iQOO 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S23+: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon Flagships

Both the vivo iQOO 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ represent the pinnacle of Android performance, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to battery technology, charging speeds, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing blazing-fast charging and maximizing battery endurance, the iQOO 11 emerges as the winner. Its 120W charging and slightly longer 127-hour endurance rating provide a tangible advantage. However, the Galaxy S23+ offers a more refined software experience and broader ecosystem integration.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 11 Samsung Galaxy S23+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - 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, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - China1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, December 082023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, December 08Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.9 x 77.1 x 8.4 mm or 8.7 mm157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm (6.21 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)
Weight205 g or 208 g (7.23 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
 -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 VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 3 (China)Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256/512GBUFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)50 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@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRDual video call, Auto-HDR, HDR10+
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (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) support
Battery
Charging120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 25 min45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, White (BMW M branding)Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsV2243ASM-S916B, SM-S916B/DS, SM-S916U, SM-S916U1, SM-S916W, SM-S916N, SM-S9160, SM-S916E, SM-S916E/DS
PriceAbout 650 EUR$ 780.00 / C$ 1,399.99 / £ 919.08 / € 1,185.89 / ₹ 94,999
SAR-0.95 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.77 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 127h Endurance rating 111h
Camera Photo / VideoPhoto / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.3 LUFS (Good) -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1281665 (v9) GeekBench: 4803 (v5.1) GFXBench: 67fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 1234077 (v9) GeekBench: 5073 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 11

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Superior battery endurance (127h)
  • Potentially brighter display (1147 nits)

  • Less refined software experience (Funtouch OS)
  • Missing wireless charging capabilities

Samsung Galaxy S23+

  • Polished and feature-rich One UI software
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging
  • Stronger brand recognition and ecosystem integration

  • Significantly slower charging speed (45W)
  • Lower battery endurance (111h)

Display Comparison

Both the iQOO 11 and Galaxy S23+ feature displays with an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, indicating excellent black levels. However, the iQOO 11 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1147 nits, suggesting a potentially more visible screen in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates (not explicitly stated, but standard for this class), Samsung’s displays are generally known for their color accuracy and calibration, a detail not specified for the iQOO 11. The absence of detailed display specs for the iQOO 11 leaves room for Samsung to potentially lead in color science.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The context data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for both. Given Samsung’s history, the S23+ likely prioritizes computational photography and image processing for vibrant, shareable photos. The iQOO 11, while capable, may lean towards a more natural color profile. Without specific sensor size or aperture details, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera performance. The absence of any mention of telephoto lenses on either device suggests a focus on wide and ultrawide photography.

Performance

Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), but the S23+ utilizes the SM8550-AC variant while the iQOO 11 uses the SM8550-AB. The slight difference in model number suggests minor clock speed variations; the S23+’s CPU is clocked at 3.36 GHz versus the iQOO 11’s 3.2 GHz. This marginal CPU clock speed difference, combined with Samsung’s optimized software, may translate to slightly snappier performance in demanding tasks. Both phones share the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X3, 2x Cortex-A715, 2x Cortex-A710, 3x Cortex-A510) and likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, ensuring ample memory bandwidth. Thermal management will be crucial, and Samsung’s experience with flagship devices may give it an edge in sustained performance.

Battery Life

The iQOO 11’s 120W wired charging is its standout feature, achieving a full charge in just 25 minutes. This is significantly faster than the Galaxy S23+'s advertised 45W charging, which only reaches 65% in 30 minutes. The iQOO 11 also benefits from a superior endurance rating of 127 hours compared to the S23+'s 111 hours, suggesting better overall battery efficiency. While the S23+ offers 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging – features absent on the iQOO 11 – the iQOO 11’s faster wired charging and longer endurance make it the more practical choice for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 11 if you need the absolute fastest charging available, prioritize battery life, and are comfortable with vivo’s Funtouch OS. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if you prefer a more polished software experience, value wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, and are deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the iQOO 11's Funtouch OS offer the same level of software updates and support as Samsung's One UI?
Historically, vivo's software update commitment has been less consistent than Samsung's. Samsung typically provides longer software support windows and more frequent security patches, offering greater peace of mind for long-term users. While Funtouch OS has improved, it generally lacks the polish and feature set of One UI.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's thermal performance differ between the iQOO 11 and the Galaxy S23+ during extended gaming sessions?
Both phones utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but Samsung's experience in thermal management and potentially larger vapor chamber cooling system in the S23+ may result in less throttling during prolonged gaming. The iQOO 11, while capable, might experience more noticeable performance drops after extended use due to heat buildup.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Galaxy S23+ slow enough to be a significant inconvenience in daily use?
Compared to the iQOO 11's 120W charging, 45W is considerably slower. While it's still faster than many phones, it takes over 30 minutes to reach only 65% charge. Users accustomed to ultra-fast charging may find the S23+'s charging speed frustrating, especially if they frequently run low on battery.