The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra uses a brand-new primary camera sensor to enable a better imaging experience, and a Qualcomm SoC that has been customised to (hopefully) deliver better performance. The phone still looks and feels expensive, but has gained a bit of weight (234g vs 228g) over last year’s model, even though it isn’t noticeably heavier. Regardless of weight (which is still lighter than an iPhone 14 Pro Max), the phone surely feels chunkier thanks to its flatter sides. Despite the added thickness over the previous model, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is still quite comfortable to hold as the refreshed design provides a broader, flatter surface on all sides for improved grip. I really wish that Samsung would make a regular-sized Ultra phone, just like Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro, even if that meant ditching the stylus. This is more so, because the company always reserves its best camera hardware for the top model, and unfortunately, it only shows up in one XXL size which is definitely challenging to carry on you.
Coming to communication standards, there is support for several 5G bands, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB) and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port. The Gallery app, just like iOS 16, allows users to lift objects, people and pets from the photo and save them as PNG files for sharing.
The phone comes with Microsoft 365, OneDrive, LinkedIn, Outlook, Facebook, Spotify and Netflix apps preinstalled.
I feel Samsung needs to work on reducing the bloatware on its premium lineup given that Google’s Pixel does not come with a single third-party app preinstalled.
Samsung’s display on the Galaxy S23 Ultra hasn’t changed much in terms of proportions or resolution, but the company says it has worked to deliver better colours using an improved adaptive ‘Vision Booster’ technology. Whether I was using the phone to snap photos in bright daylight or while viewing HDR10 content, everything looked fantastic on this large display.
In terms of graphics, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra managed 64fps in GFXBench’s Car Chase test, compared to the 111fps and 56fps on the iQoo 11 5G and the OnePlus 11 5G respectively. Samsung claims that its customised SoC should be able to deliver better AI processing speeds, along with better low-light videos and photos. Most games ran at the highest possible resolution and with no instances of visual stuttering or dropped frames on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The touch sampling rate for instance is something I did not find to be impressive in games such as Call of Duty: Mobile, and there’s no way to boost or improve it either.
The phone managed to run for 21 hours and 7 minutes in our HD video loop battery test, which is quite impressive. Even with heavy camera usage, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra easily managed to last a full day, with about 30 percent left on average.
Called the ISOCELL HP2, it is a bit smaller than the HP1 (also made by Samsung) present on the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, but offers a 16-to-1 pixel binning system which captures 12-megapixel images by default. The photo samples shown below have been shot with the ‘Scene Optimiser’ AI feature enabled, which results in higher colour saturation most of the time.
Daylight image quality is top-notch and the primary camera captures plenty of fine details without any excessive oversharpening.
Photos taken at the 200-megapixel resolution appear cooler with skies that are slightly less saturated (even with Scene Optimiser feature turned off). The Night mode offers slightly superior imagery with less noise, but also makes you wait a couple of seconds before saving the image, so it needs to be used only in extremely dark conditions. Autofocus, as expected, was very quick even in dimly lit scenarios proving that the bump to the new sensor was completely worth it.
Despite its stellar performance in street-lit conditions, Samsung’s S23 Ultra still cannot tackle extremely dark scenes accurately, as the results show a dreamy HDR effect. Samsung, during its briefing to the media, did spend some time talking about the phone’s ability to shoot better low-light portrait photos. In low light, the camera continues to impress by offering a balanced mix of good details and contrast with the usual saturated colours, but dynamic range falls a bit short. Despite good zoom performance in low light, I was able to use Night mode to further improve the quality of low-light images.
This only works well if you have a tripod or very steady hands as the Night mode exposures are long and can turn out blurry even with a minor shake. The heavily saturated footage when viewed on the punchy Super AMOLED panel will surely wow onlookers, but it’s not the most accurate representation of the scene. Unlike the previous phone, shooting in this mode now uses the full width of the sensor, which means it’s a much wider field of view than what we got before. In a sea of Android flagships, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra sure stands tall but it’s also quite lonely at the top, with the only real competition (at least in India) being the Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Review).
At the same time, the nearest Android offering which comes close to the Galaxy S23 Ultra both in terms of capability and premium design is the Google Pixel 7 Pro.
