Whichever phone in the Galaxy S23 line up you go for, you’ll be treated to the Android 13-based One UI 5.1 software. If you choose to hold on to your handset for that long or you decide to pick one up at a discount in the coming months and years, then you can be reassured that it will also be protected. Apple doesn’t tend to make firm statements on how many updates each iteration of iPhone will receive, but it has regularly led the way in this regard. Samsung’s commitment should reassure buyers who may be deciding whether to splash out on the Galaxy S23 now or wait for the iPhone 15 to arrive.
The software updates on the Samsung Galaxy S23 may be plentiful, but we now understand that they won’t be quite as convenient as we might have hoped. Samsung is already rolling out a camera-focused update as of June 2023, with multiple improvements and tweaks included.
Last February, Samsung announced that many Galaxy devices would be eligible for four years of Android updates, including some of the more budget phones.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Software Update Tracker
Within its five-year software update lifespan, the Galaxy S23 Ultra will receive several new security patches, and feature drops as well as a total of 4 Android upgrades by Samsung. Samsung will provide a total of four major OS upgrades and five years of security patches.
Android 14 for Galaxy S23 is now in Korea, widely available in US, Galaxy S22 is next
Samsung first launched Android 14 for the Galaxy S23 series in late October, but the update is finally expanding more widely as users in the US can easily get it, and it’s also now live in Korea. The Galaxy S22 series is now getting One UI 6 in portions of Europe, but so far only for those who were previously enrolled in the beta program.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Google Pixel 7: there’s a clear winner
The company has debuted an iterative update of one of the very best Android phones, refining what was already a winning formula with a streamlined design, a new processor, a larger battery, and a tougher body. Samsung Galaxy S23 Google Pixel 7 Size 146 by 70.9 by 7.6mm (5.76 by 2.79 by 0.30 inches) 155.6 by 73.2 by 8.7mm (6.13 by 2.88 by 0.34 inches) Weight 168 grams (5.93 ounces) 197 grams (6.9 ounces) Screen size 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.3-inch AMOLED Screen resolution 2340 x 1080 pixels (425 pixels per inch), 120Hz 2400 x 1080 pixels (416 pixels per inch), 90Hz Operating system Android 13 with One UI 5 Android 13 Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB MicroSD card slot No No Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Google Tensor Gen 2 RAM 8 GB 8GB Camera Triple lens 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto rear, 12MP front Dual lens 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide rear, 10.8MP front Video 8K at up to 24 fps, 4K at up to 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps 4K at up to 60 frames per second (fps), 1080p at 60 fps Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.2 Ports USB-C USB-C Fingerprint sensor Yes, in-display Yes, in-display Water resistance IP68 IP68 Battery 3,900mAh 25W wired charging (no charger included in the box) 15W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging 4,355mAh 30W wired charging (no charger included in the box) 21W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging App marketplace Google Play Store, Galaxy Store Google Play Store Network support All major carriers Most major carriers Colors Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender Obsidian, Snow, Lemongrass Price Starting at $799 Starting at $599 Buy from Samsung, Amazon, Best Buy Google Review Galaxy S23 review Google Pixel 7 review It’s got a 6.1-inch display, just like the iPhone, making it quite compact in the hand, and it’s made of premium materials like glass (more on that later) and aluminum.
It looks quite similar to the Pixel 6, keeping the distinctive camera bar at the rear and the same hole-punch design. That camera bar is rather striking, and Google’s choice of colors — especially the gorgeous Lemongrass — make all the Pixel 7 phones look simultaneously businesslike and playful.
It’s built primarily for AI tasks, and consequently, it falls behind competing Android phones in synthetic benchmarks. Google’s Tensor chips have shown a tendency toward overheating and battery drainage, and it’s a flaw that’s crossed generations. The Galaxy S23, by comparison, stays cool throughout use and easily lasts a day (or more), depending on how much you use the thing. The S23’s 50-megapixel main shooter will take images that are close enough to Google’s that you won’t mind.
The Pixel runs a Google version of it with very strong Material You influences present in every aspect of the software, giving it an overall polished look and feel. Samsung’s One UI 5.1 also has Material You themes mixed with more Samsung-centric styling, but it’s also very functional and robust.
Google says it’s working on a version for Pixels and Chromebooks with Android 13, but the company has yet to roll that out or announce a timeline. Despite using its own chips, Google will only distribute three Android updates while matching Samsung on security. It even supports lock screen customization in a manner similar to iPhones, and there’s a wider selection of third-party accessories to extend your phone’s functionality.
Google wins on software features for certain, but Samsung offers a more broadly complete package.
It offers a close-enough package to the S23 that the extra $200 in your pocket could buy you a tissue to wipe your tears away for that little bit where it falls short. A raft of cases and accessories means your phone can be further tailored to your tastes, while the thriving Samsung ecosystem ensures you don’t have to be jealous of your iPhone-toting friends.
Samsung Galaxy S23 battery life tested: Here’s how long all three models last
But if you want the best phone battery life, then you’ll need to go down the iOS route, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max lasting for an impressive 13 hours and 39 minutes with its adaptive 120Hz display. If you don’t fancy splashing the cash on a flagship phone but want impressive battery life, then the Moto G Power lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes in our testing, and it’s only $199.
And for people with money to spend the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max are among the best phones you can buy right now, and should last you close to all day on a charge.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Software Update
iPhone $829.99 purchase on device payment or at retail price required. New line on any 5G Unlimited plan req’d per phone. Less $829.99 promo credit applied to account over 36 mos; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR. Mobile Hotspot not included on Unlimited Welcome plan.
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 starts receiving Android 14 update
While the update appears to be limited to S23 users in European markets for now, Samsung’s approach in previous years suggests that a stable US release won’t be far behind.
Solved: S23 Ultra did not get the Android 14 Update yet
I found the updates sometimes a tad slower but I still received them. As updates are sent out in waves dependant on region and phone eligibility and serial number and build number you may find yours doesn’t come through the same as others.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Gets Stable Android 14
Running the November security patch, One UI 6 brings a long list of new features, all of which we’ve previously written up multiple times.
BREAKING: Stable Galaxy S23 Android 14 (One UI 6.0) update is here!
Samsung is rolling out the stable Android 14 and One UI 6.0 update for the Galaxy S23 lineup. It brings a lot of useful new features to the operating system and to various Samsung apps, along with a number of minor improvements and changes that all come together to make the user experience better.
Galaxy S23 gets stable Android 14 and One UI 6.0 update in the US
A few weeks ago, Samsung released the stable Android 14 update to the Galaxy S23 series in Europe and some Asian countries. Now, the company has finally released the stable Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update to the Galaxy S23 in the US. One UI 6.0 is based on Android 14, and it brings dozens of amazing new features and design changes.
Android 14 for Galaxy S23 is now in Korea, widely available in US, Galaxy S22 is next
Samsung first launched Android 14 for the Galaxy S23 series in late October, but the update is finally expanding more widely as users in the US can easily get it, and it’s also now live in Korea. The Galaxy S22 series is now getting One UI 6 in portions of Europe, but so far only for those who were previously enrolled in the beta program.
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