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Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra packs within the newest Qualcomm processor, a whopping 200MP digital camera, a refined design, and an up to date model of One UI that packs in never-before-seen options like Bixby Text Call.
ForFaster, cooler processorBetter battery life200MP cameraBetter low mild videoOne UI 5.1Software updates till 2028AgainstExpensiveSlippery and not using a case
Samsung redefined smartphone digital camera zoom expectations with the Galaxy S22 Ultra and, with years of software program updates, this powerhouse cellphone remains to be simply pretty much as good at the moment because it was when it launched in early 2022.
ForCan be discovered at a discountGreat zoom elementSoftware updates till 2027Nonetheless lots fastAll-day battery lifeAgainstWorse efficiency whereas gamingGets scorching whereas gamingCamera may very well be worse in some situationsSlippery and not using a case
Every 12 months, it seems like the most recent cellphone launch is much less and fewer spectacular than what we keep in mind. While we seldom see a 12 months the place the most recent cellphone is in some way worse than the previous one, releases just like the Samsung Galaxy S23 are simply average enhancements of an already wonderful cellphone.As such, should you’ve already received a Galaxy S22 Ultra (opens in new tab), it most likely would not make a lot sense to improve. But, should you’ve received an older cellphone or wish to make the change to Android, the Galaxy S23 Ultra (opens in new tab) is the best instance of a premium Android cellphone you are going to discover anyplace.Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. S22 Ultra: It’s what’s inside that countsWhy you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you’ll be able to select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Brendan Griffiths / Android Central)This 12 months, Samsung made substantial upgrades to 2 essential components of the cellphone: the processor, and the primary rear digital camera. Last 12 months’s Galaxy S22 Ultra was actually no slouch within the digital camera division however its processor left somewhat to be desired for cell players.But it wasn’t alone on this entrance. Most early 2022 telephones suffered from the identical points due to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. While that processor introduced 25% efficiency enhancements over the Snapdragon 888 from the 12 months earlier than, sustained efficiency was really worse than that processor.That’s as a result of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 received actually scorching when it was getting used for longer than a couple of minutes. In different phrases, the longer you performed your sport, the more serious your efficiency received. Thankfully, plainly Qualcomm has solved all these points and packed in higher efficiency with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 within the Galaxy S23 Ultra.Swipe to scroll horizontallySpecGalaxy S23 UltraGalaxy S22 UltraChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy DevicesSnapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200Display6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3088×1440, 120Hz adaptive refresh charge (1-120Hz) with 240Hz contact sampling, 1,750 nits peak brightness6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3088×1440, 120Hz adaptive refresh charge (1-120Hz) with 240Hz contact sampling, 1,750 nits peak brightnessMemory8 or 12GB8 or 12GBStorage256GB/512GB/1TB 128/256/512GB or 1TB Main rear digital camera200MP, ƒ/1.7108MP, ƒ/2.2Telephoto digital camera10MP, ƒ/2.4, 3x optical zoom10MP, ƒ/2.4, 3x optical zoomTelephoto digital camera 210MP, ƒ/4.9, 10x optical zoom10MP, ƒ/4.9, 10x optical zoomUltra-wide angle digital camera12MP, ƒ/2.212MP, ƒ/2.2Front Camera12MP, ƒ/2.240MP, ƒ/2.2Battery5,000mAh, 45W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless Charging5,000mAh, 45W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless ChargingUpdatesUp to Android 17, Security by 2028As much as Android 16, Security by 2027SecurityUltrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensorUltrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensorConnectivityWi-Fi 6E, sub-6 and mmWave 5G, UWBWi-Fi 6, sub-6 and mmWave 5G, UWBS Pen✔️✔️microSD card slot🚫🚫3.5mm headphone jack🚫🚫Dimensions6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 inWeight8.25 oz.04 ozColorsPhantom Black, Cream, Green, LavenderPhantom Black, Phantom White, Green, Pink Gold, Graphite, Sky Blue, Cream, VioletProtection IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus+In truth, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Devices is a particular model of the processor, bringing larger clock speeds and total higher efficiency than an ordinary Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. If you are somebody who enjoys taking part in Fortnite, PUBG, or