These days, it appears like Samsung can do no fallacious. The Korean model is in a dominant place within the foldable class, and the Galaxy S portfolio options among the best Android phones you will get right now. The Galaxy S23 Ultra particularly is a terrific cellphone that units a excessive commonplace for flagships in 2023, and whereas the inner {hardware} clearly performs an enormous half, Samsung is doing all the appropriate issues with One UI 5.1.
As a lot as I just like the S23 Ultra, it may be cumbersome to make use of at occasions on account of its measurement, and that is the place the Galaxy S23+ is available in. Like earlier years, the S23+ is the center little one in Samsung’s portfolio, and it has the identical design because the vanilla S23 whereas choosing up just a few options from the S23 Ultra — all in a manageable measurement.
It would not have the 200MP digital camera that adorns the again of the S23 Ultra, however in case you’re after a cellphone that is comfy to carry and use whereas nonetheless providing a premium really feel, the Galaxy S23+ may be the best alternative for you.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: Pricing and availability
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S23+ alongside the usual Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra on February 1, 2023. The cellphone is now obtainable globally, and retails for $999 within the U.S. for the 256GB model and $1,119 for the 512GB mannequin. As all the time, Samsung has very beneficiant trade-in offers going as much as $750, and the 512GB mannequin is already right down to $999 — the identical because the 256GB version.
The S23+ retails for £1,049 ($1,297) within the U.Ok. for the 256GB mannequin and £1,149 ($1,421) for the 512GB model, and over in India you will have to shell out ₹94,999 ($1,155) for the 256GB mannequin and ₹104,999 ($1,276) for the 512GB version.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: Design
If Samsung simply shrunk the S23 Ultra and referred to as it the S23+, it could have been one of many best-looking telephones of the 12 months. I actually like what Samsung did with the Ultra; though it is a large cellphone, it feels significantly better to carry and use than the S22 Ultra, and an enormous a part of that’s right down to the decreased curvature across the display screen.
However, the S23+ would not have a lot in the way in which of resemblance with its Ultra sibling, with Samsung as an alternative opting to go together with flat sides that make the cellphone look cumbersome. The commonplace S23 additionally has an analogous aesthetic with flat sides, and Samsung has been doing this for just a few years now, with the Ultra variant getting the curved display screen with the opposite two fashions that includes a flatter look.
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Samsung is not the one model doing this both; Xiaomi went with an analogous type with the Xiaomi 13 Pro and the usual mannequin this 12 months. And as for the S23+, whereas I do not want telephones with flat sides, the design is polished, and the cream shade variant I’m utilizing appears premium. That stated, the edges have a shiny end that takes away from the upmarket look, and Samsung ought to have used a matte texture right here. There are not any such points on the again, and the frosted glass panel appears nice and is comfy to carry and use.
On that word, Samsung nailed the scale of the S23+, and also you get a big display screen with out sacrificing usability; as a lot as I just like the S23 Ultra, it will get cumbersome with prolonged use, and that wasn’t an issue on the S23+. And like all Samsung flagships within the final seven years, the Galaxy S23+ provides IP68 mud and water resistance as commonplace.
The again additionally has a minimalist design for the digital camera housing, with the three modules encased in rings. Samsung deserves credit score for not going overboard right here, in contrast to its Chinese rivals — the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Find X6 Pro have large digital camera islands that dominate the eye. Elsewhere, you will discover the SIM card tray on the backside, and it holds two SIM playing cards (one in North America) and also you get the flexibility to make use of eSIM.
While I’m not a fan of telephones with flat sides, it is inarguable that the Galaxy S23+ is a well-rounded bundle that holds its personal towards different flagships. Samsung continues to do a superb job with a cohesive design language throughout generations, and the S23+ feels acquainted and fashionable on the similar time.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: Screen
What I notably like in regards to the Galaxy S23+ is that it has a flat 6.6-inch panel, so in case you’re not a fan of curved screens, that is the best choice in Samsung’s portfolio. The AMOLED display screen itself is among the many greatest you will discover on a cellphone right now, going as much as an insane 1,750 nits for HDR content material. There are zero points with shade vibrancy or distinction, and the S23+ holds up extremely effectively for gaming and streaming TV reveals and flicks.
The display screen does an important job dynamically adjusting the refresh price from 10Hz all the way in which to 120Hz, and you will not discover any slowdown in any way on this space. There’s good customizability in relation to shade administration as effectively, and whereas the always-on mode is not as feature-rich as ColorOS 13, you get an honest set of choices.
The Galaxy S23+ additionally excels at gaming, and is ready to play video games on the full 120hz for titles that permit it. This has been a limitation on just a few telephones I used this 12 months — just like the OnePlus 11 — so it is good to see Samsung unlocking the complete potential of the display screen right here. There’s stereo sound as effectively, and whereas it is not as detailed because the Xiaomi 13 Pro, it makes a distinction in day by day use.
