The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: A Familiar Design, But Packed with Upgrades
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was a big hit, combining the best of both worlds – the power of the Galaxy S series and the note-taking capabilities of the beloved Galaxy Note series. Now, Samsung has followed up with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, a phone that builds upon its predecessor’s strengths while adding some exciting new features. While the design might look familiar at first glance, the S23 Ultra is anything but a simple refresh. It boasts several upgrades and innovations that make it a serious contender for the best smartphone of 2023.
Design: Subtle Refinements, Sustainable Approach
The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t break the mold in terms of design, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It retains the iconic Galaxy Note DNA with a sleek, premium look and feel. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice some subtle but important changes. The sides now sport a flatter profile, moving away from the aggressively curved edges of its predecessor. This not only makes for a more comfortable grip but also maximizes the usable flat area, perfect for those who prefer a more traditional feel. The rear panel, though similar to the S22 Ultra, gets a refreshed camera design with chrome rings adorning each lens.
Samsung is making a conscious effort towards sustainability with the S23 Ultra. The phone features recycled materials in key components such as the front and back glass, the SIM tray, side keys, volume keys, speaker modules, and even the S Pen’s inner cover. This commitment to eco-friendliness is a welcome addition to an already impressive device.
Display: A Feast for the Eyes
The S23 Ultra continues to sport a stunning 6.8-inch QHD+ Super AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, ensuring a buttery-smooth scrolling experience and responsive visuals. The display also gets a 240Hz touch sampling rate when Game Mode is enabled, leading to faster and more precise touch responses, a boon for serious mobile gamers.
While the display still features slightly curved edges, the curvature is less pronounced than in the S22 Ultra. This deliberate design choice aims to offer a more seamless swiping experience while still allowing the One UI Edge functionality for quick access to various functions and features.
Performance: Unleashing the Power
Samsung has gone all in with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC for the S23 series. But here’s the twist – it’s not the standard chip. Samsung has partnered with Qualcomm to create a customised version dubbed the “Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform for Galaxy”. This tweak promises enhanced performance, leading to smoother software operations and improved AI-based imaging capabilities. The Galaxy S23 Ultra paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage is a powerhouse capable of handling even the most demanding tasks and applications with ease.
Camera: A Leap Forward in Detail and Low-Light Performance
The camera is where the S23 Ultra truly shines. Samsung has taken a bold step by introducing a 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP2 sensor as the primary camera. This innovative sensor utilizes pixel binning technology, effectively combining 16 pixels into one larger pixel. The result: brighter and more detailed images, especially in low-light conditions. Samsung claims this " adaptive pixel sensor ” works in tandem with its custom SoC to deliver exceptional low-light performance, reducing noise and capturing stunning images even in challenging lighting scenarios.
The camera setup also boasts enhanced optical image stabilisation (OIS) for sharper and smoother video recordings, particularly at night. Samsung has also included a new Astro Hyperlapse mode, allowing users to capture mesmerizing star trails.
Rounding out the impressive camera array are 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, 10-megapixel (3X optical zoom) and 10-megapixel (10X optical zoom) telephoto cameras. The front-facing camera remains at 12-megapixel, now capable of capturing RAW photos and recording in HDR10+.
With the Galaxy S23 Ultra, capturing stunning visuals has never been easier.
S Pen: The Power of Precision
The S Pen, the defining feature of the Galaxy Note series, returns in the S23 Ultra, making it an ideal tool for note-taking, sketching, editing documents, and even remote control. This generation’s S Pen offers improved latency, making it feel even more responsive and natural to use.
Battery and Charging: Reliable, But No Breakthroughs
Samsung seems to be playing it safe with the S23 Ultra’s battery capacity and charging technology, sticking with a 5,000mAh battery and 45W wired charging. While these specs are reliable, they don’t offer any major leaps forward compared to the previous generation.
Software: One UI 5.1 – Seamless and Optimised
The S23 Ultra comes pre-loaded with Samsung’s One UI 5.1, a polished skin based on Android 13. The user interface is designed to be intuitive and efficient, providing a smooth and seamless experience across the board. The software includes all the note-taking features that made the S22 Ultra a popular choice among productivity-minded users.
Final Thoughts: A Champion in the Flagship Race
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is an incredibly powerful and versatile smartphone that ticks almost every box. From its refined design and stunning display to its exceptional camera capabilities and the inclusion of the S Pen, this phone has everything you could want in a premium device. While the battery and charging speeds don’t break new ground, the overall package is more than enough to cement its place as one of the top contenders in the flagship smartphone market.
Whether its customised SoC translates into demonstrably better gaming performance when compared to devices like the iQoo 11 5G or whether the new 200-megapixel camera system truly surpasses the low-light performance of phones like the Google Pixel 7 Pro, remains to be seen. We’ll have a comprehensive review of the Galaxy S23 Ultra soon, diving in-depth into these areas and providing a definitive verdict.
Stay tuned for our full review and comprehensive analysis of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
