Galaxy S23 • Unlocked vs iPhone SE (2020) • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23, released in February 2023, and the iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy S23 operates on the Android platform with a modern, full-screen design, the iPhone SE 2020 runs on iOS, retaining a classic iPhone aesthetic with a physical home button. These devices primarily differentiate themselves through their release timelines, operating systems, and core hardware capabilities.

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S23, released in February 2023, benefits from a more recent launch, offering a longer period of current technology and software support compared to the iPhone SE 2020, which was released in April 2020.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S23 launched with Android 13 and is expected to receive four major OS updates and five years of security updates, extending support until approximately 2028. The iPhone SE 2020, which launched with iOS 13, typically receives major iOS updates for 5-7 years, suggesting support for major OS versions until around 2025-2027, with security updates potentially continuing longer.
• Repairability and Build: The Galaxy S23 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, an Armor Aluminum frame, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Its repairability score has been noted around 4 out of 10, with Samsung making efforts towards more repair-friendly designs. The iPhone SE 2020 utilizes a glass front and back with an aluminum frame and an IP67 rating. It received a repairability score of 6 out of 10, partly due to its use of components interchangeable with the iPhone 8, making common repairs like screen and battery replacement relatively straightforward.

Performance in daily use is shaped by a device's internal components, affecting everything from app responsiveness to battery endurance.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 is equipped with a current-generation processor, enabling smooth handling of demanding applications, multitasking, and graphics-intensive gaming without significant slowdowns. The iPhone SE 2020 features a processor that, while older, still provides responsive performance for everyday tasks and many applications, though it may show its age with the most intensive modern apps.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S23 typically comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options up to 512GB, with higher capacities utilizing faster storage technology for quicker app loading and data access. The iPhone SE 2020 includes 3GB of RAM and storage options up to 256GB, which is sufficient for general use but offers less headroom for extensive multitasking or large media libraries.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 houses a 3900 mAh battery, which users report can last a full day with moderate usage, showing significant improvements over its predecessor. The iPhone SE 2020 has an 1821 mAh battery, and users frequently note that its battery life is a limitation, often requiring more frequent charging, especially for heavy users.

The display is a primary interface, and its quality impacts the visual experience for all content.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2340 x 1080 resolution, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and sharp detail. The iPhone SE 2020 has a 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD with a 1334 x 750 resolution, providing good color accuracy and clarity, though it does not match the contrast of an OLED panel.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 boasts a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The iPhone SE 2020 offers a peak brightness of 625 nits and a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for most viewing but less bright and fluid than the S23's display.
• Screen Size and Design: The Galaxy S23's larger, nearly bezel-less display provides a more immersive viewing experience. The iPhone SE 2020 retains the classic iPhone design with thicker bezels above and below the screen, which results in a smaller effective display area relative to its overall size.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, influencing the quality of photos and videos captured.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, allowing for a wide range of photographic options and detailed shots. The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 12MP wide-angle camera, which performs well in good lighting conditions but lacks the versatility of multiple lenses.
• Low-Light and Advanced Features: The Galaxy S23 offers enhanced low-light performance, vibrant color reproduction, and advanced computational photography features, including a capable night mode. The iPhone SE 2020, while capable in well-lit environments, does not include a dedicated night mode, which can result in dimmer and less detailed photos in very low light.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices offer good video recording capabilities. The Galaxy S23 supports up to 8K video recording and features strong video stabilization, along with a 12MP front camera. The iPhone SE 2020 records 4K video and provides good stabilization, with a 7MP front camera that performs well in adequate lighting.