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Unusually sufficient, if it weren’t for the digital camera, I might have given the Galaxy S23 Extremely 5 out of 5 stars. I say that is ironic as a result of Samsung spent the entirety of the revealing presentation in January speaking about how good the digital camera is.
And it’s. The 200 MP digital camera is groundbreaking in so some ways, however solely when it desires to be. It is bizarrely inconsistent in its high quality in methods many different flagship telephones will not be. Many instances, the standard is mind-blowing. Different instances, you’d swear a 5-year-old cellphone took the shot. It is weird and it mars an in any other case good cellphone.
However when you’re pleased with ready for the inevitable software program replace that ought to repair (most of) these issues, you will be awarded an expertise like no different. Samsung addressed each grievance we had with the Galaxy S22 Extremely (opens in new tab), making the Galaxy S23 Extremely the very finest Android cellphone (opens in new tab) you should buy in the present day. Simply be ready to pay a reasonably penny for it.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: Value and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely is formally accessible from February 17, 2023. Identical to the S22 Extremely, S23 Extremely pricing begins at $1,200/ £1,250 and ramps up from there. The bottom mannequin contains 256GB of storage however customers may also go for 512GB or 1TB of storage for a worth enhance.
Not like final 12 months, all Galaxy S23 fashions can be found in Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, and Inexperienced whatever the mannequin you select. Shopping for a Galaxy S23 from Samsung.com (opens in new tab) provides you with further shade choices together with Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, and Pink.
As common, the finest Galaxy S23 offers (opens in new tab) will get you the cellphone for a lot lower than $1,200. Most carriers are providing some type of low cost deal or bundle with the cellphone, and you’ll at all times commerce in your previous cellphone to your provider or Samsung for an additional low cost.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: {Hardware} and design
At first look, the Galaxy S23 Extremely appears to be like an identical to the S22 Extremely. It is obtained the identical general dimensions, the rear digital camera design with particular person raised digital camera lenses, squared-off corners, and a show with curved edges on the left and proper sides.
However, look extra intently and you will find some delicate — but essential — adjustments Samsung made. The sides of the display screen are a lot much less curved than final 12 months, making it simpler to write down near the facet with the S Pen. That additionally implies that curved display screen protectors aren’t as vulnerable to lifted edges over time.
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The Galaxy S23 Extremely introduces delicate adjustments together with a decreased display screen curve and flatter edges for higher grip.
Moreover, the curve across the edges has been notably decreased. As an alternative of an ideal half circle — because it was on the S22 Extremely — the S23 UItra’s sides are completely flat however nonetheless function a pleasant curve into the highest and backside of the cellphone. It is a delicate however considerably higher design and it made it doable for me to make use of the S23 Extremely and not using a case and never have it slip out of my hand always. Nevertheless, when you’re like most individuals, you simply would possibly wish to seize one in all our advisable S23 Extremely circumstances and/or display screen protectors.
| Spec | Galaxy S23 Extremely |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Gadgets |
| Show | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3088×1440, 120Hz adaptive refresh fee (1-120Hz) with 240Hz contact sampling, 1,750 nits peak brightness |
| Reminiscence | 8 or 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Important rear digital camera | 200MP, ƒ/1.7 |
| Telephoto digital camera | 10MP, ƒ/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Telephoto digital camera 2 | 10MP, ƒ/4.9, 10x optical zoom |
| Extremely-wide angle digital camera | 12MP, ƒ/2.2 |
| Entrance Digital camera | 12MP, ƒ/2.2 |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 45W Quick Charging, 15W Wi-fi Charging, 5W reverse wi-fi charging |
| Updates | As much as Android 17, Safety by 2028 |
| Safety | Ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, sub-6 and mmWave 5G, UWB, NFC, AptX HD |
| S Pen | ✔️ |
| microSD card slot | 🚫 |
| 3.5mm headphone jack | 🚫 |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 234 g |
| Colours | Phantom Black, Cream, Inexperienced, Lavender |
| Safety | IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
The S23 Extremely is just a few grams heavier than the S22 Extremely however you will not discover this whereas holding it. Regardless, it is nonetheless a really heavy cellphone that feels extremely solidly constructed. Surprisingly, I did not thoughts the squared-off edges this 12 months as I did with the previous couple of Samsung telephones with an identical design — that is the S22 Extremely and Word 20, for notice.
