Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S23
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2; launch prices were $999 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 66/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S23 has the bigger battery (3900 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,656,761); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone Air has the stronger camera (141 vs 133); the Apple iPhone Air is thinner (5.6mm vs 7.6mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone Air
Samsung Galaxy S23
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1656761
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 5311
- Faster charging: 40W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Lighter: 165g vs 168g
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 67/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 82/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 83/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 better?
- Bigger battery: 3900 vs 3149 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Longer battery life (29/100 vs 26/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Apple iPhone Air scores 9 points higher (75/100 vs 66/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (92/100 vs 75/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 60/100, 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 Air notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (92/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (73/100 vs 67/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (29/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 83/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Samsung Galaxy S23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 1656761 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 2004 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 5311 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 3900 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 141 | 133 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 13 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 1750 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | 157.8×76.2×7.6 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 168 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $799 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S23
- 6.1" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S23
- 3900 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S23, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Samsung Galaxy S23 by 53.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Samsung Galaxy S23 was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (92/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (73/100 vs 67/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (29/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 83/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone Air edges out the Samsung Galaxy S23 by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Samsung Galaxy S23 — 66/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 67/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 75/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a better fit for active users.