With Superior Screen, Zoom Camera, and Much Lower Price, Samsung’s Former Flagship Challenges Apple’s Launch and Proves to Be a Smarter Choice.
With the arrival of the iPhone 16, many consumers wonder whether it’s worth investing in Apple’s new device or if an older model still does the job. The surprise is that one of its biggest competitors is not a new release, but rather a 2023 phone: the Galaxy S23. Placing the two side by side, it becomes clear that Samsung’s device not only competes but surpasses the iPhone in crucial areas.
We analyzed screen, cameras, performance, and, mainly, the cost-benefit to show you why the Galaxy S23, even being older, could be the most advantageous purchase in 2025.
Screen: An Easy Win for the Galaxy S23
Here, the competition is unfair. The Galaxy S23 has a vastly superior screen compared to the iPhone 16. While Apple insists on a 60 Hz refresh rate in its standard model, Samsung already offered a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz refresh rate in the S23.
-
How the terraforming of Mars can transform the planet: artificial aerosols can increase the temperature by up to 35°C in 15 years, creating conditions for liquid water.
-
Scientists drilled nearly 8,000 meters into the ocean floor above the fault that caused the 2011 tsunami in Japan and discovered that a layer of clay 130 million years old was responsible for making the wave much worse than any model had predicted.
-
Thousands of years after causing the largest eruption of the Holocene, one of the world’s largest supervolcanoes is rebuilding itself beneath the sea south of Japan, receiving new magma and alarming scientists with its transformation.
-
China has activated a magnet 700,000 times more powerful than the Earth’s magnetic field that operates for over 200 consecutive hours while consuming little energy, and now the world wants to know what Beijing plans to do with this technology in 2026.
- Smoothness: The S23’s 120 Hz rate makes all animations, scrolling, and games much smoother and more pleasant to the eyes. The iPhone 16’s 60 Hz display seems dated in comparison.
- Screen Utilization: The S23 has a cleaner design, with just a small hole for the front camera, offering greater screen utilization. The iPhone 16 retains the Dynamic Island, which, while functional, takes up considerable space.
Cameras: The Versatility of Optical Zoom

The iPhone 16 has excellent cameras, but the Galaxy S23 offers a more versatile set. The S23’s great advantage is its telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This allows for taking photos of distant objects with much higher quality and without the loss of definition that occurs with the iPhone’s digital zoom.
While the iPhone 16 has only two rear cameras (main and ultra-wide), the S23 offers three, giving the photographer more creative options. For videos, the iPhone has a slight advantage in some software features, but for photography, the versatility of the S23 stands out.
Performance and Features: The Intelligence That Already Works
Although the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 is technically more powerful in benchmark tests, in practice, both devices run any app or game flawlessly. The true difference lies in the software and smart features.
- Galaxy AI vs. Apple Intelligence: Samsung’s artificial intelligence suite is more mature, functions in Portuguese, and is already available on the S23. Apple’s, in addition to being more limited, still does not have full support for our language.
- DeX Mode: Only the Galaxy S23 can become a desktop computer. With DeX mode, you connect the phone to a monitor and use a keyboard and mouse, a functionality that the iPhone is far from offering.
- Connectivity: The S23 comes with a USB-C 3.2 port, allowing file transfers up to 40 times faster than the USB-C 2.0 port on the iPhone 16.
Battery and Charging: More Convenience in Samsung
The iPhone 16 may have a slightly longer battery life, but the Galaxy S23 wins in convenience. Not only does it support faster charging, but it comes with a charger in the box. In addition, the S23 has the reverse charging feature (Wireless PowerShare), allowing you to use the phone to charge earbuds or even another smartphone.
Price: The Final Argument
There is no competition here. The Galaxy S23 costs significantly less than the iPhone 16. With the price of a new iPhone, you could buy an S23 and still have money left over. Considering that Samsung’s model delivers a better screen, more versatile cameras, and more useful software features, its cost-benefit is unbeatable.
The iPhone 16 is a great device, but the Galaxy S23 proves to be a smarter and more complete choice for most users in 2025, offering more technology for a much fairer price.
And for you, which one takes the lead in this competition? Apple’s launch or Samsung’s cost-benefit? Leave your opinion in the comments!


Seja o primeiro a reagir!