PhoneLifespan

iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S23 Ultra

vs

Winner

Apple iPhone 15

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 15 is supported until Sep 2030 at $8.38 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra runs out in Feb 2028 ($16.81/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 15 62 · Galaxy S23 Ultra 76 methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 15 $430
Safe to buy$8.38/mo
2023◆ Buy-by Sep 20282030
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra $339
Buy with care$16.81/mo
2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Category by category

Display
iPhone 15 50Galaxy S23 Ultra 90

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.8-inch dynamic amoled 2x, qhd+, ltpo 1–120hz, 1750 nits peak.

Performance
iPhone 15 80Galaxy S23 Ultra 85

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera
iPhone 15 62Galaxy S23 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery
iPhone 15 47Galaxy S23 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 3,349mAh — the Galaxy S23 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity
iPhone 15 61Galaxy S23 Ultra 24

The iPhone 15 is supported until Sep 2030 — 31 months longer than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Value
iPhone 15 62Galaxy S23 Ultra 76

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S23 Ultra at $16.81 per month of safe use.

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 15Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (street)$430$339
Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, Dynamic Island, up to 2000 nits peak6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak
ChipsetApple A16 BionicSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM6GB8GB/12GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery3,349 mAh5,000 mAh
ChargingWired ~50% in 30 min with 20W+; MagSafe 15W wireless45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 10MP periscope 10x
Dimensions147.6 × 71.6 × 7.80 mm163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm
Weight171 g234 g
Water resistanceIP68IP68
Supported untilSep 2030Feb 2028

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.