OnePlus 12 vs Samsung S23 Ultra – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

OnePlus 12 & Samsung S23 Ultra share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the OnePlus 12 rather than the Samsung S23 Ultra. 

Why Do I Recommend The OnePlus 12

  • The OnePlus 12 comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor for consistent flagship-level performance and enhanced AI processing, while the Samsung S23 Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
  • OnePlus 12 features a theoretical peak brightness of 4500 nits for exceptional outdoor visibility to read content under direct sunlight or in bright environments, compared to the S23 Ultra’s 1750 nits limit.
  • It features 100W wired charging system for dramatically faster recharging times to power up their device from 0% to full in under 30 minutes, compared to the S23 Ultra’s slower 45W charging.
  • The OnePlus 12 comes with a 5400 mAh battery for extended daily usage to comfortably get through heavy multitasking, gaming, and media streaming without frequent recharging, while the S23 Ultra has 5000 mAh battery.
  • OnePlus 12 includes 50W wireless charging capability for high-speed cable-free charging to quickly top up battery levels even on compatible wireless stands, while the S23 Ultra has 15W wireless charging.
  • It comes with 16GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and future-proof performance to run more apps and heavy tasks simultaneously without slowdowns, while the S23 Ultra caps at 12GB.
  • The OnePlus 12 features Dolby Vision support for more vivid and color-accurate video playback to enhance the experience when streaming supported content with deeper contrast and richer colors, whereas the S23 Ultra only supports HDR10+.
  • OnePlus 12 includes a Cryo-velocity dual vapor chamber cooling system for sustained performance under load, compared to the S23 Ultra’s standard vapor chamber.

Maybe the Samsung S23 Ultra price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the OnePlus 12. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureOnePlus 12Samsung S23 Ultra
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Display BrightnessPeak 4500 nitsPeak 1750 nits
HDR FormatDolby Vision, HDR10+HDR10+
Display Size6.82 inches6.8 inches
Display Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels1440 x 3088 pixels
Display TypeLTPO AMOLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X
Fingerprint SensorOptical under-displayUltrasonic under-display
Cooling SystemDual Cryo-velocity vapor chamberStandard vapor chamber
RAM Options12GB, 16GB8GB, 12GB
Main Camera50 MP Sony LYT-808200 MP Samsung HP2
Ultra-Wide Camera48 MP12 MP
Telephoto Camera64 MP 3x periscope10 MP 3x + 10 MP 10x periscope
Zoom Capability3x optical, 120x digital3x & 10x optical, 100x digital
Front Camera32 MP12 MP
Front Camera VideoUp to 4K@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps
Video Recording8K@24fps, 4K@60fps8K@30fps, 4K@60fps
Battery Capacity5400 mAh5000 mAh
Wired Charging100W (Global), 80W (US)45W
Wireless Charging50W15W
IP RatingIP65IP68
Operating SystemAndroid 14Android 13
Software Updates4 years OS, 5 years security4 years OS, 5 years security
Bluetooth VersionBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.3
PriceCheck OnePlus 12 PriceCheck Samsung S23 Ultra Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Chipset: Both phones run the same enhanced version of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is optimized for improved performance and efficiency in gaming, multitasking, and camera processing.
  • QHD+ AMOLED Displays with LTPO: Each device features a high-resolution, vibrant AMOLED screen with LTPO technology, enabling adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz for both smooth scrolling and power efficiency.
  • Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Protection: Both phones are shielded by Corning’s toughest Victus 2 glass on the front, offering robust protection from drops and scratches.
  • UFS 4.0 Storage: Both use the latest UFS 4.0 technology, ensuring extremely fast data read/write speeds for smoother app launching and file transfers.
  • High RAM & Storage Options: While the OnePlus 12 goes up to 16GB RAM, both phones support large memory configurations and storage options reaching up to 1TB, ideal for heavy users.
  • USB-C Port (3.2 Gen1): Both use modern USB-C for fast charging and data transfer with support for USB 3.2 Gen1 speeds.
  • Stereo Speakers & Dolby Atmos: Each phone delivers immersive audio through dual stereo speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos support.
  • Software Update Commitment: Both are backed by long-term software support—4 years of major OS upgrades and 5 years of security patches.
  • Connectivity Features: Both support 5G networks, NFC, and Bluetooth 5.3 or later, ensuring strong wireless communication, fast pairing, and support for the latest accessories.
  • No Expandable Storage or Headphone Jack: Consistent with modern flagship designs, neither device includes a microSD card slot or a 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Video Capabilities: They both support 8K video recording and high-quality 4K at 60fps, catering to content creators and advanced users.
  • Advanced Biometrics: Both phones integrate under-display fingerprint scanners and facial recognition for secure and quick unlocking.
  • Premium Flagship Designs: Both have premium builds made from metal and high-end glass, positioning them as top-tier luxury smartphones in their respective ecosystems.

