Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S23

The Apple iPhone 17 (2025) runs on the Apple A19, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2; launch prices were $799 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 leads — 76/100 vs 66/100 (a 10-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S23 has the bigger battery (3900 mAh vs 3692); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone 17 is faster in AnTuTu (2,156,126 vs 1,656,761); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 17 has the stronger camera (157 vs 133).

The Apple iPhone 17 is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 — the overall rating gap is 10 points.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Apple iPhone 17

Performance 88
Display 85
Camera 86
Battery 29
Portability 73
Value for money 66

Samsung Galaxy S23

Performance 75
Display 82
Camera 67
Battery 29
Portability 83
Value for money 46

What makes Apple iPhone 17 better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 2156126 vs 1656761
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3608 vs 2004
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 8810 vs 5311
  • Faster charging: 40W vs 25W
  • Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W

  • Higher performance (88/100 vs 75/100)
  • Better camera (86/100 vs 67/100)
  • Better display (85/100 vs 82/100)

What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 better?

  • Bigger battery: 3900 vs 3692 mAh
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
  • Lighter: 168g vs 177g

  • Better portability (83/100 vs 73/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 vs the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Apple iPhone 17 scores 10 points higher (76/100 vs 66/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 leads (88/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 leads (86/100 vs 67/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17 — 66/100, Samsung Galaxy S23 — 46/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 is a bit better (88/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (86/100 vs 67/100). In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 29/100. In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is a bit better (83/100 vs 73/100).

Apple iPhone 17: The Apple iPhone 17 is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy S23: The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S23
Processor Apple A19 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
AnTuTu 2156126 1656761
Geekbench Single 3608 2004
Geekbench Multi 8810 5311
Display 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 6.1" AMOLED
Resolution 2622x1206 2340x1080
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 3692 mAh 3900 mAh
Charging 40W 25W
Wireless charging 25W 15W
DXOMark (camera) 157 133
Main camera 48 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 48 MP 12 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 10 MP
Front camera 12 MP 12 MP
RAM 8GB 8GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB 128GB / 256GB
OS iOS 26 Android 13
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits 1750 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP68
Dimensions 149.6×71.5×8.0 mm 157.8×76.2×7.6 mm
Weight 177 g 168 g
Launch price $799 $799

Camera comparison

Apple iPhone 17

  • Main: 48MP f/1.6
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Front: 12MP
86
camera

Samsung Galaxy S23

  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
67
camera

Display comparison

Apple iPhone 17

  • 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2622x1206
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display

Samsung Galaxy S23

  • 6.1" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2340x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
82
display

Battery and charging

Apple iPhone 17

  • 3692 mAh
  • Wired: 40W
  • Wireless: 25W
29
battery

Samsung Galaxy S23

  • 3900 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 15W
29
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S23, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Apple iPhone 17 Apple A19
76/100
2156126 AnTuTu
Samsung Galaxy S23 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
66/100 -30.1%
1656761 AnTuTu

Apple iPhone 17 leads Samsung Galaxy S23 by 30.1% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Apple iPhone 17

$799

Samsung Galaxy S23

$799

Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 is a bit better (88/100 vs 75/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (86/100 vs 67/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 29/100.

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is a bit better (83/100 vs 73/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 — the overall rating gap is 10 points.

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 has a MobileRank rating of 76/100, the Samsung Galaxy S23 — 66/100.

Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 leads on camera score (86/100 vs 67/100).

Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 leads on performance (88/100 vs 75/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 over the Samsung Galaxy S23?

The Apple iPhone 17 is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for active users.