Samsung has always been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to its flagship smartphones, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra is no exception. This device is packed with features that make it stand out from the crowd, such as a stunning 200MP camera, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip made for Galaxy, an amazing display with S Pen support, and a long-lasting battery. But is it worth the hefty price tag of $1,199? In this review, we will take a closer look at what makes the Galaxy S23 Ultra one of the best phones you can buy right now.
Design
The Galaxy S23 Ultra weighs approximately 233g, making it a sizable phone. The phone is composed of glass and metal and features an Armor Aluminum frame, and its distinctively boxy design sets it apart from the standard Galaxy S23 model. While it does bear a striking resemblance to last year’s S22 Ultra, the overall design is sleek and aesthetically pleasing.Â
The phone’s back features a large camera bump housing four lenses and an LED flash. The size of the bump causes the phone to be unstable when placed on a flat surface, which can be particularly inconvenient when using the S-Pen to draw. However, this issue may not affect those who do not frequently use their phone in this manner. To resolve the instability issue, it’s recommended to use a case, which also helps to protect the phone from scratches and drops, especially given its high price point.
The S23 Ultra is available in a range of eight colors, including Green, Phantom Black, Lavender, Cream, Lime, Sky Blue, Graphite, and Red. (The last four colors are online exclusives)
Display
At the forefront of the phone, the S23 Ultra features a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that boasts a resolution of 3,088 by 1,440 pixels and a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Compared to earlier models, the screen has a gentler curve, reducing the chances of accidental touches and improving S Pen compatibility. This display delivers bright, clear, and vivid visuals with impressive viewing angles and HDR10+ support.
Additionally, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has an in-display Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that works fast and reliably.
S-Pen
One of the main attractions of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is its built-in S Pen slot on the bottom edge of the phone. The S Pen stylus allows you to write notes, draw sketches, edit photos, sign documents, and more on your phone’s screen with precision and ease. The S Pen also supports Bluetooth connectivity for remote control functions such as taking selfies or launching apps. While not everyone may find this feature useful, it certainly adds value to the phone.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, a tailored variant of Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line processor, is the driving force behind the S23 Ultra’s operations, delivering elevated clock speeds and enhanced optimization for Samsung’s software. With its exceptional capacity, particularly in tasks that require heavy graphics processing like gaming or video editing, this chip exhibits remarkable performance.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra runs on Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 on top. Samsung has done an incredible job with One UI 5.1 as it offers improved multitasking features, better privacy controls, and more customization options. Additionally, the software includes support for Samsung DeX mode, allowing users to link their phone to an external display for a desktop-style interface.
S23 Ultra battery life
The battery life of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is truly remarkable, comparable to that of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Compared to its predecessor, the S22 Ultra, there’s a significant improvement in battery life despite both having a 5000mAH battery.
The S23 Ultra also supports super fast charging (up to 45W) and super fast wireless charging. Furthermore, it comes equipped with reverse wireless charging, a convenient feature that enables you to charge various other devices, including your smartwatch, earbuds, and even other phones. I cannot stress enough how remarkable this feature is, as it has saved me numerous times when I forgot to charge my Galaxy buds.
Speaker
The S23 Ultra boasts exceptional speakers that deliver an immersive and detailed sound with powerful bass, thanks to a potent blend of advanced audio processing software and robust hardware. The speakers’ remarkable clarity and depth leave a lasting impression, and they can sustain high volumes without any distortion.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra camera is undoubtedly one of the best smartphone cameras on the market today. It boasts an impressive quad-camera setup, including a 200MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and two 10MP telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom capabilities. The camera’s performance in low-light conditions is outstanding, thanks to its large sensor size and advanced processing algorithms.
Additionally, the camera’s autofocus system is incredibly fast and accurate, making it easy to capture sharp and detailed photos even when shooting fast-moving subjects. The S23 Ultra camera is a remarkable feat of engineering, and it’s no wonder that it has received widespread praise from critics and consumers alike.
Video recording has also been improved, as the phone can now record in 8K 30fps. This is such a great improvement compared to previous generations which could only do 8K 24fps cropped. In general, the video quality is great, although it doesn’t quite match the standard set by iPhone. Nonetheless, Samsung is making significant strides and is closing the gap.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Specs
- 12GB RAM (256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage)
- 8GB RAM (256GB storage)
- 120Hz 6.8″ Edge QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2S Infinity-O display (500ppi, HDR10+)
- Bluetooth 5.3
- 5G connectivity
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform for Galaxy
- Stereo speakers
- IP68 Water resistance
Pros
- Excellent camera system
- High-resolution AMOLED display
- Powerful processor
- Great battery life
- S Pen support
- Robust hardware
- Reverse wireless charging
Cons
- Expensive
- No microSD card slot
- No charger included
- Heavy and bulky
- No headphone jack:
In Summary
Those looking for a premium smartphone with top-of-the-line features will find the S23 Ultra to be well worth the investment. It is undoubtedly one of the best Android devices currently available, and a top choice for anyone in the market for a new flagship smartphone.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Verdict
The Galaxy S23 Ultra embodies the ideal Android phone, offering an abundance of features, customization options, entertainment value, and above all, practicality. Boasting exceptional hardware and a reliable camera setup, it stands out as one of the best Android phones available in the market today.
