A tougher build, faster memory and storage, a more efficient battery, a custom-tuned chipset and a new 200MP main camera hidden behind a familiar design; the S23 Ultra is a more substantial upgrade than you might first realize. A familiar squared design plays host to a tweaked display that offers a greater flat surface area, giving the S Pen stylus more room to work with. The front and back now sport the latest and most resilient Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and all the mod-cons from its predecessor – including IP68 dust and water resistance, and 45W wired charging – remain. Some elements – like the 6.8-inch 1Hz to 120Hz adaptive Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and the 5,000mAh battery – have received seemingly minor tweaks (greater color accuracy and 20% improved efficiency, in the case of the above examples, respectively).
A familiar-looking rear four-camera rear array hides a new 200MP lead sensor that offers 16-to-1 pixel-binning, with the aim of advancing the S23 Ultra’s ‘Nightography’ abilities for everything from general snaps, to portrait photography, to videos of the night sky using the new Astro Hyperlapse mode and in practice, although imperfect, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an alternative phone with the same level of consistency, quality and confidence across its various sensors. All three arrive with One UI 5.1 atop Android 13, which folds in better collaborative working in Samsung Notes and an enhanced Privacy Dashboard, among other things. For a deeper dive, head on to the full in-depth review below, but know that, provided you’re comfortable with the Ultra’s high asking price, there’s little to be disappointed by here. Whichever storage configuration you pick, being asked to pay a premium for Samsung’s best shouldn’t come as too much of a shock in a market that also plays host to the similarly-priced iPhone 14 Pro Max and a growing contingent of foldable phones that almost all comfortably push past the $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$1,600 mark.
Swipe to scroll horizontally Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specs Header Cell – Column 1 Dimensions: 78.1 x 163.4 x 8.9mm Weight: 234g Screen: 6.8 inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X Resolution: 3088 x 1440 pixels CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy RAM: 8GB / 12GB Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB OS: Android 13 w/ One UI 5.1 Rear Cameras: 200MP Wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (3x), 10MP telephoto (10x) Front Camera: 12MP Battery: 5,000mAh Charging: 45W (wired) + wireless & reverse wireless Colors: Phantom Black, cream, green, lavender Samsung.com exclusive colors: Sky Blue, graphite, lime, red Instead, it favored a cleaner and more squared form; partly as a means of further differentiating itself from the standard S22 and S22 Plus, but also in order to physically accommodate an integrated S Pen stylus. There’s a similar pill-shaped top-down profile, with curved front and back glass feeding into a metal frame, although one change S22 Ultra users might notice when they pick up the S23 Ultra, is the reduced the radius of the curved edges of the display, giving you a greater flat surface area on which to use the integrated S Pen; a subtle but welcome tweak, functionally speaking. With launch S23 colors consistent across the whole range this year, you can pick the Ultra up in one of four finishes – Phantom Black, cream, green and lavender – in most places.
As in previous years though, there are also a handful of colors exclusive to Samsung.com, including Sky Blue, Graphite, Lime and red (my personal favorite, offset against a black frame). To some, this will come across as subtle and tasteful, to others it’ll just look bland; so if you get the chance, try and get hands-on with your chosen finish before laying down any cash (assuming you don’t plan on sticking it in one of the best Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra cases from the get-go). The company’s excellent efforts in durability persist too, with IP68-certified dust and water ingress protection, a resilient Armor Aluminum alloy frame and – for the first time on any phone, the latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2 – from Corning. For all the advanced technology that Samsung has managed to pack into the S23 series, it’s also tried to up the ante in terms of environmentally-friendly materials, with the Ultra being the real champion of this initiative. 80% of the deco film used in the construction of the phone’s back is recycled, as is 22% of the glass used across its body, along with 20% of the S Pen’s inner cover – reportedly hewn, in part, from ocean-bound polyamide. Samsung claims that other recycled materials that have been hammered into the shape of the S23 Ultra include discarded fishing nets, water barrels, PET bottles and pre-consumer recycled aluminum, which have contributed to the construction of components (12 in all – double that of the S22 Ultra) like the volume keys and SIM tray, speaker arrangement, 5G antenna arrangement and more. Aside from that reduced curvature along its edges and greater protection thanks to that new Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the S23 Ultra’s display offers a familiar viewing experience to its predecessor. While the 12MP ultrawide and dual 3x and 10x 10MP telephoto sensors on the back of the S23 Ultra feel decidedly familiar, the phone shrugs off the primary 108MP resolution sensor seen on previous entries in the series and replaces it – for the first time on a Samsung phone – with a whopping 200MP primary camera; thought to be the ISOCELL HP2 that TechRadar’s cameras editor, Tim Coleman, dived into a few days prior to the S23 series’ launch.
