The Galaxy S series, famed for its excellent cameras, and the Galaxy Note, well known for its stylus and note-taking capabilities, were united into a single product line last year to create the Galaxy S22 Ultra. This was the pinnacle of flagship devices, packed with every conceivable function. With this move, Samsung was able to clear the fall release schedule for its foldables, which the firm sees as the future of mobile computing.
The new Galaxy S23 Ultra isn’t exactly innovative, but that’s to be expected. It retains the previous model’s crisp edges and the S Pen, as well as the same outstanding 10X optical zoom camera.
While the new S23 Ultra is quite identical to its predecessor, it does improve upon some of the most essential features of a great flagship phone. The primary camera has been upgraded to 200 megapixels, promising improved low-light performance and sharper images overall.
That’s a big change in Samsung’s strategy, too. Since the S23 Ultra, all international variants of this phone are equipped with the same powerful Snapdragon chip, despite the fact that the company previously equipped overseas variants with its in-house Exynos chip, a practice that many condemned as those chips were just not as good as the Snapdragon processors used in the U.S. models. So, do you think there’s enough of a motivation to upgrade because of these alterations? Well, then, let’s find out.
Design
The outer design of the Galaxy S23 series is mostly unchanged from previous versions. The front and rear of the Galaxy S23 and S23+ are perfectly flat, and the devices are encased in a beautiful metal frame that wraps around each side. The side buttons are raised a hair from the S22 series, but they’re still within easy reach. Nevertheless, the metal rings surrounding the lenses of the Galaxy S23 and S23+ can damage surfaces, and dust and debris can collect on the phone. I would suggest investing in a case to safeguard your gadget from harm.
While the Galaxy S23 and S23+ are heavier and thicker than the S22, the S23 Ultra is easier to grasp because to its rounder frame and slightly curved front and back.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Performance
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU. My apologies, I meant to say Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. It’s a variant of the company’s top-tier CPU that’s only a hair speedier than a regular 8 Gen 2.
In terms of actual use, I have no idea how this differs from the OnePlus 11 5G compared to a non-Galaxy 8 Gen 2. There’s no mistaking the S23 Ultra’s swiftness. It’s nearly overwhelming to quickly cycle through recently used applications. Nothing I put it through in normal use has even fazed it. Memory capacities of 8GB or 12GB are available. The model I used has 12GB of storage, but any one should be enough to handle your needs.
Moreover, the new CPU operates substantially cooler than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; I was able to comfortably hold my phone for 10 minutes while downloading the Genshin Impact set up files with the loading animation playing (and with the phone sitting on a heat-insulating couch cushion). After doing that, the S22 Ultra became almost too unpleasant to handle. While loading new region data may cause a little pause in the action now and again, overall the game runs really well.
The Camera
As compared to its previous , the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a substantial upgrade. The ISOCELL HP2 is a new 200MP sensor used in the Korean firm’s current flagship phone, which also features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (instead of an in-house Exynos Processor).
The HP2 replaces the older 108MP sensor (ISOCELL HM3) seen in the Galaxy S22 Ultra, although it’s just slightly bigger than the HM3 (1/1.3″ vs. 1/1.33″). Pixel sizes have been lowered from 0.8 m to 0.6 m as a consequence. Nonetheless, Samsung claims their camera will perform better in low light and have greater HDR effects.
The issue this poses is whether or not Samsung’s 2023 flagship will actually improve upon its predecessor’s camera performance. In this review, we’ll be using a wide range of topics and lighting conditions to test out and compare the cameras on both Galaxy phones. Apart from the larger 200MP sensor, though, not much has changed in terms of the camera’s other specs.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 was used to take the test shots. We did find some changes in camera quality when comparing it to the European version of the S22 Ultra (which uses Samsung’s own Exynos 2200), but they were so minor that we felt comfortable include them in our evaluation regardless of the processor used.
With the introduction of the Galaxy S20 Ultra, high-resolution primary cameras have been a staple of the S series. The highest resolutions are available, however they are not activated by default. By combining adjacent pixels into larger “effective” pixels, Samsung’s Tetra2 pixel-binning technology improves an image’s sensitivity to light and detail. This image processing method is used by both Galaxy models in this comparison, thus it is important to keep in mind that the final picture resolution may differ from that of the camera sensors.
Display
Among Android smartphones, the S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra feature brilliant displays. The screens on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are brighter but less vibrant than those on the S23 and S23+. Samsung has fixed the brightness issue that plagued the Galaxy S22 series, and the picture quality is excellent because to the low minimum brightness and superior contrast, reaction time, and viewing angles made possible by the OLED technology. The S23 models exhibit accurate color reproduction in rigorous colorchecker testing, with lower variances for colors and shades of gray than earlier versions.
The 120Hz refresh rate display is another innovation introduced with the Galaxy S23 series. This means the screen updates 120 times per second. Especially while using apps like gaming or social media, this results in a fluid and responsive user experience. You may toggle between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz on all three devices to get the optimal experience for you.