Simply put, there’s really no direct competition to the Galaxy S23 Ultra on the Android side, both in terms of capability and pricing.
Samsung has been able to deliver a proper balance of unique hardware and optimised software this year, and most of it works well when put together. For a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra owner though, it might not be the most enticing upgrade this year, unless you crave the latest hardware or need that 8K 30fps capability.
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series of smartphones was launched earlier this week and the South Korean firm’s high-end handsets have seen a few upgrades across all three models.
Is It Worth Upgrading to the Galaxy S23 Ultra? It Depends
That’s especially true if you’re eyeballing a phone as expensive as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which starts at $1,200 without a discount. There’s no single approach that applies to everyone, but taking these factors into account can help you with the decision. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a faster new processor and better cameras with improved low light and dynamic range. However, in my testing, Samsung’s behind-the-scenes improvements to the way the camera captures color and dynamic range felt more impactful than the higher resolution.
Both phones have a large 6.8-inch screen, an included S Pen stylus, better low light photography compared with previous generations, a multi-lens camera system that can zoom up to 100x digitally and a 5,000 mAh battery. You’ll get the same overall experience on both phones, but with refinements to camera quality and processing power on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Because of this, the same advice holds true: If your Galaxy S21 Ultra is in good shape, don’t upgrade yet. But these changes aren’t significant enough to justify springing for a new device just yet, unless you can basically get it for free through a trade-in deal.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 200-megapixel camera is only truly noticeable when you zoom in at the pixel level, or if you intend to print large copies of your photos. You’ll still get a main camera sensor with a higher resolution than most phones, as well as the ability to zoom up to 100x digitally. You’ll miss some of Samsung’s newer improvements to low light photography and dynamic range, but the Galaxy S21 Ultra still has a very capable camera. The Galaxy S20 Ultra falls into that gray area where it could be worth upgrading, but it depends on the condition of your device.
Samsung has also improved optical image stabilization over the years, meaning the S23 Ultra should be better at taking steady shots while zooming. Back in 2020, some users also reported issues with the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s autofocusing, though Samsung later released a software fix.
Otherwise, you’ll be getting many routine upgrades with the S23 Ultra, such as a faster processor, a refreshed design that more closely resembles the Galaxy Note and the included S Pen stylus. But it’s worth remembering that you’ll be giving up the S20 Ultra’s micro SD card slot if you upgrade, meaning you can’t add more storage.
In addition to the major gains in resolution, low light performance, stabilization and dynamic range, you’ll also get a much closer zoom on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Camera aside, you’ll get a significantly newer processor that should result in faster performance and better power efficiency, a bigger battery, the S Pen and a slightly larger screen.
3 reasons why you should buy Samsung Galaxy S23 over the S23 Plus
For around Rs 1 lakh, you would think that the Galaxy S23 Plus offers more in terms of features compared to the S23, but that’s not really the case. Both devices share the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, 50MP triple camera system, FHD+ resolution, and 8GB RAM. The only real advantage of buying the Galaxy S23 Plus is the larger 6.6-inch screen size and a bigger 4,700mAh battery.
Instead, I recommend investing in the Galaxy S23 Ultra for additional features, such as a larger screen with a better QHD+ resolution, an impressive 200MP primary camera, a big 5,000mAh battery, and S Pen support. Regardless of everything I’ve mentioned so far, the most compelling reason to purchase the Galaxy S23 is its compact form factor. As I mentioned earlier, the Galaxy S23 offers almost all the same hardware as the S23 Plus, but in a more compact and affordable package.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Pros and Cons Revealed
📷 The camera bump on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is a common issue with most smartphones, contradicts the design of the phone and makes it less enjoyable to use the S Pen.
Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus Review: It’s All About the Battery Life
Editors’ note, Nov. 1: With its sleek design, vibrant screen, improved battery life and versatile camera system, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 is a top choice for Android fans in search of a premium smartphone. It even wrangled endorsements from acclaimed directors Ridley Scott and Na Hong-jin during its Galaxy S23 announcement.
However, in a surprising move for Samsung, the camera plays second fiddle to battery and performance upgrades in the new Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus.
