Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: In a League of Its Own

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra was, and nonetheless is, a very succesful smartphone. However, it was extra about merging the Note line and Galaxy line above anything. We lastly had a well-integrated S Pen in a camera-oriented Galaxy S collection smartphone. It was the final word Samsung smartphone, with nothing not noted, priced from Rs. 1,09,999. Rather than going for a full overhaul this 12 months with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung has created a system that can really feel very acquainted to a Galaxy S22 Ultra person, however with a twist.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra makes use of a brand-new major digicam sensor to allow a higher imaging expertise, and a Qualcomm SoC that has been customised to (hopefully) ship higher efficiency. However, all of this comes at a greater asking value, which I’m positive followers wouldn’t thoughts coughing up. Should you improve to the newest Ultra, or persist with the one that you just might need? 

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra value in India

Compared to final 12 months’s Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has obtained a noticeable value bump. It begins from Rs. 1,24,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant which is about Rs. 15,000 greater than the telephone it replaces. Then, there’s the following variant with 12GB of RAM and 512GB storage that is obtainable at Rs. 1,34,999, whereas the top-of-the-line 12GB RAM and 1TB storage variant is priced at an eye-watering Rs. 1,54,999. This brings the Galaxy S23 Ultra eerily near the at the moment obtainable Galaxy Z Fold 4 (Review), which oddly, is on the market from precisely Rs. 1,54,999.

For an iPhone person trying to change sides, the iPhone 14 Pro (Review) begins from Rs. 1,29,900, so the Ultra’s greater pricing should not be a large deal. However, on the Android aspect of issues, this could possibly be a bit worrisome so far as prime digicam telephones go, as a result of Google’s newest and biggest managed to ship higher nonetheless photographs in our digicam shootout with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and is on the market at a a lot lower cost of Rs. 80,999.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra design

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra continues to keep up its ‘Ultra’ standing within the measurement division. The telephone nonetheless appears to be like and feels costly, however has gained a bit of weight (234g vs 228g) over final 12 months’s mannequin, although it is not noticeably heavier. Regardless of weight (which continues to be lighter than an iPhone 14 Pro Max), the telephone absolutely feels chunkier due to its flatter sides.

Samsung has accomplished this by increasing the width of the steel body and decreasing the curvature of the sides. This makes it seem extra like a rectangle with rounded corners, as an alternative of the pill-shaped profile when considered from the highest or backside. Despite the added thickness over the earlier mannequin, the Galaxy S23 Ultra continues to be fairly comfy to carry because the refreshed design gives a broader, flatter floor on all sides for improved grip.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (proper) appears to be like similar to the older Galaxy S22 Ultra (left)

I actually want that Samsung would make a regular-sized Ultra telephone, identical to Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro, even when that meant ditching the stylus. I feel it could positively discover extra takers. This is extra so, as a result of the corporate all the time reserves its finest digicam {hardware} for the highest mannequin, and sadly, it solely reveals up in a single XXL measurement which is positively difficult to hold on you. Those with tiny pockets could must accept the smaller Galaxy S23, as soon as once more.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specs and software program

Just just like the earlier mannequin, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is all about bragging rights on the subject of specs. There’s a large 6.8-inch WQHD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh price and 240Hz contact sampling price.

Inside, there’s one thing new within the type of the ‘Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy’, which is Samsung’s branding for a customised Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. The telephone is obtainable with a most of 12GB of RAM and as much as 1TB of storage. The SIM card tray can maintain two nano-SIM playing cards and helps twin 5G standby, however the telephone doesn’t assist expandable storage.

Coming to communication requirements, there’s assist for a number of 5G bands, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB) and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port. The telephone has a 5,000mAh battery and helps 45W quick wired charging and 15W wi-fi charging, however comes with no charger within the field.

Samsung ought to actually contemplate a regular-sized Ultra mannequin like Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro

Samsung’s One UI 5.1 affords a slick person interface (UI) with clean animations and transitions all through the UI. Expert RAW is now half of the digicam app which makes it helpful for individuals who want it. The Gallery app, identical to iOS 16, permits customers to carry objects, individuals and pets from the picture and save them as PNG recordsdata for sharing. There are two new battery widgets, and an improved dynamic climate widget as nicely. Broader updates additionally enable Samsung Galaxy Book laptop computer house owners to make use of their trackpad and keyboard with their telephones. There’s additionally copy and paste performance to a supported telephone and vice-versa, identical to on an iPhone with a MacBook.

The S Pen nonetheless works as anticipated. One can jot down handwritten notes and even convert handwritten notes to characters immediately. Palm rejection when utilizing the S Pen is a bit of a drawback although.