It is also price noting that Samsung upgraded the glass with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (opens in new tab), even when which means you will nonetheless see scratches every so often.
This one above, as an example, occurred someday within the first few days I had the cellphone. I hadn’t even taken it out of the home on the time and did not discover it till I used to be taking a photograph of it within the solar. I don’t know the way it occurred, but it surely did not happen from a drop or something like that.
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Moreover, the raised digital camera lenses are nonetheless the mud magnets that they have been final 12 months. Above are two comparisons between the S22 Extremely and S23 Extremely. Whereas each telephones have loads of mud round their lenses, it would not present up as properly on the S23’s Inexperienced colorway. A minimum of that is a constructive.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: Software program and S Pen
One UI 5.1 launches alongside the Galaxy S23 Extremely however this replace is not unique to this cellphone. By the point it comes out, many Samsung telephones may have already begun to obtain the replace, however that does not make it any much less vital for people selecting up the S23 Extremely.
Included with One UI 5.1 are a number of quality-of-life adjustments and some new options. The headliner function, for me, is the brand new Bixby Textual content Name which was beforehand solely accessible in South Korea for the previous few months.
Bixby Textual content Name is healthier than Pixel Name Screening…when it desires to work, that’s.
Bixby Textual content Name works practically identically to Google Assistant name screening (opens in new tab) on a Pixel cellphone however, for probably the most half, it is a greater expertise for one enormous cause: you’ll be able to really sort out messages to the particular person and have Bixby learn them again.
The transcription on each ends is phenomenal, too, and Bixby’s voice sounds very pure. You possibly can choose from three English voice choices as of launch and Samsung will, undoubtedly, add extra voices and languages sooner or later.
The one drawback is that it refused to work for me many of the time. I obtain a number of spam calls in any given week — as I think about everybody else does — however this function did not seem on the dialer one single time within the final two weeks. It solely labored for me after I disabled and reenabled the function after which rebooted. Even then, it solely labored for one cellphone name.
I contacted Samsung in regards to the difficulty however have not heard again but. Hopefully, that is simply an remoted difficulty that will get solved quickly.
However there’s one other function in One UI 5.1 that I completely cherished (and it labored on a regular basis): lifting a picture.
It is as straightforward as long-pressing on a topic within the Samsung Gallery app and utilizing the context buttons that pop as much as take an motion. That is completely a replica of what Apple did in iOS 16 and fairly truthfully, I do not care. It is simply good software program.
It is a correct return to type for lockscreen customization.
Talking of Apple, now that Apple is together with correct lock display screen customization in iOS 16, Samsung is bringing again extra lock display screen customization choices together with filters, fonts, clock kinds, and extra. It is a correct return to type and features a bunch of enjoyable new options, too.
Greatest but, you’ll be able to change your lock display screen at any time by long-pressing wherever on the wallpaper in your lock display screen. It is tremendous straightforward and might even be custom-made to alter robotically with routines on the cellphone.
Samsung has additionally overhauled the privateness and safety part, now combining all the pieces into one helpful Safety Dashboard. That is considerably extra user-friendly than splitting all the pieces up and it is organized in a pleasant, easy-to-understand format.
Samsung has additionally overhauled the privateness and safety part, now combining all the pieces into one helpful Safety Dashboard.
McAfee is even included when you’re frightened about malware, including to the repertoire of how to stop your cellphone from getting contaminated when you like to obtain questionable apps.
Google and Samsung proceed to cozy up extra because the Galaxy S23 Extremely launches with just a few new methods to take pleasure in utilizing Google Meet together with enhanced video decision, higher background noise canceling, stay sharing, and even enhancing Samsung Notes in real-time. That final one is ridiculously cool though I surmise it will not be used typically by most individuals.
