There are a few things I want to recommend doing before reading this review. Don’t be put off by the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s hefty price tag; instead, focus on what you’re getting for your money.
Don’t get too impressed with its impressive features and capabilities; instead, focus on what it can’t do. Don’t dismiss it as “more of the same” or you’ll overlook the improvements that ensure it will be useful for longer.
All You Need To Know Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G
I realise that’s a long list of “don’ts,” but there’s good reason for it. Why? Because the Galaxy S23 Ultra can fulfil all of your needs right now, next year, and probably for a few years after that as well.
When you realise this, you’ll focus solely on what it can’t accomplish, which is, believe me, a very limited list. Come along as we delve deep into our evaluation of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Regarding the Evaluation of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Our analysis of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is founded on extensive, daily experience with the device for a period of weeks. During that period, we put three different models through their paces, starting with a review unit provided by Samsung UK.
Each of the three is an unlocked model of the phone. Our daily use of the S23 Ultra continues, and any new information or insights will be incorporated into our ongoing Galaxy S23 Ultra review.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Design
I switched to the Galaxy S23 Ultra from the OnePlus 11 and had to spend the first few days getting used to its nuances. In comparison to the OnePlus 11, the S23 Ultra is bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable to hold. The S23 Ultra’s 9mm thickness, 78mm width, and 233g weight will be immediately noticeable if you’re upgrading from a smaller phone.
It’s not unusable, but you’ll need some time to get used to it if you’re coming from a smaller phone like the Galaxy S22 Ultra or an iPhone 14 Pro Plus. The S23 Ultra’s bulk and heft are manageable with time, but the device’s width and thickness present significant obstacles to using it with one hand.
For modern smartphones like the OnePlus 11, iPhone 14 Pro, or Galaxy S23 Plus, this is largely irrelevant. If this is going to be your first large smartphone, I would recommend visiting to a store and holding one to be sure it will work for you. For those who can’t get used to the S23 Ultra’s bulk, Samsung’s regular Galaxy S23 is a more comfortable option.
Samsung hasn’t made any major aesthetic adjustments to the Galaxy S23 Ultra in comparison to the S22 Ultra. The chassis and display are curved, the bezels are thin, and the five camera modules are round; all in all, it has the same professional appearance as previous models.
The fact that it isn’t flashy is likely to be one of its selling points. The S23 Ultra’s understated elegance belies a certain maturity, and the phone’s distinct design makes it easy to spot in a crowd. You won’t confuse it with the iPhone XS Max or the Pixel 7 Pro.
The construction is top-notch, it’s really robust, and it should last a long time. The S23 Ultra is equipped with Samsung’s newest Armor Aluminum chassis material and features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an IP68 rating for resistance to water.
The heft necessitates the use of a cover to prevent damage in the event of a drop onto a hard surface, but the peace of mind afforded by Samsung’s dedication to durability sets it apart from the competition.
The long list of software updates that Samsung promises, in addition to the phone’s longevity and high performance, make it a product you can feel good about owning for years to come. If you’re into mobile technology, you can retain a phone for two years, but this one will last you three or more.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Colors
The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes in eight unique hues. Although the Phantom Black, Lavender, Cream, and Green variants are the most common, Samsung offers four other colours for custom orders. Colors include lime green, black, blood red, and azure blue. Delivery times may increase if you choose a colour that is exclusive to Samsung devices.
The first phone we used was a green Galaxy S23 Ultra, and it’s a good-looking one. Smartphones in a green hue are currently trendy. Samsung avoided a vivid or forest green in favour of a more muted shade that would be less noticeable when the screen wasn’t illuminated properly. When illuminated, it popped out a little more, but it’s still not exactly eye-catching.
Samsung’s innovative new hues are a giant leap forward. They are far more vivid and noticeable than the average. Although it took a week longer to arrive than a regular colour option, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to go with the Sky Blue model.
I gave serious thought to getting the red one, but ultimately decided that the chrome chassis of the Sky Blue model was more appealing to me. The blue is still muted; it seems almost silver from certain perspectives. If you can wait, you won’t be sorry you got one of Samsung’s limited edition colours.
Camera on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The ISOCELL HP2 200-megapixel camera made by Samsung is the main selling point. It’s accompanied by two 10MP telephoto cameras that provide 3x and 10x optical zoom, as well as a more typical 12MP wide-angle sensor with a 120-degree field of view.
Optical image stabilisation (OIS), laser autofocus, and a Super Resolution Zoom that can be set between 30x and 100x digital zoom are also included in the camera’s feature set. The camera can take images at a maximum resolution of 200 megapixels, however doing so will require at least 40 megabytes of storage space, as opposed to the standard 4–7 megabytes that the camera uses for 12 megapixel photos.
The main thing you need to know about the camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra is not that it has 200 megapixels, but that it has fantastic zoom. These completely alter the camera’s capabilities, making it far more adaptable than those of any other smartphone on the market.