Such a change in hardware can sometimes result in a drop in quality for some manufacturers; with their camera teams needing time to retune their algorithms and color science to get the best from the new components (something that’s happened with the likes of OnePlus in the past). (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) The versatility of the S23 Ultra’s camera is bolstered by its outstanding stabilization and impressive post-processing, retaining exceptional detail and color consistency across its entire zoom range in well-lit scenarios.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) The S23 Ultra seems to default to matrix metering when using the standard photo mode, which usually yields great results but in higher contrast scenarios can lead to under or over-exposure of your subject (as seen in the 10x and 100x samples above). In very dark environments, the S23 Ultra handles night mode shooting very differently to its lead rivals, bring exposure up, revealing more in the darker areas of a scene, but sometimes at the expense of color accuracy and fine detail.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) Samsung’s efforts in ‘nightography’ aren’t just hyperbole, it’s a phenomenal phone for low-light shooting, even if results are a little stylized. (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) The (presumed) matrix metering mentioned earlier not only affects exposure, but color reproduction across the phone’s various rear sensors. Both the Ultra and the Pixel serve up a pleasing portrait photography at multiple focal lengths, with a nice level of bokeh and robust edge detection around the subject in both instances. Speaking of which, low light photography is a big area of focus for the camera experience on this Ultra; with the promise of enhanced night shots across the board – including portraits – as well as a new astrophotography hyperlapse video mode.
For users who want to get more granular with the Ultra’s photography experience, the Expert RAW mode – integrated into the camera UI – now supports an output of up to 50MP, rather than 12MP previously. Anecdotally, the 12MP front-facer feels like a faster sensor than the one found on its predecessor, offering up a nice overall image with impressive dynamic range, as selfie snappers go. In side-by side selfie tests with the Google Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the S23 Ultra most closely matches Apple’s flagship and offers a surprisingly (for Samsung) natural-looking final image, with impressive detail and what often came across as pleasing, more natural skin tones than the Pixel, which was uncharacteristically out of step against both Samsung’s and Apple’s phones in testing. Samsung also continues to work closely with big social brands like Snap, TikTok and Instagram to ensure phones like the S23 Ultra benefit from higher fidelity image and video quality, as well as tighter integration with creative features within each social app, something rival Android phone makers miss out on.
It’s not really a secret that Samsung has connections in high places, building Wear OS 3 with Google and having co-developed the last few generations of its own flagship chips in conjunction with Qualcomm, but that partnership has matured into something exceptional for 2023. This eliminates performance discrepancies that previously left users of Exynos-powered Galaxy S phones feeling behind the curve and also helps with aspects like camera processing (thanks to the use of the same ISP across regions) and battery life consistency.
In real-world use, the pairing of the new chipset, RAM and storage collectively deliver performance that – as you’d hope for a device with the S23 Ultra’s standing and price tag – feels rock-solid. Everything ran smoothly for the 20 minutes of play time, but the phone did get noticeably hot, to the point where I’d suggest sticking with the title’s default settings (at which it still looks and runs fantastically).
