Phone Comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
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Verdict
Pros & cons
iPhone 17 Pro
A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users.
+
What's good
+
Improved battery life
+
Outstanding performance
+
High-quality cameras
+
Advanced cooling system
+
Vibrant display
−
What's not
−
High price point
−
Heavier design
−
Limited AI features
−
Camera control issues
−
No charger included
Galaxy S23 Ultra
A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life.
+
What's good
+
Impressive 200MP camera
+
Long-lasting battery
+
Built-in S Pen
+
Fast performance
+
Durable design
−
What's not
−
High price point
−
Bulky design
−
Charging not included
−
Slight shutter lag
−
Color saturation issues
iPhone 17 Pro
A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users.
+
Good
+
Improved battery life
+
Outstanding performance
+
High-quality cameras
+
Advanced cooling system
+
Vibrant display
−
Not
−
High price point
−
Heavier design
−
Limited AI features
−
Camera control issues
−
No charger included
Galaxy S23 Ultra
A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life.
+
Good
+
Impressive 200MP camera
+
Long-lasting battery
+
Built-in S Pen
+
Fast performance
+
Durable design
−
Not
−
High price point
−
Bulky design
−
Charging not included
−
Slight shutter lag
−
Color saturation issues
Spec data
How they compare
Choosing the cheaper iPhone 17 Pro means giving up most on: Wired charging
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
$1,599
$1,649
OS
iOS
Android
Processor
Apple A19 Pro Hexa-core
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Octa-core
Camera zoom
16×
—
Battery life
15h 23m
GSMArena Active Use
—
Wired charging
40W
45W
Wireless charging
25W
10W
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Color
Software support
—
—
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
—
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
234g (8.3 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Spec data
How they compare
Choosing the cheaper iPhone 17 Pro means giving up most on: Wired charging
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
$1,599
Price (MSRP)
$1,649
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A19 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Octa-core
Camera zoom
16×
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
15h 23m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
—
Wired charging
40W
Wired charging
45W
Wireless charging
25W
Wireless charging
10W
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
—
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Loading full specifications…
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Third-party data
Testing & benchmarks
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S23 Ultra
DxOMark
168
photo 166 · video 172
140
photo 139 · video 137
AnTuTu v10
2.63M
—
GSMArena endurance
15h 23m
Active Use
—
iFixit repairability
7/10
—
Third-party data
Testing & benchmarks
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S23 Ultra
DxOMark
168
photo 166 · video 172
DxOMark
140
photo 139 · video 137
AnTuTu v10
2.63M
AnTuTu v10
—
GSMArena endurance
15h 23m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
—
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
—
Physical comparison
Size & weight
Footprint · to scale
iPhone 17 Pro
5.9" × 2.8"
Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 17 Pro
0.3"
Galaxy S23 Ultra
0.4"
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Height
5.9" (150 mm)
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.9 mm)
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
0.4" (8.9 mm)
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
234g (8.3 oz)
Screen
6.3"
6.8"
Height
5.9" (150 mm)
Height
6.4" (163.4 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.9 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
Depth
0.4" (8.9 mm)
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
Weight
234g (8.3 oz)
Screen
6.3"
Screen
6.8"
Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.
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Common questions
iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: FAQ
Which is better, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the Galaxy S23 Ultra earns a Cellphones.ca Score of 9.0 compared to 8.8 for the iPhone 17 Pro. That 0.2-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which takes better photos, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 17 Pro at 166 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra at 139 for still photography. A 27-point gap on DxOMark's scale typically translates to visible differences in dynamic range, noise control, or colour accuracy. Real-world results also depend on computational processing and your shooting habits, so consider browsing sample shots for scenes you care about most.
Which phone is more affordable, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro launches at $1,599, which is $50 less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra at $1,649. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Should I buy the iPhone 17 Pro or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 17 Pro: "A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users." On the Galaxy S23 Ultra: "A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.
Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated November 2026. Suggest a correction →