This story is a part of Samsung Occasion, ClassyBuzz’s assortment of stories, ideas and recommendation round Samsung’s hottest merchandise.
5 months in the past, I went from being a die-hard Samsung Galaxy fan to a sellout iPhone proprietor. Since then, I’ve totally tailored to the world of Apple and have been basking within the perks of options like AirDrop and iMessage (principally to the delight of my pals, who had been sick of my inexperienced texts).
However I nonetheless have a tender spot for Galaxy telephones, and when Samsung unveiled the S23 lineup in February, I used to be desirous to see how the top-of-the-line S23 Extremely would evaluate to my iPhone 14 Pro. So I obtained my arms on one and started utilizing the telephones aspect by aspect to match every little thing from the cameras to battery life to general design — and to see whether or not I would have any regrets about switching to the “darkish aspect.” Here is what I discovered.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely’s show vs. Apple’s Tremendous Retina display screen
First issues first: I’ve an iPhone 14 Pro, and never a Pro Max, so the Extremely’s large display screen undoubtedly stands out as compared. I by no means really feel like I want a much bigger display screen than what I get on my 14 Pro, nevertheless it undoubtedly does not damage to have that bigger show after I’m watching a YouTube video or streaming a present — or spending an excessive amount of time on TikTok.
The trade-off to having that bigger display screen is attempting to suit it in my pocket and having to hold one thing a bit bulkier. Nonetheless, it is a fairly modern cellphone for all that actual property.
The show high quality on each telephones is stellar, and I do not see a lot of a top quality distinction between the 2. Proper out of the field, the S23 Extremely has a pleasant brilliant show, which you’ll obtain on the iPhone by turning off True Tone (a function that adjusts the colour and depth of your show relying in your atmosphere). If the brightness on the Extremely is an excessive amount of, you’ll be able to inversely mimic the consequences of True Tone by going into Show settings and both toggling on Eye consolation protect or going to Display screen mode and choosing Pure. You too can play with the White steadiness scale. Photographs on the iPhone look barely sharper, however colours pop a bit extra on the S23 Extremely. General, although, there’s actually not a lot of a distinction between the telephones.
The keyboard on the Galaxy S23 Extremely (proper) locations numbers above letters, so you do not have to hop between the 2.
John Kim/ClassyBuzz
There’s one facet to having an iPhone that I have never fairly made peace with but, and it is the keyboard. I am glad Apple added Slide to Kind with iOS 13 a number of years in the past, adopted by haptic suggestions on the keyboard with iOS 16 (lastly), as a result of these are options I beloved on Android. However I nonetheless get annoyed that I’ve to modify between numbers and letters after I’m typing on the iPhone. In the meantime, on the Galaxy, the numbers sit simply above the letters, so you’ll be able to choose them extra rapidly, the best way you’d on a laptop computer keyboard. You possibly can obtain totally different keyboards on the iPhone like Gboard, nevertheless it’s not the identical. I am going to admit that is a minor grievance, however I do assume the person expertise would profit from Apple taking a web page from Android’s e book — , like they’ve achieved many instances earlier than. Shifting on….
The Galaxy S23 Extremely’s battery life is subsequent degree
I’ve had my iPhone for a number of months now and fortunately have not seen any noticeable drops in battery life but. My cellphone nonetheless lasts a full day of heavy use, however I all the time must cost on the finish of the day.
The Extremely’s battery is subsequent degree. I can go a full day of use and nonetheless have some juice left over. That is not stunning, given the S23 Extremely has a 5,000-mAh battery. Apple does not share battery capability for its telephones, however says the 14 Pro has as much as 23 hours of video playback. An iFixit teardown discovered the iPhone 14 Pro has a 3,200-mAh battery.
The battery that retains going.
James Martin/ClassyBuzz
Though the Extremely has a much bigger battery, Apple is definitely in a position to crank out extra effectivity from its batteries due to iOS and its personal A-series chips. In the meantime, Android has to work with a wide range of gadgets working totally different processors, so it turns into extra necessary to have that larger battery.
Specs and logistics apart, I am amazed by the Extremely’s battery life, as was ClassyBuzz’s cellular reporter Lisa Eadicicco when she reviewed the Extremely.
The S23 Extremely’s 200-megapixel digital camera
Digital camera high quality is a very powerful facet of any cellphone for me. I take numerous footage and movies for work and social media, together with for my very area of interest tea account on Instagram. The digital camera on the Galaxy telephones stored me within the Samsung household for a decade, so I used to be keen to match the S23 Extremely’s cameras to the iPhone 14 Pro’s.
What I seen straight away is how way more saturated photographs on the Extremely are. Generally, that saturation provides a pleasant colour enhance to photographs and makes them stand out extra. Photos of my colourful teacups look much more vibrant on the Extremely. Generally, that saturation is usually a bit overwhelming and makes photographs look unnatural, as if there is a filter on them. However different instances, it makes colours and topics stand out, in a great way.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely’s 200-megapixel sensor brings out particulars and colour on this ornamental teacup.
