Samsung has recently launched its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and while it may not seem like a revolutionary change from its predecessor, the S22, there are a few notable upgrades that make it worth considering as your next phone.
In this review, we’ll dive into the key improvements that make the Galaxy S23 Ultra a top contender in the smartphone market.
Samsung merged its two most successful lines, the Galaxy S series known for its powerful cameras, and the Galaxy Note with the S Pen, resulting in the release of the Galaxy S23 Ultra. This flagship phone has every feature you could imagine and can compete with other top-of-the-line phones on the market.
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra pros and cons
- Cons
- Pros
- Camera: Top-notch Performance
- Improved Camera: 200-Megapixel Main Camera and Better Night Shots
- Display: Immersive Visuals
- Battery Life: Long-lasting Power
- Shift to Snapdragon Processor
- Performance:
- Design and Features
- Conclusion
- Is it Worth Upgrading to the Galaxy S23?
- What you should know:
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra pros and cons
Cons
- Base model still only has 8GB RAM
- Charging speeds have not improved
- Haptics are still not as good as rivals
- Camera system hasn’t improved as much as hoped for
- Expensive if you buy at full price
Pros
- 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)
- Camera improvements are there, but not quite huge
- Loudspeakers sound much better now
- You get double the storage (256GB) at base model
Camera: Top-notch Performance
The Galaxy S22 Ultra boasts a unique camera with the Space Zoom feature, allowing you to capture high-quality images and videos from a distance. Its 108-megapixel primary camera sensor and 64-megapixel telephoto lens ensure stunning photos with vibrant colors and details.
Improved Camera: 200-Megapixel Main Camera and Better Night Shots
One of the biggest upgrades to the Galaxy S23 Ultra is its 200-megapixel main camera, which promises to deliver print-worthy details in your photos. This is a significant improvement from the previous model, and Samsung has also made strides in improving the quality of night shots taken with the phone’s camera.
These improvements make the Galaxy S23 Ultra a solid choice for anyone who values photography in a smartphone.
Display: Immersive Visuals
The phone’s large 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display delivers stunning visuals with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels. The display’s adaptive refresh rate ranges from 10Hz to 120Hz, providing a seamless viewing experience.
Battery Life: Long-lasting Power
The Galaxy S22 Ultra features a 5000mAh battery, which provides long-lasting power for a full day’s use. The phone also has 45W fast charging capabilities, allowing you to quickly recharge your device.
Shift to Snapdragon Processor
In the past, Samsung used its in-house Exynos chip for overseas versions of its flagship smartphones, a move that was often criticized for the chip’s inferior performance compared to the Snapdragon processors used in U.S. models.
With the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung has made a strategic shift and equipped all versions of the phone with the same powerful Snapdragon chip, regardless of where they are sold. This move ensures that users around the world can enjoy the same top-notch performance from their Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Performance:
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the latest and most advanced chipset on the market. The device also features 16GB of RAM, which ensures smooth and seamless performance even when running multiple applications simultaneously.
The device is also equipped with a range of advanced sensors, including an in-display fingerprint sensor, an accelerometer, a gyro, a proximity sensor, and a compass. These sensors work together to provide a highly responsive and intuitive user experience.
Design and Features
While the Galaxy S23 Ultra looks very similar to its predecessor, the S22, it still boasts some impressive features. For instance, the phone comes with the familiar S Pen, which is useful for taking notes, drawing, and navigating the phone’s user interface.
Additionally, the phone’s sharp corners give it a distinctive look that sets it apart from other smartphones on the market.
Galaxy S23 Ultra | |
---|---|
Dimensions | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
Weight | 233g (8.22 oz) |
Display | 6.8-inch, 1440 x 3088 pixels Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
*LPDDR5X RAM on all models | |
Cameras | 200MP main camera, 23mm f/1.7 12MP ultra-wide, 13mm f/2.2 10MP 3X zoom, 69mm f/2.4 10MP 10X periscope zoom, 230mm f/4.9 12MP front camera |
Battery | 5,000 mAh |
Charging speed | 45W wired, 10W wireless supports reverse wireless charge |
Price | from $1,200 |
Conclusion
Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra is the ultimate flagship phone that offers top-of-the-line performance and features. With its powerful camera, immersive display, and long-lasting battery, the phone sets the bar high for other flagship phones.
Samsung’s decision to merge its successful Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines resulted in the creation of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, freeing up the autumn launch window for the company’s foldables, which Samsung believes are the future.
Is it Worth Upgrading to the Galaxy S23?
With the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung has made some impressive improvements that make it a strong contender in the smartphone market. The upgraded camera, shift to a Snapdragon processor, and useful design features make it a phone worth considering if you’re due for an upgrade.
What you should know:
- All S23 Ultra models ship with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (no more Exynos)
- 256GB base storage (double than before)
- New 200MP main camera, improvements to the other cameras
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Big improvement in loudspeaker quality
- 8K30 video now with less crop
- Battery life has improved
- The best charging speeds
Get the Galaxy S23 Ultra starting at $199.99 with trade-in for T-Mobile or AT&T (256GB version). Plus, you get exclusive Red, Blue, and other colors only at Samsung!
The unlocked model starts at $449.99 with trade-in. You can also get the Ultra for US Cellular and Verizon, and there the phone starts at $449.99 and $399.99 respectively.
If you’re already happy with your current smartphone and don’t need the latest and greatest features, then it may not be necessary to upgrade just yet. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide if the improvements offered by the Galaxy S23 Ultra are worth the investment.