Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S23
The Apple iPhone 17 Air is the premium option here, but its single-camera setup is a tough sell compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23's versatile triple-camera system. Apple’s offering boasts a stunning 6.6" OLED display, while Samsung's 6.1" Dynamic AMOLED 2X is also impressive, especially for outdoor visibility with a peak brightness of 1750 nits. In real-world use, the iPhone 17 Air's 3150mAh battery provides up to 26 hours of video playback, while the Galaxy S23's 3900mAh battery lasts up to 22 hours. If you prioritize a lightweight design and a powerful camera, the Samsung could be the smarter buy for you, despite its smaller screen size. Key specs: Display: 6.6" vs 6.1" and Battery: 3150 mAh vs 3900 mAh.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 17 Air (high-end) and Samsung Galaxy S23 (mid-range) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.9★ (13 reviews) | 4.4★ (101 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis | Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip outperforms standard version |
| Main Drawback | High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses) | Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0) |
| Market Position | ✓Premium | Mid-range |
Apple iPhone 17 Air
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
Samsung Galaxy S23
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S23
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Samsung Galaxy S23
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Air | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.9(13)Best Buy | ★4.4(101)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028) |
Processor | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Adreno 740 (719 MHz) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
Resolution | 2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi) | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 425 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | Adaptive 48–120 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1200 nits (HBM); 1750 nits peak (outdoor) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software) | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | 10MP Telephoto (70 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
Optical Zoom | 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range) | 3x optical zoom; 30x Space Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 30x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240/960 fps |
Front Camera | 24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps |
Battery | 3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed) | 3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s) |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back |
Dimensions | 6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm) | 5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm) |
Weight | 5.82 oz (165 g) | 5.93 oz (168 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support (varies by carrier) |
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Apple iPhone 17 Air
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
- 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
Cons
- High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses)
- Battery life is shorter than the 'Plus' model it replaces due to thinness
Samsung Galaxy S23
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip outperforms standard version
- Compact, lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
Cons
- Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0)
- Charging speed is limited to 25W (significantly slower than competitors)
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 17 Air is the better buy for most people - its stunning 6.6" display crushes the S23's 6.1" screen. That said, grab the Samsung Galaxy S23 if you need a more versatile camera setup or longer battery life - it's got a 3900mAh battery compared to the iPhone's 3150mAh.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Air if: you want a premium design with a stunning 6.6" OLED display, you value a lighter phone at 5.82oz, or you need a device that will receive software updates for at least 5 years.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 if: you want a versatile triple-camera system for photography, you prefer a longer-lasting 3900mAh battery, or you need a phone that is compact and easy to use with one hand.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.9★ vs 4.4★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 101 reviews vs 13
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Conclusion
Apple iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S23 are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 17 Air edges ahead with a 4.9★ rating compared to 4.4★. However, Samsung Galaxy S23 remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 17 Air or Samsung Galaxy S23?
Apple iPhone 17 Air is the better choice if you prioritize thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. Samsung Galaxy S23 wins if you value powerful snapdragon 8 gen 2 for galaxy chip outperforms standard version. Both are rated highly (4.9★ vs 4.4★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S23?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 17 Air offers thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis, while Samsung Galaxy S23 stands out with powerful snapdragon 8 gen 2 for galaxy chip outperforms standard version. Consider that Apple iPhone 17 Air high price for a single-camera system (no ultra wide or telephoto lenses). Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S23 base 128gb model uses slower ufs 3.1 storage (256gb+ uses ufs 4.0). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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