Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review

11 February 2023


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  • AnonD-758491
  • 56E
  • 12 Feb 2023

Hello GSMArena team!
Finally you've reviewed out this pride of Samsung. And alongside we've reviewed this more overhyped unrealistic phone.
In camera segment, I've been watching very closely this has been left more behind in matter of clarity and sharpness and color reproduction than its own predecessor S22 ultra.
How shame on it!
But you've given 4.8 even after this!
It's too much shame!!

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • Lkg
    • 12 Feb 2023

    Ivo., 12 Feb 2023Huge improvement in camera resolution/pixel binning/noise w... moreLet ppl know later your being sarcastic

      • r
      • rRadD
      • gXb
      • 12 Feb 2023

      HopeFilledIdiot, 12 Feb 2023"Cons nothing in particular?" Not even the pri... moreRight?!?! I think GSMArena is a huge Samsung fan. LOL

        • r
        • rRadD
        • gXb
        • 12 Feb 2023

        can't help but feel it's a Samsung paid review (or maybe GSMArena is an obvious fan of Samsung?). it's just me. don't get too personal about it. but that's how I feel.. a phone without a con? So it's perfect? Huge LOL to that GSMArena.

          AnonD-546724, 11 Feb 2023The Galaxy S release of each year used to be an exciting an... moreI'd be happy to remind you that LG and HTC had never been able to rival Samsung since 2014.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • uEF
            • 12 Feb 2023

            Did they fix the loudspeakers? Speaker quality of the S22 Ultra was inferior compared to an iPhone 13/14 Pro. Have compared it side by side (with a 13 Pro Max) and the iPhone sounded a lot better. That may be another con to list

              • H
              • Hendy
              • pZ7
              • 12 Feb 2023

              As usual a very detailed review of the phone. Thx guys !

                There was speculation that the S23+ was going to be the battery life king out of the trio this year. I would've loved that to be the case as the + is on my wishlist. What confuses me is that an extra 300mAh in the Ultra can somehow eke out an extra 15 hours test endurance.

                What I find most ridiculous about this review is that it didn't include the same cons from the smaller S23s': No expandable storage.
                No 10-bit color support and no Dolby Vision.
                Chipset throttles fast and hard under extended load.
                45W charging is not much faster than 25W. I think the smaller S23s' reviews should have cons pertaining to lack of features passed down from the Ultra.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • a0V
                  • 12 Feb 2023

                  James Nana, 12 Feb 2023This is why I GSMARENA is my number one for unbiased tech ... more"Unbiased"

                    I’ve decided to buy this phone and I think it’s a ridiculous decision but I got such a good pre order price and it’s most likely the best phone in the market this year,’935 pound for the 512gb model off Amazon uk,and a galaxy watch 4 included in that price which is worth around 150 pound so less than 800 for the ultra.It’s a ridiculous decision as I have a nearly new iPhone 13 Pro Max one tb model in green,but I prefer android system and the s23 ultra is just so much more interesting I will sell the iPhone I think.But just consider the technology I’m getting for 800 it’s mind blowing,and that’s without having to trade a phone in or get a overpriced contract.

                      This is why I GSMARENA is my number one for unbiased tech reviews. I have seen a lot of other reviewers raving how the S23 Ultra is a much better phone than the previous iteration. But having held and compared the two side by side I really struggled to see any significant upgrade. To my eyes only videos and selfies could considered an actual upgrade. The 200mp and 50mp camera modes probably provide more detailed images but that too is subjective.
                      Don't get me wrong this is one of the best phones on the market (vivo x90 pro+ and iphone 14 pro max) but not for you if you already own the S22 ultra.
                      NB: The same can be said though for almost every other phone manufacturer yearly upgrade.

                        • A
                        • Amar
                        • nea
                        • 12 Feb 2023

                        Ivo., 12 Feb 2023Huge improvement in camera resolution/pixel binning/noise w... moreYou have no clue about cameras apparently.

                        Check out an 8K video from, for example, a Fuji XH2.

                        By all means, it's a great phone with an amazing camera, but there is a reason why a good mirrorless camera with good lens costs about 3k.

                          • I
                          • Ivo.
                          • jMx
                          • 12 Feb 2023

                          Huge improvement in camera resolution/pixel binning/noise with 200 MP camera! The low light photos and videos are the best on a phone, nothing comes even close! Huge improvement in optical stabilization! Huge improvement in 8K30 video, which can easily beat many mirrorless cameras in 8K video! No 4K video of any other phone (iPhone) can come even close to the 8K or 4K video of the S23 Ultra! Clearly, S23 Ultra is the best telephone for video, that even beats mirrorless cameras! Huge improvement in processor and battery life! Easily, the best telephone right now, hands down!

                            I’ve decided to buy this phone and I think it’s a ridiculous decision but I got such a good pre order price and it’s most likely the best phone in the market this year,’935 pound for the 512gb model off Amazon uk,and a galaxy watch 4 included in that price which is worth around 150 pound so less than 800 for the ultra.It’s a ridiculous decision as I have a nearly new iPhone 13 Pro Max one tb model in green,but I prefer android system and the s23 ultra is just so much more interesting I will sell the iPhone I think.But just consider the technology I’m getting for 800 it’s mind blowing,and that’s without having to trade a phone in or get a overpriced contract.

                              "Cons nothing in particular?"

                              Not even the price increase? Not even the oversharpening that's very visible in the photos?
                              Come on guys, be fair

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • Lkg
                                • 12 Feb 2023

                                LoneOwl, 11 Feb 2023This has nothing to do with ''being lazy'�... moreNo, there is no ceiling. There is costumers not willing to pay what OEMs would ask if they out all they can.

                                  "Cameraphones from Xiaomi are among our favorites, but it's hard to name a Galaxy rival at this point in time. The Mi 12s Ultra is a remarkable picture-taking device, but it's limited to the Chinese market. The Mi 11 Ultra may be international, but can't really be found in stores, plus it's now a full two years old."
                                  Do you have functioning eyes? Use the photo compare tool with s23u, old mi11 ultra and old s21u. Compared to the "oldtimers", s23u is an oversharpened mess, both good light and low light conditions.

                                    AnonD-546724, 11 Feb 2023The Galaxy S release of each year used to be an exciting an... moreThis has nothing to do with ''being lazy''.
                                    It was about time we reached that ceiling when it comes to ''innovation'' with yearly releases.

                                    Many people, especially the enthusiasts which are the target of this device(and dont want a Fold) are excited for this phone not only to try the new camera and also for the finally much improved battery life and promising new Snapdragon.

                                    And especially in Europe, people are really excited to finally have a Snapdragon S device, instead of the usual Exynos.

                                    As someone who never owned a Note device, had bad memories of Exynos Samsung devices with bad battery life, i am really excited for this years Ultra.

                                      • J
                                      • Johnex
                                      • UD%
                                      • 11 Feb 2023

                                      Nice review

                                        • F
                                        • Fan
                                        • B}K
                                        • 11 Feb 2023

                                        Thanks GSMArena for the review I was anticipating for whole week!
                                        I'll sleep well for not finding anything bad and disturbing with my new phone!
                                        Also thanks for being professional reviewers and way, way better that the other BG competition, you know who that are genuine apple lickers.

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