The S23+ is noticeably larger at 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm and 196 grams taller and wider than the S23 (168 grams), making it closer to the iPhone 16 Pro in hand feel. It’s not as pocketable as the S23, but the extra screen real estate is nice for videos. I had the Lavender color, which looks soft and unique, though Phantom Black hides fingerprints better. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back with Armor Aluminum frame feels solid, and IP68 means no sweat with spills or rain. Dropped it once on carpet (whew), and it’s fine.
The 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is gorgeous 1080 x 2340 resolution (393 PPI), 1750 nits bright, and 120Hz smooth. It’s a step up from the S23’s 6.1-inch for multitasking or Netflix, but not as sharp as the S23 Ultra’s QHD+. Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s 6.3-inch, colors pop more on Samsung, but Apple’s always-on display is handy. Ultrasonic fingerprint is quick, and the flat screen avoids curve issues some hate on the Ultra.
Performance: Same Power, Better Cooling
Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy as the S23, with 8GB RAM. It’s a beast Genshin on high, no lag, and multitasking with split-screen is seamless. Felt identical to the S23 in speed, but the bigger body dissipates heat better during long gaming; the S23 warmed up quicker. Versus iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro, Android feels more customizable, but iOS wins for battery optimization in apps. 256GB or 512GB storage (UFS 4.0 on higher tiers), no card slot.
One UI 7 on Android 15 now love DeX for laptop mode and Good Lock tweaks, but some bloatware. Updates till 2028, solid. Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G all fast. Emergency SOS satellite is there, but haven’t tested.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | Android 13 |
| Processor Type | Snapdragon |
| Display Size | 16.76 cm (6.6 inch) |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, and Cream |
| Camera | 50MP + 10MP + 12MP | 12MP Front Camera |
| Form Fator | Smartphone |
| Biomatric Security Feature | Face Recognition |
| Sim Card Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
Cameras: Reliable, Vibrant Shots
Same setup as S23: 50MP main (f/1.8 OIS), 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto. Photos are punchy and fun great for social media, with Night mode handling low light well. 3x zoom is useful for portraits, better than no zoom on some mid-rangers. Selfies from the 12MP front cam are sharp. Video up to 8K 30fps, stable 4K 60fps.
Compared to S23 Ultra’s 200MP and 10x, it’s simpler but still beats the iPhone 16 Pro in color vibrancy (though Apple is more natural). Bigger screen on S23+ makes framing shots easier than the S23. No complaints for everyday use.
Software and Battery: The Real Win
One UI 7 has cool features like circle to search and live translate, but can be overwhelming vs iOS simplicity. Battery is the star: 4700 mAh lasts me 1.5-2 days (7-8 hours screen time), way better than S23’s 3900 mAh (full day max). Outlasts iPhone 16 Pro in my mixed use. 45W charging to 65% in 30 minutes faster than S23’s 25W. 15W wireless and reverse wireless are handy.
Price and Final Thoughts
Grabbed a used one cheap now in November 2025 around $400-500 renewed, down from $999 launch. Great value vs S23 Ultra or new iPhones.
The S23+ is my sweet spot if I switched back to Samsung big screen and battery without Ultra bulk. Better than S23 for media and endurance, holds up great against pricier phones. If you want more than compact but not phablet, go for it. 9/10 battery life sealed it!