Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Samsung at its peak

Will Samsung be able to bounce back a struggling smartphone market? After a complicated 2022, the leader in mobile telephony is starting 2023 with a trio of high-end smartphones.

Launched in early February, the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra therefore embody what the manufacturer does best. Like last year, the Ultra version is the model of superlatives. However, Samsung does not revolutionize the genre.

Like Apple and its iPhone 14, the South Korean is making minor improvements to complete the cycle of three generations before a major development. Among the main new features of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the return of a Qualcomm chip and the integration of a 200 Mpxl photo sensor are the most noticeable.

What is the Galaxy S23 Ultra worth on a daily basis? Is it worth the exorbitant price asked by Samsung? Who is this model of excess aimed at? Answers in our comprehensive test.

Flatter design

On the occasion of our first handling of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung told us that it had revised its lines to meet user expectations. Visibly disappointed with the too curved format of the S22 Ultra screen, the latter demanded a less curved model. Wish granted with the Galaxy S23 Ultra which therefore inherits a flatter paneleven if it remains slightly plunging.

More pleasant in hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra takes up the minimalist design of its predecessor with the photo optics slightly overflowing from the frosted glass frame (protected by the new Gorilla Victus 2 protective glass from Corning). The dimensions and weight of the Galaxy S23 Ultra are substantially the same: 0.1 mm longer, 0.2 mm wider the exact same thickness of 8.9 mm for 6 g more (234 g). The IP68 certification is also still there.

The S-Pen is also in the game. If it has exactly the same technologies as that of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, it is not quite identical. Besides, the stylus of the S22 Ultra does not fit into the slot of the S23 Ultra.

Like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is therefore almost identical to its predecessor. However, the few adjustments (notably the flatter slab) make the grip even more pleasant despite an obvious overweight. The finishes are always exemplary. Minimalist and elegant, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a jewel of technology.

Samsung king of screens

Leader in the display market, Samsung continues to use its expertise to make its most premium smartphones shine. The Galaxy S23 Ultra therefore inherits a 6.8” QHD+ Dynamic Amoled 2X panel HDR10+ compatible. The refresh rate oscillates between 1 and 120 Hz depending on the content displayed and the maximum brightness can theoretically reach 1,750 nits.

According to the results of the 01Lab laboratory, this light peak (in HDR) actually reaches 1,590 cd/m2, which remains the best performance ever achieved. The average brightness reaches 1,133 cd/m2, all with a brightness of 101 GU. In summary, the screen of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a marvel.

To take advantage of good colorimetry, however, we recommend opting for the natural display mode rather than the adaptive mode which displays colors that are too saturated.

Successful return for the Qualcomm-Samsung duo

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Historical partner of Qualcomm, Samsung has decided, from the Galaxy S6, to integrate its own chips in its smartphones marketed in Europe and certain regions of the world. The Exynos have thus propelled all the high-end models of the Korean without ever reaching the level of Qualcomm chips. Thus, the American Galaxy (which integrated Qualcomm chips) have always supplanted the Exynos both in terms of performance and autonomy.

In 2023, Samsung therefore decides to join forces again with its former partner, the time for the semiconductor division to review its copy. The entire Galaxy S23 range therefore incorporates the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip presented by Qualcomm in December 2022. The Ultra model also comes with 8 or 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB to 1 TB of storage.

We will not dwell on the breathtaking performance of this latest generation chip. On the other hand, we will emphasize that the optimization work (carried out jointly by Samsung and Qualcomm engineers) makes it possible to contain the temperature rise even during prolonged gaming sessions.

Finally autonomy worthy of a top of the range

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The integration of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip above all makes it possible to correct one of the black points of previous generations: their autonomy. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is now among the benchmarks in this area with 20:36 in general-purpose use. For comparison, the Galaxy S22 Ultra did not exceed 12 hours! Certainly, Samsung does not yet manage to join Apple and the more than 27 hours of versatile autonomy of its iPhone 14 Plus and Pro Max, but the evolution remains impressive.

Concretely, the Galaxy S23 Ultra lasts two days in “standard” use and a day and a half of more sustained use. A performance finally worthy of a model of this size.

On the other hand, we deplore again and again the absence of a charger in the box. A trend initiated by Apple that Samsung has seen fit to copy in the name of money ecology. Compatible with a charger with a power of 45 W (charged 50 euros by Samsung), Galaxy S23 Ultra fully charges in 60 minutes. An average performance for a premium model but much more acceptable with such remarkable autonomy.

Induction charging is also included (up to 15 W) as is reverse charging (4.5 W).