Performance is faster, and battery life is thankfully a bit longer, which addresses the biggest complaint I had about the Galaxy S22.
Instead, Samsung focused on making practical refinements to one of the areas that matters most in a phone: how long it lasts on a single charge. The $899 Pixel 7 Pro falls in between the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus pricewise and offers a stellar camera that bests Samsung’s in some scenarios. Overall, the Galaxy S23 is ideal for Android fans that prioritize fast performance, solid cameras and having a spacious and bright screen in a compact package. The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor inside the Galaxy S23 series, which has been optimized for Samsung’s new phones, should also bring some improvements to power efficiency.
When I used the 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 as my daily smartphone for roughly a month, I noticed that the battery dipped down to between 30 and 40% by 9 p.m., especially after a long day in the office.
With the Galaxy S23, the battery was down to 46% by 9:45 p.m. after a day of heavy usage (running benchmark performance tests, taking lots of photos and videos, etc.). While charging speed isn’t a deal-breaker when buying a new phone, it would have been nice to see Samsung push forward in this area. That’s especially true considering rivals like Xiaomi and OnePlus continue to shorten the time it takes to replenish their respective phones’ batteries.
Playing games with the graphics and frame rate at the highest settings felt smooth, and apps launched instantly. All three new phones have an adaptive refresh rate that reaches up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, which also contributes to the devices’ peppiness.
Benchmarks meant to test general computing (Geekbench 5) and how a processor handles high performance in short bursts (3DMark) told a similar story. But the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus did outpace the OnePlus 11 in the test meant to evaluate a processor’s single-core performance, which makes sense considering Samsung overclocked one of the CPU cores.
Other than the faster video export speeds, I didn’t experience anything on the Galaxy S23 lineup that felt unusually fast compared to most other phones in the same price range. Thanks to a technique called pixel binning, you can choose to shoot photos at the full 50-megapixel resolution or 12 megapixels depending on the scenario.
Samsung also integrates the controls from its Expert Raw app right into the main camera, making it more convenient for those who want easy access to the full, uncompressed version of an image. The Galaxy S23 performs well in dim conditions overall, which isn’t surprising considering low-light photography has been a big area of focus for Samsung in recent years.
Even though the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7 Pro performed better in the examples above, the S23 easily challenges Apple and Google in other low-light photography scenarios, like taking photos of pets and still objects. In the photos of a book stack below, for example, the Galaxy S23 did a great job at retaining detail and color.
The iPhone 14’s photo isn’t as colorful and has some noise compared to Samsung’s, although the Pixel 7 Pro’s image was a close competitor. While the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus can both capture crisp and clear images, there were instances in which colors either looked exaggerated or blown out compared to the same photos taken on the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7.
The Galaxy S23’s camera isn’t a leap forward, but it’ll feel significant to those upgrading from a phone that’s several years old. The main difference is that Samsung did away with the camera island on the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus, instead opting for standalone lenses that sit arranged in a vertical column on the back of the device.
The Galaxy S23 Plus, for example, only feels slightly larger than the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 despite the amount of extra screen space it provides.
The Galaxy S23 is also one of the few Android phones with a 6.1-inch screen other than the Pixel 6A, making it a compelling choice for those who prefer compact devices. That means your Galaxy S23 will last for at least four years from a software perspective, so it shouldn’t feel outdated anytime soon. Consistent with Samsung’s theme of making practical changes this year, the Galaxy S23 Plus and S23 Ultra now start at 256GB of storage rather than 128GB.
Those who have an older phone will get the benefits that came with last year’s camera upgrade and redesign, along with the S23’s better battery life. The camera generally captures more accurate colors and crisper zoom shots than Samsung’s and you get a slightly larger screen for a cheaper price than the Galaxy S23 Plus.
However, just remember that Google only offers three generations of Android OS updates for the Pixel 7 line, so you might want to upgrade sooner.
We push the processor’s performance to the extremes using both standardized benchmark tools like GeekBench and 3DMark, along with our own anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution videos and playing graphically intense games at high refresh rates.
