I’ve said before in a different post - iOS is great for tablet-sized devices. It’s super easy to use - UI is on point. And naturally apps work really well on it like they do whenever anyone compares iOS to Android equivalent apps.
It’s too basic and boring (in my view) for iPhones, and definitely not for full size PC / laptop screens.
I have an iPhone12 as a work phone and Flip5 as a personal phone.
I’d never use my Flip5 for a work stuff - too messy, doesn’t feel as fast and slick to use, corporate apps aren’t as good. iPhone is perfect for work but boring for personal use.
Look and feel: iOS is still the same grid of apps pretty much from what I used to see when I had a personal iPhone4, and unless I’m missing something - the widgets are super basic. At least on Samsung I have a full home page just for my calendar, or e-mails right there on the home screen so I don’t even need to open an app to see things I need quickly. Performance is the same. iOS looks cleaner though - far more consistent design language throughout.
Apps: iOS versions of the same app are usually better in my experience - optimised, nicer UI etc. This is also why I like it for work use - I can live with some jank in a personal phone but for work-use I need it to work perfectly and consistently, and that’s where iOS wins.
Basic Phone stuff: Apart from iMessage (and I use WhatsApp anyway) - no difference.
Notifications: I think Samsung just edges it here based on being able to do more with notifications but not really explored the full potential of iOS here.
General flexibility: Obviously OneUI - split screening apps and so on. Very easy to do on a Flip as well since it’s a physical movement that triggers it to use “flex mode” - letting you run one app in the top half and one in the bottom. Sounds like a gimmick but honestly I’m using it more and more, especially if I’m researching something to buy + looking up where I can buy it. In fact I even hook up a bluetooth mouse to use it as a laptop, and sometimes a keyboard so it’s even easier to search. It’s a brilliant combo of hardware and software.
Fundamentally though it’s down to what I use each OS for. The disappointment is obvious with iOS for personal use - if I slapped down £1000s on a new iPhone, do all the fancy setup process etc. And then it says “Welcome” before presenting me the usual grid of apps - it’s the moment of “wow this is coo…oh, same old”. It needs a big change. Like when Windows 8 introduced that controversial new touch-based start-menu rather than the usual desktop and taskbar UI - something like that. It needs Apple to push boundaries again.
I’d get the 23U - it’s a beast. I was deciding between it and the Flip5 - very different spec-wise obviously but not much different in price. I went Flip5 as I wanted something different, but can’t deny that the S23U is just a great ‘traditional’ phone that will serve you perfectly for years. The Flip5 is fun but I do miss the convenience of a big lovely glass screen.
I can’t go back to 60hz - maybe it varies from person to person but I can definitely tell. And even if the display is 4K with amazing contrast and brightness blah blah, it feels outdated as soon as I see that juddering. I can’t say I notice much difference at higher rates - 90+ I’d say it’s hard to spot unless you side-by-side it with a 120hz or higher panel. And I see no difference (given the relatively small phone screen) from 120hz onwards.
More incentive for people to upgrade to the Ultra. I guess the thinking is people who buy the Ultra probably know more than normal about the specs of it.
If Samsung put their processor in their top of the line spec-monster smartphone you can imagine the Tech website headlines…but those same sites won’t care if it’s in the base or Plus versions since they’re not aimed at being spec monsters.