Galaxy S23+ • Unlocked vs OnePlus 10 Pro • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, and the OnePlus 10 Pro, launched globally in March 2022, are both high-end Android smartphones. While the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a more recent processor and extended software support, the OnePlus 10 Pro features a higher resolution display and exceptionally fast charging capabilities. Both devices run on the Android operating system, though with distinct user interfaces and update policies.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release date, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus was released in February 2023, making it approximately a year newer than the OnePlus 10 Pro, which launched globally in March 2022. This difference in release dates impacts their respective software support lifecycles.
• Software Support: Samsung typically provides an industry-leading software upgrade policy for its flagship devices, offering four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates for the Galaxy S23 Plus. The OnePlus 10 Pro, on the other hand, generally receives three major Android OS updates and four years of security updates. This means the Galaxy S23 Plus is expected to receive software support for a longer duration, potentially extending its practical lifespan.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S23 Plus features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, coupled with an Armor Aluminum frame, and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The OnePlus 10 Pro uses Gorilla Glass Victus for its screen protection and has a glass back, but lacks an official IP rating for most global models. Some durability tests for the OnePlus 10 Pro have raised concerns regarding its structural integrity, particularly in bend tests.

Performance in daily use is a key differentiator, affecting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device manages power.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a more recent and optimized processor, designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking with efficiency. This results in a responsive user experience, smooth navigation, and capable performance for graphically intensive games. The OnePlus 10 Pro, while still offering strong performance for everyday tasks and gaming, uses a previous generation processor.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 Plus houses a 4700 mAh battery, which, combined with its efficient processor, often provides excellent endurance, with many users reporting it can last up to two days on a single charge with moderate use. The OnePlus 10 Pro features a larger 5000 mAh battery and offers very fast wired charging (up to 80W globally, 65W in the US) and 50W wireless charging, often allowing a full charge in under an hour. Its battery life is generally good, lasting a full day for most users.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices offer 8GB of RAM in their base configurations, with the OnePlus 10 Pro also having a 12GB RAM option, which can contribute to smoother multitasking with many applications open simultaneously. The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with UFS 4.0 storage, providing faster read and write speeds compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro's storage, which can impact app loading times and file transfers. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.

The display is a primary interface for user interaction, and both phones offer high-quality viewing experiences with some notable differences.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a slightly larger 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (3216 x 1440 pixels), offering a higher pixel density and sharper visuals.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 Plus offers a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, which can provide better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The OnePlus 10 Pro has a peak brightness of 1300 nits, which is still bright enough for most outdoor scenarios. Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The OnePlus 10 Pro utilizes LTPO 2.0 technology, allowing its refresh rate to scale dynamically from 1Hz to 120Hz, which can contribute to power efficiency. The Galaxy S23 Plus's adaptive refresh rate ranges from 48Hz to 120Hz.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, and both smartphones offer versatile systems for photography and videography.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The OnePlus 10 Pro also has a triple-camera system, including a 48MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide sensor with an expansive 150-degree field of view, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3.3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 Plus is known for producing excellent photos with good detail and color accuracy, performing well in various lighting conditions, including low light. The OnePlus 10 Pro, with its Hasselblad partnership, captures rich and vibrant photos, particularly from its main sensor. Its 150-degree ultrawide camera is a notable feature, though some users report inconsistencies in color science between its different lenses and less effective low-light performance on secondary cameras compared to the main sensor.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both phones are capable of recording high-quality video. The Galaxy S23 Plus offers stable and detailed video capture. The OnePlus 10 Pro can record up to 8K video at 24fps and 4K video with good stabilization, though some users note that 4K low-light videos are better than 8K. Both devices provide stereo speakers for media consumption, with the Galaxy S23 Plus supporting Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio.