Apple iPhone 16 ProvsSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra wins
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra wins 4 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the overall winner, 4 / 5 — display is its standout. At USD 849, it's also the most affordable of this group.
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes Performance — led by storage (256 GB).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes Display — led by screen size (6.8 in).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro takes Camera — led by camera score (154 pts).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes Battery — led by battery (5,000 mAh).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes Price — led by price (849 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,650,000 pts vs 1,600,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 2,000 nits vs 1,750 nits.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want better video quality — 98 pts vs 94 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a better camera — 154 pts vs 145 pts.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want more room for photos and apps — 256 GB vs 128 GB.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want a bigger screen — 6.8 in vs 6.3 in.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want a sharper screen — 501 ppi vs 460 ppi.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want longer battery life — 5,000 mAh vs 3,582 mAh.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want faster charging — 45 W vs 27 W.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want a lower price — 849 USD vs 999 USD.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Click a label to jump to that section ↓
Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if camera matters most. It costs USD 999.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if display matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 849, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- A18 Pro performance
- Excellent 4K/120 video
- Premium build
- Pricey
- Battery is modest
- 27 W charging is slow
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 200 MP camera
- 10x optical zoom
- S Pen built in
- Heavy
- 45 W charging
- Aging chipset