Samsung S23 Ultra Full Specs and Review (2023)
Though the device looks very similar to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, it boasts many improvements, upgrades and new features. From mentioning the pros and cons to a detailed analysis of all the important features, we’ll end this write-up by comparing the Samsung S23 Ultra with some of its top competitors in the market. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a feature-packed premium smartphone that boasts a large 6.8-inch WQHD+ Super AMOLED panel with excellent viewing angles. The display is crisp, delivers punchy colours and deep blacks and, most importantly, can also take input from the S Pen Stylus.
Furthermore, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, providing better durability and reliability against accidental drops and scratches. In terms of photography, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra sports a quadruple rear camera setup, headlined by a high-resolution 200-megapixel primary sensor.
Though the charging speed is relatively slow at this price point, the battery life is more than satisfactory on the Samsung S23 Ultra. On average, it lasts more than one full day with strenuous usage, multitasking and gaming, plenty of apps running in the background, and media play.
The phone has support for several 5G bands, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and Ultra Wideband (UWB).
With 8GB and 12GB of RAM options, the device can cater to a variety of users, enabling hefty gameplay, editing and multitasking.
Similarly, with up to 1TB of internal storage, the device offers ample space for storing files, apps, and multimedia content. On the bottom, the phone has the S Pen tucked away in its own silo, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port, a speaker, and a SIM tray that can hold two nano-SIM cards.
The pricing of this device thereby makes it close to the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and many other market giants. At first glance, both models appear quite similar and even feature almost the same display type, battery capacity, storage & RAM configurations, etc. Despite its high price, users seem to love the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra for its exceptional camera setup, premium looks, robust build quality, and of course, fantastic display.
However, the overall sentiment amongst the users suggests that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a remarkable device with the best display you can still possibly find in the Indian Android smartphone market. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is overall a solid performer that delivers a proper balance of unique hardware and optimised software. Its customised Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and high RAM and internal storage configurations ensure users don’t have to worry about multitasking or gaming.
The quad camera setup featuring a 200MP primary sensor with exceptional zooming capabilities and video recording offers an engaging photography experience. Furthermore, the long-lasting 5000mAh battery ensures that users don’t dread outings without a power bank or charger.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a do-it-all Android smartphone perfect for those seeking a premium device that doesn’t compromise on any type of specifications. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has made me fall in love with it because of its far-reaching zoom capabilities, 8K recording, S Pen, solid battery life and customised SoC.
Ranking quite high in the premium segment of the smartphone market in India, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t really have a lot of real competitors if the specifications are to be considered. While the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a slightly superior display and performance, it falls short in terms of battery capacity and, most importantly, the camera capability of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 also boasts a better front camera setup and larger screen size. Still, it has a relatively smaller battery capacity, a slightly lower chipset and, of course, the efficient camera setup as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
With both phones featuring almost the same display type, RAM, battery setup, etc., the Google Pixel 7 Pro has a completely different price segment altogether and, thereby, lags in many places, including camera quality.
Almost half the price of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra but still features a similar display type, chipset, RAM and connectivity. Samsung has not only formed its customer base due to its exceptional range of products but also because of its remarkable after-sales service. So far, in the Indian Android smartphone market, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the best quad rear camera setup with a 200-megapixel primary lens. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a flagship smartphone with a mind-blowing 200MP camera, fantastic display and impressive battery life.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: A complete Android phone
Using the phone as my primary device also means that I used the phone to watch lots of content including Instagram Reels and YouTube Videos, multitask, click photos and create Reels, make calls, send emails and WhatsApp messages, and a lot more. Samsung officially killed its Note series last year and that gave birth to the new Ultra design with SPen support. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts the same design as its predecessor and comes in funky colour options including – Green, Phantam Black, Lavender, and Cream. At the bottom, there sits the SPen, speaker grills, SIM tray, and USB Type C port.
Overall, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, in my opinion, offers a super sturdy build, but I would suggest using the phone with a cover on it. I watched multiple YouTube videos and movies on Netflix and browsed social media and in all situations, the Galaxy S23 Ultra offered great performance.