The 30x zoom has now caught up to the quality of the 10x and 3x zooms. And while the 100x isn’t perfect, it’s miles ahead of where it was before. In terms of image quality, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s telephoto cameras simply cannot be matched by any other smartphone on the market. Taking incredible zoom photographs with the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a lot of fun.
The primary camera captures stunning images, and you’d never guess it wasn’t a 200MP shooter. There is a lively, dynamic vibe to the shots, with bold colours and lots of fine detail. The camera does a good job of creating an environment that is neither too realistic nor too fantastical, and I find that quite appealing.
While the increased saturation is often effective, it can occasionally go too far, especially with reds and blues. Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, it shoots photographs that are noticeably brighter and expose more detail in the shadows, albeit at the sacrifice of a realistic colour palette.
The camera may also capture scenes with dramatically varied moods. These are more “immediately shareable,” in my opinion, but it may not be something everyone appreciates. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera has its limitations: it has trouble focusing in low light, it occasionally fails to focus while utilising the 10x magnification, and the viewfinder isn’t always a reliable representation of the final product.
The fact that they look so much worse than the final product could discourage you from shooting photos that turn out fine. We are testing the phone before its official release, so these problems may be fixed in a future software update.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: video Recording
I still enjoy the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s still camera, which is so adaptable that I rarely find myself frustrated that it didn’t take the photo I was going for. What about the footage of the concert, though? Video may be captured on the Galaxy S23 Ultra at up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second (fps) or at a more manageable 4K level at 60 fps.
Also supported are slow-motion, Hyperlapse, and Portrait video, among others. While shooting at higher resolutions, you’ll need to be aware of storage space limitations. The average size of a minute of 4K footage is around 550MB, whereas 8K video is roughly 620MB.
It’s easy to imagine how quickly 256GB of storage space would be filled if you did this frequently and also started capturing 200MP stills. If you plan on shooting a lot of video, you might think about getting the 512GB model or possibly the larger ones.
But how does the video on the Galaxy S23 Ultra actually look? I took the phone on a weekend trip and intentionally shot more moving pictures than normal in order to get an idea. The S23 Ultra’s video mode is fantastic; it’s like having a second still-image capture mode. Personally, I think still images are superior, but I recognise that moving images can be just as effective for other people.
How Effective Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The extraordinary capabilities of the Galaxy S23 Ultra can’t be adequately described by the word “powerful.” I wish I could claim that I have exhausted the capabilities of my phone, but I doubt it. I capture images and videos at 8K resolution and 200 megapixels, use Bluetooth and Samsung DeX, and play games. The S23 Ultra just shrugs off all of that pressure.
After 30 minutes of playing Asphalt 9: Legends, there is no discernible rise in temperature outside of some mild warmth along the top edge. After 15 minutes of recording a Hyperlapse film, the phone’s camera module became noticeably warmer to the touch.
In comparison to previous phones I’ve tried, app loading and refreshing take seconds, and Google Maps can get a signal and load the surrounding area in record time. When such details become apparent, you know the system as a whole is lightning fast and seamless.
S Pen Stylus
The Galaxy Note series has been discontinued in favour of the flagship S Series phone, and the S Pen stylus is now housed in a slot on the device’s underside. It stays put and is charged while docked, so your Bluetooth-powered little device is never out of juice.
Although the pen is quite skinny and short, I have no trouble holding it and writing with it. But, the short length might not be ideal for someone like myself who isn’t exactly a master artist. You can use it as a remote shutter button for your phone’s camera, clip images and text, translate text, take notes, sketch, and more.
It’s as multipurpose as a stylus gets. While there’s no denying that it’s well-designed and offers more functionality than a passive stylus, whether or not you find yourself consistently employing it depends on how often you find yourself taking handwritten notes or sketching on your smartphone.
Battery and Charging:
The Galaxy S23 Ultra ships with a USB Type-C to Type-C connection but no wall charger. To use the phone’s fastest charging technology, a Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0 charger or a charger from another manufacturer that supports both Samsung’s technology and the USB Power Delivery PPS standard, are required.
If you’re new to fast-charging smartphones, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s specific charging requirements may seem a bit bewildering. Although Samsung recommends purchasing its own charger (which will run you about $30), third-party options are readily accessible with a little bit of research.
My phone was fully charged in 63 minutes using the Anker 313 GaN charger, which supports Power Delivery PPS as well as Super Rapid Charging 2.0. It’s not as quick as the OnePlus 11, but few phones are, and an hour is enough for such a large battery.
Price and Availability:
For $1,199, you can get the cheapest Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with 256GB of storage space. The phone starts at $1,379 for the base model with 256GB of storage space, and goes up to $1,699 for the highest-end variant with 1TB of storage space.
It is available in the standard hues of green, cream, lavender, and phantom black, with the extra options of red, lime, graphite, and sky blue available exclusively through Samsung. The Galaxy S23 Ultra with 256GB of storage is available in the United Kingdom for 1,249 British pounds.
Prices range from £1,399 for the 1TB model to £1,599 for the 512GB variant. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is available for purchase from Samsung’s own online store, major shops including Amazon and Best Buy, and most major wireless service providers.