Camera boosted with 200 Mpxl sensor

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Historically, the Galaxy S range has always been chosen by Samsung to inaugurate new photo technologies. The S23 Ultra is therefore an opportunity for the South Korean to launch a brand new 200 Mpxl sensor (1/1.3”, photosites 0.6 µm) accompanied by a 23 mm f/1.7 lens, hybrid autofocus (phase detection + laser) and an optical stabilizer. The other modules are exactly the same as those of the previous generation, namely:

• an ultra-wide-angle: 12 Mpxl sensor (1/2.55”, 1.4 µm photosites); 13mm f/2.2 lens; Dual Pixel autofocus; Super Steady stabilization
• a telephoto lens : 10 Mpxl sensor, (1/3.52″, 1.12 µm photosites); 70mm f/2.4 lens; Dual Pixel autofocus; optical stabilization
• a periscopic zoom: 10 Mpxl sensor (1/3.52”, 1.12 µm photosites) 23-230 mm f/4.9 lens (10x zoom); Dual Pixel autofocus, optical stabilization

Another material novelty, the front camera made up of a module with a 12 Mpxl sensor accompanied by a 26mm f/2.2 lens and Dual Pixel autofocus.

The rest of the work is therefore essentially software with an optimization of the algorithms. Samsung promises better night photos, especially portraits. What is it in practice?

Let’s quickly go over the sensors already present on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, namely the telephoto lens, the periscope zoom and the ultra wide-angle. Very smart one who will be able to detect with the naked eye a difference with the S22 Ultra in good light conditions (outside day for example).

We therefore reiterate what we said last year: the Galaxy S23 Ultra shines with its photographic versatility. Up to a 30x zoom, the shots are all usable, beyond that the digital noise is too present.

We could draw the same conclusions from the main sensor (you know the one with 200 Mpxl). In good light conditions, difficult, if not impossible, to see a difference with the naked eye.

The algorithms and the new sensor therefore mainly improve night shots. In low light, the sharpness is better, the colors and the contrasts more controlled. This therefore applies to the main sensor but also to telephoto and ultra-wide-angle lenses.

Software optimization also allows Samsung to improve portrait mode with a more natural rendering, more controlled bokeh and more precise clipping.

Samsung also offers a 200 Mpxl mode allowing you to capture photos in 200 Mpxl (12 Mpxl by default with the pixel bining). This shooting mode does not add much except the possibility export snapshots in RAW format, dear to photography fans. For others, the gain in detail is far from obvious. Worse, when the light runs out the pictures are even more degraded.

In the front, the new sensor is convincing both in the exercise of the selfie and the self-portrait. Finally, the Galaxy S23 Ultra pushes the boundaries of smartphone video capture. Capable of filming up to 8K at 30fps (whose interest remains debatable in 2023) it makes it possible to produce even more stable videos with precise sound recording. Along with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best smartphone in this exercise.

In the field of photography and video, the Galaxy S23 Ultra does honor to its predecessor, already elevated to the rank of reference. Samsung refines its recipe, corrects the few flaws of the S22 Ultra and makes Galaxy S23 Ultra the most versatile and attractive smartphone when it comes to photography. Waiting for the iPhone 15 Ultra?

Ultra-high prices

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The Galaxy S23 Ultra convinces you? Wait to find out its price. Always quick to take up the worst ideas from Apple, Samsung has seen fit to drastically increase the price of its most premium smartphone.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is therefore available from 1,419 euros (256 GB) or 60 euros more than the previous generation, but with only 8 GB of RAM (compared to 12 GB for the S22 Ultra last year).

Samsung charges a premium for the extra storage. Count 1,599 euros for the model with 512 GB of storage (and 12 GB of RAM) and 1,839 euros for the 1 TB version i.e. respective increases of 140 and 180 euros compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Certainly Samsung offers introductory offers (doubled storage capacity for the same price, bonus for taking back your old mobile of 150 euros) but the bill remains salty. 180 euros increase is more than 10%. Inflation and the exchange rate have been there, explains Samsung. Blablablabla…

Our opinion on the Galaxy 23 Ultra

How not to fall for the Galaxy S23 Ultra? By small touches, Samsung offers the most successful smartphone in its history. To do this, it first takes what it knows how to do best: a design that is more elegant than ever, a sublime screen and a camera that is as efficient as it is versatile. By showing humility and once again partnering with Qualcomm, Samsung is above all succeeding in correcting the main weaknesses of the previous generation. Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is more efficient than ever, but above all very durable.

The only downside is soaring prices. Samsung is charging its Galaxy S23 Ultra full price. Very strong. Too strong.