Samsung Galaxy S23 Series Release, Features, and More

The Samsung Galaxy Series of phones sports some of the most advanced smartphones of the last decade. The Samsung Galaxy S series has been an especially popular line due to its premium nature.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 and its companion models, like the Galaxy S23 Plus and the S23 Ultra, are as powerful as any other premium smartphone in their generation. The base S23 offers strong competition for the latest Google and Apple products.

But what exactly does the Samsung Galaxy S23 bring to the table?

What Are the Basics of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Series?

The S23 is a major upgrade over the already ultra-powerful Samsung Galaxy S22. While the Ultra version of any given generation is always the strongest (and most expensive) phone in the lineup, the base version is always a top-of-the-line phone.

Here are some of the upgrades that the base Samsung Galaxy S23 has over its previous galaxy models, like the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S22 Ultra:

Specs

The Samsung Galaxy S22 used a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the best Android chipset on the market at the time. The Galaxy S23 was upgraded to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Also, the version integrated into the S23 was developed specifically for Galaxy phones.

Because of this partnership between Samsung and Snapdragon, the performance of this processing unit is maximized. No previous Android phone can match the power of the S23, even if they have a Gen 2 chip.

Design

The new Galaxy S23 resembles its predecessor, the Galaxy S22, but with a revamped design. The Galaxy S23 can be purchased in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, or Lavender.

Another cosmetic change on the Galaxy S23 is that the cameras are now in a vertical line down the back of the phone. This separates it from the Galaxy S22, which housed its triple camera system in a block to minimize the space it took up.

The Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra are also slightly lighter than the S22, weighing in at 5.8 and 6.8 ounces compared to the S22’s 5.9 and 6.9 ounces.

Display

Like the Samsung Galaxy S22, the Samsung Galaxy S23 comes in two varieties: a 6.1-inch base model and a 6.6-inch Plus model. The Ultra model, however, has a 6.8-inch screen, making it one of the bigger premium phones in its generation.

The Galaxy S23 retains the same FHD AMOLED screen as the Galaxy S22. The base model did get improved brightness, going up to 1,750 nits to match the upgraded versions.

Overall, the display hasn’t changed much since the previous S22 lineup, but the S23 does sport objectively better screens nonetheless.

Price

In January 2022, the Samsung Galaxy S22 launched at $799. This put it squarely in the middle of competing smartphone prices. The Plus had a price tag of $999, and the S22 Ultra came in at $1,199, taking the role of the phones with more premium pricing.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 launched in February of 2023 and retained the same pricing convention as its predecessors. The S22 series went down in price, seeing a variety of discounts in 2023 for those who were interested in going for the older generation.

The $799 price tag put the phone competitively in the same range as comparable Google and Apple models, making the fight between them one of software and hardware rather than price.

Camera

Other than the cosmetic changes made to the back cameras on the Galaxy S23, there were very few upgrades. The rear camera’s hardware has not changed since the launch of the S22.

The three lenses on the rear camera include its 50 MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, and 10MP 3x optical telephoto camera. The front camera of the Samsung Galaxy S23 has been upgraded from a 10MP sensor to a 12MP sensor, allowing for higher-quality selfies.

Some added and upgraded features in the camera settings include improved nightography low-light mode and 8k recording at 30fps.Additionally, Samsung added astro hyper-lapse mode, designed to capture stars moving over long periods of time.

Battery and Charging

The Samsung Galaxy S23 batteries have been upgraded to 3,900 mAh and 4,700 mAh in the base model and Plus, respectively, compared to the 3,700 mAh and 4,500 mAh as seen in the Galaxy S22.

The phone’s charging capabilities remain the same as its predecessor, charging at 25W wired and 10W wireless. Each phone has a USB-C charging cable but no wall plug out of the box.

Overall, the bigger batteries lead to much more power and functionality per charge. In a product where many of the features were conservative in their changes, the battery life is a significant upgrade.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Beat the Competition?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 may be a great phone, but how does it compare to the Google Pixel 7 and iPhone 14 series?

As far as performance goes, it is tough at this point to declare a winner between the S23 and the iPhone 14. While the Tensor Chip is sported by the Pixel 7, it does not quite match up to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and A15 Bionic chip sported by its competitors.

The S23 and its Snapdragon have a slight edge over the base iPhone 14, given that it utilizes the same processor as the iPhone 13. Comparing the S23 Ultra and 14 Pro Max would be a much tighter race, given that the Pro Max features the A16 Bionic Chip.

In terms of cameras, the S23 definitely outclasses its competitors. Its triple camera system works great in any lighting, and it has various camera settings. The battery is also relatively solid in the S23, with a large battery size and time between charges that is competitive with Apple and Google models.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Worth It?

The Galaxy S23 is a great phone, objectively one of the most advanced phones on the market. The biggest upgrade over the S22 is its brand-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which has top-of-the-line performance.

The brighter display is a plus, setting it apart from other phones with a similar price range, and the camera system is as good as any you will find in a $799 phone. The battery life is also significantly improved over the S22, giving you much more usage for every charging session.

It is important to note that the Galaxy S22 is not much weaker, and it can be found at significantly discounted prices.

However, at under $800, this S23 is a great deal for what you get. It is a significantly bigger upgrade than its predecessor compared to the jump from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 14. If it is within your means and you can find a good deal from a carrier, the Samsung Galaxy S23 would be a great phone to have.

The Bottom Line

The Galaxy S23 and its variants are powerful phones with a great display and processing unit. Not everyone will prefer it over the Google Pixel 7 or iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it remains one of the most impressive new phones on the market from a software and hardware perspective.

The price, battery life, connectivity, performance, and brightness are all attractive features of this new phone. The Galaxy S23 Plus and S23 Ultra are great phones as well, but the base model stands on its own as a worthy addition to the Samsung Galaxy family.

When trying to figure out which phone is the best for you, try using Navi. Navi can help you compare phone plans and showcase the best options based on your preferences.

Use Navi today to find the best phone deals on mobiles like the Samsung Galaxy S23.

‍