Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy S23 Ultra? How It Compares to Older Samsung Phones

Deciding whether or not it is time to improve your telephone is not any straightforward process. That’s very true should you’re eyeballing a telephone as costly because the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which begins at $1,200 and not using a low cost.The reply largely relies on which telephone you personal, the age and situation of it and your funds. There’s no single method that applies to everybody, however taking these components under consideration may also help you with the choice. If your telephone is simply too outdated to obtain new Android platform upgrades, that is additionally a very good signal that you must think about upgrading. (But earlier than you do, see if it can save you some cash by way of a trade-in deal.) Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Galaxy S22 Ultra It’s value holding onto your Galaxy S22 Ultra for some time longer earlier than upgrading. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETWith the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung improved the areas that its Ultra telephones are recognized for: digital camera high quality and efficiency. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is Samsung’s first telephone able to capturing pictures at a 200-megapixel decision. The total Galaxy S23 lineup additionally runs on a brand new processor that is been particularly optimized for Samsung’s Galaxy gadgets. However, in my testing, Samsung’s behind-the-scenes enhancements to the way in which the digital camera captures colour and dynamic vary felt extra impactful than the upper decision. The base stage Galaxy S23 Ultra additionally has twice as a lot storage in contrast with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which might be useful for storing all these pictures.That mentioned, it is value holding onto your Galaxy S22 Ultra for some time longer earlier than upgrading. Though the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s enhancements are appreciated, they’re going to be far more noticeable when upgrading from a telephone that is a number of years outdated. The Galaxy S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra nonetheless have a lot in frequent. Both telephones have a big 6.8-inch display screen, an included S Pen stylus, higher low mild images in contrast with earlier generations, a multi-lens digital camera system that may zoom as much as 100x digitally, and a 5,000 mAh battery. You’ll get the identical total expertise on each telephones, however with refinements to digital camera high quality and processing energy on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung additionally supplies newer telephones with 4 generations of Android updates and 5 years of safety updates, which means the Galaxy S22 Ultra will really feel related for the subsequent few years. The backside line: If you’ve gotten the Galaxy S22 Ultra, do not improve simply but. There’s nonetheless loads of life left in that telephone. Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra Hold onto your S21 Ultra so long as potential to justify the cash you spent on it within the first place.  Lexy Savvides/CNETThe Galaxy S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra share many similarities, with the main variations being the S22 Ultra’s included S Pen, newer processor and improved low mild images efficiency. Because of this, the identical recommendation holds true: If your Galaxy S21 Ultra is in fine condition, do not improve but. Photography is probably going a giant precedence should you’re within the Ultra lineup. The Galaxy S23 Ultra brings just a few enhancements on this regard, comparable to the brand new 200-megapixel sensor, higher dynamic vary and improved low mild efficiency. But these modifications aren’t important sufficient to justify springing for a brand new gadget simply but, except you possibly can principally get it totally free by way of a trade-in deal. Even then, I’d encourage you to carry onto your S21 Ultra for so long as potential to justify the cash you spent on it within the first place. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 200-megapixel digital camera is barely really noticeable once you zoom in on the pixel stage, or should you intend to print giant copies of your pictures. And should you actually need the S Pen, you possibly can all the time purchase it individually as an alternative of upgrading your total telephone.Since Samsung helps 4 generations of Android software program updates on the Galaxy S21 lineup, you may additionally proceed to get new variations of Android by way of Android 15. The backside line: If your Galaxy S21 Ultra is in fine condition, maintain onto it for a short time longer. You’ll nonetheless get a fundamental digital camera sensor with the next decision than most telephones, in addition to the power to zoom as much as 100x digitally. You’ll miss a few of Samsung’s newer enhancements to low mild images and dynamic vary, however the Galaxy S21 Ultra nonetheless has a really succesful digital camera. Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Galaxy S20 Ultra Upgrade from the Galaxy S20 Ultra? It relies upon. Andrew Hoyle/CNETThe Galaxy S20 Ultra falls into that grey space the place it might be value upgrading, but it surely relies on the situation of your gadget. If you bought the Galaxy S20 Ultra at launch, your telephone is now greater than 3 years outdated. That means efficiency and battery life is perhaps beginning to degrade. Upgrades to the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s cameras, battery life and energy are probably noticeable to justify an improve, however you are additionally superb to hold onto your Galaxy S20 Ultra for an additional 12 months should you’re proud of it. Just do not forget that the Galaxy S20 Ultra is barely eligible for 3 generations of Android platform updates, which means it is reaching the top of its run because it launched with Android 10. (That mentioned, the telephone nonetheless receives month-to-month safety updates). Both the Galaxy S20 Ultra and S23 Ultra have devoted lenses for capturing broad, ultrawide and zoomed-in pictures. But there are some notable variations with regards to the specs of these cameras. As beforehand talked about, the Galaxy S23 Ultra can shoot pictures at as much as a 200-megapixel decision, whereas the Galaxy S20 Ultra shoots as much as a 108-megapixel decision — just like the Galaxy S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra. But there are some modifications with regards to the telephoto lenses, too. