Apple iPhone 16vsSamsung Galaxy S23
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S23 wins
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 wins 5 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Samsung Galaxy S23 is the overall winner, 5 / 5 — camera is its standout. At USD 549, it's also the most affordable of this group.
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Performance — led by performance score (1,500,000 pts).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Display — led by refresh rate (120 Hz).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Camera — led by telephoto (Yes).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Battery — led by battery (3,900 mAh).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Price — led by price (549 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a sharper screen — 460 ppi vs 425 ppi.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 2,000 nits vs 1,750 nits.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want better video quality — 94 pts vs 93 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a better camera — 142 pts vs 135 pts.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,500,000 pts vs 1,400,000 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want smoother scrolling — 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want true optical zoom — Yes vs No.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want longer battery life — 3,900 mAh vs 3,561 mAh.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want faster charging — 25 W vs 20 W.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want a lower price — 549 USD vs 799 USD.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 16
- Samsung Galaxy S23
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
Choose Apple iPhone 16 if camera matters most. It costs USD 799.
Samsung Galaxy S23
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if camera matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 549, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 16
- A18 speed
- Camera Control button
- Strong resale value
- 60 Hz display
- Slow 20 W charging
- No telephoto lens
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Compact size
- 3x telephoto
- Big discount
- 3,900 mAh battery
- 25 W charging
- Aging chipset