Deciding on a new phone in 2025 means balancing features, price, and long‑term value. If you’re looking at premium smartphones, the Samsung S23 and Apple iPhone 15 are two of the top contenders. This comparison will help you understand their strengths and trade‑offs so you can pick the one that aligns with your priorities in Australia. Let’s dive in.

Overview: What Both Phones Bring to the Table

Key specs of Samsung S23

• The S23 features a 6.1‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
  
   
• Under the hood: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset.
  
   
• Triple rear camera system: 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultra-wide, 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom).
  
   
• Front camera: 12 MP.
  
   
• Battery: roughly 3,900 mAh, with 25W wired charging, wireless charging, etc.
  
   
• Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back, IP68 water/dust resistance.
• Software: Android with Samsung’s One UI, and promises of years of updates.
  
   

Key specs of iPhone 15

• Display: 6.1‑inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. HDR, Dynamic Island, up to ~1,600‑2,000 nits peak outdoors. 
• Chipset: A16 Bionic — high performance, highly efficient.
• Rear cameras: dual setup (48 MP wide + 12 MP ultra‑wide) for the standard model.
  
   
• Front camera: 12 MP.
  
   
• Battery & Charging: supports wireless charging, MagSafe, with video playback hours quoted, though actual battery capacity not as high as some competitors.
  
   
• Build and design: premium aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front glass, good resistance features. USB‑C connector now.
  
   

Display, Design & Build Quality Compared

Screen, Brightness & Refresh Rate

• Samsung S23: 120Hz refresh rate gives smoother animations and scrolling. The AMOLED panel is bright, with advertised high nit levels for outdoor visibility.
  
   
• iPhone 15: OLED display with excellent colour accuracy, HDR performance, Dynamic Island, and bright peak brightness outdoors. Refresh rate for standard is the usual (60Hz) rather than Pro’s higher refresh rate. So while visuals are excellent, the fluidity of UI compared to 120Hz of Samsung might feel slightly less smooth for those used to high refresh.
  
   

Materials & Durability

• S23 has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front & back, IP68 water/dust resistance. Better scratch/drop resistance.
  
   
• iPhone 15 uses Ceramic Shield front, aluminium frame. Apple’s build quality is very high; durability is good. Water resistance, though Apple does not always match Gorilla Glass in certain drop test metrics. The usual caveats apply: still a premium build.
  
   

Camera Capabilities: A Closer Look

Rear Camera Systems & Zoom / Ultra‑wide

• S23: More versatile in zoom (3× telephoto) + ultra‑wide + wide lens, and strong software / AI features for low‑light shots and stabilisation.
  
   
• iPhone 15: The 48 MP main sensor is a big leap (for the non‑Pro line), delivering good clarity. Ultra‑wide is good. But zoom is more limited on standard iPhone 15 compared to S23’s telephoto. If zoom usage (e.g. distant subjects) matters to you, Samsung has an edge.
  
   

Selfies & Video

• Both phones have competent front cameras (12 MP).
  
   
• Video capabilities: Both support high quality recording; Apple traditionally has excellent video stabilisation and overall video editing tools in iOS. Samsung is also strong, especially with features like Pro Video, advanced stabilisation, etc.
  
   

Performance, Software & Ecosystem

Chipset, RAM, Storage Options

• S23 has a very powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with efficient architecture. For RAM, storage, multiple options (128 / 256 / sometimes higher) depending on model.
  
   
• iPhone 15: A16 Bionic is very efficient and powerful; even though RAM may be less on paper, iOS optimises well so performance feels smooth. Storage options start from 128GB upward.
  
   

OS, Updates & Ecosystem Integration

• Samsung: One UI + Android. Samsung has improved its update policy (several years of OS / security updates). Also good integration with Samsung ecosystem: SmartThings, Samsung DeX, etc.
  
   
• Apple: iOS with long update support; strong ecosystem integration (iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, etc.). Features like Continuity, iMessage, privacy features, etc., are built‑in. If you already have Apple devices, the experience is seamless.
  
   

Battery, Charging & Daily Usage

• Samsung S23 comes with ~3,900 mAh battery. For many users, this delivers a full day of usage under moderate to heavy use. But with heavy usage (e.g. gaming, 5G, high refresh rate, streaming), battery drain will be higher.
  
   
• Charging speed: S23 supports 25W wired, wireless charging etc. It’s not the fastest charging in the market; some competitors (including non‑Apple models) offer faster wired charging.
  
   
• iPhone 15: Apple doesn’t always publish full battery capacity, but its efficiency (due to A16 / software optimisation) often makes battery performance strong. Charging speeds are moderate; MagSafe wireless charging helps, but wired charging speeds are usually less impressive compared to some Android super‑fast chargers.
  
   

Price, Value & After‑Sales Support in Australia

Outright Pricing & Carrier Plans

• Samsung S23 in Australia: 128GB model is priced around AU$1,349, 256GB around AU$1,449.
  
   
• iPhone 15 pricing from Apple / Australian retailers starts higher: for example, base model may be around AU$1,499 for 128GB.
  
   

Warranty, Service, Resale Value

• Apple has very strong brand value in resale and strong after‑sales service and support via Apple Stores / authorised resellers.
  
   
• Samsung also has good service in Australia, though depending on retailer and model, warranty terms may vary.
  
   
• Resale value tends to favour iPhones historically, but Samsung’s flagships also hold value reasonably well if kept in good condition.
  
   

Pros & Cons: Which One Suits Different Buyers

Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

If I were advising a price‑conscious but trust‑seeking buyer in Australia in 2025:

• Go with the Samsung S23 if your priorities are camera versatility, high refresh rate display, and better value up front. It offers excellent specs for the money, especially if you shop around (e.g. through WiseMarket Australia) and find good deals.
  
   
• Choose iPhone 15 if you value ecosystem integration, strong resale & after‑sales support, reliable performance, and are willing to pay a bit more for those softer benefits. Also, if video recording consistency, user‑friendly software, and long software update support are important to you.
  
   

Where to Buy & Tips for Getting the Best Deal

• Check authorised retailers, compare carrier plans vs outright purchase costs. Sometimes plans with Telstra or Optus include trade‑ins or bundled perks.
  
   
• Use trusted dealers like WiseMarket Australia, which may offer discounts, warranty assurances, and deals not always visible in big chain stores.
  
   
• Look for special promotions during major sale events (e.g. EOFY, Boxing Day, Black Friday equivalents in Australia).
  
   
• Consider storage variant carefully: 128GB might suffice, but if you take lots of media (photos/video) or install many apps, 256GB may be better long‑term.
  
   

Conclusion

Both Samsung S23 and iPhone 15 are excellent flagship smartphones with their own strengths. Your decision largely comes down to what you prioritise: is it photography and display performance for the price, or ecosystem, longevity, and brand value? For many Australians in 2025 who are watchful with their budget but want a premium phone, the Samsung S23 often wins on value. But if you already have Apple devices or care especially about resale and integrated experience, the iPhone 15 remains a very strong choice.

Whatever you choose, buying smart—through trusted sources like WiseMarket Australia, checking warranty, and looking for deals—will ensure you get the best outcome.