one other graphics-intensive sport, that is going to be a giant deal for you.If you are somebody who enjoys taking part in Fortnite, PUBG, or one other graphics-intensive sport, this new processor goes to be a giant deal for you.In my expertise, video games like Fortnite would begin out working sturdy on the Galaxy S22 Ultra however, after about 15 minutes of gaming, the framerate would drop from the mid-50s to round 30fps. That’s a tough drop in efficiency, and it would not get higher over time.While we’ll nonetheless want a bit extra time to show that the processor within the Galaxy S23 Ultra has higher long-term efficiency, early testing (opens in new tab) reveals substantial enhancements. We’re speaking 60fps with the identical settings and no drops apparent over a 30-minute gameplay session.Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. S22 Ultra: Camera upgrades(Image credit score: Brendan Griffiths / Android Central)So how concerning the cameras? Samsung made the leap from a 108MP sensor on the Galaxy S22 Ultra to a 200MP sensor on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, one thing that sounds extremely spectacular on paper. But what sort of variations are you able to count on?We’ll be placing them head-to-head to search out that reply very quickly however, even when it seems to be a sport changer it is unlikely that you’re going to need to improve from a Galaxy S22 Ultra only for the digital camera. Phones are too costly nowadays for most individuals to improve for only one function.On the extra sensible facet, The Galaxy S23 Ultra presents extra secure video — significantly in low mild situations — due to the doubled OIS angles in all instructions. When you are strolling, working, or perhaps even making an attempt to movie whereas doing parkour (not one thing I like to recommend and not using a good Galaxy S23 Ultra case), the S23 Ultra may have no downside taking all that shake out of the video.Additionally, Samsung took a whole lot of time on stage on the unveiling to focus on the cellphone’s potential to seize extra pure video in any mild. It’s received wider dynamic vary seize — as much as 12-bit HDR Dolby Vision — and higher low mild capabilities.Samsung’s Camera Assistant app additionally unlocks a full suite of further choices for the digital camera that deal with a ton of points folks have had up to now with Samsung cameras. That contains with the ability to disable auto lens switching, take away picture softening options, and loads of further choices energy customers will completely love.The S23 Ultra data extra secure video with wider dynamic vary and higher low-light high quality than the S22 Ultra.The S23 Ultra additionally presents 8k recording at as much as 30fps, whereas the S22 Ultra data 8k capped at 24fps. That’s most likely not a giant deal for most individuals nevertheless it’s a notable distinction for those who use it.But this is what Samsung guarantees with the brand new 200MP sensor. Samsung says the Galaxy S23 Ultra is ready to use a brand new 16-to-1 pixel binning course of, which ought to enhance total picture high quality much more than we have already seen up to now few years.If you are not conscious of how pixel binning works, this is a fast explainer.When your cellphone snaps a photograph, it usually would not take a 200MP photograph. Instead, it nearly “combines” 16 pixels into one, making a 12.5MP photograph. By comparability, the S22 Ultra combines 9 pixels into one since its imaging sensor is not as pixel-dense.(Image credit score: Brendan Griffiths / Android Central)What on this planet does all that imply? Think of it this manner: should you fold a chunk of paper right into a small tube and look by it, discover how a lot darker every part round you seems. Now, should you take that tube and unravel it a bit so it is wider, you may see that the view by the tube is now fairly a bit brighter.The similar factor goes for pixel binning. There are 201,326,592 pixels whole sitting on a tiny picture sensor within the Galaxy S23 Ultra. If the cellphone had been to take a full-resolution image, every particular person pixel could be liable for taking in as a lot mild because it bodily can.Meanwhile, 16:1 pixel binning reduces this to a digital 12,582,912 pixels. That means your cellphone is ready to take brighter photos whereas nonetheless using all 201 million pixels to extract as a lot element as attainable.The new 200MP sensor ought to take even higher low-light photographs and additional improve excessive zoom element.On high of that, Samsung’s ingenious processing options will take full-resolution photos and mix these with a set of over and underexposed photos to create an extremely well-balanced, extremely detailed remaining picture, all through the time you simply tapped that little white shutter button on the digital camera app.While common previous footage from the primary sensor might need an opportunity of wanting barely higher, it