Abrar Al-Heeti/ClassyBuzz
The 200-megapixel sensor on the Extremely punches up colour and element much more. An image I took of an ornamental teacup emphasizes the intricate floral design and gold trim and one other picture of a Klay Thompson mural reveals vivid blues and yellows.
Not all moments are made for a 200-megapixel sensor, although. In one other picture taken open air, the sensor eliminated a number of too many highlights, so it was tougher to see element and make sense of what is going on on.
General, I recognize the softness and brightness of photographs on the Extremely. Shadows on the iPhone are sometimes a bit too harsh and provides some photos a darker overtone. A picture of the sky on the Extremely will look good and brilliant, whereas on the iPhone, there is likely to be distracting shadows below clouds. The Extremely’s softness and brightness additionally make for extra flattering selfies. You possibly can modify the iPhone’s digital camera settings and mess around with issues like distinction, tone and colour temperature, and even mimic pictures kinds on the Galaxy (and vice versa), however I do want the iPhone simply mechanically adjusted for issues like shadows a bit higher.
The digital camera function that shocked me most was Portrait mode. I consider Portrait mode on the iPhone because the gold customary. The topic is often in good focus, the background is easily blurred and the colours are extra pure wanting. However I seen there’s one thing the Extremely did higher than my iPhone. I took an image of my pal whereas she had sun shades on prime of her head, and the iPhone struggled to maintain the bridge and sides of the glasses in focus, whereas the Extremely did not. It is that small element that reveals how far Portrait mode has come on Galaxy telephones. I nonetheless choose the look of iPhone portraits due to the decrease saturation, and you may catch a bit extra element within the background, which is sweet.
The image on the left was taken with Portrait mode on the iPhone 14 Pro, whereas the one on the proper was taken with the Galaxy S23 Extremely. In the event you look intently, you may good the iPhone blurs the bridge and sides of the glasses, whereas the Extremely does not.
Abrar Al-Heeti/ClassyBuzz
Does the Galaxy S23 Extremely beat the iPhone at video?
Given the recognition of TikTok and Instagram Reels proper now, video is a large focus for each Apple and Samsung — and in addition necessary for people like me who take numerous movies. Since switching to the iPhone, I’ve seen an uptick within the high quality of my movies. The colours are extra pure and the photographs sharper. Cinematic mode makes topics pop and lends a extra skilled look to my content material. Samsung has its personal Cinematic mode equal, referred to as Portrait video. It additionally does an awesome job of blurring the background, however objects and folks look rather less outlined than they do on iPhone.
One space the place the Extremely is a transparent winner is with video stabilization. Even strolling down the steps, the footage is extremely easy, as in case you’re utilizing a gimbal. With the iPhone, you’ll be able to nonetheless sense every step being taken, and there is much more motion.
The S23 Extremely’s design vs. iPhone 14 Pro
Let’s be sincere: the iPhone’s digital camera bumps are ridiculous. The Extremely is a breath of contemporary air as a result of the cameras do not stick out as a lot, so it wobbles much less while you set it down.
The S Pen on the Extremely is a enjoyable further, although I by no means discovered myself reaching for it. There’s not a lot I need to write by hand, and I can simply faucet the display screen for just about all capabilities. Nonetheless, I am glad the legacy of the retired Galaxy Notice collection lives on.
The S Pen returns on the Galaxy S23 Extremely.
James Martin/ClassyBuzz
The in-screen fingerprint reader was a favourite function of mine on my Galaxy telephones, and it is good to have that possibility once more whereas utilizing the Extremely. I missed it after I first switched to the iPhone, however Face ID is stable sufficient that I rapidly obtained over it. Unlocking each telephones has been seamless.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely’s worth is similar because the iPhone
The S23 Ultra is $1,200 for 256 GB of storage and is priced equally to the iPhone 14 Pro Max with the identical quantity of storage. The smaller iPhone 14 Pro is $1,100 for 256GB. Whether or not you are a Galaxy fan or an iPhone lover, $1,200 is so much. However on this case, you get what you pay for.
Galaxy S23 Extremely vs. iPhone 14 Pro remaining ideas
These digital camera bumps on the iPhone 14 Pro really feel a bit extreme.
John Kim/ClassyBuzz
It has been enjoyable to revisit a world I’ve deserted and evaluate the iPhone I’ve now to the one I may’ve had if I would stayed within the Galaxy household. Whereas there are features to the S23 Extremely that I recognize, like brighter and extra colourful photos, higher video stabilization and unbelievable battery life, there are benefits to having an iPhone that transcend specs that’ll probably maintain me within the Apple ecosystem for some time. Options like Airdrop and iMessage have made the person expertise extra seamless. And I do not know if I may surrender the iPhone’s video high quality for the rest.
Nonetheless, I do know that if I need to take an image that makes folks’s jaws drop, I am going to probably attain for the S23 Extremely. Then I am going to watch for the look of shock after I inform them it wasn’t taken with an iPhone.
Try the video above to see extra of my expertise attempting out these two telephones, together with some side-by-side examples of photographs and movies taken on every.
Galaxy S23 Extremely: Take a Nearer Have a look at Samsung’s Big New Telephone
See all photographs
