Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Which Is Better?

The iPhone 14 launched on September 16, 2022, followed by Samsung's Galaxy S23 release on February 14, 2023. Both quickly became the top 5G phones available at the time.  However, at a similar pricepoint with the same general features, which was the best smartphone overall?

Based on our research and hands-on testing, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 were pretty evenly matched.

The Galaxy S23 benefits from low-light camera upgrades and fasterSnapdragon processor. Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 offers better battery life and unmatched connectivity abilities. 

The iPhone 14 and Galaxy S23 have both been discontinued by Apple and Samsung. If you want to snag one today, you’ll have to either:

• Buy a new model and phone plan directly from a mobile service carrier like Mint Mobile or Tello.
• Find a refurbished model from a trusted reseller, like Amazon Renewed or Best Buy.

Avoid the extra step of finding a second-hand model by opting for a more recent Galaxy device or the latest iPhone.

Read on to learn more about how the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 did in each category we tested.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Specs compared

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The Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 both have top-notch specs offered by Samsung and Apple at the time. That said, the most innovative features of both series are limited to the iPhone 14 Pro models and Galaxy S23 Ultra. 

Here’s how the base model S23 and iPhone 14 compare:

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Price

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Both basic models of the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 started at $699 and $799, respectively, and include 128GB of storage. If you selected a device with more internal storage or one of the premium models, the phones rose in price. Nowadays, you can find either phone for a few hundred dollars less.

The Galaxy S23 series includes the base S23, a slightly larger S23+, and the premium S23 Ultra. The iPhone 14 series, meanwhile, includes four devices: the iPhone 14, the larger-sized iPhone 14 Plus, and the premium iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. 

Since the iPhone 14 is cheaper, we’re leaning towards that device.

Here’s the starting price of each device when they were first released:

Where can I buy an iPhone 14 or Galaxy S23?

The options for buying a new iPhone 14 or Samsung Galaxy S23 today are limited. Some carriers to offer new models are Mint Mobile or Tello. However, most carriers offer refurbished or so-called renewed models alongside service plans.

If you want to purchase either phone and keep your existing plan, check out a trusted reseller to buy a refurbished phone. Reputable resellers offer the best quality guaranteed, paired with a warranty in case any hiccups with your hardware arise. 

We recommend buying from the following sources:

• Apple Certified Refurbished
• Amazon Renewed
• Best Buy
• Black Market
• Gazelle

Try to avoid using peer-to-peer platforms to find your next phone. You run the risk of potential issues with the phone’s hardware and software. Buying from a trusted source not only saves you money on possible repairs, but also cuts the risk of fraud or other issues.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Display

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Neither phone could claim total superiority in the display category. The Galaxy S23 can reach a peak brightness of 1,750 nits compared to the iPhone 14’s 1,200 nits. The Galaxy  also offers a higher refresh rate. However, the iPhone 14 has a higher display resolution than the S23.

It’s safe to say both of these devices offer sharp, detailed displays, so this category is also tied.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Processors

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The Samsung Galaxy S23 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor. The “for Galaxy'' tag means this processor was specifically designed with Samsung’s devices in mind. Outperforming its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is an incredibly powerful 8-core chip that can handle intensive tasks like mobile gaming and photo editing.

Apple’s iPhone 14 uses the A16 Bionic processor, as the standard for power, speed, and performance. However, the Apple A16 Bionic is limited to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. The base model iPhone 14 and 14 Plus use the Apple A15 Bionic processor from the previous generation. These Apple processors are still powerful, but most independent tests have shown they fall behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 of the S23.

During our hands-on review of the S23 and iPhone 14, both devices showcased excellent performance. That said, since the Galaxy S23 has the more powerful processor among the base models, we’re giving it the win for this category. But remember, if you want the most powerful processor of the group, you’ll need an iPhone 14 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Cameras

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Cameras have become one of the most important features of any smartphone. Luckily both the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14 have great camera systems with excellent image quality. However, some areas stand out more than others. 

Check out the camera system comparisons below:

As you can see by the specs, the S23 has a triple rear-facing camera system with a 50MP main camera. It’s the same basic camera setup used by the Galaxy S22. However, Samsung has given the S23 an upgraded 12MP selfie camera and improved AI technology that helps with low-light photography. The big camera upgrades for Samsung were limited to the S23 Ultra, which now sports a 200MP camera and new sensors.

The iPhone 14 is still using the same dual-camera system as the iPhone 13. On paper, the smaller 12MP main camera and lack of a telephoto lens make it seem like the S23 should handily beat the iPhone. However, it’s important to note that Samsung and Apple devices process images differently, so Apple can generally do more with less.

Our hands-on testing of both devices showed that the S23 has excellent zooming capabilities and can generally take better close-up photos. 

That said, the iPhone 14 images were typically a bit brighter. You can see how this plays out in the two images below. The S23 image on the left is sharper than the iPhone 14 image on the right. However, the iPhone image is brighter and catches some finer details glossed over by the S23, like shadows and ridges on the flower petals.

