Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy XCover 7

Our Verdict: Start with cost: Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is listed from roughly £379.96 over the contract, which gives it the cleaner value argument. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus offers more storage headroom, up to 512GB against 128GB, but Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is sharper at 400 PPI versus 390. Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is the better fit for keeping contract costs down, while Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus suits buyers who care more about larger storage options.

Over a full contract, the XCover 7 works out around £380 all-in, about £346 less than the S23+ 5G.

Expert Rating
4.2
10 reviews
3.6
6 reviews
Screen
6.6" 6.6"
Display
Dynamic AMOLED 2X PLS LCD
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1080 x 2408
Pixels Per Inch
390 400
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 5 Megapixels
Chipset
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)
Battery
4,700 mAh 4,050 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS
Android 13 Android 14
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-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
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm 169 x 80.1 x 10.2 mm
Weight
195 grams 240 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£57.33/mo (£30.00 upfront) £13.79/mo (£49.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£349.99 £349.00

Prices updated 28 July 2026

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Samsung Galaxy XCover 7
Expert Rating 4.2
10 reviews
3.6
6 reviews
Screen 6.6" 6.6"
Display Dynamic AMOLED 2X PLS LCD
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2408
Pixels Per Inch 390 400
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 5 Megapixels
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)
Battery 4,700 mAh 4,050 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 128GB
OS Android 13 Android 14
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-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
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm 169 x 80.1 x 10.2 mm
Weight 195 grams 240 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £57.33/mo
£30.00 upfront
£13.79/mo
£49.00 upfront
SIM-free £349.99 £349.00
Prices updated 28 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

12 Months

256GB

Phantom Black

Refurbished

5GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£57.33 per month, £30 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy XCover 7
Samsung Galaxy XCover 7

24 Months

128GB

Black

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£13.79 per month, £49 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is cheaper on contract at £379.96 over the life of the deal from £13.79 per month with £49.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.6", the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 has the sharper display at 400 pixels per inch versus 390, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 has a PLS LCD.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus features a 50 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 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 Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7?

The Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £349.00.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 comes in 128GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 use?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 uses the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is the more portable of the two: it's 45g lighter at 195 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm, and is slimmer at 7.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 run?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus runs Android 13 and the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 runs Android 14. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.