The smartphone offers a quad rear camera system consisting of the newly introduced 200-megapixel sensor called the ISOCELL HP2, which Samsung claims combines 16 pixels into one larger pixel and produces brighter shots in low light. Coming straight to the camera performance, the Galaxy S23 Ultra clicks fantastic photos in almost all lighting conditions.
In good light, the smartphone clicks photos with outstanding details and real-like colours. The photos turn out to be great with good details and the background also gets properly blurred with the edges looking quite sharp and distinct. Photos clicked in limited lighting appear with pretty good details and also accurate colours. The phone often tends to beautify selfies, but you can always opt out of filters and click photos in normal mode.
Portrait selfies are what I liked the most and that’s because the camera blurs the background pretty well and the edges also turn out to be quite sharp. The company calls the customised chip “Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform for Galaxy” and says that it delivers better performance.
Considering how powerful the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is great for multitasking as well as gaming.
Be it switching between apps or scrolling mindlessly through social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter, the Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t lag at any point in time. Software-wise, the smartphone runs on Samsung’s One UI 5.1 skin based on Android 13, which is pretty easy to use and doesn’t come with unwanted ads or bloatware. When compared to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra isn’t a very big upgrade in the design department.
The smartphone clicks fantastic photos in almost all lighting conditions and also offers buttery smooth performance and handles multitasking very well.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: Prodigious
The 2023 edition of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features second generation of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 processor, and an S-Pen. The bottom houses the S-Pen, speaker grille, Type-C port, and the SIM tray. Samsung continues the centrally-placed punch hole display in the Galaxy S23 Ultra and didn’t try to visit any ‘island’. The in-display fingerprint scanner is quick but takes time to read if there’s moisture on the tips.
(For top technology news of the day, subscribe to our tech newsletter Today’s Cache) The tallest form factor serves many purposes with the S-Pen and helps people like us prepare notes more easily. The display provides ample space to jostle down the important points in a press brief, and yes of course, the S-Pen is more refined, fast and accurate than the last generations. Galaxy S23 Ultra’s display hits 1,750 nits of peak brightness which is amazing even under the direct gaze of the sun.
The larger screen size with brilliance and colour accuracy makes the Galaxy S23 Ultra a long-term companion if you’re hooked to OTT content, gaming or even video browsing. It’s sufficient to store games, apps locally on the phone and for photos we have cloud options as well.
Samsung has tried balancing the phone by upgrading the main sensor to 200MP and simultaneously downgrading the selfie lens from 40MP to a standard 12MP across the new series. The Galaxy S23 Ultra produces realistic, life-like images that hold colour, details and sharpness.
Nothing seems too far with its optical zoom, even the moon, and I believe Samsung must target Mars with Galaxy S24 Ultra next year with its periscope lens. The phone does click some really good selfies in daylight observing facial features and maintaining the right skin tone.
During nights, the S23 Ultra enhanced images and made them soft in texture, especially in Portrait mode. For an average user, Galaxy S23 Ultra’s battery can last up to 40+ hours considering internet surfing, music and voice calls. It gets the top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 process to match gaming, computing and the S-Pen functions.
I ditched my iPhone 12 Pro Max for Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra: Here’s my experience
As tech journalists, the expectation is that we must be comfortable switching between the iOS and Android universes. I’m very comfortable with my iPhone, and typically don’t switch my primary device when I’m reviewing a new phone. But with the Samsung Galaxy S23, I decided to ditch my old iPhone 12 Pro Max and went all in on Android.
It runs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 custom chipset with 12GB RAM and up to 1TB storage. Samsung also warns that this water and dust resistance is not permanent and may diminish over time. The base variant Galaxy S23 Ultra with 12GB RAM+ 256 GB storage costs Rs 1,24,999.
I was impressed that Samsung exported some of the apps in exact folders, similar to how I had arranged these on my iPhone. I relied on connecting the phones via a cable to do this transfer, though you have an option of getting all the data from iCloud as well.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra managed to copy all my folders and apps from the iPhone and placed them exactly as on the older device. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/ The Galaxy S23 Ultra managed to copy all my folders and apps from the iPhone and placed them exactly as on the older device. Transferring WhatsApp chats requires some luck and skills that I don’t possess. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s rear camera setup.