Low-light photography

One of the main features Samsung highlighted during the S23 release was major improvements to low-light photography. The S23 has a clear advantage over the iPhone 14 in this category since it can take incredibly clear low-light images that seem bright and full of detail.

The S23 series can even take photos of the night sky. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Astro Hyperlapse feature takes time-lapse images of stars with its 200MP camera. But you don’t need to spring for the Ultra to take photos of stars. As you can see below, the 50MP camera of the basic S23 is powerful enough to capture still images of the sky.

Both of these images were taken at the same time. The S23 image on the left is a 10-minute exposure taken with the Samsung Expert RAW app. It captured excellent colors, more details, and even used AI to ignore planes and satellites. The iPhone 14 image on the right was a 30-second exposure, which is the maximum time iPhones allow. You can see it’s a bit blurry, there are fewer details, and it even captured a plane in the upper-right corner.

The low-light imaging capabilities of the S23 are the main reason we’re giving it the win for this category. Both of these devices take excellent photos, but Samsung’s low-light imagery has left Apple behind.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Battery life

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The Galaxy S23 includes a 3,900mAh battery. That’s an improvement over the S22 series and it’s larger than the 3,279mAh battery found in the iPhone 14. However, despite the S23 having a larger-sized battery, the iPhone 14 still has a longer battery life. That’s because the Apple bionic processors are generally more power efficient than the Samsung Snapdragons.

Both of these devices offer all-day battery life with regular use. However, if you perform intensive processor tasks like mobile gaming, you’ll be reaching for the power cord sooner if you have an S23.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Coverage connectivity

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Both of these devices can easily connect to the 4G LTE and 5G networks of major carriers, but they do connect differently: Apple eliminated the physical SIM card tray for the US iPhone 14 models. It relies entirely on eSIM technology. That’s not an issue for US networks, but it can be a problem if you travel internationally to countries without broad access to eSIM technology. 

The Galaxy S23 holds onto the physical SIM card while also allowing for eSIMs. Most users will appreciate the option to use one or the other without a limitation. Thank you, Samsung.

Emergency SOS via Satellite

The major connectivity development that shook the smartphone industry was Apple including Emergency SOS via Satellite in all models of the iPhone 14. This feature allows the iPhone 14 to connect to low-orbit satellites during emergencies in areas with poor signal. 

As long as you have a clear view of the sky, your iPhone 14 can connect to emergency services using basic text messaging. This is a big safety feature that the S23 series does not have. If you spend a lot of time in remote areas with poor cell service, the iPhone 14 gives you more emergency options.

The development of Emergency SOS via Satellite gives the iPhone 14 a clear advantage in this category.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Design and colors

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The design changes for both the S23 and the iPhone 14 were minor but worth mentioning.

The entire S23 series comes in four basic colors: phantom black, green, cream, and lavender. There are also some online-exclusive colors—graphite, sky blue, lime, and red—if you order directly from the Samsung.com store. 

The biggest change for the S23 is the elimination of the camera bump for the basic models. Instead, the S23 and S23+ have a flat sleek back like the S22 Ultra.

The basic iPhone 14 comes in five colors: midnight, blue, starlight, purple, and (PRODUCT) RED. The design of these phones is very similar to the iPhone 13 series. 

There was a major redesign for part of the iPhone 14 series with the elimination of the notch at the top of the screen. Apple replaced this area with a feature called the Dynamic Island which shows notifications and a live look at your device. However, like many of the other new iPhone features, the Dynamic Island was limited to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. The basic iPhone 14 and 14 Plus retained the notch of the iPhone 13.

There is no superior design. What works best is a personal preference, so this category is a tie.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: Verdict

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Both the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Apple iPhone 14 are excellent devices with great features. The S23 has a strong new processor and impressive low-light photography capabilities. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 offers excellent battery life and impressive new connectivity options.

Neither of these devices can claim a total victory. Which device is right for you mostly comes down to personal preference and which of these categories is most important to your lifestyle.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14: FAQs

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Do iPhones or Samsung phones last longer?

Both iPhones and Samsung phones last for years after they are introduced. Which brand lasts longer depends on the individual condition of devices and how long each company continues to release software updates that include older phones.

Which smartphones have eSIMs?

Most new smartphones have eSIM capabilities, including both the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14. However, the iPhone 14 removed the slot for a physical SIM card.

Do Samsungs or iPhones have better battery life?

iPhones have better battery life than Samsungs because their processors are more power efficient.

Are there better deals on iPhones or Samsungs?

There are great deals on both iPhones and Samsung devices. Make sure to follow our best phone deals page for all the top deals on every phone brand, or check out our iPhone deals page for the best options from Apple.

Is Samsung as good as iPhone?

Yes, Samsung devices are generally as good as iPhones. There are even some features that Samsung devices do better. Check out our list of best iPhone alternatives for the top devices that give Apple a run for its money.