Samsung Galaxy S23 vs OnePlus Nord N30 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the premium option here, but don't underestimate the OnePlus Nord N30 5G. In my testing, the Galaxy S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip delivers powerful performance, crushing the Nord N30's Snapdragon 695.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Samsung Galaxy S23

OnePlus Nord N30 5G
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.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 vs OnePlus Nord N30 5G

Samsung Galaxy S23

OnePlus Nord N30 5G
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S23 | OnePlus Nord N30 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(101)Best Buy | ★4.4(1,496)Amazon |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028) | 1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 14) and 3 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) |
Graphics | Adreno 740 (719 MHz) | Adreno 619 |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB LPDDR4X (Plus up to 8GB Virtual RAM) |
Storage | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB UFS 2.2 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.72" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 680 nits (HBM) |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 425 ppi) | 2400 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 48–120 Hz | 120Hz (Adaptive: 30/48/50/60/90/120Hz) |
Peak Brightness | 1200 nits (HBM); 1750 nits peak (outdoor) | 550 nits (Typical) / 680 nits (High Brightness Mode) |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 108MP Samsung S5KHM6, f/1.7, EIS, 3x Lossless Digital Zoom |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Depth + 2MP Macro |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (70 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 3x optical zoom; 30x Space Zoom | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x | Up to 6x |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240/960 fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 16MP, f/2.4 |
Battery | 3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback | 5,000mAh |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately) | 50W SUPERVOOC (Charger included) |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.1, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s) | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back | No official IP rating |
Dimensions | 5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm) | 6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in (165.5 x 76.0 x 8.3 mm) |
Weight | 5.93 oz (168 g) | 6.88 oz (195 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support (varies by carrier) | Stereo speakers (200% Ultra Volume Mode), 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |

Samsung Galaxy S23
✓ Pros:
- • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip outperforms standard version
- • Compact, lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
- • Bright 1750 nits display ensures excellent outdoor visibility
- • Versatile camera system with genuine 3x optical zoom
- • Solid battery life for its size class (3900 mAh)
✗ 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)
- • Lacks UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support found in Plus/Ultra models
- • Refresh rate floor is 48Hz (not 1Hz like LTPO panels on Ultra)
- • Small screen size may be limiting for heavy media consumption
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G
✓ Pros:
- • Fastest charging in the US budget segment (50W wired)
- • Large 120Hz display is smooth and responsive
- • Base model comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage (high for this tier)
- • Retains enthusiast features: 3.5mm jack and microSD expansion
- • 108MP main camera provides decent 3x lossless zoom in good light
✗ Cons:
- • No ultrawide camera (replaced by low-utility macro/depth sensors)
- • LCD panel lacks the contrast of OLED competitors (e.g., Galaxy A15 5G)
- • Video recording capped at 1080p/30fps (Chipset limitation)
- • Software support (1 OS update) is very short compared to Samsung (4 years)
- • No official IP rating for water resistance
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the better buy for most people - its 50MP camera crushes the OnePlus Nord N30 5G's 108MP in low-light situations.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 if: you want top-tier performance for gaming, you take a lot of photos in varying light, or you appreciate a compact design. (6.1" display, 3900 mAh battery)
Choose the OnePlus Nord N30 5G if: you need 2+ days of battery life, want the fastest charging in the US budget segment, or prefer a larger screen for media consumption.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S23 excels if you value powerful snapdragon 8 gen 2 for galaxy chip outperforms standard version. OnePlus Nord N30 5G is better if you prioritize fastest charging in the us budget segment (50w wired). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.
