The iPhone 16 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra take different paths through price, hardware, camera priorities, and ecosystem extras.
This comparison breaks down price, design, display, performance, camera, battery, software, storage, transfer, and final buyer value so you can see where each phone actually leads.
TL;DR: The iPhone 16 Plus is the better value pick because it gives you lower starting price of $899, stronger A18 performance, up to 27 hours of video playback, and 12MP TrueDepth front camera.
iPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra Specs Table
The specs table below highlights the exact launch-price, size, display, chip, camera, battery, USB, and connectivity differences between iPhone 16 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra before the section-by-section breakdown.
| Specifications | iPhone 16 Plus | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $899 | $1,199.99 |
| Dimensions | 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in | 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in |
| Weight | 199 g | 234 g |
| Processor | A18 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Display | 6.7 in (Super Retina XDR OLED) | 6.8 in (Dynamic AMOLED 2X) |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, NFC, Ultra Wideband | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide | Quad rear camera |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP |
| Battery | Up to 27 hours video playback | Up to 26 hours video playback |
| USB | USB 2 | USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Colors | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black | Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red |
iPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Price
The iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $1,199.99. That creates a launch-price gap of $300.99.
The premium only makes sense if you specifically want telephoto flexibility, larger display, smoother 120Hz display, and S Pen from the Galaxy S23 Ultra. If not, the iPhone 16 Plus keeps the cleaner value case.
Winner: iPhone 16 PlusiPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Design
The iPhone 16 Plus measures 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in and weighs 199 g, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes in at 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in and 234 g.
iPhone 16 Plus wins on design because it gives you the more practical physical design case.
Winner: iPhone 16 PlusiPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Display
The iPhone 16 Plus offers 6.7 in, 2796 x 1290, and 60Hz, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra counters with 6.8 in, 3088 x 1440, and 1-120Hz adaptive.
Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the display section because it delivers a larger 6.8 in screen, higher pixel density, and a smoother 120Hz-class panel.
Winner: Galaxy S23 UltraiPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Performance
On paper, the iPhone 16 Plus runs A18, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra runs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. Transfer support also matters: iPhone 16 Plus uses USB 2, and Galaxy S23 Ultra uses USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1.
iPhone 16 Plus wins performance because it gives you stronger A18 performance.
Winner: iPhone 16 PlusiPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Camera
The iPhone 16 Plus uses 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide on the back plus a 12MP TrueDepth front camera. The Galaxy S23 Ultra counters with Quad rear camera and a 12MP selfie camera.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the stronger rear camera setup because of its telephoto lens and broader focal-length flexibility. The iPhone 16 Plus has the upgraded 12MP TrueDepth front camera. The Galaxy S23 Ultra also has the better video-workflow angle because it offers USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1. That creates a real tradeoff rather than a total camera sweep from one side. Overall, the Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the camera section once rear-camera flexibility, front-camera hardware, and video-workflow practicality are weighed together.
Winner: Galaxy S23 UltraiPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Battery
Apple lists the iPhone 16 Plus at Up to 27 hours video playback. Samsung lists the Galaxy S23 Ultra at Up to 26 hours video playback.
iPhone 16 Plus gets the battery win because its quoted video-playback figure is higher, giving it the stronger paper endurance claim.
Winner: iPhone 16 PlusiPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Software, Storage, and Features
The iPhone 16 Plus offers storage up to 512GB, plus 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, NFC, Ultra Wideband. The Galaxy S23 Ultra reaches up to 1TB, plus 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB.
Galaxy S23 Ultra wins this section because it gives you storage up to 1TB, USB 3, Wireless PowerShare, and S Pen.
Winner: Galaxy S23 UltraSwitching to a New Phone? Use MobileTrans to Transfer Your Data
If you are moving between the iPhone 16 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra , the practical challenge is not just choosing a winner. It is also making sure your photos, videos, messages, contacts, and app data move over cleanly without wasting time.
That is where MobileTrans - Phone Transfer can help. It is useful whether you are jumping from iPhone to Samsung, Samsung to iPhone, or just setting up a second device while keeping your files organized.
How to transfer data using MobileTrans
If you decide to upgrade to either model, moving your data can be quick and simple with MobileTrans.
Step 01
Connect Your Phones
Install MobileTrans on your computer, then click the Phone to Phone tab and connect both Phones via USB.
Step 02
Choose What to Transfer
Select the data you want to move, such as contacts, photos, messages, videos, and other important files.
Step 03
Start the Transfer
Click the transfer button and wait for the process to finish. Once done, check your new phone to make sure everything has been copied successfully.
iPhone 16 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you want lower starting price of $899, stronger A18 performance, up to 27 hours of video playback, 12MP TrueDepth front camera, and smaller footprint.
Choose the Galaxy S23 Ultra only if you specifically care more about telephoto flexibility, larger display, smoother 120Hz display, and S Pen than about the broader value case of the iPhone 16 Plus.
Winner: iPhone 16 PlusFinal Verdict
Final verdict: the iPhone 16 Plus wins this comparison because it gives you lower starting price of $899, stronger A18 performance, up to 27 hours of video playback, 12MP TrueDepth front camera, and smaller footprint.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra still matters if you specifically want telephoto flexibility, larger display, smoother 120Hz display, and S Pen, but the value scoring here favors the iPhone 16 Plus.
