At the Galaxy Unpacked Event on February 1, 2023, Samsung unveiled its next-generation smartphone, part of the Galaxy S series. These new iterations bring changes and hardware improvements that Samsung hopes will have a meaningful impact.
If you prefer a smaller device, unlike the Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra, the vanilla Galaxy S23 should be the perfect combination of size and performance. We delve into all the important things about compact flagship phones.
Pricing and Availability
Samsung Galaxy S23
The Samsung Galaxy S23 enters the market as a prime option for those seeking a compact flagship. Powered by the powerful yet efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it features a triple camera array that has proven to be reliable in all scenarios.
The Galaxy S23 retails for $800, refuting rumors suggesting a price hike.From February 1st to February 16th, you can pre-order it on Samsung’s official website and at major retailers like Best Buy. . Starting February 17th, you’ll be able to find the device in stores. Also, as in previous years, pre-orders are scheduled to be delivered around the 17th.
When choosing from variants, you have two options. You can choose one with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage or one with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. Unfortunately, unlike the larger Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra, this device doesn’t see an upgrade to the base storage.
However, Samsung’s pre-order offer gives you a free storage upgrade. That means you can get the 256GB variant for $800 instead. Additionally, pre-ordering the device from Samsung’s official website will give you $100 in Samsung credits that can be used towards other products and accessories.
Pocketnow’s Galaxy S23 Series Hands-on
colour
The Galaxy S23 comes in four color options: Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender. The standard option was leaked a long time ago, but there are also Samsung.com exclusives Graphite and Lime that are now public. Graphite and Lime options feature matte black and silver frames, respectively.
If you’re having a hard time choosing the ideal color for your Samsung Galaxy S23, you can find the perfect shade for your style with our dedicated guide. It provides a comprehensive overview of color options for , providing valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
Technical specifications
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Category |
Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|
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build |
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Size |
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screen |
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processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
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memory and storage |
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rear camera |
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front camera |
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safety |
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connectivity |
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port |
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intellectual property |
IP68 dustproof and waterproof |
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battery |
3,900mAh |
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charging |
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operating system |
OneUI 5.1 (based on Android 13) |
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colour |
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price |
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design
Last year, the Galaxy S22 Ultra ditched the Contour Cut design language for a simpler look, with the camera lens rising from the back panel instead of an island. On the Galaxy S23 series, this change has been applied to all models and is the most important design difference you’ll notice.
The rest of the phone looks pretty much the same as its predecessor and uses similar materials in its construction. It contrasts with the matte finish of the back panel. The front of the phone also uses this new generation of Gorilla Glass.
We’ve seen some changes in the placement of the buttons in this generation. They’re on the right side of the device, but they’re placed higher up so they feel more natural. The USB C connector is still on the bottom, the SIM tray is on the left, and the speaker cutout is on the right.
screen
Looking at the Galaxy S23’s panel, we don’t see any major changes in terms of design. That’s his flat 6.1-inch panel that uses Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology and an Infinity-O cutout. The adaptive refresh rate remains unchanged from last year, ranging from 48Hz to 120Hz.
Notable improvements on the Galaxy S23 are increased durability through the use of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and a high peak brightness of 1750 nits.
Other software-based features such as Samsung’s Eye Comfort Shield and Vision Booster continue to make an appearance, with the latter being adjustable with three different lighting levels.
Processor, RAM, and Storage
Moving forward to 2023, Samsung will be phasing out policies regarding shipments of various processors packaged within devices. Therefore, all Galaxy S23 units will be equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which promises increased computational performance and efficiency.
The OEM says users can expect 30% more CPU and 41% faster graphics performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 that shipped with the Galaxy S22. In addition, Ray his tracing is also supported, which makes the game title look more realistic. Samsung also included a larger vapor cooling chamber to manage the heat load. Samsung has also included an improved neural processing unit in the device, which improves nighttime photography capabilities.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy boasts more features and improvements over the standard Qualcomm flagship processors available to all OEMs. If you want to learn more about the differences between these two chipsets and why the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform for Galaxy is a great option, check out our dedicated article.
As detailed before, Samsung bundles 8GB of RAM with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, offering two storage variants of 128GB and 256GB.
camera
The camera hardware on the Galaxy S series has remained largely the same for the past few years, at least for the non-Ultra variants, and the story is no different for the Galaxy S23. will continue to ship with a triple lens array featuring a 50 megapixel wide camera with
Two other lenses supporting the main shooter include a 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle (f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree field of view) and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom (f/2.4 aperture, 36 degree viewing angle). .
We didn’t see any changes to the rear camera system, but Samsung replaced the sensor used in the front camera, which now uses a 12-megapixel sensor (f/2.2, 80-degree field of view). allows your phone to capture more detail and improve performance even more. This front camera system has always shown good results when it comes to dynamic range and sharpness, and we’re betting the S23 will continue to impress.
In terms of software, Samsung has focused on new AI-powered image signal processing algorithms that help handle noise captured in low-light scenarios. Also, the features of the ExpertRAW application are now accessible within the Galaxy S23’s camera app, as long as you download the former to your device. This is not possible with older models.
battery
The big downside of the Galaxy S22 was battery durability. For 2023, Samsung has opted to package a slightly larger battery (3,900 mAh compared to 3,800 mAh) in a compact phone alongside a more efficient processor. Together, we expect this system to provide more screen-on-time than previously recorded.
When it comes to charging, Samsung is one of the OEMs that keeps the power levels down. And for another year, the Galaxy S23 will support 25W input. This should bring the device from 0 to 50% in 30 minutes. A full charge takes 60-90 minutes.
For those who prefer the ease of wireless charging, 15W Qi wireless charging remains an option, and 5W reverse wireless charging is also available for power-enabled devices.
Samsung Galaxy S23: device that addresses known shortcomings
For another year in a row, the Galaxy S23 hits the market as the perfect device for those who want a powerful, compact Android flagship. The ecosystem Samsung has been working with is also more robust than ever, and this smartphone is perfectly tied to it.
In 2022, the Galaxy S22 seemed like a great recommendation for anyone wanting a compact smartphone. If you want to know more, we also have a detailed comparison covering the differences between the Samsung Galaxy S22 and S23 to help you compare the two devices side by side. You make an informed decision.
Samsung Galaxy S23
The Samsung Galaxy S23 enters the market as a prime option for those seeking a compact flagship. Powered by the powerful yet efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it features a triple camera array that has proven to be reliable in all scenarios.