iPhone 16 Pro vs Galaxy S23 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lifespan decides this one: the iPhone 16 Pro is supported until Sep 2031 at $7.84 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra runs out in Feb 2028 ($16.98/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone 16 Pro 73 · 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 16 Pro $494

Safe to buy$7.84/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra $339

Buy with care$16.98/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 Pro 80Galaxy 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 16 Pro 95Galaxy S23 Ultra 85

The iPhone 16 Pro's Apple A18 Pro is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 16 Pro 74Galaxy S23 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 3).

Battery

iPhone 16 Pro 52Galaxy S23 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 3,582mAh — the Galaxy S23 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 Pro 75Galaxy S23 Ultra 24

The iPhone 16 Pro is supported until Sep 2031 — 43 months longer than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Value

iPhone 16 Pro 73Galaxy S23 Ultra 76

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16 Pro	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (street)	$494	$339
Display	6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A18 Pro	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	3,582 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with a 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras	48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope 5x	200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 10MP periscope 10x
Dimensions	149.6 × 71.5 × 8.25 mm	163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm
Weight	199 g	234 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Sep 2031	Feb 2028

iPhone 16 Pro full verdict →Galaxy S23 Ultra full verdict →Longevity master board →

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