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

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G set a high bar for premium Android phones. Now, the S23+ arrives, promising improvements across the board. But is the upgrade worth it? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S23+ offers a noticeable upgrade with its significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, improved battery life, and refined software experience. While the S22+ remains a capable device, the S23+ justifies its price with superior performance and longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S23+ Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only)GSM 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, LTE-A (up to 7CA), 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2023, February 012022, February 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 17Available. Released 2022, February 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm (6.21 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)195 g / 196 g (mmWave) (6.88 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 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-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) - ROW
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPUAdreno 740Xclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OSAndroid 13, One UI 5.1Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple50 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 video50 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 video
Video8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual video call, Auto-HDR, HDR10+HDR
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, 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, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-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) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4700 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, LimePhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora Purple
ModelsSM-S916B, SM-S916B/DS, SM-S916U, SM-S916U1, SM-S916W, SM-S916N, SM-S9160, SM-S916E, SM-S916E/DSSM-S906B, SM-S906B/DS, SM-S906U, SM-S906U1, SM-S906W, SM-S906N, SM-S9060, SM-S906E, SM-S906E/DS, SM-S906L
Price$ 780.00 / C$ 1,399.99 / £ 919.08 / € 1,185.89 / ₹ 94,999€ 236.99 / $ 194.37 / £ 349.00
SAR0.95 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.77 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)0.57 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 111h Endurance rating 97h
CameraPhoto / Video Photo / Video
DisplayContrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker-26.5 LUFS (Good) -26.0 LUFS (Very good)
PerformanceAnTuTu: 1234077 (v9) GeekBench: 5073 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 722495 (v8), 886916 (v9) GeekBench: 3528 (v5.1) GFXBench: 68fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S23+

  • Significantly faster performance
  • Improved battery life
  • Refined software experience
  • Better low-light camera performance (expected)
  • Longer software support

  • Higher price
  • Design largely unchanged from S22+

Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G

  • More affordable
  • Excellent display
  • Capable camera system
  • Compact size (relative to S23+)
  • Still receives software updates

  • Slower performance
  • Shorter battery life
  • Potential for slower software updates in the future
  • Exynos chipset (in some regions) can be less efficient

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and vibrant colors. However, the S22+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 1214 nits, potentially offering slightly better visibility in direct sunlight. The S23+ maintains the 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of Samsung's flagship displays, providing deep blacks and excellent image quality. While the S23+ doesn't have a publicly available brightness measurement, it's expected to be comparable or slightly improved.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems capable of capturing excellent photos and videos. The S23+ is expected to have slight improvements in image processing and low-light performance due to the newer chipset and potentially refined software algorithms. Both offer similar camera hardware, but the S23+’s processing advantage gives it an edge.

Performance

This is where the S23+ truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Exynos 2200 (or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 depending on region) in the S22+. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The S23+'s CPU architecture is more efficient, contributing to better battery life as well.

Battery Life

The S23+ demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 111h compared to the S22+'s 97h. This translates to noticeably longer usage times between charges, especially with demanding tasks.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is ideal for power users, gamers, and anyone prioritizing performance and long-term software support. The S22+ 5G is a great option for budget-conscious buyers who still want a premium Samsung experience and don't need the absolute latest and greatest.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the S23+ worth upgrading from an S22+?
If performance and battery life are your top priorities, then yes. The S23+ offers a significant upgrade. However, if you're happy with your S22+'s performance and don't want to spend the extra money, it's still a very capable phone.
❓ Which chipset does the S22+ 5G have (Exynos or Snapdragon)?
It depends on your region. European models typically have the Exynos 2200, while ROW (Rest of World) models have the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.