The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is Samsung’s most powerful flagship phone, offering cutting-edge performance, an incredible camera system, a massive 200MP sensor, S Pen support, and a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display. Built for power users, photographers, and gamers, the S23 Ultra refines everything we loved about its predecessor while making key improvements.
But is it worth upgrading? In this detailed review, we’ll explore its design, display, performance, camera system, battery life, and software, helping you decide if the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the ultimate flagship for you.
Table of Contents
Design & Build Quality
The Galaxy S23 Ultra retains the premium and boxy design introduced with the S22 Ultra, but with subtle refinements for better durability and usability.
Key Design Features
- Armor Aluminum Frame for enhanced durability.
- Matte Glass Back (protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2) for scratch resistance.
- Boxy Shape with Slightly Flatter Sides for better grip.
- Colors: Available in Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, and Cream, with exclusive Graphite, Lime, and Sky Blue options on Samsung’s website.
Durability & Protection
- IP68 water and dust resistance, making it safe against splashes and submersion.
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both front and back for added drop protection.
The S23 Ultra exudes premium craftsmanship, making it one of the most refined smartphones on the market.
- Included SAMSUNG 25W Super FAST Charger Cube. 6.8” Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O QHD+, Edge Screen, 120Hz Refresh Rate, …
- 256GB, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 740
- Rear Camera: 200MP, f/1.7 + 10MP, f/4.9 + 10MP, f/2.4 + 12MP, f/2.2, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, Android 13, One UI 5.1
Display & Visual Experience
Samsung is known for its best-in-class displays, and the S23 Ultra is no exception.
Display Specifications
- Size: 6.8 inches
- Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3088 × 1440 pixels (QHD+)
- Refresh Rate: 1-120Hz LTPO adaptive (Smooth Display)
- Brightness: 1,750 nits peak brightness
- HDR Support: HDR10+ and Always-On Display
What Makes It Special?
✅ Sharper and more vivid than any other smartphone display
✅ LTPO technology dynamically adjusts refresh rates to save battery
✅ 1,750 nits brightness ensures great outdoor visibility
✅ Curved edges are slightly reduced for better usability
For watching movies, gaming, or general use, the S23 Ultra’s display remains unbeaten.
Performance & Hardware
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s most powerful chip yet—the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, an overclocked version exclusive to Samsung.
Performance Breakdown
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm)
- RAM: 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
- GPU: Adreno 740 (Optimized for gaming and graphics-heavy tasks)
Real-World Performance
✅ Lightning-fast speeds for multitasking and heavy tasks
✅ Better sustained performance due to enhanced cooling
✅ Handles any game at max settings (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, etc.)
✅ AI-powered processing improves image recognition and gaming performance
The S23 Ultra is one of the fastest smartphones ever, making it perfect for gamers, creators, and power users.
Camera System: The 200MP Beast
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra introduces a groundbreaking 200MP main camera, setting a new benchmark for mobile photography.
Rear Camera Setup
- Main Camera: 200MP (f/1.7, OIS, Super Quad Pixel AF)
- Ultra-Wide Camera: 12MP (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
- Telephoto Camera 1: 10MP (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom)
- Telephoto Camera 2: 10MP (f/4.9, 10x optical zoom, 100x Space Zoom)
Front Camera
- 12MP (f/2.2) with AI enhancements
What Makes It Special?
✅ 200MP sensor captures unmatched details
✅ Super Adaptive Pixel tech for better low-light photos
✅ AI-powered Nightography for sharp low-light shots
✅ Expert RAW mode for DSLR-like photography
✅ 100x Space Zoom for stunning long-distance shots
Samsung’s image processing has improved significantly, making the S23 Ultra one of the best camera phones ever.
Battery Life & Charging
The S23 Ultra packs a massive 5,000mAh battery, ensuring all-day power even under heavy use.
Battery Performance
- Screen-on time: 8-10 hours with mixed usage.
- Improved efficiency with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 means longer-lasting battery life.
- Standby mode extends battery life further.
Charging Speeds
- Wired Charging: 45W fast charging (0-65% in 30 mins).
- Wireless Charging: 15W fast wireless charging.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Power Share for charging accessories.
While charging speeds aren’t industry-leading, the S23 Ultra lasts longer than most flagships.
S Pen: A Productivity Powerhouse
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the only flagship in 2024 with a built-in S Pen, making it a true successor to the Note series.
S Pen Features
- Ultra-low latency for a real pen-on-paper feel.
- AI handwriting recognition to convert notes to text.
- Air Gestures for remotely controlling the phone.
- Screenshot & Editing Tools for creative work.
For note-takers, digital artists, and business users, the S Pen makes the S23 Ultra unique.
Price & Availability
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a premium flagship, but Samsung offers trade-in deals and discounts to make it more affordable.
Pricing
- 256GB / 8GB RAM – $1,199
- 512GB / 12GB RAM – $1,379
- 1TB / 12GB RAM – $1,619
Availability
- Launched in February 2023
- Available worldwide through Samsung stores, carriers, and retailers.
While expensive, its premium hardware and long-term software support justify the price.
Pros & Cons
Pros
✅ Stunning 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED display
✅ Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy ensures unmatched performance
✅ Best-in-class 200MP camera system
✅ S Pen for added productivity
✅ All-day battery life with a 5,000mAh battery
✅ Long-term software support (4 Android updates, 5 years of security updates)
Cons
❌ Expensive price tag
❌ 45W charging is slower than some competitors
❌ Bulkier design might not suit everyone
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the ultimate Android flagship, offering the best display, top-tier performance, an advanced camera system, and S Pen functionality.
Who Should Buy It?
✅ Photographers and content creators who want the best smartphone camera.
✅ Power users who need top-tier performance and productivity features.
✅ S Pen fans looking for a Note-like experience.
Who Should Skip It?
❌ Users who prefer compact phones.
❌ Those who want ultra-fast charging.
If you want the best Android phone money can buy, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the ultimate choice. Click here to go to Amazon.com
Specifications!
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | Announced: Feb 01, 2023 / Released: Feb 17, 2023 |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 234 g |
| Build | Glass front/back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| Display | 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1440 x 3088 pixels |
| Platform | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core CPU (1×3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | |
| GPU | Adreno 740 |
| Memory | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM (UFS 4.0) |
| Main Camera | Quad: 200 MP wide, 10 MP periscope telephoto (10x zoom), 10 MP telephoto (3x zoom), 12 MP ultrawide |
| Selfie Camera | 12 MP wide |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, no 3.5mm jack, 32-bit/384kHz audio, AKG-tuned |
| Battery | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2 |
| Features | IP68 dust/water resistant, Under-display fingerprint, Samsung DeX, UWB support |
| Colors | Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition |
| Price | $794.00 / €956.99 / £747.80 / ₹94,335 |
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