Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23

Our Verdict: This comparison is less one-sided than the names suggest: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro brings the larger 6.3" screen versus 6.1", the sharper 18MP selfie camera, up to 1TB storage, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 counters with the lighter 167g body versus 206g. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £209, roughly £734 less than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro. There is also much wider deal availability for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, with 19,123 active deals versus 110. Software preference matters as well, because this is an iOS versus Android choice as much as a hardware comparison. That makes the Samsung Galaxy S23 the value-led pick, unless the larger 6.3" screen versus 6.1" on the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is worth paying extra for.

The S23 5G is the cheaper one to own: around £544 over a typical contract, £575 less than the iPhone 17 Pro.

Expert Rating
4.5
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen
6.3" 6.1"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
458 422
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Battery
3,988 mAh 3,900 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
Weight
206 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
£44.99/mo (£9.00 upfront) £20.00/mo (£19.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£928.00 £209.00

Prices updated 16 July 2026

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Apple iPhone 17 Pro Samsung Galaxy S23 Samsung Galaxy S23
Expert Rating 4.5
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen 6.3" 6.1"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 458 422
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Battery 3,988 mAh 3,900 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
Weight 206 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 £44.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
£20.00/mo
£19.00 upfront
SIM-free £928.00 £209.00
Prices updated 16 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

24 Months

256GB

Deep Blue

10GB

Data

£44.99 per month, £9 upfront.

Use code: CASH2 (£2)

Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S23

24 Months

128GB

Cream

100GB

Data

£20 per month, £19 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is cheaper on contract at £544.00 over the life of the deal from £20.00 per month with £19.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro has the bigger screen at 6.3" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 17 Pro has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 422, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro 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 17 Pro 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 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 use?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, 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 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the more portable of the two: it's 39g 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 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro 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 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 run?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro 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.