Samsung is promising drastic improvements to Portraits, low-light selfies and photos taken at night. Of course, regular photos on the S23 Ultra are sharp and crisp with some of the most vibrant colours you will see on a phone.
It can handle tricky lighting conditions very well, as you see in the first photo I’ve shared below. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) This shot taken with the Galaxy S23 Ultra shows how capable the camera is.
Yes, the Galaxy S23 Ultra makes the sky look quite blue, but the overall image quality remains excellent. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) The phone’s camera handles reds quite well as seen in this photo.
(Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) A camera sample that was taken using the Galaxy S23 Ultra. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) A camera sample that was taken using the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The zoom remains excellent on the S23 Ultra and even at 3X and 10X, the photo quality had minimal noise with details largely intact.
So yes, if you are clubbing, and plan to take a selfie with the S23 Ultra, this phone will deliver. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) A low-light shot of a candle taken using the Galaxy S23 Ultra. A low-light shot taken using the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which managed to ensure details despite the poor lighting.
(Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) A low-light shot taken using the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which managed to ensure details despite the poor lighting. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) Another low-light sample I took using the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Frankly, this selfie camera will be perfect for those who like to party late at night. Frankly, this selfie camera will be perfect for those who like to party late at night.
I took some portraits of my husband out at night using just harsh street lights and the results are impressive. I’ve had a chance to use this device mostly for daily work-related tasks such as multi-tasking on WhatsApp, editing some Google docs on the phone, and taking quick notes, and I found it a breeze to use this.
I’ve been watching some movies on this on Disney+Hotstar and this delivers excellent audio and visual qualities that you expect on a premium phone. For instance, I’ve had trouble finding some apps and had to fight some muscle memory as well.
You never feel quite secure because you are worried the device will fall and that will be the end of things.
Sure, if you are exchanging an old flagship you will get a good discount, but still, prepare to pay a high price for this.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: King of slab phones
Its latest, Galaxy S23 Ultra, is jam-packed with great hardware (and an equally slick software experience), and yet, there’s the off chance it might slip under your radar, if you’re not paying attention. If you’re ready to splurge that much amount on a phone, let me tell you that the S23 Ultra’s design alone makes up for a good chunk of your money’s worth. These phones have always been big by default but this new gargantuan piece of sturdy cold glass, is much easier to tame than the last ultra, that too, with just one simple tweak. As is usually the case with every new flagship Galaxy phone, the core materials, too, have received a refresh, giving you Corning’s most recent Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back. The panel on the S22 Ultra can –still— give a lot of competing phones a run for their money which is probably why Samsung chose not to mess with a good, nay great thing. The 6.8-inch 1440p LTPO AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1,750nits is plain gorgeous to look at, from every perceivable angle.
Samsung complements it with a pair of exquisitely tuned speakers that are easily the loudest and clearest I’ve heard on any mobile phone to date. Samsung says it has worked closely with Qualcomm to get first dibs on what it’s calling a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 optimised exclusively for Galaxy, committing to a “faster and smoother gaming performance” over the S22 Ultra. Forgive me for my language, but Samsung seems to have optimised the hell out of this chip to an extent you’d expect from high-end gaming phones. The S23 Ultra runs One UI 5.1 based on Android 13 right out of the gate with a bunch of new features, some borrowed and directly squarely at Apple including object recognition and separation capabilities inside the Gallery app and Multi control that lets you seamlessly connect the S23 Ultra with a Galaxy Book, use the laptop’s keyboard and mouse to control the phone and drag and drop files between the two.
Samsung also lets you shoot at 50MP which is a nice middle ground for when you need higher resolution (for close crop) without compromising on fine(er) detail and stretching your phone’s storage due to bigger file size. Likewise, you can also record 8K@30fps videos using the main sensor, a niche use case but –still—something to brag about (the S22 Ultra topped out at 8K@24fps).
Each of the core areas— design, performance, and cameras — has received subtle yet meaningful upgrades, those that matter and enhance the experience of using this super-premium smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G Review – Pros and cons, Verdict
It’s a large slab fashioned out of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and armour aluminium frame that offers reassuringly solid build quality. The 6.8-inch display up top features a punch hole in the middle and slim bezels, while the right spine holds the volume rocker and power button. The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes equipped with Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED display that boasts adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz, 1,440 x 3,088 pixels resolution, support for HDR10+ and peak brightness levels of up to 1,750 nits.
