These top-end flagship models go head-to-head in the rundown of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro. The smartphone market is a constantly evolving space, with new flagship phones being released every year. Two of the most advanced smartphones released this year are the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro. These devices represent the pinnacle of smartphone technology, and in this article, we’ll dive deep into the specifications and features of both the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro. By comparing these two devices side by side, we aim to provide you with an in-depth understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and how they stack up against each other.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs iPhone 15 Pro specs
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch AMOLED | 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3088 pixels | 1179 x 2556pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Apple A17 Pro |
| Rear Cameras | 200MP, 12MP, 10MP, 10MP | 48MP, 12MP, 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 3,274mAh |
| Operating System | Android 13, One UI 5.1 | iOS 17 |
| Price (Starting) | $1,199.99 | From $999 |
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs iPhone 15 Pro features
Design
When it comes to design, both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro offer a premium look and feel. There are some clear differences between the two phones, unlike the iPhone 15 and the Galaxy S23 base models which have a fairly similar look. The iPhone 15 Pro builds upon the existing Apple iPhone aesthetic, featuring a frosted glass back with a square camera block in the corner, and a titanium frame. It comes in four natural shades, Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium. It’s slightly smaller and thinner than the S23 Ultra, measuring 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm (5.77 x 2.78 x 0.33 in) and weighing 187g.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra, on the other hand, has a curved frame and a much more angular design. It has the latest Gorilla Glass 2 Victus panels on both sides, and Samsung’s Armor Aluminum alloy used for the frame. It’s an overall bigger and heavier phone, measuring 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm and weighing 234g. Like the 15 Pro, the S23 Ultra also gets four colors: Cream, Phantom Black, Lavender, and Lime. Both phones seem to be durable and come with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Display
Moving on to the display, the iPhone 15 Pro boasts a 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display screen with a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz. It offers a higher peak brightness of 2,000 nits (outside), providing a vibrant and immersive viewing experience, but a marginally lower resolution than the S23 Ultra.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra, on the other hand, features a slightly larger 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz. It offers a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. While both displays are exceptional, Samsung’s phone screen is slightly sharper and curved, whereas the iPhone’s display is flat. If you want to upgrade to the iPhone with a slightly bigger display, the iPhone 15 Pro Max gets you a 6.7‑inch display with a slightly better 2796×1290-pixel resolution.
Camera Capabilities
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a smartphone is the camera capabilities. In this regard, both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro excel, and have similar main and ultrawide cameras.
The iPhone 15 Pro features a triple-lens rear camera setup, including a 48MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP f/2.8 periscope lens offering 5x optical zoom. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, on the other hand, takes it up a notch with a quad-lens rear camera system. It boasts a 200MP f/1.7 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 10MP f/4.9 periscope lens with 10x optical zoom. High-quality detail, sharpness, dynamic range, and contrast are provided across both cameras.
Performance and Power
Both phones come with the most powerful chips released by Apple and Samsung to date. The iPhone 15 Pro is equipped with Apple’s latest A17 Pro chipset, which is more powerful than the A16 Bionic launched in the iPhone 14. The A17 Pro is known for its exceptional speed and efficiency, offering seamless multitasking, smooth gaming, and fast app loading times. On the Android side, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. This chipset is considered one of the best available for Android smartphones and offers excellent performance across the board. However, it’s a possibility that we might be getting a brand-new Samsung chip for the release of the Galaxy S24, which might give Samsung a slight advantage over Apple.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs iPhone 15 Pro price
The iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 for the 128GB model, with higher storage options available at a higher price. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, on the other hand, starts at $1,199.99 for the 256GB model, with pricing varying depending on the region and storage configuration.
Is the Galaxy S23 Ultra better than the iPhone 15 Pro?
When making a decision between these two devices, the verdict comes down to personal preferences, such as performance preference, camera priorities, display preference, and ultimately Android or Apple. The Galaxy S23 Ultra shines with its impressive camera capabilities, longer optical zoom, and powerful hardware. On the other hand, the new iPhone 15 Pro boasts a sleek design, a vibrant display, and Apple’s renowned camera quality. If you’re wondering how the top-end Galaxy model holds up against the base iPhone, we’ve compared the Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 15 here.
