The Galaxy S23 lineup offers two nearly identical models: the Galaxy S23 and the S23+, at different prices. While the S23 Ultra differentiates itself from the rest in terms of both design and specifications, the only perceptible difference between the Galaxy S23 and S23+ is their size. And not everyone needs a larger phone.
This leaves me with the question of whether the Galaxy S23 Plus is worth considering over the Galaxy S23. I delved deeper to find the answer and have written this to help you out. Additionally, I’ve discovered that the upcoming S23 FE is a bit more affordable than both the Galaxy S23+ and the S23. So, it also raises a valid question from the perspective of value for money – Is the Galaxy S23 still worth the extra price compared to the S23 FE?
Now back to the Galaxy S23, let’s talk about the advantages that the Galaxy S23+ has over it.
Bigger screen
The Galaxy S23 Plus has a 6.6-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch one on the base Galaxy S23. The display size is self-explanatory. For example, you get more screen real estate and a more immersive experience when watching videos. You can see more text at once while reading this article.
Other than that, both phones have the same 1750 nits peak brightness, which is sufficient for outdoor usage. It’s the same FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display panel on both phones.
Now, it’s up to you whether you prefer a bigger screen or a more compact-sized phone.
Many people like the idea of using a phone with one hand, which is not possible with a larger display. This is why some people prefer compact phones, and for them, the Galaxy S23 will be a better option than the S23 Plus.
Bigger battery and faster charging
This is an area where the S23+ takes the lead. The Galaxy S23 houses a 3900mAh battery, while the S23+ boasts a larger 4700mAh capacity.
With heavy usage, you might need to charge the S23 before the night, whereas the S23+ has the advantage of the bigger battery.
This test above from Darius K on YouTube shows that the Galaxy S23+ still has more than 20% battery left while the S23 is almost exhausted at this point after 8 hours of moderate to heavy usage. Both the phones did great, but with a focus on the longer battery life, the S23+ becomes the pick.
The S23+ supports 45W charging compared to the 25W charging of the S23. For reference, the S23 charges up to 50% in 30 minutes, while the S23+ can reach up to 65% with its larger battery, thanks to the 45W charging support.
Galaxy S23+ has more storage
The Galaxy S23+ starts at 256GB and costs $999, whereas the base variant of the S23 seems a bit more affordable but comes with 128GB storage, which is also a slower UFS 3.1 module, as opposed to the faster UFS 4.0 storage on the 256GB variants of both models.
Although both models offer storage options of up to 512GB, the 256GB and 512GB variants all come with faster UFS 4.0 modules. The 128GB version of the Galaxy S23 is technically slower than the higher storage options in both cases.
Faster storage means faster app loading times, assuming all other components are the same, which is the case here.
The price of different storage variants of S23 and S23+ on Samsung’s official store is given below
Galaxy S23, 128GB – $800
Galaxy S23, 256GB – $860
Galaxy S23+, 256 GB – $1000
Galaxy S23+, 512GB – $1120
Galaxy S23+ offers better thermal management
A larger phone body can absorb more heat from the processor, sustaining performance for a bit longer, assuming all other factors remain the same.
Both the Galaxy S23 and S23+ are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, but the Plus model is larger at 6.6 inches compared to the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23. The larger size gives the S23+ an edge in heat dissipation for sustained performance.
Other than the factors mentioned above, most other aspects are mostly the same, and in some areas, the Galaxy S23 is even better.
Identical camera performance
Despite being costlier, the S23+ brings the exact same camera hardware and offers the same camera performance as the S23. Both phones boast a 50MP main sensor, a 70mm 3x telephoto 12MP ultrawide, and a 12MP selfie camera. Both phones support up to 8k 30fps video recording.
The camera has a bit of shutter lag due to Samsung’s heavier and unoptimized image processing algorithms. Although the camera works well for still subjects, you may encounter blurry images of moving subjects every once in a while. This phenomenon is also the same in both phones, but it’s something you should be aware of before considering either of these.
Why the Galaxy S23 might be a better option?
Galaxy S23 is compact
Many people prefer compact phones because they are simply easier and more comfortable to hold, carry in a pocket, and, above all, easier to use with one hand. The Galaxy S23 offers this compact experience. This might very well be a deal-breaker for some people who prefer the Galaxy S23 over the larger S23+.
However, you should take into account the smaller battery capacity which I mentioned earlier.
Should you consider the Galaxy S23+ over the S23?
To sum it up, the Galaxy S23+ has identical design and cameras with a bigger battery and faster charging. The Galaxy S23 is more compact and lightweight with nearly identical performance.
If you are someone who prefers compact phones and doesn’t need to stay away from a power source for extended periods, then the Galaxy S23 is undoubtedly a better option for you.
However, if you star away from a power source for the whole day, you should opt for the S23+ for its better battery life.