Bloatware and third-party apps are surprisingly nonetheless a drawback on a smartphone that prices this a lot. The telephone comes with Microsoft 365, OneDrive, LinkedIn, Outlook, Facebook, Spotify and Netflix apps preinstalled. Out of these OneDrive can’t be uninstalled. There’s additionally loads of Samsung-branded apps, some of which have Google alternate options additionally current on the system akin to Samsung Internet and Google’s Chrome (or Samsung’s Messages app and Google’s Messages app).

The good half is that almost all of them (other than the core apps) could be uninstalled. With my utilization, I discovered nearly 15 Samsung-branded apps that I didn’t want or would by no means find yourself utilizing.

The minor design variations between the Galaxy S22 Ultra (prime) and the brand new Galaxy S23 Ultra (backside)

Thankfully, regardless of the tonne of bloatware, I didn’t get bombarded with any spammy notifications through the overview interval. I really feel Samsung must work on decreasing the bloatware on its premium lineup provided that Google’s Pixel doesn’t include a single third-party app preinstalled. Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro which is a direct competitor, additionally doesn’t include a single third-party app preinstalled.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra efficiency

Samsung’s show on the Galaxy S23 Ultra hasn’t modified a lot in phrases of proportions or decision, however the firm says it has labored to ship higher colors utilizing an improved adaptive ‘Vision Booster’ know-how. It claims to permit the show to provide higher colors and distinction when considered below vibrant lights or outdoor.

The firm additionally claims to have bumped up the display screen’s brightness to as much as 1,200 nits and a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. I’m pleased to say that every one these efforts actually present in real-world use. Whether I used to be utilizing the telephone to snap photographs in vibrant daylight or whereas viewing HDR10 content material, all the things regarded incredible on this huge show.

While the common Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC affords a most clock pace of 3.2GHz, Samsung’s customisations pushes this pace to three.36GHz. In benchmarks, the Galaxy S23 Ultra managed 11,79,528 factors in AnTuTu together with 1,513 and 4,626 factors in Geekbench 5’s single-core and multi-core checks, respectively. For context, the iQoo 11 5G and the OnePlus 11 5G managed scores of 12,63,366 and 10,16,772 in AnTuTu, respectively.

In phrases of graphics, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra managed 64fps in GFXBench’s Car Chase check, in comparison with the 111fps and 56fps on the iQoo 11 5G and the OnePlus 11 5G respectively. While evaluating scores, one additionally must maintain within the thoughts the upper show decision supplied by the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the OnePlus 11 5G.

Samsung has gone with a flatter Super AMOLED panel this time round

Samsung’s customised processor affords a number of advantages for its Galaxy S23 lineup, other than higher benchmark numbers. Samsung claims that its customised SoC ought to have the ability to ship higher AI processing speeds, together with higher low-light movies and photographs.

Most video games ran on the highest doable decision and with no situations of visible stuttering or dropped frames on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Overheating was not a drawback both, due to the larger vapour chamber cooling space, even throughout intense gaming classes (like working Genshin Impact at ‘Maximum’ graphics settings) or when recording 4K 60fps video again to again. Compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, I might contemplate the warmth administration to be a large leap ahead certainly.

While the telephone is sweet at working video games, I did not discover any helpful granular changes for particular person video games such as you get on different flagships. The contact sampling price as an illustration is one thing I didn’t discover to be spectacular in video games akin to Call of Duty: Mobile, and there isn’t any solution to increase or enhance it both. It would have been good to have such instruments in its Game Booster Plus plugin, which has very restricted customisation choices. 

The S Pen has not recieved any noticeable upgrades this 12 months

Battery life on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra was fairly spectacular provided that it has a large show to energy. During the overview interval, I set the show at its most WQHD+ decision with the display screen’s refresh price set to ‘Adaptive’, which routinely cycles between 1Hz-120Hz. The telephone managed to run for 21 hours and seven minutes in our HD video loop battery check, which is sort of spectacular.

Even with heavy digicam utilization, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra simply managed to final a full day, with about 30 % left on common. With informal use, you must anticipate this telephone to final a day and half with out breaking a sweat. Dropping the show’s decision all the way down to full-HD+ additionally provides a few additional hours to the telephone’s battery life.

Since the telephone doesn’t include its personal charger, I plugged it into a 61W USB PD charger. The Galaxy S23 Ultra managed a 34 % cost in half-hour, 64 % in an hour, and totally charging the telephone in 1 hour and 51 minutes, which is sort of sluggish for flagship requirements.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra cameras

Another spotlight of this 12 months’s Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the brand new Samsung-made 200-megapixel sensor for the first digicam. The sensor has the identical 1/1.3-inch measurement as a 108-megapixel sensor, which is how the S23 Ultra has related dimensions as its predecessor. Called the ISOCELL HP2, it’s a bit smaller than the HP1 (additionally made by Samsung) current on the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, however affords a 16-to-1 pixel binning system which captures 12-megapixel photos by default.