The entrance and rear panes of glass are lined by a layer of Corning’s newest Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and I’ve little question that it’s going to show to be simply as resilient as final 12 months. I do not use a case with any of my gadgets, and within the three weeks I used the S23+, the cellphone weathered the occasional tumble with none points.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: Performance and battery
Samsung overhauled its technique this 12 months, removing dual-sourcing Qualcomm and Exynos and as an alternative utilizing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as commonplace globally. This is a large deal for the Korean producer, and what’s much more engaging is that it’s utilizing a barely overclocked model of Qualcomm’s newest chipset, dubbed Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy.
Right off the bat, what’s evident with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is that it delivers significantly better sustained efficiency than final 12 months, and meaning you get lag-free gaming even throughout prolonged periods. In truth, the custom-made model of the chipset within the Galaxy S23+ is the quickest you will discover on an Android cellphone right now, and it’s the closest Qualcomm has come to difficult the would possibly of the A16 Bionic.
| Category | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|
| OS | One UI 5.1 based mostly on Android 13 |
| Display | 6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED (2340 x 1080), HDR10+, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, 1 x 3.36GHz Cortex X3, 2 x 2.8GHz Cortex A715, 2 x 2.8GHz Cortex A710, 3 x 2.0GHz Cortex A510, Adreno 740, 4nm |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear digital camera 1 | 50MP f/1.8, 1.0um pixels, OIS, 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps |
| Rear digital camera 2 | 10MP f/2.4 telephoto, 1.0um pixels, OIS, 3x optical zoom |
| Rear digital camera 3 | 12MP f/2.2 wide-angle, 1.4um pixels, 120-degree FoV |
| Front digital camera | 12MP autofocus, 4K at 60fps |
| Ingress safety | IP68 mud and water resistance |
| Security | In-screen ultrasonic fingerprint module, face unlock |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6e, Sub-6 5G (world), mmWave 5G (NA), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
| Audio | Stereo sound, USB-C, 32-bit/384kHz, AptX HD |
| Battery | 4700mAh, 45W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging, 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging |
| Dimensions | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6mm, 196g |
| Colors | Black, Cream, Green, Lavender |
There’s a noticeable distinction in fluidity versus final 12 months, and there are not any slowdowns in any way in day by day use. Considering the S23+ makes use of Qualcomm {hardware} globally, it’s the preferrred improve path for these utilizing Exynos variants of Samsung’s telephones.
Another change with this technology is that the bottom mannequin comes with 256GB of storage, and it picks up the most recent UFS 4.0 storage module. The S23+ can be bought in a 512GB configuration, with each fashions that includes 8GB of RAM — greater than satisfactory for Android in its present state.
The ultrasonic module is bigger than earlier years, but it surely nonetheless is not fairly as quick as its optical counterparts. That stated, it’s higher than final 12 months, and aside from an infinitesimal delay to authenticate, it’s dependable in day by day use. There is not a lot lacking on the {hardware} aspect of issues, with the S23+ providing Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE, dual-band GPS, NFC, AptX HD codecs, and UWB.
As for battery life, the 4700mAh battery simply manages to final effectively over a day, and I did not have any battery nervousness within the three weeks I used the Galaxy S23+. This has been the case with all telephones powered by Qualcomm’s newest silicon, and even with heavy use you can get to the top of the day with some cost left over.
And when you should cost the system, there’s 45W wired and 15W wi-fi charging. Samsung continues to be being conservative in relation to charging tech, and that is comprehensible given the model’s historical past. Although the S23+ takes longer to cost than its Chinese rivals, it hits 60% in half-hour, and that must be greater than satisfactory if you should cost the system in the midst of the day.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: Cameras
Samsung is not one to tweak a successful system, and consequently the Galaxy S23+ makes use of an analogous digital camera array as final 12 months. You’ll discover a 50MP major digital camera with OIS that makes use of Samsung’s S5KGN3 imaging module, and it’s joined by a 10MP Samsung S5K3K1 telephoto lens that has OIS and goes as much as 3x optical zoom and a 12MP wide-angle Sony IMX564. Up entrance, you will discover a new 12MP selfie digital camera with autofocus.
Given that nothing has modified on the {hardware} aspect of issues, the S23+ shoots pictures in the identical 12MP decision as final 12 months, and the interface itself is equivalent. Samsung has among the finest Pro modes obtainable on any system, and it offers you far more flexibility in relation to enhancing pictures taken on the cellphone. All three sensors work with Night mode by default, and may shoot 4K video at 60fps.
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Although the digital camera {hardware} hasn’t modified, you will discover a definite distinction within the pictures taken by the Galaxy S23+. The resultant pictures nonetheless have Samsung’s signature distinction look, however it’s toned down versus earlier generations, and also you get pictures which can be far more correct. This is especially true of pictures taken outdoor, with the sky rendered precisely — final 12 months’s gadgets tended to spice up saturation ranges to the purpose the place it felt like there was a filter in use.
As you’d think about, the S23+ has no issues in any way in daylight eventualities, delivering pictures with loads of dynamic vary and element. There’s no seen noise, and foliage would not look too comfortable — one other uptick over earlier fashions. The telephoto lens additionally does a superb job in daylight conditions, producing pictures of the identical caliber at as much as 3x. It can go as much as 30x, and when you miss out on the insane 100x issue that the S23 Ultra can deal with, the digital 30x mode delivers usable pictures.
