Galaxy S23 Vs Galaxy S24+

Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23
Starting at

Refurbished price:£186.84

Versus £1,019.00 new

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Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£337.00

Versus £997.95 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, are both premium Android smartphones designed to offer a comprehensive mobile experience. While they share a similar design philosophy and core functionalities, the newer Galaxy S24 Plus introduces advancements in display technology, processing power, and software longevity, alongside subtle camera enhancements.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and repairability.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in early 2023, was initially promised four years of major Android operating system updates and five years of security patches, with support expected to conclude around 2028. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Plus, released a year later, significantly extends this commitment, offering seven years of major OS updates and security patches. This extended support means the S24 Plus will receive software enhancements and security protections for a considerably longer period, potentially until 2031.
  • Repairability: Both devices are designed with a focus on durability, featuring aluminum frames and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the front and back, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, which shares a similar build to the S23 Plus, received a good repairability assessment, noting features like easier battery replacement with pull tabs and clearly labeled internal components. The Galaxy S24 series, including the Plus model, has also demonstrated a high repairability score in teardowns, indicating that common repairs like battery replacement are relatively straightforward.
  • Practical Lifespan: Users can expect both phones to perform well for several years. However, the Galaxy S24 Plus's extended software update policy provides a longer period of official support, which can be a significant advantage for users who prefer to keep their devices for an extended duration.

Year of Release

2023

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating apps to demanding gaming sessions. Both the Galaxy S23 Plus and S24 Plus offer robust capabilities, though the newer model brings generational improvements.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a powerful processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking with efficiency. Users generally report smooth operation and consistent performance, even during intensive use. The Galaxy S24 Plus features a newer generation processor, which provides enhanced computational power and improved graphics processing. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother transitions, and a more responsive experience, particularly in graphically intensive games and AI-driven tasks.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most multitasking needs. The Galaxy S24 Plus, however, steps up to 12GB of RAM, offering more headroom for running numerous applications simultaneously without slowdowns. This increased RAM, combined with the newer processor, contributes to a noticeably snappier overall system responsiveness on the S24 Plus.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 Plus houses a 4,700mAh battery, providing reliable all-day power for typical usage. The Galaxy S24 Plus features a slightly larger 4,900mAh battery. While the capacity increase is modest, the S24 Plus's more efficient display technology allows it to conserve power more effectively, especially during web browsing, leading to comparable or sometimes slightly better real-world battery longevity for some usage patterns.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

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

  • Display Technology and Resolution: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S23 Plus offers a 6.6-inch screen with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), resulting in a clear picture. The Galaxy S24 Plus upgrades to a 6.7-inch display with a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), providing a noticeably sharper image with a higher pixel density.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 Plus achieves a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S24 Plus significantly boosts this to a peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it even more legible under direct sunlight and enhancing HDR content viewing. Both devices feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and fluid animations. However, the S24 Plus can dynamically scale its refresh rate down to 1Hz, compared to the S23 Plus's 48Hz minimum, which contributes to better power efficiency.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger, higher-resolution, and brighter screen of the Galaxy S24 Plus offers a more immersive and detailed viewing experience, particularly for media consumption and detailed tasks. The S23 Plus still provides an excellent display, but the S24 Plus offers a noticeable upgrade in clarity and outdoor visibility.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3120

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Photography and videography capabilities are a key consideration for many users, and both the Galaxy S23 Plus and S24 Plus deliver versatile camera systems.

  • Camera System Hardware: Both smartphones feature an identical triple-camera hardware setup on the rear: a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The front camera on both is a 12-megapixel sensor.
  • Photography Performance: In daylight conditions, both phones capture detailed images with vibrant colors. The Galaxy S24 Plus, however, benefits from newer image processing algorithms and AI enhancements. This can result in slightly cleaner shots with improved detail in shadows and highlights, and better color accuracy, particularly in challenging lighting. For low-light photography, the S24 Plus generally produces brighter images with reduced noise and better color saturation compared to its predecessor. Portrait mode also sees improvements on the S24 Plus, with better subject separation and more natural skin tones.
  • Video Recording and Audio: Both devices support high-resolution video recording, including 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps. The S24 Plus offers smoother stabilization modes and improved autofocus during motion. Audio quality for calls and media consumption is robust on both, with similar speaker output and haptic feedback.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity: Both the Galaxy S23 Plus and S24 Plus support 5G connectivity, ensuring fast mobile data speeds where available. They also feature modern Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6 for S23 Plus, Wi-Fi 6E/7 for S24 Plus depending on region) and Bluetooth 5.3 for efficient wireless connections.
  • Ports and Sensors: Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. Neither includes a traditional headphone jack. For security, both offer in-display fingerprint sensors and face recognition.
  • Design and Build Materials: The physical designs of the S23 Plus and S24 Plus are very similar, featuring flat displays and aluminum frames. The S24 Plus is marginally larger with slightly slimmer bezels, contributing to its larger screen size without a significant increase in overall device dimensions. Both weigh approximately 196g. The S24 Plus introduces Gorilla Glass Victus Armor on the front, offering enhanced scratch resistance compared to the Victus 2 on the S23 Plus.
  • Additional Features: The Galaxy S24 Plus introduces new AI-driven software features, which enhance various aspects of the user experience, from photo editing to communication. These features are a notable differentiator, though some may eventually trickle down to the S23 Plus via software updates.

Weight

350 g

197 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S24 Plus both stand as capable Android smartphones, each offering a compelling set of features for different user needs. User feedback for the Galaxy S23 Plus often highlights its consistent performance and reliable battery life, making it a solid choice for everyday use. However, some users express disappointment regarding its shorter software update commitment compared to newer models.

The Galaxy S24 Plus receives praise for its significantly upgraded display, offering higher resolution and brightness, along with its extended software support, promising seven years of updates. While its newer processor generally provides a performance edge, some users of the Exynos variant have noted instances of the device running warm or experiencing faster battery drain during intensive tasks like gaming or heavy social media use. Camera hardware is largely identical, but the S24 Plus's enhanced AI processing is often cited for delivering improved image quality, especially in challenging conditions.

Users prioritizing long-term software support and a cutting-edge display with superior brightness and resolution will find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its enhanced processing power and AI features also cater to those who engage in demanding applications or appreciate the latest technological advancements. Conversely, users who value a proven, efficient performance package and are content with a slightly shorter software update window may find the Galaxy S23 Plus to be a highly capable device. Both models represent excellent choices, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either can be a sustainable choice for consumers.

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