Galaxy S23+ vs iPhone 12 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, launched in October 2020, are both premium smartphones from their respective ecosystems. While the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a more contemporary feature set with a larger, higher refresh rate display and a newer processor, the iPhone 12 Pro provides a robust and integrated experience within the Apple ecosystem. The primary distinctions between these two devices lie in their release timelines, display technologies, and overall performance capabilities, catering to different user preferences and operating system loyalties.

The age difference between these two devices significantly impacts their expected software support and practical lifespan. The Galaxy S23 Plus, being a more recent release, is positioned to receive operating system and security updates for a longer duration.

• Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus launched with Android 13 and is guaranteed to receive four major Android OS upgrades, extending its support to Android 17, along with five years of security updates, likely until 2028. [24, 41, 42, 43, 44] The iPhone 12 Pro, released with iOS 14, typically receives iOS updates for approximately five to six years, with support expected to continue until iOS 26 around 2027. [5, 35, 45, 46]
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust builds designed for resilience. The Galaxy S23 Plus incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, alongside an Armor Aluminum frame, contributing to its resistance against drops and scratches. [10, 12, 25, 31] The iPhone 12 Pro features Apple's Ceramic Shield front cover, which enhances drop performance, and a stainless steel frame. [1] Both models carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. [1, 10]
• Repairability: The iPhone 12 Pro received an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, indicating that while some components are modular and accessible, proprietary screws and enhanced waterproofing can complicate repairs. [7, 8, 17, 18] Information regarding the specific repairability score for the Galaxy S23 Plus is less widely detailed, but modern smartphone designs generally present similar challenges.

Performance is a key area where the three-year gap between these devices becomes apparent, influencing how smoothly they handle demanding applications and multitasking.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor specifically optimized for Galaxy devices, enabling super-fast processing and smooth handling of intensive tasks and gaming. [10, 11, 12, 23, 29, 30, 32] The iPhone 12 Pro, powered by its own custom-designed chip, still delivers a responsive user experience for everyday applications and many demanding tasks, though it offers less raw speed compared to newer chipsets. [1, 2, 4, 23, 37, 38]
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM, facilitating efficient multitasking and app management, and offers storage options of 256GB or 512GB. [11, 12, 27] The iPhone 12 Pro features 6GB of RAM and is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage, providing ample space and capable multitasking for most users. [2, 4, 15, 27]
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 Plus generally offers longer battery life, with users often reporting it can last through a full day of heavy use due to its larger battery capacity and more power-efficient components. [23, 32, 39] The iPhone 12 Pro provides a full day of use for many users, though heavy usage may require more frequent charging, especially as the device ages. [33, 34, 37, 38]

The display is a significant differentiator, with both devices offering vibrant visuals but varying in technology and user experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels. [3, 10, 11, 12, 16, 27] The iPhone 12 Pro has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its excellent color accuracy and a higher pixel density of 2532x1170 pixels at 460 ppi. [1, 2, 4, 9, 13, 22, 27, 28]
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 Plus offers an adaptive refresh rate that ranges from 48Hz to 120Hz, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, along with a peak brightness of 1750 nits for clear outdoor visibility. [10, 11, 31] The iPhone 12 Pro features a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content, providing good visibility in various lighting conditions. [9, 13, 37]
• Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. [6, 32] The iPhone 12 Pro's slightly smaller screen makes it more manageable for one-handed use, while still delivering a sharp and vibrant visual experience. [6]

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they approach photography and videography with different strengths and features.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. [10, 16, 27] This configuration allows for detailed photos and good zoom capabilities. The iPhone 12 Pro also features a triple 12MP camera system, comprising wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses with 2x optical zoom, and includes a LiDAR scanner for improved low-light autofocus and augmented reality experiences. [9, 13, 15, 27, 38]
• Photography Performance: Users report that the Galaxy S23 Plus delivers good pictures with vibrant colors, improved shutter speed, and strong low-light performance. [23, 31, 32, 36, 39] The iPhone 12 Pro is praised for its color accuracy, consistent image quality, and effective Night mode for portraits. [23, 33, 37, 38, 40]
• Video Recording and Front Camera: The Galaxy S23 Plus supports 8K video recording and offers good video stabilization. [31, 36] Its 12MP front camera captures detailed selfies. [10, 27] The iPhone 12 Pro excels in video recording, offering Dolby Vision HDR video capture at up to 60 frames per second, and its 12MP TrueDepth front camera provides strong performance for selfies and video calls. [9, 13, 27, 37, 38]