On the subject of the S Pen, you will discover the S Pen stays an identical to what’s been included in Samsung Word-style gadgets because the Word 20. It is nonetheless small and fewer comfy to make use of than the S Pen Professional (opens in new tab) however, after all, it is included totally free with the cellphone and sits properly within the holster, making it ultra-convenient to make use of.
The S Pen expertise stays an identical to the S22 Extremely and is simply a lot enjoyable to make use of.
And no, you’ll be able to’t put it in backward and break the cellphone. Don’t be concerned.
Writing on the display screen is healthier than ever now, although, because of the decreased curves on the perimeters. I by no means as soon as discovered that the pen would slip off the sting whereas writing close to the margins, which is not one thing I have been in a position to say with Word-style telephones for a very long time.
GIF remastering has been added to Samsung’s Gallery app, a function that makes use of onboard AI processing to assist improve GIFs and make them higher high quality. It really works equally to final 12 months’s picture remaster (opens in new tab) perform however this time with assist for animated footage, after all.
And whereas it is not new, I like the power to attract over GIFs with the S Pen and hold the animation intact. All you do is edit a GIF within the gallery and begin drawing on it, then you’ll be able to alter the place your art work matches within the timeline and hit save. It is tremendous easy and provides a little bit of worth to on a regular basis meme life on the web.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: Efficiency and Battery Life
Efficiency and battery life are two of my absolute favourite elements of the Galaxy S23 Extremely expertise.
It might sound ridiculous to say that in 2023 when smartphone efficiency appears virtually meaningless and most telephones supply adequate battery life, but it surely’s true.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely is the best-performing “regular” cellphone I’ve ever used. By regular, I imply a cellphone that is not particularly made for gaming (opens in new tab) as these often embrace followers and various designs which might be geared towards lengthy gaming periods.
Not like final 12 months’s disastrous Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 that powered the Galaxy S22 Extremely (and loads of different telephones within the first half of 2022), the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performs properly and stays performing properly.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely runs video games at twice the framerate of the Galaxy S22 Extremely when gaming for greater than 20 minutes. It additionally would not get molten lava sizzling like final 12 months’s cellphone.
It additionally would not flip into molten lava when attempting to play a recreation for greater than 20 minutes, an unlimited enchancment alone over final 12 months’s telephones.
Whereas benchmark scores may also help illustrate the distinction, benchmarks typically do not take lengthy sufficient to showcase absolutely the drop in efficiency we noticed final 12 months.
For example, if I play Fortnite with epic graphics settings on a Galaxy S22 Extremely, the sport will begin taking part in at round 50 frames per second (FPS). Over a interval of roughly half an hour, that framerate will drop to a stable 30 FPS and by no means once more rise till the cellphone has ample time to chill off.
When taking part in the identical recreation with the identical settings on the Galaxy S23 Extremely, Fortnite runs at a stable 60 FPS and by no means dips under that pace even after an hour and a half of playtime. This may proceed advert infinitum as a result of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Gadgets does a a lot, significantly better job of cooling itself off and retaining cool even whereas pushing cell graphics to their restrict.
Equally, beautiful video games like Genshin Affect run at a locked 60 FPS with out notable dips in most areas. Should you’re nearer the tip of the sport and are in a few of the extra detailed areas you would possibly see it drop just a few frames however, general, the efficiency right here is extremely spectacular.
Amazingly sufficient, this efficiency enhance would not come on the expense of battery life. In reality, the battery life on the Galaxy S23 Extremely is one of the best I’ve seen amongst flagship telephones this facet of a OnePlus 10T (opens in new tab).
I’ve simply been in a position to get 2 days of battery life out of a single cost over the last two weeks. I am unsure I can keep in mind a flagship cellphone that gave me this a lot longevity on a single cost.
However here is the deal. Whereas each the S23 Extremely and telephones just like the OnePlus 10T take away all worries of battery nervousness, they each accomplish that job for various causes. The S23 Extremely may need a battery that lasts a very long time however, if you find yourself forgetting to cost it and have to go away the home in 10 minutes, you would possibly nonetheless be in hassle.
I’ve simply been in a position to get 2 days of battery life out of a single cost over the last two weeks.
That is as a result of Samsung’s charging speeds are nonetheless extremely gradual when in comparison with a variety of different fashionable smartphones — the iPhone excluded, after all.