The battery specs read the same as the S22 Ultra, with a 5,000mAh cell inside the S23 Ultra supporting 45W wired charging (along with wireless and reverse wireless charging), however, Samsung claims that the collective effect of the new hardware efficiencies and tighter integration between hardware and software result in a 20% improvement that Porter claims delivers “the longest ever battery life on a Galaxy S smartphone;” and I’d be inclined to agree. It should feel like a familiar experience for existing Samsung Galaxy owners, with squircle icons and a generally flat graphical style as standard, dressed with a few new additions that appear to focus on collaboration, convenience and security.
While One UI won’t be to everyone’s tastes, it’s unique, fairly customizable and displays a level of polish that’s evident from initial setup to everyday use, and which you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Swipe to scroll horizontally Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra score card Attributes Notes Rating Value Despite double the base storage, it’s more expensive that its predecessor in most markets and the S22 Ultra was already a pricey phone 3.5 / 5 Design Almost identical to the S22 Ultra’s square form, with ergonomic changes that, while appreciated, don’t make it any more pocketable 4 / 5 Display A stunning display with even greater color accuracy than previously 4.5 / 5 Camera Iconic Ultra versatility with a new sensor that improves low light shooting 4.5 / 5 Performance The best-performing Android phone on the market, if not the best-performing phone outright 4.5 / 5 Battery Efficiency improvements deliver far greater battery life and the same charging experience as before 4.5 / 5 Software Customisable, polished and plenty of updates in the long-term 4.5 / 5
While there’s a degree of customization on offer and you can use third-party launchers to mask parts of the user experience, you won’t be able to hide the Samsung-specific touches outright. Google Pixel 7 Pro If Samsung’s take on Android simply isn’t for you, or you want a similar experience in a different design, Google’s Pixel 7 Pro offers an equally stunning screen, a compelling camera with a 5x optical zoom and a custom-built flagship chipset, tailor-made for sorts of AI-based workloads that we’re seeing more and more of.
I lived with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as my primary device for over a week and a half, using it for everything from making and taking calls, to photo and video capture, scrolling through social media, playing music, gaming and even to jot down the occasional note. Battery life was assessed based on real-world usage, with Android natively including screen-on time as one additional useful metrics.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: is it worth an upgrade?
It’s big, powerful and beautifully designed, and after going hands-on with the handset for a few weeks we’re flitting between delight and déjà vu. We continue to love the crisp display, built-in stylus, versatile camera system, smooth software and polished glass frame, but we’re not convinced that this iteration warrants an upgrade — at least until runs dry. The glass back feels premium, although you’ll want to invest in a to protect it from marks or scratches and to add extra grippiness.
That’s right: This effectively turns the smartphone into a mini tablet — letting you scribble notes, sketches, drawings and annotations.
You’re getting an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling on apps, loads of brightness and great haptic feedback when you press down with your fingertips. Unsurprisingly, given the OLED tech, colours and detail were stunning, with deep blacks of space contrasting against the bright green clashes of the lightsaber. The S23 Ultra takes the same approach as the Pixel 7 Pro by placing a pinhole gap for the front-facing camera in the middle of the screen. It looks neat and was never a distraction on test, although it’s a bit of a shame that there’s no Android alternative to Apple’s innovative “Dynamic Island” to be found on this new flagship.
And unlike Apple, Samsung phones continue to lack full-blown 3D face recognition from the front camera. The rest of the system on the new flagship remains the same as last year, however, with a 12MP ultra-wide, two 10MP telephoto lenses and a 12MP selfie camera up front.
We found the S23 Ultra’s images retain lots of small details in bright and low light. Our outdoor shots show accurate colours in buildings and the sky in both sunny and overcast weather, and close-ups have loads of detail.
Testing the Samsung S23 Ultra’s zoom on this Citi Bank logo at Canary Wharf, London. There aren’t many surprises for anyone who has used Android before, but the settings do contain some nice advanced features — including a one-handed mode that creates a small mirror of the display so you can flick around without stretching your fingers. There’s a capable 5,000mAh battery in the S23 Ultra, and while that’s the same size as last year’s model, it’s now more efficient due to the new processor that’s powering the phone. Aside from the camera upgrade, Samsung has thrown into the S23 Ultra a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor instead of the Exynos chip from the previous model.