Galaxy S23 Ultra with S-Pen and software
The S Pen gives the S23 Ultra a connection to the Galaxy Note. There have been no big changes to the S Pen or its functionality, however the screen’s rounded corners should make it more comfortable to write on. The S22 Ultra’s rounded corners make it more easy to lose your stylus as it glides off the screen.
The S23 Ultra makes this less often, but I’ve still had one experience where the sloping design caused confusion. The left-aligned column of boxes in one of the notes app’s layouts was problematic when I attempted to use letters to denote the days of the week; the stylus kept getting caught on the arc. My ideal year for a completely flat screen to be released is 2024.
Not only have I never been a big lover of styluses, but I also believe that few individuals would really utilize one if given the chance. In contrast to my experience with the S22 Ultra, I found myself reaching for the S Pen more frequently when using the S23 Ultra. And while I don’t want to give Samsung’s minimal makeover too much credit, I think that’s in part because this phone is more pleasant to carry than its predecessor.
Similar to you, I’ve been trying to get my life in order, and I’ve found that keeping digital to-do lists in a prominent place on my home screen has been a great help. Have I been more organized as a result? This case has not yet been decided. A to-do list software does a lot of things well, but this seems like a good compromise between the two.
Samsung’s One UI 5 Android 13.1 skin is preinstalled on the S23 Ultra. The S22 series debuted with One UI 4, and this minor upgrade adds a focus on customizing the lockscreen and adding support for additional modes and routines. In addition to Google’s Play Store, Assistant, and Web Browser, Samsung continues to provide its own app store, virtual assistant, and web browser, making for a more feature-rich experience. This is a substantial amount, and it may not appeal to all audiences. For me, it’s manageable if I take the time to customize the phone’s settings to my preferences.
Samsung’s software, however, comes with a fantastic support policy: four years of operating system upgrades and five years of security updates. This isn’t quite as lengthy as Apple’s policy of providing OS updates for at least five years and the occasional security update for much longer, but it’s still among the finest you’ll find among Android manufacturers.
Charging Rate And Battery Life
Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Galaxy S23 Ultra have a battery capacity of 5,000 mAh, and with any luck, this year’s model will have a longer lifespan than its predecessor. There’s a chance that the next Snapdragon CPU will be of assistance in this regard.
With a connected connection and a charger that is compatible with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the maximum charging power is still 45W. (A charger is not going to be included with the shipment of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.)
High-Quality Audio
Of the many enhancements made to the Galaxy S23 series, audio quality is one of the most noticeable. Samsung has upgraded the smartphones’ audio capabilities with redesigned speakers that boost both loudness and clarity compared to older generations. The Hi-Res audio certification ensures lossless playback of high-resolution audio files on the S23 Ultra. Dolby Atmos, which creates a spatially immersive 3D audio experience, is also supported by the devices’ sound quality.
5G
Fast data transfer rates are possible thanks to the 5G modem included in the Galaxy S23 series. This capability will grow in as availability of 5G networks increases in more countries. The S23 and S23+ are compatible with 5G networks operating at sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies, while the S23 Ultra can connect to both types of network, as well as 5G SA and NSA.
In a nutshell, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series is enormous leap forward from its predecessors, what with its updated look, speedier performance, and more robust set of extras. Customers in Europe will see better performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, and the device advanced camera, battery life, and sound quality will make them a tempting option for smartphone buyers. In addition to faster charging times and 5G connection, these device are ideal for people who value speed and dependability in their mobile devices.
Security
Lastly, the Galaxy S23 series has better security features including a fingerprint
scanner and facial recognition built right into the screen. Quickly and easily unlock your devices with either the in-display fingerprint scanner’s pinpoint accuracy or the convenience of face recognition. Samsung’s Knox security, included in these device, helps to protect your private information even further.
Release Date And Pricing
With a February 17th release date, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is available for purchase right now. With 256GB of space, you should expect to pay a minimum of $1,199 (or £1,249, or AU$1,949) The good news is that it has twice as much capacity as the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but the bad news is that it costs an extra £100 / AU$100 in the UK and Australia.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes in two further storage capacities: 512GB for $TBD / £1,399 / AU$2,249 and 1TB for $TBD / £1,599 / AU$2,649.
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Pros
Better battery life compared to the previous model.
The latest Snapdragon processor is the finest one to come out in years.
The design has also been updated and is now more ergonomic.
Reduced curvature and extreme darkness of the screen (perfect for night time use)
The advancements to the camera are noticeable, but not monumental.
There has been a significant improvement in the quality of loudspeakers.
Double the standard storage (to 256GB) comes included.
Cons
Just 8GB of RAM has been included in the base model so far.
No progress has been made in charging times.
In comparison to competitors, haptics continue to lag.
The camera system is not as advanced as was intended.
Conspicuously high if purchased at list price