Sure, it nonetheless helps 45W charging like final 12 months’s cellphone did however, in my testing, there was virtually no real-world distinction when utilizing a 45W charger and a 25W charger on the Galaxy S23 Extremely. Whereas the 45W charger gained share factors barely faster initially than the 25W charger did, each chargers totally charged the cellphone from 20% to 100% in about 50 minutes whole.
In different phrases, Samsung remains to be throttling charging efficiency to handle the thermal load. Oh properly, possibly subsequent 12 months we’ll get sooner charging.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: Cameras
Samsung spent a rare period of time speaking up the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s video recording capabilities on the unveiling in early February. Whereas most of it was absolutely hyperbole — I extremely, extremely doubt that Ridley Scott will proceed utilizing a Galaxy S23 Extremely for any of his future movies — the video recording capabilities of the cellphone’s digital camera are its most spectacular function.
Video recording capabilities of the cellphone’s digital camera are its most spectacular function.
I’ve already revealed a highly-detailed Galaxy S23 Extremely digital camera overview (opens in new tab) in order for you all of the nitty gritty particulars however, for this normal cellphone overview, I will sum up my findings. Please hit that hyperlink if you wish to be taught extra, although.
Now, as for video recording, it is clear that Samsung realized its strengths and determined to play towards them with this launch. These two movies assist illustrate simply how good the video recording high quality is on the Galaxy S23 Extremely.
So how about the remainder of the Galaxy S23 Extremely digital camera expertise? It is fairly good, however I actually can sum it up in a single unlucky phrase: inconsistent.
With this launch, Samsung upgraded the primary sensor to 200 megapixels (MP). That is an improve from the 108 MP sensor within the Galaxy S22 Extremely and it may be utilized in three completely different resolutions: the default 12.5 MP mode, a 50 MP binned mode, and the total 200 MP decision.
Picture high quality might be out-of-this-world but it surely’s inconsistent far too typically for its personal good.
Taking pictures at 200 MP is a pleasure and brings beautiful element to any state of affairs. Not like the full-resolution shot on most telephones, Samsung nonetheless makes use of correct multi-frame seize so you do not find yourself with images which have poor shadow element or overblown skies.
Basically, the one detrimental of utilizing the 200 MP decision is pace. On common, you’ll take 3-4 footage in a 5-second window when utilizing 200 MP mode whereas the default 12.5 MP mode can take as much as 8 in that very same time. Not an enormous deal however price noting when you miss a split-second pictures second.
However, whereas 200 MP mode provides appreciable element to a scene, not all is constructive. The Galaxy S23 Extremely can nonetheless zoom as much as 100x away and get a fairly good shot (the candy spot for high quality is between 15x and 50x), however the general high quality is unusually inconsistent every so often.
Sometimes, when the Galaxy S23 Extremely tousled a shot, it could overexpose the scene.
Sometimes, when the Galaxy S23 Extremely tousled a shot, it could overexpose the scene and trigger a lack of element as a result of one thing was blown out.
Whereas this wasn’t a standard incidence, it occurred extra typically than I anticipate to see on a cellphone of this caliber and extra typically than on the Galaxy S22 Extremely — one thing that ought to by no means occur when “upgrading.”
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Above are a smattering of images displaying this phenomenon, together with objects in movement. Moreover, the Galaxy S23 Extremely nonetheless struggles to take images of children and pets (opens in new tab). Any little bit of motion typically leads to a blurry face and that is extremely irritating from a flagship-level gadget in 2023.
Samsung owns the award for one of the best front-facing digital camera, one of the best portrait mode, and the highest quality macro digital camera of any Android cellphone I’ve examined.
Sadly, the brand new choices within the Digital camera Assistant app that assist scale back shutter pace and the time it takes to really seize a photograph do not assist with these points. Sure, they completely enhance that seize time — tapping the shutter immediately takes a photograph when the right Digital camera Assistant possibility is enabled — but it surely would not repair the shortcoming to seize motion with out getting a blurry picture.
