Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: In-Depth Review and Key Features

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Key Specifications

  • Release Date: February 17, 2023
  • Weight: 234g, 8.9mm thickness
  • Operating System: Android 13, up to 4 major upgrades
  • Storage Options: 256GB/512GB/1TB, no card slot
  • Display: 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Vision Booster
  • Resolution: 1440 x 3088 pixels (~500 PPI)
  • Main Camera: 200MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP (Quad Lens)
  • Front Camera: 12MP HDR10+
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm)
  • Battery: 5000mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless
  • Price: Starting from £469.00

Introduction to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra changes the way we think about flagship smartphones. It offers amazing features like a 200MP main camera and a fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It also comes with the famous S Pen stylus. The phone has excellent battery life, a high-resolution display, and strong build quality. Because of all this, it is one of the best Android phones you can find.

Design and Build Quality

Premium Build with Sustainability

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a stylish and strong design. It uses recycled materials, like fishing nets and water barrels. This helps promote care for the environment.

  • Build: Made with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, plus a strong Armor Aluminium frame.
  • Durability: It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes).
  • Weight: Weighs 234g, giving it a solid and high-quality feel.
  • Colours: Comes in Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Sky Blue, and special editions like the BMW M Edition.

Display Features

Exceptional Visual Quality

The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers an amazing viewing experience. It has high resolution and comes with adaptive technology.

  • Resolution: 1440 x 3088 pixels, which creates detailed photos and clear images.
  • Adaptive Refresh Rate: Changes up to 120Hz on its own for smoother scrolling and better battery life.
  • Vision Booster Feature: Improves screen clarity in direct sunlight.
  • Brightness: Reaches up to 1750 nits, perfect for use inside and outside.

Performance and Efficiency

Powered by the New Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside. This chip gives it stronger performance for gaming, multitasking, and editing media.

  • CPU: It has an octa-core with a 3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 core. This makes it really fast for processing.
  • GPU: The phone uses Adreno 740. This gives better graphics performance for gaming and video editing.
  • Software: It runs on One UI 6.1.1. This is Samsung’s user-friendly interface for a smooth experience.
Performance and Efficiency of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Camera System

Photography Taken to the Next Level

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 200MP main camera. This camera takes detailed photos, especially in lower light situations. It uses adaptive pixel sensors to perform well when it's dark.

  • Main Camera: A 200MP sensor takes sharp and clear high-resolution pictures.
  • Telephoto Lenses: Two 10MP lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom give clear details for faraway shots.
  • Ultrawide Lens: A 12MP lens is perfect for group photos and landscapes.
  • Front Camera: A 12MP HDR10+ camera is great for selfies and video calls.

Camera Features:

  • Astro Hyperlapse Mode: Take stunning time-lapse videos of the night sky.
  • Space Zoom: Enjoy up to 100x digital zoom with better stability.
  • Night Mode: Create compelling night portrait mode images with natural light.

Battery and Charging

Excellent Battery Life

The 5000mAh battery gives you performance all day long. It also comes with good charging choices.

  • Fast Charging: Charges up to 65% in just 30 minutes using 45W wired charging.
  • Wireless Charging: Offers 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
  • Battery Life: Stays powered for over 13 hours of active use, making it one of the best phone battery life options out there.

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S Pen Integration

Productivity Enhanced

The S Pen stylus is a key feature of the Ultra series. It offers amazing functionality that you won't find anywhere else.

  • Precision Writing: Great for taking Samsung Notes or drawing.
  • Remote Control: Use the S Pen to manage the camera or move through presentations.
  • Bixby Text Call: A hands-free option to turn voice into text.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Competitors

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro Max are both strong choices for the best camera phones. The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a 200MP rear camera that works well in low light, thanks to its larger pixel sizes. Its digital zoom options, like the 10x optical zoom and Space Zoom, offer great flexibility. In comparison, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 48MP rear camera, which does not provide the same level of versatility.

The S23 Ultra uses a new chip called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This chip gives better graphics and makes multitasking smoother than Apple’s A16 Bionic chip. The Ultra also has an advanced vision booster. This feature helps the display look clear even in direct sunlight. Because of this, it is great for outdoor use.

The S23 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery. This battery lasts longer than the iPhone’s 4323mAh battery. This is great for long gaming or work sessions. On the other hand, the iPhone has a small design without a SIM tray. It focuses on eSIM-only in some areas. The starting price of the S23 Ultra is £469. This is the best deal when you compare it to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which has an upfront cost of £1,199.

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Google Pixel 7 Pro

The Galaxy S23 Ultra stands out with its top hardware. In contrast, the Google Pixel 7 Pro focuses more on software features. The Ultra has a rear camera with a powerful 200MP sensor. This helps take amazing photos in low light. The Pixel, on the other hand, has a 50MP rear camera that works well with software for great pictures. For people buying a flagship phone for the first time, the Ultra includes nice extras. It comes with the S Pen stylus and an inner cover made from recycled materials for better protection.