That probably won’t mean anything to most users, but what it translates to is more speed when loading apps, smoother performance when scrolling through menus and better efficiency in how power is distributed. On test, the earbuds appeared and connected in seconds, and we added a widget to the home screen that shows the battery of the buds and the case in real-time. There’s no way around it: The S23 Ultra is a big, heavy phone, so it may not be suitable if you prefer more lightweight and portable handsets like the iPhone 13 mini or the Pixel 6a, or if you have smaller hands. And while we appreciate that Samsung makes some smaller improvements under the hood, we aren’t convinced it justifies all the renewed fuss and marketing.
The upgraded cameras and the highly efficient processor are welcome updates to this hulking handset, making it the most powerful that it’s ever been. But we can’t shake the fact that, as with 2022’s minor iPhone 14 ‘upgrades’, there have been so few changes from last year’s model offering despite the asking price going up.
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.
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.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs S23 Ultra: Is it time to upgrade?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is finally here, bringing several improvements under the hood. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the first phone to use the new Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which provides better drop protection. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 6.8-inch Edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Armor Aluminum, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Armor Aluminum, Gorilla Glass Victus Plus The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was and still is a beast, running a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or an Exynos 2200, depending on the region.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has similar core specs, but there are a few notable changes. We’ve seen Exynos chips in select regions in the past, but that’s no longer the case.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra runs globally on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. As part of this new exclusive agreement, Samsung and Qualcomm are giving us a slightly overclocked version of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor exclusive to Samsung phones (for now, at least). This is enough to give Samsung a marketing point, but does it make a difference in real-world use? We tested the chipset during the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review, and found that the Galaxy S23 Ultra beats the competition (OnePlus 11 and REDMAGIC 8 Pro) in peak speeds.
Regardless, the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 version offers a more stable experience than the one in the OnePlus 11, which spikes and drops constantly. Of course, neither beat the REDMAGIC 8 Pro, which has an integrated active cooling system. The good news is that the Galaxy S23 Ultra might be at least a bit more durable, thanks to the addition of the new Gorilla Glass Victus 2. But the real magic is its ability to survive drops of up to a meter on solid concrete. Corning claims rival solutions failed after drops of a half meter or less. Samsung is one of the best Android device manufacturers regarding software support, which remains for the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The big difference is the Galaxy S22 Ultra is already a year into this cycle. Everything else remains uniform between the two phones, save for the camera and a few other bits, which we’ll discuss more in the sections below.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra takes everything we love about its predecessor but refines it with subtle changes like smaller curves on the side that make for a slightly flatter display.
The good news is that if you liked the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s design, you won’t have anything to complain about here. The bad news is that this design is starting to become too familiar, as Samsung has used the same general shape since the Galaxy Note 20. The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t dramatically switch things up but makes a few notable adjustments.
Instead, letting the phone use pixel-binning technology to produce higher-quality 12.5MP images is better. All that said, the rear camera system on both devices is excellent, but there are some things in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra that give it an edge. The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor helps with the new AI-powered Cognitive ISP, which provides real-time semantic segmentation. It essentially recognizes elements in the photo in real-time, then fine-tunes details before pressing the shutter button.
Remember, there’s more to a good camera than just megapixels, so we wouldn’t necessarily say this is a step downward. Our S23 Ultra review mentions that the “40MP selfie shooter won’t be missed too much.” We also noted that the new 12MP alternative is “just as good, if not better.” This is because the 12MP camera has larger pixels that don’t have to be binned down. Our Galaxy S22 Ultra review found we could easily make it through a full day with as much as 25% left to spare. While we weren’t expecting much of an upgrade in battery life with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the newer device impressed us.
This is primarily due to efficiency enhancements from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the variable refresh rate, and screen improvements. If it makes any difference, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra also charges a bit faster. Yeah, the difference is a few minutes in charging time, so there is nothing to write home about. You can find it even cheaper second-hand or refurbished from places like Swappa or eBay.
