Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
Our Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus has a marginally higher-resolution main camera, 50MP against the Apple iPhone 17 Pro's 48MP, and there's more battery in the S23+ 5G, 4700mAh to 3988mAh, though iOS and Android manage power differently, so more mAh doesn't always mean longer battery life. The S23+ 5G has the bigger screen at 6.6" against 6.3", while the iPhone 17 Pro has the sharper one at 458 PPI, and the iPhone 17 Pro goes up to 1TB of storage, where the S23+ 5G tops out at 512GB. The iPhone 17 Pro is the one to have if you want what it adds, but the S23+ 5G is the smarter buy if you'd rather keep the money.
The S23+ 5G is the cheaper one to own: around £725 over a typical contract, £394 less than the iPhone 17 Pro.
12 reviews 4.2
10 reviews
Prices updated 25 July 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
|
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 4.5 12 reviews |
4.2 10 reviews |
| Screen | 6.3" | 6.6" |
| Display | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 390 |
| 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 | 4,700 mAh |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB |
| 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/6 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3 with A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 206 grams | 195 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 |
£57.33/mo
£30.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £899.99 | £299.99 |
| Prices updated 25 July 2026 | ||
| Deals | Deals | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is cheaper on contract at £725.46 over the life of the deal from £57.33 per month with £30.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus has the bigger screen at 6.6" compared to the Apple iPhone 17 Pro's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 17 Pro has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 390, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X.
Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus 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 Plus?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £299.99.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus comes in 256GB, 512GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus use?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus 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 Plus?
It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is lighter but the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is more compact. It's 11g lighter at 195 grams, though the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is actually the more compact phone at 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is slimmer at 7.6mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus 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 Plus run?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus 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.