Common Features

FeatureOnePlus 12Samsung S23 Ultra
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxySnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Display Resolution ClassQHD+QHD+
Refresh Rate1–120Hz adaptive1–120Hz adaptive
Display ProtectionGorilla Glass Victus 2Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Storage TypeUFS 4.0UFS 4.0
Maximum StorageUp to 1TBUp to 1TB
Maximum RAMUp to 16GBUp to 12GB
Battery TypeNon-removable Li-PoNon-removable Li-Ion
Charging PortUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C 3.2
Speaker SetupStereo speakersStereo speakers
Dolby AudioDolby AtmosDolby Atmos
Operating System Support4 years OS, 5 years security updates4 years OS, 5 years security updates
5G ConnectivityYesYes
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7 supportedWi-Fi 6e
BluetoothBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.3
High-end BuildPremium glass and metal designPremium glass and metal design
Flagship StatusTrue 2024/2023 flagshipsTrue 2023/2024 flagships
Price Check OnePlus 12 Price Check Samsung S23 Ultra Price

FAQ

Does the OnePlus 12 support wireless charging?
Yes, the OnePlus 12 supports fast wireless charging at up to 50W, which is significantly faster than most competitors in its class.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compatible with the S Pen?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with a built-in S Pen that supports Bluetooth functionality, air gestures, and precision input for drawing or note-taking.

Which phone has a better main camera, the OnePlus 12 or the S23 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a 200MP main sensor which delivers more detail and versatility compared to the 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor in the OnePlus 12.

What is the battery capacity of the OnePlus 12 compared to the S23 Ultra?
The OnePlus 12 has a larger 5400 mAh battery, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery.

Can both devices record video in 8K resolution?
Yes, both the OnePlus 12 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra support 8K video recording, although the S23 Ultra supports it at a slightly higher frame rate.

Which phone charges faster?
The OnePlus 12 charges significantly faster with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, whereas the Galaxy S23 Ultra supports 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.

Do either of the phones have a microSD card slot for expandable storage?
No, both the OnePlus 12 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra lack a microSD card slot, meaning storage cannot be expanded externally.

What IP rating do these phones have for water and dust resistance?
The OnePlus 12 is rated IP65, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a more robust IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Are both devices equipped with stereo speakers?
Yes, both phones feature stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos, providing immersive audio experiences.

Which device has a brighter display?
The OnePlus 12 boasts a theoretical peak brightness of up to 4500 nits, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra peaks at 1750 nits.

What kind of fingerprint sensor is used on each phone?
The OnePlus 12 uses an optical under-display fingerprint sensor, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra uses a more secure ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner.

Do both phones have face unlock capabilities?
Yes, both phones support face unlock as an additional biometric authentication method.

What software version do these phones launch with?
The OnePlus 12 launches with Android 14 running OxygenOS 14, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra initially shipped with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.

How long will each phone receive software updates?
Both devices are promised 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches.

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