Remember that the Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at the same price while giving you double the storage space. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra might not be a massive leap on paper, but it’s still a jump forward. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a more powerful camera and processor, removes Exynos from the equation, and gives you double the storage for the same starting retail price.
Similarly, if you own a Galaxy S22 Ultra, we’d stay put unless you can get one heck of a trade-in deal.
The upgrades here just aren’t massive enough to trade in a phone with years of life ahead of it. Samsung continues to offer some of the most impressive flagships in the Android world, and you can’t go wrong with either device.
These offer great performance and similar camera improvements, and the Galaxy S23 Plus offers similar battery life and charging times compared to the Ultra. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (256GB) Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (256GB) Ultra-premium build quality • Gorgeous screen • Solid performance MSRP: $1,199.99 The Note and S series merged in one device The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra pushes productivity, power, and photography to the utmost to satisfy the most demanding users out there.
The phone combines outstanding performance, a stunning design, and the S Pen previously found on Galaxy Note handsets.
It has a newer, more powerful processor, improved battery life, and a higher-megapixel main camera.
The only benefit to getting the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is probably to save some money, as it is an older device and can be easily found at a discount. The only real difference is that the newer device has smaller curves along the edges.
Samsung Galaxy S23 review – A palm-friendly winner
Samsung has done enough to update the looks and components to produce a palm-friendly Android winner but the standard S23 isn’t a must-have upgrade device. Seen in a vacuum, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is an excellent, near-perfectly proportioned Android handset that meets or exceeds expectation. In that light, Samsung’s latest flagship acquits itself nicely, with an excellent camera array, the most powerful Qualcomm SoC yet, a gorgeous screen and a multitude of other capabilities. That said, newcomers to Samsung or the Android space (as well as users of much older Galaxy S models) will be hard-pressed to find a better mix of design, size, power, utility, communication, battery life and photographic performance. 6.1 inches turns out to be a lovely mid-spot for most hands and makes you wonder why the 6.7-inch S23 Plus – which offers only a bigger battery and larger heat-damping vapor chamber – exists. Whichever S23 handset you choose, you’ll get the same performance, powered by the new Qualcomm ‘Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy’.
GeekBench 5 tests put the mobile SoC within shooting distance of Apple’s industry-leading A16 Bionic but the reality is that numbers do not tell the full story. It’s an able gaming system, content consumption, and productivity handset, with solid 5G support thanks to – in my case – the T-Mobile network.
It’s just as good as the former, but with the added benefit of better image processing and new Camera app tricks for night and astrophotography. At least the front-facing camera got a nice 2MP bump to 12MP and takes some impressive standard and portrait selfie photos.
The flat 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O FHD+ display (which has a perfectly round hole-punch at the top, center for the selfie camera) is, mostly, a replica of the S22’s but with improved variable refresh rates of between 48Hz and 120Hz, and a new Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covering on the front (the brushed glass on the back is made of the same material). Aside from the redesigned back that loses the awkward, raised contour around the cameras, the dimensions are virtually unchanged from the Galaxy S22.
On the one hand, I give Samsung credit for super-charging the CPU, refining the design, enlarging the battery, and updating that selfie camera without a big price hike. The one reason you might choose to spend more is if you want the bigger screen and heftier base storage (256GB as opposed to 128GB) of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, which starts at $999 / £1,049. The ultimate upgrade in this line, though, is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ($1,199 / £1,249); with a 200MP camera, 100x Space Zoom, a huge battery, and the included S Pen stylus. Swipe to scroll horizontally The specs of the Samsung Galaxy S23 128 GB model 256 GB model Price: $799.99 / £849 / AU$1,349 $859.99 / £899 / AU$1,449 Dimensions: 70.86 x 146.3 x 7.62 mm 70.86 x 146.3 x 7.62 mm Weight: 168g 168g OS: Android 13 Android 13 Screen Size: 6.1 inch 6.1 inch Resolution: 2340 x 1080 pixels 2340 x 1080 pixels CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy RAM: 8GB 8GB Storage: 128GB 256GB Battery: 3,900 mAh 3,900 mAh Rear Cameras: 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultrawide, 10MP telephoto 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultrawide, 10MP telephoto Front Camera: 12MP 12MP It’s a cleaner and more appealing look, though it almost makes the Galaxy S23 look a little bit more like a legion of other Android smartphones and, yes, the iPhone 14 line. Meanwhile, the slightly curved stainless-steel-looking aluminum band gives the phone a hint of retro aesthetic that harkens back to the Galaxy series’ humble beginnings. The Samsung Galaxy S23 line offers eSIM support but they all still feature a physical SIM slot, as well. During my tests, I paired the phone with a nice set of Bluetooth Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. It basically matches my Apple iPhone 14 Pro and, like that handset, is a perfect fit for my average-sized hands. My test unit is in Cream (probably not my first choice) but you can choose from Green, Phantom Black, or Lavender finishes.