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has two 10-megapixel telephoto cameras in contrast with the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s 48-megapixel telephoto lens. Since having two zoom lenses means the S23 Ultra would not need to crop as a lot to realize a zoom, you must see crisper outcomes when zooming at 3x and 10x. Samsung has additionally improved optical picture stabilization over time, which means the S23 Ultra must be higher at taking regular pictures whereas zooming. Back in 2020, some customers additionally reported points with the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s autofocusing, although Samsung later launched a software program repair. Still, it is protected to say you possibly can count on a digital camera improve should you change to the S23 Ultra. Otherwise, you may be getting many routine upgrades with the S23 Ultra, comparable to a quicker new processor, a refreshed design that extra carefully resembles the Galaxy Note and the included S Pen stylus. Newer Samsung telephones just like the S23 Ultra even have extremely wideband assist, which ought to make it simpler to share recordsdata with different Samsung telephones and use your telephone as a digital automobile key. But it is value remembering that you’re going to be giving up the S20 Ultra’s micro SD card slot should you improve, which means you possibly can’t add extra storage. You’ll additionally lose the power to make use of Samsung Pay on older cost terminals that do not assist tapping to pay.The backside line: If you’ve gotten a Galaxy S20 Ultra, the modifications within the Galaxy S23 are noticeable sufficient to justify an improve. But the Galaxy S20 Ultra can be current sufficient to make it value holding onto for now should you’re nonetheless proud of it. Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Galaxy S10 5G Samsung’s Galaxy S10 5G is now about 4 years outdated. Angela Lang/CNETThe Galaxy S10 5G was Samsung’s top-of-the-line telephone from 2019, which means it is now roughly 4 years outdated. And in these 4 years, Samsung has made many enhancements that definitely justify an improve. Given the Galaxy S10 5G’s age, it additionally not receives Android platform updates since Samsung assured solely three generations of updates. As is typical for Samsung’s high-end telephones, one of many greatest advantages you may get from upgrading is cameras. In addition to the main positive factors in decision, low mild efficiency, stabilization and dynamic vary, you may additionally get a a lot nearer zoom on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Galaxy S10 5G helps solely a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom, which is a far cry from the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.Camera apart, you may get a considerably newer processor that ought to end in quicker efficiency and higher energy effectivity, a much bigger battery, the S Pen and a barely bigger display screen. All advised, there’s a lot to be gained from upgrading — nearly all the pieces will really feel new.The backside line: Yes, you must improve  in case you have a Galaxy S10 5G. Everything from the software program to the cameras and efficiency will get a giant increase. Overall, it is value upgrading to the Galaxy S23 Ultra in case you have a Samsung telephone that is at the very least 3 years outdated. Take a take a look at the desk beneath to get a more in-depth take a look at how the Galaxy S23 Ultra compares with its predecessors. Galaxy S23 specs. vs. older Samsung telephones Galaxy S23 UltraGalaxy S22 UltraGalaxy S21 UltraGalaxy S20 UltraGalaxy S10 5GDisplay dimension, decision 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,088×1,440 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.8″ AMOLED; 1,440×3,088 pixels6.8″ AMOLED; 3,200×1,440 pixels6.9″ AMOLED; 3,200×1,440 pixels6.7″ AMOLED; 3,040×1,440 pixelsPixel density 500 pixels per inch500 pixels per inch515 pixels per inch511 pixels per inch505 pixels per inchDimensions (millimeters) 78×163.3×8.9mm77.9×163.3×8.9mm75.6×165.1×8.9mm76x166.9×8.8mm162.6×77.1×7.94mmWeight (ounces, grams) 8.25 oz; 234 g8.07 oz; 229 g8.07 oz; 229 g7.76 oz; 220 g6.98 oz; 198 gMobile software program (shipped at launch) Android 13Android 12Android 11Android 10Android 9Camera 200-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 10-megapixel (telephoto) 10-megapixel (telephoto)108-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) 10-megapixel (10x telephoto)108-megapixel (broad), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 10-megapixel (10x telephoto)108-megapixel (wide-angle), 48-megapixel (telephoto), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), time-of-flight digital camera12-megapixel (wide-angle), 16-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (telephoto), 3D depth (HQVGA) Front-facing digital camera 12-megapixel 40-megapixel40-megapixel40-megapixel10-megapixel, 3D depth (HQVGA) Video seize 8K8K, 4K8K, 4K8K, 4K4KProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxySnapdragon 8 Gen 1Qualcomm Snapdragon 888Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5GQualcomm Snapdragon 855 RAM/storage 8GB + 256GB; 12GB + 256GB; 12GB + 512GB; 12GB + 1TB 8GB + 128GB ; 12GB + 256GB; 12GB+512GB; 12GB+ 1TB 16GB + 512GB; 12GB + 256GB; 12GB + 128GB12GB + 128GB; 12GB + 256GB; 16GB + 512GB8GB + 256GB; 8GB + 512GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneUp to 1TBNoneBattery 5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh5,000 mAh4,500 mAhFingerprint sensor In-displayIn-displayIn-displayIn-displayIn-displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoNoNoYesParticular options 5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 score, wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets, built-in S Pen, 100x Space Zoom, 10x Optical Zoom, UWB for locating different devices5G (mmw/Sub6), bundled S Pen, IP68 score, 120Hz show, UWB, Wireless Power Share, 100x Space Zoom (digital), 10x optical zoom, 45W charging assist (offered individually)5G (mmw/Sub6), S Pen assist (not included), IP68 score, 120Hz show, UWB, Wireless Power Share, 100x Space Zoom (digital), 10x optical zoom5G (mmw/Sub6); 120Hz refresh price; 100X zoom (digital); Wireless PowerShare; IP68 rating5G (mmw/Sub6); Wireless PowerShare; 3D depth cameras (not for face unlock); IP68 score