is greater than doubtless the S23 Ultra may have even higher zoom element than the S22 Ultra due to the upgraded sensor.That’s as a result of, when zooming in past 10x, Samsung makes use of an enchanting hybrid pictures technique that takes images from all three rear cameras and stitches them collectively. If you have received a Galaxy S22 collection cellphone, you may see this in motion while you snap a photograph adopted by shortly tapping the thumbnail. While it is processing, you may see the unique photograph get changed with an enhanced model inside a number of seconds.It’s right here that we’re anticipating to see some critical magic on Samsung’s behalf and virtually actually the place you may discover the largest distinction within the cameras.Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. S22 Ultra: Scant few different modifications(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Believe it or not, Samsung really tweaked the design between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the S23 Ultra. It’s extremely delicate in footage however, in individual, the variations are far more apparent. While they maintain an similar top, width, and thickness, the curved edges on the Galaxy S23 Ultra are flatter.On the Galaxy S22 Ultra, all sides is an ideal half-circle when considered from the underside of the cellphone. This makes the cellphone exhausting to carry particularly as a result of it is a slippery glass-and-metal sandwich.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Samsung can be launching the Galaxy S23 Ultra with One UI 5.1, one other delicate improve over One UI 5 on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Like One UI 5, One UI 5.1 relies on Android 13 however, as you would possibly count on, it features a few necessary options which might be fairly thrilling.The most enjoyable new software program function is Bixby Text Call which is the closest factor we have seen but to Google’s exemplary Call Screening function on Pixel telephones.The most enjoyable is Bixby Text Call which is the closest factor we have seen but to Google’s exemplary Call Screening function on Pixel telephones. With Bixby Text Call, you can faucet a button and have Bixby reply the cellphone for you, together with neat textual content prompts which you could faucet to ask callers questions.It’s a superior various to easily hanging up on unknown callers or suspected telemarketers because it allows you to guarantee who’s on the opposite finish with out having to hearken to voicemail afterward.One UI 5.1 will likely be coming to different Samsung telephones, although — together with the Galaxy S22 Ultra — so do not feel too jealous.Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. S22 Ultra: Which must you purchase?(Image credit score: Brendan Griffiths / Android Central)If you are a Galaxy S22 Ultra consumer and are simply seeking to see what Samsung is providing in 2023, it is most likely finest to carry on to your cellphone for an additional few years. Samsung is dedicated to delivering 5 years of software program updates, that means your S22 Ultra will get new variations of Android by 2026 — that is Android 16, to notice.The year-over-year upgrades from S22 Ultra to S23 Ultra merely aren’t value most individuals’s whereas, because the S22 Ultra remains to be a superb cellphone and, in lots of instances, may be had for lower than the S23 Ultra. That actually makes it a profitable decide on this period of job losses and troublesome financial circumstances.But, if solely one of the best of one of the best will do, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s top-notch processor and brand-new 200MP digital camera sensor are certain to blow you away with their capabilities. Like different Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered units, the Galaxy S23 Ultra ought to be capable of deal with even essentially the most visually demanding video games with out breaking a sweat — actually.Samsung’s new cooling system contained in the cellphone ensures it will not get scorching the best way 2022’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 telephones did, and battery life needs to be even higher, too. Plus, you can rating a significantly nice Galaxy S23 Ultra deal (opens in new tab) with the cellphone’s launch, making it essentially the most financially viable resolution between the 2.
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If you want the quickest cell processor ever in an Android cellphone, a formidable 200MP digital camera, the facility of the S Pen, and extra options than you’ll be able to shake a stick at, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the cellphone for you.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra has been the best-selling premium Samsung cellphone in 2022 for a cause. It’s quick, has years of software program help left, and may zoom in to 100x away for a very spectacular digital camera expertise.