This story is a part of Samsung Event, CNET’s assortment of reports, ideas and recommendation round Samsung’s hottest merchandise.
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is getting its greatest digicam improve in years. The new top-of-the-line cellphone has a 200-megapixel digicam — roughly double the decision of its predecessor, the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The cellphone made its debut on the Samsung Unpacked occasion on Wednesday, with pricing that begins at $1,200 (£1,249, AU$1,949). It’s accessible on Feb. 17, with preorders dwell now. The Galaxy S23 lineup, which additionally contains the $1,000 Galaxy S23 Plus and $800 Galaxy S23, is Samsung’s newest effort to encourage individuals to improve because the smartphone business has been struggling. The addition of a 200-megapixel digicam on the Galaxy S23 Ultra does not come as a shock contemplating Samsung introduced a brand new picture sensor with that very same decision simply final month.
Samsung’s all-new Galaxy S23 flagship lineup is now accessible to preorder with units delivery on Feb 17. You can save on the newest units with a number of Galaxy S23 preorder offers already accessible at Samsung, Best Buy, all the foremost cellphone carriers and extra.
But it does counsel that Samsung views the digicam as being probably the most instrumental a part of a cellphone — and an element it expects us to pay high greenback for. With the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung is clearly focusing on photographers who desire a large display and an outstanding digicam. We’ll have to attend till we have examined the cellphone to see if it delivers on these guarantees. Read extra: Galaxy Book 3 First Look: Samsung’s Pro Laptops Are Leveling UpOtherwise, the Galaxy S23 Ultra contains routine upgrades akin to a brand new processor, contemporary colours and further storage for the bottom mannequin, together with extra elements which are created from recycled supplies.
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Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Lineup Is Here With Big Camera Upgrades
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The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s new digicamThe Galaxy S23 Ultra’s digicam.
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On paper, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 200-megapixel digicam seems like a serious step up. It appears like the largest digicam leap Samsung has made in years, contemplating the final three generations of Galaxy S Ultra telephones have had 108-megapixel principal cameras, relationship again to the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020. But megapixels alone do not inform the entire story. Sensor dimension, velocity and picture processing algorithms additionally have an effect on the digicam’s picture high quality, so we’ll have to check the cellphone earlier than deciding whether or not it is a really monumental improve.Those algorithms certainly play an enormous function within the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s digicam enhancements. Joshua Cho, head of Samsung’s visible options crew, mentioned synthetic intelligence performs a extra outstanding half in every little thing from evening mode to the way in which the digicam captures excessive dynamic vary. “As soon as you press the button on the camera, the AI function kicks in,” Cho mentioned in an interview with CNET through an English language translator forward of Samsung’s Unpacked occasion. The Galaxy S23 Ultra takes 12-megapixel pictures by default, grouping 4×4-pixel squares into one larger pixel utilizing a expertise referred to as pixel binning. This, mixed with higher efficiency for every pixel, permits the sensor to collect extra mild, which could possibly be helpful when taking pictures in dim environments. You may also shoot on the full 200-megapixel decision, which Samsung positions as being best for individuals who need massive prints of their pictures. If you need one thing in between, you can too seize pictures at a 50-megapixel decision. Previous Galaxy S Ultra telephones additionally allowed you to shoot on the sensor’s full decision, however bear in mind that you will have to cope with very massive file sizes if you happen to accomplish that.
The selfie cameras throughout all the brand new Galaxy S23 telephones have an upgraded 12-megapixel sensor, which is a lift in decision from the S22 and S22 Plus’ 10-megapixel entrance digicam however decrease than the S22 Ultra’s 40-megapixel sensor. Instead, Samsung says the selfie digicam makes use of synthetic intelligence to enhance object identification in order that it could possibly optimize pictures accordingly relatively than prioritizing decision. That means it needs to be higher at distinguishing individuals from their backgrounds extra precisely. The Galaxy S23 Ultra inherits the identical zooming capabilities as its predecessor, providing an optical zoom at 3x or 10x magnification and as much as a 100x digital zoom. Like the S22 Ultra, the S23 Ultra makes use of two 10-megapixel telephoto cameras to perform this. Even although evening mode was an enormous focus for the Galaxy S22 lineup, Samsung says it is additional improved the way in which the Galaxy S23 Ultra can seize pictures at midnight, providing much more brightness this time round. The Galaxy S23 Ultra in lavender.
Bobby Oliver/CNET
Video recording will get a slight change throughout the lineup, with the S23 household supporting 30 frames per second when taking pictures at 8K decision. That’s a rise from the S22 Ultra’s body charge of 24fps when recording on the identical decision. Compared to 24fps, 30fps is normally preferable for broadcasting dwell footage in response to Adobe, which is smart contemplating Samsung’s efforts in interesting to social media influencers, streamers and Gen Z consumers. You’ll additionally be capable to shoot 1080p video at 120fps as a substitute of 60fps, which ought to enhance the standard of slow-motion pictures. Samsung additionally says the correction angle for its optical picture stabilization has doubled. I’m curious how a lot of a distinction that makes since I discovered the iPhone 14 Pro’s Action Mode to be extra dependable than Samsung’s Super Steady mode throughout my testing. The S23 Ultra may also shoot video at a wider angle, Samsung says. However, it does not appear that Samsung added any new taking pictures modes for the Galaxy S23 lineup. Given the S23 Ultra’s large deal with digicam high quality, I had hoped to see new instruments and options that would put that new {hardware} to raised use. But Samsung is doing one thing fascinating with its exterior digicam apps, Expert Raw and Camera Assistant. After you obtain these apps for the primary time, the extra digicam settings that these apps present might be built-in straight into the native digicam app. That might make it simpler for photographers who need extra modifying management to customise the feel and appear of their pictures with out having to modify between apps.