In fact, the Galaxy S22 Ultra was crowned the Best Camera Phone of 2022 in the premium segment at the recently-concluded Indian Gadget Awards.
However, the selfie shooter on the S23 Ultra more than makes up for that by adding new features and capabilities like dual pixel autofocus and Super HDR. The high-res sensor manages to bring a lot of detail, keeps noise levels low, and in general, shoots vivid photos that look pleasing to the eyes.
While the difference isn’t night and day, photos shot using the Galaxy S23 Ultra look better than those captured by its predecessor, especially in terms of crispness, colour, and detail. Speaking of videography, the Galaxy S23 Ultra can shoot 8K at 30 fps, and in terms of real-world results, manages to close the gap with the iPhone 14 Pro Max by churning out excellent video.
Samsung seems a bit quiet this time on the S Pen front, maybe because the signature stylus hasn’t received significant upgrades in terms of features. Pop it out and you can start jotting down notes straight away, or wake up the phone and use the Air Command menu to access features like Screen Write, Smart Select, AR Doodle, Translate, etc.
I won’t get into the details of each of these, but let’s just say that the S Pen is a key differentiator for the Ultra model in the S Series lineup, and acts as a handy tool for anyone looking to amp up their productivity. In case you didn’t know, DeX lets you hook up your smartphone to a large-screen display and gives you a desktop-like environment wherein you can open apps in resizable windows — just like a laptop.
Moving on to performance, Qualcomm’s latest and greatest, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC powers the proceedings in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It’d be tough to quantify that in real-world terms but the handset certainly delivers top-notch performance across various use cases — basic apps, productivity, social, multimedia and even intensive gaming. Possibly due to the new chipset’s better power efficiency and optimisations added by Samsung, the Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers a day’s worth easily, even with heavy usage.
That said, the Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers on all aspects of smartphone usage, and comes across as a solid all-rounder for anyone looking for a premium flagship, provided you can stomach the price.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: the best Android phone yet
Don’t get caught up in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s admittedly high price tag; instead, think about the value it represents. I (Andy Boxall) revisited the Galaxy S23 Ultra at the end of November 2023 and updated our review accordingly, plus added a new section right below covering how it operates today. The prompt update to Android 14 and One UI 6 definitely helps, as does the fact the S Pen and the brilliant, fun 10x optical zoom continue to be unique in the market.
Over the past months, we’ve shown how the camera can take incredible photos in the right hands and how much difference there is between it and a $450 phone like the Samsung Galaxy A54.
Returning to it only emphasized that it has lost none of its camera magic, not even when compared to the latest Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. The camera isn’t perfect, but it’s so versatile and capable in most environments you’ll quickly forgive it should it get something wrong. If you’re coming from a phone that isn’t nearly 9mm thick, 78mm wide, and 233 grams in weight, you’re really going to notice how much of a handful the S23 Ultra is. You will get used to the S23 Ultra’s size and weight, but if you’ve got small hands, the width and thickness make singlehanded use very difficult, which is far harder to overcome.
It’s still that familiar all-business look, with curved sides to the chassis and the screen, tiny bezels, and five circular camera modules on the back. The S23 Ultra has an IP68 water-resistance rating, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and Samsung’s latest Armor Aluminum chassis material.
The weight means putting it in a case will protect it in the event of a fall onto something hard, but there’s a degree of reassurance that comes from Samsung’s commitment to durability that’s missing from many of its competitors. This also applies to Samsung’s use of recycled materials, and its lengthy software update commitment, which, when combined with the durability and performance of the phone, adds up to it being a device you’ll be happy to keep for years.
The standard Phantom Black, Lavender, Cream, and Green models are widely available, but if you order directly from Samsung you can choose one of four exclusive colors. Green is an on-trend color for smartphones, with everything from the iPhone 13 Pro to the OnePlus 11 tackling the tricky shade. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s telephoto cameras take photos that are impossible to replicate on any other smartphone, at least with the same quality.
