Our verdict: Choosing the Samsung Galaxy S23 on contract will save you £13.41 compared to the Apple iPhone 15. Text and images look sharper on the Apple iPhone 15 with its 461 PPI display. With 50MP on the rear, the Samsung Galaxy S23 has the higher-resolution camera. Prefer to own outright? The Samsung Galaxy S23 starts from just £209.00.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.1"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1179 x 2556 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
461 422
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 13
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
Weight
171 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£20.99/mo (£9.00 upfront) £16.00/mo (£109.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£330.00 £209.00
Apple iPhone 15 Apple iPhone 15 Samsung Galaxy S23 Samsung Galaxy S23
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.1"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 461 422
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 13
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
Weight 171 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £20.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
£16.00/mo
£109.00 upfront
SIM-free £330.00 £209.00
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S23 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is cheaper on contract at £522.21 over the life of the deal from £16.00 per month with £109.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.1", the Apple iPhone 15 has the sharper display at 461 pixels per inch versus 422, and the Apple iPhone 15 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 15 features a 48 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 15 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £209.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 15 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S23 use?

The Apple iPhone 15 is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic (4 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 15 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the more portable of the two — it's 4g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 15 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), 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 15 and Samsung Galaxy S23 run?

The Apple iPhone 15 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.