However that is the worst a part of the Galaxy S23 Extremely digital camera expertise. On the constructive facet, Samsung owns the award for one of the best front-facing digital camera, one of the best portrait mode, and the highest quality macro digital camera of any Android cellphone I’ve examined.
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On the software program entrance, Samsung continues to improve its guide digital camera modes and “Nightography” choices. Followers of guide modes will completely love the brand new RAW digital camera choices within the Knowledgeable RAW mode.
New Knowledgeable RAW choices embrace multi-frame publicity and Astrophotography.
RAW images might be taken in as much as 50 MP decision — sorry, no 200 MP possibility for RAW — and you’ll even choose multi-frame publicity so as to add to a RAW file. It is spectacular, to say the least, and allows you to get the ability of RAW post-editing with out sacrificing the positives that multi-frame seize brings, specifically the additional dynamic vary.
Moreover, Samsung is taking over Google’s Astrophotography mode with its personal identically-named mode. However Samsung is not simply resting on Google’s laurels and making a carbon copy. Not solely can you are taking a protracted publicity picture that makes use of AI to mix collectively pictures in an clever approach to create a stunningly beautiful evening shot, however it’s also possible to use this mode in Knowledgeable RAW to take issues even additional in post-editing.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: Competitors
If cameras are your factor, the Pixel 7 Professional may be a greater possibility relying on what you are on the lookout for. Google’s picture seize algorithm does a greater job than Samsung’s in relation to two primary issues: capturing objects in motion (youngsters and pets), and higher publicity. Images from the Pixel virtually at all times look higher however there are many exceptions. It has a a lot, a lot worse portrait mode, the front-facing digital camera is not practically pretty much as good, it could’t zoom fairly so far as the S23 Extremely, and video seize is certainly not pretty much as good.
Final 12 months’s Galaxy S22 Extremely may be a greater decide when you’re nonetheless curious about Samsung’s explicit digital camera experience — portrait mode, video seize, and guide digital camera management, particularly — however do not want the newest and best cell processor and 2-day battery life. Most all the pieces else in regards to the cellphone is almost an identical to the S23 Extremely, although, and it is nonetheless assured 4 extra years of updates (3 extra main Android updates) till Samsung drops assist.
Should you’re simply on the lookout for a brand new Samsung cellphone with the newest and best cell processor, glorious battery life, and new options, the Galaxy S23 or S23 Plus will prevent some cash by eliminating the S Pen and the additional telephoto digital camera. Meaning you will be getting the identical processing pace and display screen high quality, the identical nice picture and video modes, and the identical nice Samsung One UI 5.1 expertise for much less cash.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if …
- You desire a very good, versatile digital camera more often than not
- You want one of the best efficiency and lengthy battery life
- You desire a cellphone that’ll final for years and nonetheless get updates
You should not purchase this if …
- You are taking a lot of footage of your youngsters or pets
- You want a digital camera that is extra constant
- You do not want the very best efficiency
As long as the digital camera inconsistencies and points with capturing movement do not hassle you, that is the brand new king of Android telephones. It is a cellphone that is basically good if Samsung can tweak the digital camera expertise only a bit extra to match what Google does with the Pixel and, even then, Samsung excels at so many areas within the digital camera division it may be straightforward to miss for many individuals.
There is no arguing with the flexibility of the S Pen and the way a lot enjoyable it provides to the on a regular basis cellphone expertise. Doodling on GIFs, taking straightforward display screen captures, writing notes with buddies, or simply taking a photograph of you and your mates with the button on the pen. It is the identical nice expertise we have cherished for years and simply retains getting higher.
And who can overlook the efficiency and battery life right here? The particular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Gadgets that powers the Galaxy S23 Extremely is the quickest, best processor we have seen from Qualcomm in a protracted, very long time. It additionally would not get sizzling or drop efficiency over time like final 12 months’s processor did, all whereas working video games twice as quick most often. If you need one of the best general Android cellphone round, that is it.
If you need the quickest cell processor ever in an Android cellphone, a formidable 200MP digital camera, the ability of the S Pen, and extra options than you’ll be able to shake a stick at, the Galaxy S23 Extremely is the cellphone for you.
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