Galaxy S23+ • Unlocked vs Galaxy S24+ • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, are both premium Android smartphones from Samsung's flagship 'Plus' series. While they share a similar design philosophy and operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, the newer S24 Plus introduces notable enhancements in display technology, processing power, and software longevity, alongside a suite of new AI-powered features.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support, physical resilience, and ease of maintenance.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S24 Plus is designed for extended software support, promising seven years of major Android and security updates from its release. The Galaxy S23 Plus, being an earlier model, typically receives around five years of software updates, meaning the S24 Plus offers a longer period of up-to-date features and security.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature robust builds with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, providing good resistance against drops and scratches. The S24 Plus further enhances this with an 'Armor Aluminum 2' frame, advertised for tougher drop and scratch resistance. Both devices also carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus has demonstrated a high repairability score, with components like the battery being more accessible due to pull tabs, making certain repairs more straightforward. While the S23 Plus is also generally considered repairable, the S24 Plus shows a slight improvement in design for easier servicing.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating apps to demanding gaming sessions. Both the Galaxy S23 Plus and S24 Plus deliver strong performance, though with generational differences.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a newer generation processor, which translates to faster CPU and GPU speeds. This allows for smoother handling of demanding applications, more efficient multitasking, and an overall more responsive user experience compared to the S23 Plus.
• Multitasking and Storage: The S24 Plus typically comes with 12GB of RAM, providing more headroom for running multiple applications simultaneously without slowdowns. The S23 Plus usually offers 8GB of RAM. Both models are available with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, utilizing fast UFS 4.0 technology for quick app loading and data transfer.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, a slight increase from the S23 Plus's 4700 mAh battery. This, combined with a more power-efficient processor and display, contributes to a longer battery life for the S24 Plus, with some tests indicating significantly extended usage on a single charge.

The display is a primary interaction point, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences, with the S24 Plus introducing notable upgrades.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the Galaxy S24 Plus elevates the viewing experience with a higher QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels) on its 6.7-inch screen, resulting in a sharper image with a higher pixel density compared to the S23 Plus's FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels) on its 6.6-inch display.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S24 Plus boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it exceptionally clear and readable even in bright outdoor conditions, surpassing the S23 Plus's 1750 nits peak brightness. The S24 Plus also features an LTPO display, allowing for a more adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing power efficiency, whereas the S23 Plus adapts between 48Hz and 120Hz.
• Viewing Experience: The larger, higher-resolution screen of the S24 Plus provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and detailed work. The enhanced brightness and wider adaptive refresh rate contribute to smoother scrolling and better visibility in various lighting environments.

Both the Galaxy S23 Plus and S24 Plus are equipped with versatile camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

• Camera Hardware: The camera hardware across both models is largely similar, featuring a triple-lens rear setup: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The front-facing camera on both is a 12MP sensor.
• Photography Performance: While the sensor specifications are consistent, the Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from improved image processing and the integration of advanced AI features. This can lead to more refined detail, better color accuracy, and enhanced low-light performance in the S24 Plus. Users generally report both phones deliver excellent everyday photos.
• Video Capabilities: Both devices support high-resolution video recording, including 8K at 24/30fps and 4K at 30/60fps, with features like HDR10+ and gyro-EIS for stable footage. The microphone quality for calls and recording is generally clear, and both offer stereo speakers for a good media consumption experience.