For the first time, some external portions of the device are made, in part, from recycled materials, including the volume and power buttons and the aforementioned speaker grill at the very top of the display. In most instances, though, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is a step behind Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro, which offers a higher screen resolution (2556×1179), better pixel density (460ppi), and a wider adaptive refresh rate range (1Hz to 120Hz).
I turned off the automatic adaptive refresh, which, at a fixed 60Hz, the phone says can save on battery life (which our tests bear out), and noticed the difference. Scrolling text on a long web page might look like it’s skipping frames as you swipe up to down and games look just a little less fluid at 60Hz.
Again, not a major difference but if you end up wanting a little more play, viewing, and usage time, stopping down the refresh rate is a clear and not-at-all painful path. A new Advanced Vision Booster automatically adjusts the screen for optimal color accuracy and contrast against certain ambient lighting conditions (three, to be exact).
Samsung Galaxy S23 camera array (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) Virtually all photography improvements can be credited to the image processing on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy and most of them revolve around low-light performance. These are three excellent sensors that take photos that stand toe-to-toe with the best Apple can offer from its iPhone 14 line. From one point of view, this makes for some truly excellent images straight out the camera, but they can’t escape the fact that they are not a perfect representation of the real world.
In fact, the S23’s image might be more pleasing, but if you look at the leaves you’ll notice that some of the plant’s cellular detail is lost and the color is more uniformly green. The results are the same with the main 50MP lens, which defaults to a 4-in-1 pixel binning system, meaning each ‘pixel’ in the final image was actually rendered using the information of four. In these photos of my orchid, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 favors a vibrant purple over the exquisite detail captured in the iPhone 14 Pro shot. There’s a lot of image processing trickery that goes on here to bring you pretty darn good 30x moon shots and I often wonder how much of the final result is AI filling in the gaps, but there’s also nothing else quite like it in the smartphone photography space, currently.
Of course, the S23 Ultra’s 100x Space Zoom is where the real excitement is, if you’re willing to pay at least $1,199 / £1,249 / AU$1,949 and across the pond companies like Xiaomi have been bold enough to challenge Samsung’s Ultra, but generally the alternatives are sparse, when comparing the zoom abilities across the entire S23 range. Thanks to improved low-light performance, illumination-challenged portrait mode shots also look better, though you will notice the graininess if you zoom in on the photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 series all run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy; a custom and slightly faster (overclocked to 3.36GHz) version of the standard mobile CPU found in phones like the OnePlus 11.
The Galaxy S23 offers a decent stereo sound that’s sharp, clear, and, naturally, lacking in any real bass. Samsung oddly hides its Dolby Atmos capabilities under settings, but you’ll want to turn them on if you plan on using those speakers to watch a supporting film. I was able to download apps, stream HD-quality Netflix during my commute, and send media-filled texts to my friends.
The latter adds the ability to set your S23 in Maintenance Mode (added in One UI 5.0), so all your data is protected while someone works on your phone. In our lab-based rundown tests, the Galaxy S23 got 10:27 hrs of battery life in Adaptive refresh rate mode and 11:20 hours at 60Hz.