In an analogous vein, the wide-angle lens does a terrific job retaining shade steadiness and accuracy, and I do not actually have any negatives on this space. All three cameras fare rather well in low-light conditions as effectively, with Night mode kicking in robotically as soon as ambient lighting going underneath a threshold. Overall, the S23+ has unbelievable cameras throughout the board, and whereas Samsung did not change the {hardware}, it made the required tweaks to its imaging algorithms to convey the system as much as par with the Pixel 7 Pro and the Xiaomi 13 Pro.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: Software
I’m going to maintain this part comparatively brief as there is not a lot so as to add that my colleague Nick hasn’t already lined in his Galaxy S23 Ultra evaluate. Samsung deserves numerous credit score for modernizing its UI, and One UI 5.1 feels fashionable and fluid whereas nonetheless retaining numerous the legacy options.
Samsung built-in all the brand new options Google launched with Android 13, and whereas you do not get the identical Material You aesthetic, most of its salient elements are intact — together with the dynamic shade picker. While there is not a lot new in Android 13 itself, I like that notifications are opt-in by default; apps can now not ship notifications after they’re put in, and you will see a dialog field in search of notification entry upon first launch. This builds on the work Google is doing with notification administration with the likes of notification channels, and it is good to see that function obtainable in One UI 5.1.
Elsewhere, you will discover a taskbar itemizing any app that is working within the background, but it surely has been pushed to the overview menu as an alternative of the notification shade. There continues to be numerous customizability, and the largest distinction in my use case is the final fluidity. I observed this on the S23 Ultra as effectively, and Samsung did job optimizing the interface to be smoother throughout normal navigation.
Another space the place Samsung is doing all the appropriate issues is software program updates. The Galaxy S23+ will get 4 assured Android model updates and 5 years of safety updates, and the model has constantly proven that it is ready to ship platform updates on time. The S22 Ultra picked up the secure Android 13 replace in underneath two months of Google introducing the model, and Samsung continues to be the one model aside from Google to ship month-to-month safety patches to its telephones.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: The competitors
The Galaxy S22+ continues to be a unbelievable system in 2023, and contemplating simply how little has modified with the S23+, it’s the preferrred different. You get the identical vibrant AMOLED panel, comparable design, similar caliber of cameras, equivalent software program, and comparable connectivity. The S23+ lasts a little bit longer and is better-suited for prolonged gaming, however the S22+ isn’t any slouch on this regard, and it manages to final all day with out breaking a sweat. So if you’d like a greater worth, get the S22+.
The Pixel 7 Pro continues to be dominant, delivering excellent cameras in a chic design. The cellphone will not get as many updates because the S23+, however it’s first in line to get new Android releases, and I just like the Material You aesthetic. It would not miss out in any key areas, and because it has been out there for just a few months now, you’ll be able to choose it up for just a few hundred {dollars} lower than the S23+.
Another system to think about is the Xiaomi 13 Pro. Xiaomi nailed the fundamentals this 12 months, and the 13 Pro appears and feels fabulous. It holds its personal towards the perfect Android telephones in relation to the cameras, and whereas MIUI 14 hasn’t modified an excessive amount of, it’s fluid. The solely subject with the Xiaomi 13 Pro is that it’s going to not get the identical variety of updates because the S23+, and Xiaomi has been lackadaisical in rolling out well timed platform and safety updates.
Samsung Galaxy S23+: Should you purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
- You desire a flagship that is straightforward to carry and use
- You’re on the lookout for a vibrant display screen with loads of customization
- You want a robust cellphone that is terrific for gaming
- You need dependable cameras that shoot nice pictures and movies
- You’re on the lookout for all of the extras
You should not purchase this if:
- You need Samsung’s newest digital camera tech
- You want a cellphone with a MicroSD slot
Ultimately, the Galaxy S23+ would not differ an excessive amount of from its predecessor, with Samsung tweaking issues in just a few areas as an alternative of constructing wholesale modifications. While this technique clearly works for Samsung, I’d have preferred to see the S23 Ultra’s 200MP digital camera on the S23+, as it could have made the cellphone that rather more alluring.
Not everybody would desire a large cellphone, and having used the iPhone 14 Pro for an prolonged period this 12 months, I can not assist however really feel that Samsung must go an analogous route and provide a tool with the identical digital camera {hardware} because the S23 Ultra in a smaller chassis. That is not the case this time, however even then, the S23+ strikes the best steadiness in Samsung’s flagship portfolio, and is a viable possibility if you’d like a cellphone that is a little bit simpler to make use of.
Of course, in case you’re within the U.Ok. or some other European nation, you will need to contemplating switching due to the Qualcomm {hardware}. Samsung historically supplied the Exynos model of its telephones within the area during the last seven years, and having used these Exynos-powered telephones, I can say with some confidence that the Qualcomm model is considerably higher. So in case you’ve held out on shopping for a brand new cellphone, now’s the best time to change.
The Galaxy S23+ would not introduce groundbreaking new options, but it surely has a sophisticated design and would not miss out on a lot. If you are after a high-end cellphone that is comfy to carry and use, that is the best alternative.