The S23 Ultra has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. This chip gives better performance, especially for gaming and multitasking. On the other hand, the Pixel uses the Tensor G2 chip. It is good for AI tools, like voice transcription. However, it does not have the Ultra's advanced vision booster, which is great for bright outdoor viewing.

Both devices have digital zoom options. However, the Ultra stands out with its 100x Space Zoom and Astro Hyperlapse modes, making its camera experience unique. The S23 Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery and 45W fast charging. This makes it a better choice for heavy users. On the other hand, the Pixel has slower 23W charging, which may feel limiting. The Pixel 7 Pro is priced at £849, which is attractive. But at £469, the Ultra offers better value for people who want premium features.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Competitors

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S23+

The Galaxy S23 Ultra gives a different experience than the Galaxy S23+. Both have the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. However, the Ultra features a larger pixel sensor in its rear camera. This allows for better low light photography and clearer images.

The Ultra comes with features like the S Pen stylus and Space Zoom. This makes it a great pick for creators. It has an advanced vision booster for a clear display in any lighting. On the other hand, the S23+ is more fitting for people who want a smaller design.

The Ultra has a 5000mAh battery, which lasts longer than the S23+’s 4700mAh. This means you can use it more for gaming, working, and receiving calls. The S23 Ultra might seem to have a higher upfront cost, but its extra features make it the best deal for power users.

Feature Galaxy S23 Ultra iPhone 14 Pro Max Google Pixel 7 Pro
Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 A16 Bionic Tensor G2
Main Camera 200MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP 48MP + 12MP + 12MP 50MP + 48MP + 12MP
Battery 5000mAh 4323mAh 5000mAh
Display 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED 6.7" LTPO OLED
Starting Price (UK) £469.00 £1,199 £849

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SIM-Only Deals for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

For users who want to buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra directly and need flexible SIM-only plans, several providers in the UK have good options available.

Provider Monthly Cost Data Allowance Contract Length Features
VOXI £10 15GB 30 days Unlimited social media usage
EE £12 10GB 12 months 5G included
Vodafone £15 Unlimited 12 months Free roaming in selected zones
Three £18 30GB 12 months Includes mobile hotspot sharing
O2 £20 50GB 12 months Access to O2 Priority benefits

Prices correct as of January 5, 2025.

Benefits of SIM-Only Deals:

  • Affordable: You can start with SIM-only plans that cost as little as £10 each month. This means you get good value and flexibility.
  • 5G Connectivity: Enjoy fast internet with the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 5G features.
  • Flexibility in Data: Pick data packages that fit how you use your phone.

Pay Monthly Contract Deals for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

For people who want to pay for the device over time, monthly payment plans are an option.

Provider Monthly Cost Upfront Cost Data Allowance Contract Length Features
O2 £47 £119 300GB 5G data 24 months Unlimited minutes and texts, Phantom Black variant
Three £51 £29 Unlimited 5G data 24 months Unlimited minutes and texts, Phantom Black variant
Vodafone £51 £29 Unlimited 5G data 24 months Unlimited minutes and texts, Cream variant

Prices correct as of January 5, 2025.

Benefits of Pay Monthly Contracts:

  • Device Affordability: You can pay for the Galaxy S23 Ultra in easy monthly payments.
  • Generous Data Allowances: Choose from options like 300GB or unlimited data for heavy use.
  • Additional Perks: Some providers will give you extra benefits, such as roaming, priority services, and more.

Considerations When Choosing a Deal:

  • Initial Payments: Some contracts need a first payment. Check your budget before deciding.
  • Length of Contract: Most contracts last for 24 months. Make sure you feel good about this time period.
  • Network Service: Confirm that the provider has good service in your area.

You can choose the best deal for you by looking at your data needs, budget, and favourite network. This way, you can enjoy all the great features of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

FAQs About the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The 200MP main camera takes clear and detailed photos thanks to its smart pixel sensors. It has an Astro Hyperlapse Mode for capturing amazing night shots and a Space Zoom feature that makes it even more useful.

The 5000mAh battery gives great battery life. It can last more than 13 hours when used actively.

Yes, the S Pen stylus comes with it. It offers special features such as remote camera control and accurate writing.

The S23 Ultra has a big 200MP camera. It also comes with a larger battery of 5000mAh. The phone supports the S Pen stylus. This gives you more options for using it, and it starts at a lower price of £469 compared to £1,199.

The device comes in three options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. All of these have UFS 4.0 storage. This helps them work faster.

It has an IP68 rating. This means it can resist dust and water. It can stay in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.

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Page last updated on: 31/01/2025

Page reviewed by: Shay Ramani

4000+ reviews