These days, it seems like Samsung can do no fallacious. The Korean model is in a dominant place within the foldable class, and the Galaxy S portfolio options a number of the finest Android telephones you may get at this time. The Galaxy S23 Ultra specifically is a terrific telephone that units a excessive customary for flagships in 2023, and whereas the inner {hardware} clearly performs a giant half, Samsung is doing all the fitting 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 dimension, and that is the place the Galaxy S23+ is available in. Like earlier years, the S23+ is the center baby 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 dimension.It does not have the 200MP digicam that adorns the again of the S23 Ultra, however if you happen to’re after a telephone that is snug to carry and use whereas nonetheless providing a premium really feel, the Galaxy S23+ could be the best selection for you.Samsung Galaxy S23+: Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S23+ alongside the usual Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra on February 1, 2023. The telephone 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.Okay. 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(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)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 yr. I actually like what Samsung did with the Ultra; regardless that it is a large telephone, it feels a lot better to carry and use than the S22 Ultra, and a giant a part of that’s right down to the decreased curvature across the display.However, the S23+ does 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 telephone look cumbersome. The customary 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 with the opposite two fashions that includes a flatter look.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Samsung is not the one model doing this both; Xiaomi went with an analogous fashion with the Xiaomi 13 Pro and the usual mannequin this yr. And as for the S23+, whereas I do not favor telephones with flat sides, the design is polished, and the cream colour variant I’m utilizing seems to be 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 aren’t any such points on the again, and the frosted glass panel seems to be nice and is snug to carry and use.On that notice, Samsung nailed the size of the S23+, and also you get a big display 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+ presents IP68 mud and water resistance as customary.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The again additionally has a minimalist design for the digicam housing, with the three modules encased in rings. Samsung deserves credit score for not going overboard right here, not like its Chinese rivals — the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Find X6 Pro have large digicam 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 an excellent job with a cohesive design language throughout generations, and the S23+ feels acquainted and trendy on the similar time.Samsung Galaxy S23+: Screen(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)What I significantly like concerning the Galaxy S23+ is that it has a flat 6.6-inch panel, so if you happen to’re not a fan of curved screens, that is the best choice in Samsung’s portfolio. The AMOLED display itself is among the many finest you will discover on a telephone at this time, going as much as an insane 1,750 nits for HDR content material. There are zero points with colour vibrancy or distinction, and the S23+ holds up extremely nicely for gaming and streaming TV reveals and flicks.The display does an incredible job dynamically adjusting the refresh fee from 10Hz all the way in which to 120Hz, and you will not discover any slowdown by any means on this space. There’s good customizability in terms of colour administration as nicely, and whereas the always-on mode is not as feature-rich as ColorOS 13, you get a good set of choices.The Galaxy S23+ additionally excels at gaming, and is ready to play video games on the full 120hz for titles that enable it. This has been a limitation on just a few telephones I used this yr — just like the OnePlus 11 — so it is good to see Samsung unlocking the total potential of the display right here. There’s stereo sound as nicely, and whereas it is not as detailed because the Xiaomi 13 Pro, it makes a distinction in each 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’ll show to be simply as resilient as final yr. I do not use a case with any of my gadgets, and within the three weeks I used the S23+, the telephone weathered the occasional tumble with none points.Samsung Galaxy S23+: Performance and battery(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Samsung overhauled its technique this yr, casting off dual-sourcing Qualcomm and Exynos and as an alternative utilizing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as customary globally. This is a big deal for the Korean producer, and what’s much more attractive 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 a lot better sustained efficiency than final yr, and which means you get lag-free gaming even throughout prolonged periods. In truth, the personalized model of the chipset within the Galaxy S23+ is the quickest you will discover on an Android telephone at this time, and it’s the closest Qualcomm has come to difficult the would possibly of the A16 Bionic.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySamsung Galaxy S23+OSOne UI 5.1 based mostly on Android 13Display6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED (2340 x 1080), HDR10+, Gorilla Glass Victus 2ChipsetQualcomm 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, 4nmRAM8GB LPDDR5XStorage256GB/512GB UFS 4.0Rear digicam 150MP f/1.8, 1.0um pixels, OIS, 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fpsRear digicam 210MP f/2.4 telephoto, 1.0um pixels, OIS, 3x optical zoom Rear digicam 312MP f/2.2 wide-angle, 1.4um pixels, 120-degree FoVFront digicam12MP autofocus, 4K at 60fpsIngress protectionIP68 mud and water resistanceSecurityIn-screen ultrasonic fingerprint module, face unlockConnectivityWi-Fi 6e, Sub-6 5G (world), mmWave 5G (NA), Bluetooth 5.3, NFCAudioStereo sound, USB-C, 32-bit/384kHz, AptX HDBattery4700mAh, 45W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging, 4.5W reverse wi-fi chargingDimensions157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6mm, 196gColorsBlack, Cream, Green, LavenderThere’s a noticeable distinction in fluidity versus final yr, and there aren’t any slowdowns by any means in each day use. Considering the S23+ makes use of Qualcomm {hardware} globally, it’s the excellent improve path for these utilizing Exynos variants of Samsung’s telephones. Another change with this era is that the bottom mannequin comes with 256GB of storage, and it picks up the newest UFS 4.0 storage module. The S23+ can also be offered 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, however it nonetheless