Galaxy S23 Ultra has a brand new chip, acquainted designSamsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra in inexperienced.
Bobby Oliver/CNET
Samsung’s new telephones are powered by a particular model of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that is been optimized for the brand new Galaxy S23 lineup, which it claims ought to lead to quicker efficiency. We’ll have to check the cellphone to see if it lives as much as these claims. But if it does, it’d assist set the Ultra aside from different telephones that embrace Qualcomm’s new chip, just like the OnePlus 11 5G. The possibility for satellite tv for pc connectivity is noticeably absent from Samsung’s new smartphone lineup, coming after Apple added the flexibility to contact emergency companies through satellite tv for pc to its iPhone 14 lineup. Qualcomm additionally introduced an analogous function, which might be launching later this yr. Like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung’s latest Ultra cellphone additionally has a 5,000-mAh battery capability and contains the S Pen. You’ll be capable to get the cellphone in 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage capacities.The Galaxy S23 Ultra does not look all that totally different from final yr’s Galaxy S22 Ultra. It has the identical boxy design however is available in a brand new collection of colours: black, cream, inexperienced and lavender. Samsung additionally says it is elevated using recycled supplies within the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s design through the use of ocean-bound plastics within the cellphone’s exterior elements for the primary time. The display nonetheless measures 6.8 inches like final yr’s mannequin, making it one of many largest telephones you should buy. (The Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max every have a 6.7-inch display.) That cellphone can be protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a brand new model of Corning’s glass that the corporate says gives higher drop resistance on robust surfaces like concrete. There’s additionally an adaptive refresh charge of as much as 120Hz to permit for smoother scrolling and animations, a function that is grow to be widespread even on cheaper telephones.Samsung is launching the Galaxy S23 lineup because it’s grow to be more and more troublesome to persuade smartphone house owners to improve their units. Economic challenges slowed smartphone shipments all through 2022, in response to estimates from The International Data Corporation, Canalys and Counterpoint Research. Data from Assurant, an insurance coverage supplier that helps corporations develop trade-in applications, additionally means that clients are holding onto their units longer. The firm reported in September that the typical age of traded-in units surpassed three and a half years for the primary time.But Counterpoint Research’s Peter Richardson does describe the premium smartphone phase as “more resilient” than the marketplace for low to midrange telephones within the firm’s report. Perhaps clients usually tend to spend money on pricier telephones with the hope that they will not should improve as usually. Samsung dabbles in all three markets, however the $1,200 Galaxy S23 Ultra and $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 4 sum up the tech large’s imaginative and prescient for what a premium cellphone needs to be.As telephones have advanced, annual {hardware} upgrades have began to really feel much less revolutionary and extra incremental. Whether that sentiment holds true for the Galaxy S23 Ultra all comes all the way down to how a lot of a distinction that new 200-megapixel digicam really makes.
Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup specs in contrast
Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23 Plus
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Display dimension, tech, decision, refresh charge, brightness
6.1-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate; 1,750 nits
6.6-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate; 1,750 nits
6.8-inch AMOLED 3,088×1,440 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate; Edge Screen; 1,750 nits
Pixel density
425 pixels per inch
393 pixels per inch
500 pixels per inch
Dimensions (inches)
2.79 x 5.76 x 0.3 in
3 x 6.21 x 0.3 in
3.07 x 6.43 x 0.35 in
Dimensions (millimeters)
70.9 x 146.3 x 7.6 mm
76.2 x 157.7 x 7.6 mm
78 x 163.3 x 8.9 mm
Weight (ounces, grams)
168 g (5.93 oz)
196 g (6.91 oz)
234 g (8.25 oz)
Mobile software program
Android 13
Android 13
Android 13
Camera
50-megapixel (extensive), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)
50-megapixel (extensive), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)
200-megapixel (extensive), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 10-megapixel (telephoto) 10-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing digicam
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
Video seize
8K at 30fps
8K at 30fps
8K at 30fps
Processor
Galaxy-optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Galaxy-optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Galaxy-optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM/storage
8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 256GB
8GB + 256GB; 8GB + 512GB
12GB + 256GB; 12GB + 512GB; 12GB + 1TB
Expandable storage
None
None
None
Battery/charging speeds
3,900 mAh (25W wired charging)
4,700 mAh (45W wired charging)
5,000 mAH (45W wired charger)
Fingerprint sensor
In-display
In-display
In-display
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
Headphone jack
None
None
None
Special options
5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 ranking, quicker wired charging, wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units
5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 ranking, quicker wired charging, wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units, UWB for locating different units
5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 ranking, quicker wired charging, wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units, built-in S-Pen, 200x Space Zoom, 10x Optical Zoom, UWB for locating different units
US value off-contract
$800 (8GB/128GB)
$1,000 (8GB/256GB)
$1,200 (12GB/256GB)
UK value
£849 (8GB/128GB)
£1,049 (8GB/256GB)
£1,249 (12GB/256GB)
Australia value
AU$1,349 (8GB/128GB)
AU$1,649 (8GB/256GB)
AU$1,949 (12GB/256GB)