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Galaxy S23 Vs iPhone 16e
- 1-year minimum warranty
- Free delivery on all items
- Free 30-day returns
Differences at a glance
The Samsung Galaxy S23, released in February 2023, and the Apple iPhone 16E, launched in February 2025, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality from their respective manufacturers. While both devices offer a premium smartphone experience, the iPhone 16E benefits from a newer release, bringing advancements in processing power and software integration, whereas the Galaxy S23 offers a more mature Android ecosystem with a versatile camera setup. Both run on their proprietary operating systems, Android for the S23 and iOS for the 16E, each providing a unique user interface and app environment.
Available Models
Colour
Storage (GB)
Scores
Durability
When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.
- Release Timeline: The Galaxy S23 was released in early 2023, making it a two-year-old device compared to the iPhone 16E, which launched in early 2025. This age difference inherently means the iPhone 16E will receive software updates for a longer period.
- OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S23 launched with Android 13 and is promised four major OS upgrades, extending its support up to Android 17, and five years of security updates, lasting until at least 2028. The iPhone 16E, launching with iOS 18.3, is expected to receive major iOS updates for approximately five to seven years, with security patches often extending beyond that, potentially supporting the device well into the 2030s.
- Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and access to the latest operating system features will find the iPhone 16E offers a more extended future-proof experience. However, the Galaxy S23 still provides a substantial period of guaranteed updates, making it a viable option for several years.
Year of Release
2023
2025
OS
Android
iOS
Foldable
No
No
Performance
The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components and how efficiently its software utilizes them for daily tasks and demanding applications.
- Processor Capabilities: The iPhone 16E features a newer generation processor, which translates to faster app loading times, smoother transitions between applications, and more efficient handling of complex tasks like advanced photo editing or graphically intensive games. The Galaxy S23, while equipped with a powerful processor for its release year, may show a slight difference in raw speed and efficiency compared to the newer iPhone model.
- Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices offer 8GB of RAM, enabling competent multitasking. The iPhone 16E's newer processor and optimized software contribute to a highly responsive user experience, particularly with the integration of advanced AI features. The Galaxy S23 provides a consistently smooth experience for everyday use and handles multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns.
- Storage Options: Both models are available with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB internal storage options. It is worth noting that the 128GB version of the Galaxy S23 utilizes a slightly older storage technology compared to its higher-capacity variants, which might result in marginally slower data access speeds.
Screen quality
The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences with some notable differences.
- Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 16E feature vibrant OLED displays, known for deep blacks and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels (425 ppi). The iPhone 16E also has a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi). Both provide clear and sharp visuals for text, images, and video.
- Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, along with a peak brightness of 1750 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The iPhone 16E features a 60Hz refresh rate, which is standard but less fluid than 120Hz, and offers a typical max brightness of 800 nits, with a peak of 1200 nits for HDR content.
- Viewing Experience: Users who prioritize exceptionally smooth motion and higher peak brightness for bright outdoor conditions may find the Galaxy S23's display more appealing. The iPhone 16E still delivers a high-quality, bright, and color-accurate viewing experience, particularly for media consumption.
Resolution
1080 x 2340
2532x1170
Audiovisual
Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though their configurations differ.
- Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S23 features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This dedicated telephoto lens allows for clear zoomed-in shots without significant loss of detail. The iPhone 16E comes with a 48MP main camera that utilizes sensor cropping to achieve a 2x optical-quality telephoto effect, alongside its wide-angle capabilities.
- Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 excels in offering flexibility with its dedicated ultrawide and telephoto lenses, providing a broad range of photographic options. Its low-light performance is robust, capturing detailed images in challenging conditions. The iPhone 16E's 48MP main sensor captures high-resolution photos and benefits from advanced computational photography, which enhances image quality across various scenarios, including low light.
- Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices offer high-quality video recording capabilities. For selfies and video calls, both feature a 12MP front camera. The iPhone 16E's front camera also supports Face ID for secure authentication.
Front camera
12 megapixels
TrueDepth 12MP
Miscellaneous
Beyond core performance, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.
- Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S23 and iPhone 16E support 5G connectivity and modern Wi-Fi standards. The Galaxy S23 features USB-C with faster USB 3.2 speeds, while the iPhone 16E also uses USB-C, though with USB 2.0 speeds. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Biometric Security: The Galaxy S23 uses an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 16E relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
- Design and Durability: The Galaxy S23 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, paired with an Armor Aluminum frame, offering robust protection. The iPhone 16E incorporates a Ceramic Shield display and an aluminum frame with a glass back, also providing a durable build. Both devices carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 16E also introduces an Action Button, offering customizable quick access to various functions.
- Dimensions and Weight: The Galaxy S23 measures 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and weighs 168g. The iPhone 16E is slightly larger at 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm and weighs 167g. Both are compact and manageable for one-handed use.
Weight
168 g
167 g
Screen size (in)
6.1
6.1
Mobile network
5G
5G
SIM card
Dual Physical SIM + eSIM
eSIM
Carrier compatibility
Unlocked
Unlocked
What the community thinks
User feedback for the Galaxy S23 often praises its compact design, vibrant 120Hz display, and the versatility of its camera system, particularly the dedicated telephoto lens. Some users have noted that while battery life is improved over its predecessor, heavy usage might still require a midday charge. The iPhone 16E, being a newer release, is frequently lauded for its powerful and efficient processor, extended software support, and the integration of new features like the Action Button and Apple Intelligence. Criticisms sometimes point to its 60Hz display, which is less fluid than some competitors, and the reliance on computational photography for zoom rather than a dedicated telephoto lens.
Users prioritizing a device with the longest possible software longevity and the most current processing power for demanding applications and future AI features may find the iPhone 16E well-suited to their needs. Its newer release date provides a longer runway for updates and performance. Conversely, individuals who value a high refresh rate display for smoother interactions, a dedicated optical zoom lens for photography, and a slightly more mature Android ecosystem might lean towards the Galaxy S23. Both devices offer robust performance and build quality, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.










