Galaxy S23 FE Vs iPhone 15 Pro

Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:£175.00

Versus £605.75 new

See options
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£427.00

Versus £999.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, released in late 2023, and the iPhone 15 Pro, launched in September 2023, are both advanced smartphones offering distinct user experiences. While the Galaxy S23 FE operates on the Android platform, the iPhone 15 Pro runs on iOS, providing different ecosystems and interface designs. Key differentiators between these two devices include their core processing power, camera capabilities, and display technologies, catering to varied user preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors such as software support, physical durability, and repairability are important.

  • Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is expected to receive four major Android OS upgrades, extending its software support up to Android 17, along with five years of security updates until 2028. The iPhone 15 Pro, typical of Apple devices, is anticipated to receive major iOS updates for approximately five to six years from its release, with compatibility confirmed for iOS 26 and a minimum of five years of software updates until at least 2028.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S23 FE features Gorilla Glass 5 on both its front and back, complemented by an aluminum frame, and carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a titanium design with a Ceramic Shield front cover and a textured matte glass back, also holding an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
  • Practical Lifespan: Both devices are built to withstand daily use, with their respective materials and water resistance ratings contributing to their resilience. The extended software support for both models suggests a practical lifespan where they will continue to receive important updates and remain functional for several years.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for handling daily tasks, from browsing and social media to demanding applications and gaming.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a capable processor, either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or the Exynos 2200 depending on the region, which allows for smooth multitasking and efficient handling of most applications. The iPhone 15 Pro features an advanced processor designed for high-end performance, offering significant speed for complex tasks, intensive gaming, and professional applications.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of the Galaxy S23 FE generally report a fluid experience with quick app loading and smooth navigation through the interface. The iPhone 15 Pro provides a highly responsive user experience, with applications launching quickly and transitions appearing seamless, even under heavy load.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S23 FE comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB, without expandable storage. The iPhone 15 Pro also offers various storage configurations, starting from 128GB, and is designed to manage memory efficiently for demanding applications.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. The iPhone 15 Pro has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering sharp visuals with a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels and a high pixel density.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 FE's display supports a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, and offers good brightness for outdoor visibility. The iPhone 15 Pro includes ProMotion technology, providing adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, and boasts a high peak outdoor brightness of up to 2000 nits, making it highly visible in bright conditions.
  • Special Features: The iPhone 15 Pro incorporates an Always-On display and the Dynamic Island, which integrates alerts and activities into an interactive area at the top of the screen.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1179 x 2556

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though they approach imaging with different strengths.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 FE features a versatile triple camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 15 Pro comes with a professional-grade triple camera system, featuring a 48MP main camera with second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 120-degree field of view, and a 12MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography and Video Capabilities: The Galaxy S23 FE delivers detailed photos, especially in good lighting, and its telephoto lens is noted for maintaining detail at 3x zoom. The iPhone 15 Pro excels in capturing images with natural color accuracy and offers advanced features like Log video recording and ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 frames per second with external recording, making it suitable for professional videography. Both devices offer 4K video recording capabilities.
  • Front Camera and Audio: The Galaxy S23 FE has a 10MP front-facing camera. The iPhone 15 Pro includes a 12MP TrueDepth front camera, which also supports 4K video recording. Both phones provide stereo speakers for media consumption.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S23 FE and the iPhone 15 Pro support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast wireless communication. The Galaxy S23 FE uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 15 Pro also features a USB-C port, but it supports faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds (up to 10Gbps), which is beneficial for quick data transfers, especially for large video files.
  • Biometrics and User Interface: The Galaxy S23 FE incorporates an under-display optical fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 15 Pro utilizes Face ID for facial recognition and includes a customizable Action Button, replacing the traditional mute switch, which can be programmed for various functions.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S23 FE weighs 209 grams and has dimensions of 158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm. The iPhone 15 Pro is lighter at 187 grams and has dimensions of 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.25 mm, featuring a titanium frame that contributes to its lighter feel.

Weight

209 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

6.1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE often highlights its capable camera system and vibrant display as strong points, providing a comprehensive Android experience. Some users have noted mixed experiences with battery life, with some finding it drains faster than expected, while others report it lasting a full day. The device is generally praised for offering a solid balance of features for its segment.

The iPhone 15 Pro receives consistent praise for its exceptional camera capabilities, particularly its video recording features and natural color accuracy. Its advanced processor is frequently mentioned for delivering smooth and powerful performance across all tasks. The titanium design and the introduction of the USB-C port with faster data transfer speeds are also well-received.

Users prioritizing a highly advanced camera system, especially for video production, and a compact, lightweight design with a powerful processor, may find the iPhone 15 Pro well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who prefer the Android ecosystem, a slightly larger display, and a versatile camera setup with a dedicated telephoto lens, might lean towards the Galaxy S23 FE. Both devices represent strong choices in their respective categories, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be an eco-friendly alternative for either model.

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