With the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung is clearly aiming at buyers who want a well-rounded phone without too many compromises. Here is our take on what it brings to the table. Announced in 2023, February 01, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
Up front there is a 6.8 inches, 114.7 cm 2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) screen, pushing a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density), which is more than sharp enough for everyday use, streaming and a bit of gaming. The build feels well put together, and Samsung has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Phantom Black.
Performance & Software
Powering the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm), paired with 8GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 8.5 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
Photography is handled by a main 200 MP shooter that should cover most situations, from daylight shots to the occasional low-light frame. It is not a pro camera rig, but for everyday memories it gets the job done nicely.
Battery
There is a Li-Ion 5000 mAh battery inside, and that is a healthy number that keeps range anxiety at bay.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Samsung is promising, here is where we land. Samsung has clearly gone for substance over gimmicks here, and we respect that approach. It gets the basics right, offering strong battery life, a dependable main camera, a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. You could nitpick a few things, as you can with any phone in this bracket. Even so, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra holds its own and represents a solid, no-nonsense buy. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