You may seize photographs at the complete 200-megapixel decision. Compared aspect by aspect, the 200-megapixel crop positively is sort of usable and packs in a tonne of particulars in comparison with the usual binned picture. However, there’s additionally a massive distinction in file measurement (5MB vs 35MB, per picture) and the previous additionally has a softer look. 

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with 4 rear-facing cameras

An even bigger improve is the brand new autofocus system, which Samsung calls “Super QPD”. According to Samsung, it mainly permits the digicam to make use of all of the 200 million pixels (grouped by 4 adjoining pixels) as focussing brokers. Unlike the HP1 sensor which may solely monitor modifications horizontally, the HP2 is ready to detect section modifications within the vertical course as nicely.

In idea, this could allow a lot sooner autofocus over the earlier mannequin. There’s additionally a new 12-megapixel selfie digicam which has autofocus, and an 80-degree discipline of view. This new selfie digicam fortunately, additionally makes it to the remainder of the Galaxy S23 lineup this 12 months. The relaxation of the rear cameras embody two telephoto cameras and an ultra-wide-angle digicam, and these stay the identical as final 12 months’s Galaxy S22 Ultra.

The digicam interface is identical as earlier than, with the addition of the Expert Raw mode, which now reveals up below the “More” tab within the digicam app. While it looks as if a neat integration, tapping on Expert RAW within the digicam app will take you to the obtain web page for the Expert RAW app within the Galaxy retailer. It’s mainly simply a shortcut to the separate app, however nonetheless a handy one. The Expert RAW app additionally options the brand new Astrophotography modes as nicely.

The picture samples proven beneath have been shot with the ‘Scene Optimiser’ AI function enabled, which leads to greater color saturation most of the time. If you like pure colors, then it is best to depart it disabled. The function doesn’t work when recording video.

Daylight picture high quality is top-notch and the first digicam captures loads of fantastic particulars with none extreme oversharpening. What stays subjective is Samsung’s color remedy, which is an space Google nearly perfected with the Pixel 7 Pro. Photos taken on the 200-megapixel decision seem cooler with skies which might be barely much less saturated (even with Scene Optimiser function turned off). However, dynamic vary and distinction is managed rather well.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra daylight digicam samples: (Top to backside) Auto mode 3X, Selfie portrait, Macro mode (faucet to see full measurement)

In low gentle, I caught to Samsung’s Nightography mode for probably the most half, however did allow the devoted Night mode for sure scenes. Just like daylight photographs, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers wonderful low-light photographs with good particulars and dynamic vary. It nonetheless has a drawback with dealing with vibrant avenue lights, however the gentle flares are much more subdued in comparison with what the Galaxy S22 Ultra captured, which is a good factor.

The Night mode affords barely superior imagery with much less noise, but in addition makes you wait a couple of seconds earlier than saving the picture, so it must be used solely in extraordinarily darkish circumstances. Autofocus, as anticipated, was very fast even in dimly lit situations proving that the bump to the brand new sensor was utterly price it. Despite its stellar efficiency in street-lit circumstances, Samsung’s S23 Ultra nonetheless can not deal with extraordinarily darkish scenes precisely, because the outcomes present a dreamy HDR impact.

Selfies got here out wanting crisp and clear with good topic separation when not utilizing the Portrait mode. The outcomes from the Portrait mode are related with wonderful edge detection. In low gentle, the brand new digicam managed to shoot some high quality selfies with good particulars and supplied equally good edge detection.

Samsung, throughout its briefing to the media, did spend a while speaking about the telephone’s potential to shoot higher low-light portrait photographs. I snapped some utilizing the first digicam in a very dimly-lit pub and the outcomes have been fantastic, however not spectacular. The telephone didn’t handle resolved particulars nicely sufficient and ended up wanting fairly comfortable. In common low-light circumstances the portrait photographs packed good particulars, wonderful edge detection, and good color copy.