Like other cool S23 features, Wireless PowerShare is not on by default, but it’s easy enough to find with a Settings search.
I really like the Samsung Galaxy S23 and would happily recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new, perfectly sized, powerful, long-lasting, and attractive Android handset. It has a stellar screen, great cameras, and the cleanest design of any Galaxy phone in recent memory. I applaud the powerful new CPU, bigger battery and cleaner design, but I wanted Samsung to take the next step in flagship photography and find a way to squeeze 10x optical zoom and a 108MP sensor into what will probably be its second-most popular phone this year.
Resolution: 1080 x 2316 2556 x 1179 2278 x 1284 3216 x 1440 3120 x 1440 CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy A16 Bionic A16 Bionic Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Tensor G2 RAM: 8GB 6GB (est) 6GB (est) 8GB 12GB Storage: 128GB 128GB 128GB 128GB 128 GB Battery: 3,900mAh 3,200mAh 4323 mAh 5,000mAh 5,000mAh Rear Cameras: 50MP Wide, 12MP Ultrawide, 10MP telephoto 48MP wide (24mm f/2.8), 12MP ultra-wide (13mm f/2.2). If you like the idea of getting a flagship smartphone for even less money, the Google Pixel 7 is the only phone that has the OnePlus 11 beat.
The OnePlus 11 is an affordable pick for buyers who want something unique and offers a more artistic take on smartphone photography.
Testing included = Everyday usage, web browsing, social media, photography, streaming, tethering, gaming
I installed Apple Music and Google Podcasts and enjoyed audio both through the handset’s speakers and with connected Bluetooth earbuds. I enjoyed rewatching the Adam Project on Netflix while on the train and truly appreciate the rock-solid T-Mobile 5G connection that made tethering my computer and working during the commute possible.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: no one big new feature, but so many smaller improvements!
By doing this, Samsung freed up the autumn launch window for its foldables, which the company thinks are the future. Battery life is great, big improvement from predecessor New Snapdragon chip is the best one in years Design is improved, feels more ergonomic Screen is less curved and gets very dim (perfect for night time use)
Screen is less curved and gets very dim (perfect for night time use) Camera improvements are there, but not quite huge Camera system hasn’t improved as much as hoped for Expensive if you buy at full price For what it’s worth, it looks almost exactly like its predecessor with those signature sharp corners, and you still have the familiar S Pen and that impressive 10X optical zoom camera.
But while it is similar to the previous model, the new S23 Ultra brings improves a few of the fundamentals for a great flagship smartphone. The big upgrade this year has got to be the new 200-megapixel main camera which promises print-worthy detail in your photos and much better night shots.
As we’ve already mentioned, all Galaxy S23 Ultra models regardless of the market will have the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which is great news for consumers. The Exynos chip used before was not as power efficient and it even affected image quality, so that will no longer be a problem on the new model. The Galaxy S23 Ultra retains the sharp corners of its predecessor, but it now has flatter sides like an iPhone, so it kind of brings the best of both worlds. It still uses a slightly curved screen, and Samsung has made some other minor touch-ups: the power and volume buttons are now a bit larger and a bit lower for easier reach, and the cameras on the back are marginally bigger.
The essentials haven’t changed from last year: you still have 1,750 nits peak brightness, the same 1440p resolution and the same LTPO technology for variable refresh rate that goes from 1Hz to 120Hz. In terms of biometrics, the S23 Ultra again sticks with the familiar Qualcomm-made ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which has proven to be fast and quite reliable.
The phone automatically switches to very high brightness to recognize your face, which can be downright blinding at night, so we were forced to turn that feature off. But thanks to that pixel binning trick, Samsung is able to clear out noise and deliver outstanding night shots.
ExpertRAW on the S23 Ultra is more powerful than the regular “Pro” mode because it not only gives you manual camera controls, but also allows you to shoot RAW files with multi-frame exposures. ExpertRAW on the S23 Ultra is more powerful than the regular “Pro” mode because it not only gives you manual camera controls, but also allows you to shoot RAW files with multi-frame exposures.
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