Most of the time, the colors are amped up by just the right amount, but it can slip into oversaturation when faced with reds and blues in some situations. It takes considerably brighter photos than the iPhone 14 Pro and exposes more detail in the shadows too, but this comes at the expense of a natural color palette. It also tied with the much newer Apple iPhone 15 Pro’s camera in this test, showing it hasn’t lost any of its ability since launch.
Pay through the app, and Lightroom Premium costs $5 per month, and it comes with an extended two-month free trial. The Lightroom for Samsung app adds a great deal to the overall camera experience, and retains that all-important hands-on approach to editing images that’s disappearing due to the use of AI.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s versatility makes it really desirable, and I feel confident I will be able to take any photo I want with it — and that’s something other phones can’t quite provide. I continue to adore the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera for stills; it’s so incredibly versatile that I rarely feel it can’t capture the shot I want. To find out, I took the phone with me on a short trip away and made a point to shoot as much video as possible, instead of mostly taking still photos as usual. I play games, use apps, make calls, use Bluetooth and Samsung DeX, take 200-megapixel photos, and shoot some 8K video.
Playing Asphalt 9: Legends for 30 minutes doesn’t cause any noticeable temperature increase apart from a tiny bit around the top edge, but nothing that you’d call hot, or even that warm. Recording a 15-minute Hyperlapse video caused the phone to heat up more around the camera module –not so it was burning, but definitely hot to the touch. Apps start and refresh in seconds, and even Google Maps grabs a signal and loads the local area faster than other phones I’ve used. This time, Samsung hasn’t made an Exynos version of the Galaxy S23 Ultra for global markets.
Buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and be safe in the knowledge you’ll have to work pretty hard to reach its limits. Peak brightness is 1,750 nits, and even walking around Manhattan on a (surprisingly) sunny February morning, Section Editor Joe Maring could still see the screen perfectly.
I love the wide viewing angle too, so even when the phone is flat on a desk, video still looks excellent and just like you’re watching it straight-on. When playing games, though, your palm does tend to cover the lower speaker unless you hold the phone “upside down” when the buttons get in the way and are less natural to press. For example, did you know you can change the lock screen clock, notification layout, and add filters to the wallpaper?
Samsung’s DeX system is a good example, as the phone can be connected to a monitor or PC to provide a big-screen PC-like experience. It’s another crucial aspect of the device’s longevity, and a reason to buy and keep using your phone for years to come. I’d put it up against Android on the Pixel 7 in terms of speed, and although it’s not quite as simple to use as Google’s version, it’s more intuitive and fun than OxygenOS 13 on the OnePlus 11.
It’s securely held in place, and the tiny internal battery powering the Bluetooth is charged while it’s docked, ensuring it’s always ready to go. There’s no question it’s well-engineered and is more versatile than a passive stylus, but whether you use it regularly or not depends on your eagerness to take handwritten notes or sketch on your phone. Once it is fully charged, it’s capable of lasting for more than two days with moderate use, and a lot of its ability comes from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s increased efficiency. On a day with over an hour of playing Marvel Snap and browsing Twitter, then watching YouTube videos for 45 minutes, plus regular use of Google Chrome, Reddit, Duolingo, and more, the S23 Ultra ended a nearly 16-hour day with 5 hours and 20 minutes of screen-on time and 24% battery still remaining.
The price puts it in competition with the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung’s own Galaxy Z Fold 5. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is so powerful and has such a versatile camera, mega battery life, impressive durability, and long-term software support that it will likely outlast many other devices, purely because of its outright ability.
There’s a real pleasure in using a phone that puts ability ahead of gimmicks and keeps a sensible, yet stylish and recognizable design over needlessly changing it up to try and attract buyers. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is Samsung at its most confident, and it’s the sensible, mature buying decision for anyone wanting the pinnacle of Android performance and ability.
It’s the current big thing, and because it’s not advancing the fundamentals over what we’re used to seeing already, it’ll stay relevant and usable for more people over many years.
You’re going to pay a lot of money for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but it’s worth every penny, and in three or even four years’ time, when it’s still a great phone, you’ll look back and see what good value it actually was.
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