The ultra-wide-angle digicam on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra affords a very huge 120-degree discipline of view. The photographs come out vibrant and sharp in daylight with good resolved particulars. The software program does handle to get the intense barrel distortion below management as nicely. In low gentle, the digicam continues to impress by providing a balanced combine of good particulars and distinction with the standard saturated colors, however dynamic vary falls a bit brief.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra daylight zoom efficiency (faucet to see full measurement)

The digicam setup affords an fascinating 100X hybrid zoom functionality. Images stay tack sharp up until 10X zoom, which is the S23 Ultra’s optical restrict, however nonetheless manages to ship spectacular high quality until 30X zoom. At 100X, the photographs seem fantastic as thumbnails however do not pack in a lot element. In low gentle, picture high quality from the telephoto digicam is spectacular until 3X zoom with noise nicely in management. At 10X zoom, the noise begins to creep in however the photographs are nonetheless fairly usable. At 30X zoom picture high quality does drop drastically and the digicam additionally has a bit of bother focussing.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra low-light zoom efficiency (faucet to see full measurement)

What is spectacular concerning the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s digicam setup is its stabilisation, which stays rock regular till 30X zoom. Beyond this, you must make a bit of an effort to carry the telephone regular, but it surely’s nonetheless not as tough as on the S22 Ultra. However, in low gentle the telephone tends to wrestle with stabilisation past 30X zoom and may get fairly shaky. Despite good zoom efficiency in low gentle, I used to be in a position to make use of Night mode to additional enhance the standard of low-light photos. This solely works nicely when you’ve got a tripod or very regular fingers because the Night mode exposures are lengthy and may end up blurry even with a minor shake.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra low-light zoom at 10X with Auto mode (prime) and Night mode (backside) (faucet to see full measurement)

Samsung additionally consists of RAW taking pictures functionality, which this time round, works not only for the rear cameras but in addition with the front-facing digicam. There’s additionally an Astrophotography mode within the Expert RAW app that lets customers seize star trails and starry skies, supplied you might have a view that is free from clouds, air air pollution or gentle air pollution. I attempted my finest and managed to get a decently clear shot that was free of noise, however the stars simply confirmed up as specs. Still, you’ll need to make use of a tripod for this mode not like the Vivo X80 Pro that may shoot similar-looking photographs, handheld.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Night Mode digicam samples: (Top to backside) Street-lit scene, Dimly lit scene (faucet to see full measurement)

Samsung has actually upped the standard of the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s video functionality this time round. 4K movies seem fairly detailed and have a rock regular bitrate as nicely. The new wider OIS system additionally ensures that recordings are very steady, whereas sustaining sharpness and high quality. What I used to be not a fan of was the bumped up color saturation when recording HDR10+ movies. This was seen, each, from the entrance and rear cameras. The closely saturated footage when considered on the punchy Super AMOLED panel will certainly wow onlookers, but it surely’s not probably the most correct illustration of the scene.

Low-light video recordings additionally regarded spectacular with noise nicely below management when taking pictures below street-lit circumstances, even when taking pictures in HDR10+. However, all of the above solely applies to the first digicam as low-light recordings on the ultra-wide-angle digicam weren’t as spectacular and regarded comfortable and noisy.

I even tried out the marketed 8K video recording, which for as soon as could be captured at a regular 30fps. The footage is sort of spectacular and packs superb particulars, making it look a lot higher than S23 Ultra’s 4K footage as nicely. Unlike the earlier telephone, taking pictures on this mode now makes use of the complete width of the sensor, which implies it is a a lot wider discipline of view than what we received earlier than. However, I did discover some minor stutters when panning in 8K mode.

Verdict

In a sea of Android flagships, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra positive stands tall but it surely’s additionally fairly lonely on the prime, with the one actual competitors (no less than in India) being the Apple iPhone 14 Pro (Review). While I’ve but to do a head-to-head digicam comparability between the 2 (coming quickly), the iPhone is actually no match for the zoom capabilities of Samsung’s flagship, and that is for sure.

At the identical time, the closest Android providing which comes near the Galaxy S23 Ultra each in phrases of functionality and premium design is the Google Pixel 7 Pro. However, at Rs. 80,999, it sits in one other value phase altogether, which is a lot decrease than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Simply put, there’s actually no direct competitors to the Galaxy S23 Ultra on the Android aspect, each in phrases of functionality and pricing.

Samsung has been in a position to ship a correct steadiness of distinctive {hardware} and optimised software program this 12 months, and most of it really works nicely when put collectively. While final 12 months’s Galaxy S22 Ultra solely had its far-reaching zoom capabilities to distance itself from different premium flagships, this 12 months Samsung has managed so as to add a lot extra to widen the hole such because the model new sensor and correct 8K recording, making its providing really distinctive. Also included is the S Pen, which continues to be probably the most distinctive function amongst any Android competitor. The strong battery life and customised SoC are welcomed bonuses.

While the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is clearly the do-it-all Android smartphone cash should buy in the meanwhile, all of it comes at a premium, which regardless of a value bump, is not exhausting to justify to a fan of the Ultra collection or a creator who’s searching for such pro-grade options in a smartphone. For a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra proprietor although, it may not be probably the most attractive improve this 12 months, until you crave the newest {hardware} or want that 8K 30fps functionality. Now, if we will solely get a smaller sized Ultra smartphone subsequent 12 months, I feel I’ll be really pleased.