is not fairly as quick as its optical counterparts. That stated, it’s higher than final yr, and aside from an infinitesimal delay to authenticate, it’s dependable in each 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 nicely 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 it’s good to cost the machine, there’s 45W wired and 15W wi-fi charging. Samsung continues to be being conservative in terms of 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 30 minutes, and that needs to be greater than satisfactory if it’s good to cost the machine in the course of the day.Samsung Galaxy S23+: Cameras(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Samsung is not one to tweak a profitable system, and because of this the Galaxy S23+ makes use of an analogous digicam array as final yr. You’ll discover a 50MP most important digicam 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 digicam with autofocus.Given that nothing has modified on the {hardware} aspect of issues, the S23+ shoots pictures in the identical 12MP decision as final yr, and the interface itself is equivalent. Samsung has probably the greatest Pro modes obtainable on any machine, and it provides you way more flexibility in terms of modifying photographs taken on the telephone. All three sensors work with Night mode by default, and may shoot 4K video at 60fps.Image 1 of 7(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Although the digicam {hardware} hasn’t modified, you will discover a definite distinction within the pictures taken by the Galaxy S23+. The resultant photographs nonetheless have Samsung’s signature distinction look, however it’s toned down versus earlier generations, and also you get pictures which can be way more correct. This is especially true of photographs taken outside, with the sky rendered precisely — final yr’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 by any means in daylight situations, delivering pictures with loads of dynamic vary and element. There’s no seen noise, and foliage does not look too delicate — one other uptick over earlier fashions. The telephoto lens additionally does an excellent 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 photographs.In an analogous vein, the wide-angle lens does a terrific job retaining colour steadiness and accuracy, and I do not actually have any negatives on this space. All three cameras fare very well in low-light conditions as nicely, with Night mode kicking in mechanically as soon as ambient lighting going underneath a threshold. Overall, the S23+ has improbable cameras throughout the board, and whereas Samsung did not change the {hardware}, it made the mandatory tweaks to its imaging algorithms to carry the machine as much as par with the Pixel 7 Pro and the Xiaomi 13 Pro.Samsung Galaxy S23+: Software(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)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 assessment. Samsung deserves a variety of credit score for modernizing its UI, and One UI 5.1 feels trendy and fluid whereas nonetheless retaining a variety of 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 components are intact — together with the dynamic colour 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.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Elsewhere, you will discover a taskbar itemizing any app that is working within the background, however it has been pushed to the overview menu as an alternative of the notification shade. There continues to be a variety of customizability, and the largest distinction in my use case is the final fluidity. I seen this on the S23 Ultra as nicely, and Samsung did a very good job optimizing the interface to be smoother throughout normal navigation.Another space the place Samsung is doing all the fitting 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 persistently proven that it is ready to ship platform updates on time. The S22 Ultra picked up the steady 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(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Galaxy S22+ continues to be a improbable machine in 2023, and contemplating simply how little has modified with the S23+, it’s the excellent different. You get the identical vibrant AMOLED panel, related design, similar caliber of cameras, equivalent software program, and related connectivity. The S23+ lasts a bit of 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 sublime design. The telephone 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 does not miss out in any key areas, and because it has been out there for just a few months now, you possibly can decide it up for just a few hundred {dollars} lower than the S23+.Another machine to think about is the Xiaomi 13 Pro. Xiaomi nailed the fundamentals this yr, and the 13 Pro seems to be and feels fabulous. It holds its personal towards one of the best Android telephones in terms of the cameras, and whereas MIUI 14 hasn’t modified an excessive amount of, it’s fluid. The solely situation with the Xiaomi 13 Pro is that it’ll 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?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You can purchase this if:You need a flagship that is straightforward to carry and useYou’re in search of a vibrant display with loads of customizationYou want a strong telephone that is terrific for gamingYou need dependable cameras that shoot nice pictures and moviesYou’re in search of all of the extrasYou should not purchase this if:You need Samsung’s newest digicam techYou want a telephone with a MicroSD slotUltimately, the Galaxy S23+ does 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 digicam on the S23+, as it could have made the telephone that rather more alluring.Not everybody would need a large telephone, and having used the iPhone 14 Pro for an prolonged length this yr, I am unable to assist however really feel that Samsung must go an analogous route and supply a tool with the identical digicam {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 choice if you’d like a telephone that is a bit of simpler to make use of.Of course, if you happen to’re within the U.Okay. or every other European nation, you will need to contemplating switching because of the Qualcomm {hardware}. Samsung historically provided the Exynos model of its telephones within the area over the past seven years, and having used these Exynos-powered telephones, I can say with some confidence that the Qualcomm model is considerably higher. So if you happen to’ve held out on shopping for a brand new telephone, now could be the best time to change.
Today’s finest Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus offers
The Galaxy S23+ does not introduce groundbreaking new options, however it has a sophisticated design and does not miss out on a lot. If you are after a high-end telephone that is snug to carry and use, that is the best selection.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus: Price Comparison