Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G vs Galaxy S23: The Ultimate Showdown

Samsung's Galaxy series consistently sets the bar for Android smartphones. The S22+ 5G was a powerhouse, but the S23 brings significant upgrades. This comparison dives deep into both devices to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S23 is the clear winner, offering a faster processor, improved camera, and better battery efficiency despite a slightly lower peak brightness. While the S22+ remains a capable device, the S23's advancements make it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S23
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, February 092023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 25Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight195 g / 196 g (mmWave) (6.88 oz)168 g (5.93 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROWOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROWQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROWAdreno 740
OSAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single-12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, HDR10+
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportSamsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4500 mAhLi-Ion 3900 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora PurplePhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsSM-S906B, SM-S906B/DS, SM-S906U, SM-S906U1, SM-S906W, SM-S906N, SM-S9060, SM-S906E, SM-S906E/DS, SM-S906LSM-S911B, SM-S911B/DS, SM-S911U, SM-S911U1, SM-S911W, SM-S911N, SM-S9110, SM-S911E, SM-S911E/DS
Price€ 236.99 / $ 194.37 / £ 349.00$ 237.95 / C$ 336.75 / £ 255.00 / € 322.41 / ₹ 49,990
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)0.95 W/kg (head)     0.88 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.57 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)0.96 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 97h Endurance rating 101h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.0 LUFS (Very good) -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 722495 (v8), 886916 (v9) GeekBench: 3528 (v5.1) GFXBench: 68fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1231075 (v9) GeekBench: 4950 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G

  • Excellent display
  • Premium design
  • Versatile camera system
  • Good performance (especially Snapdragon variant)

  • Battery life could be better
  • Exynos variant performance lags behind Snapdragon
  • Slower charging compared to some competitors

Samsung Galaxy S23

  • Significantly faster processor
  • Improved camera performance
  • Better battery efficiency
  • Refined design
  • Faster charging (50% in 30 mins)

  • Higher price
  • Peak brightness slightly lower than S22+

Display Comparison

Both phones boast stunning AMOLED displays with vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The S22+ hits a slightly higher peak brightness of 1214 nits compared to the S23's 1198 nits, but the difference is negligible in real-world use. Both offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations. The S23's display is generally considered to be slightly more color accurate.

Camera Comparison

The S23 features a refined camera system with improved image processing and low-light performance. While both phones offer versatile camera setups, the S23 captures more detailed and natural-looking photos. Video recording capabilities are also enhanced on the S23, with better stabilization and dynamic range.

Performance

The S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the S22+'s Exynos 2200 (Europe) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (ROW). Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the S23. The Cortex-X3 core in the S23's CPU is a significant upgrade.

Battery Life

The S23 demonstrates better battery efficiency, achieving an active use score of 11:27h compared to the S22+'s endurance rating of 97h (which translates to roughly 16 hours of active use). While both offer similar charging speeds (45W wired, 15W wireless), the S23's improved efficiency means it will generally last longer on a single charge.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a premium Samsung experience. It offers excellent performance and a beautiful display. The Galaxy S23 is ideal for users who prioritize top-tier performance, a significantly improved camera system, and longer battery life, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy S23 worth upgrading from the S22+?
Yes, especially if you prioritize performance, camera quality, and battery life. The S23 offers significant improvements in these areas.
❓ Which chipset is better: Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 generally outperforms the Exynos 2200, offering better efficiency and sustained performance.