Everything you need to know about the New Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Posted by Tehillah Mwakalombe on 7th Feb 2023
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the device at the top of the S23 line up and it definitely deserves all the attention that Samsung has placed on it. It’s the replacement for the amazing Samsung galaxy S22 ultra, the Galaxy S23 Ultra builds on the features made by its previous version.
As we wait for it’s to be fully released let’s look at all the confirmed features, improvements and upgrades in this blog! Some of which include, a 200MP main camera, continued telephoto zoom strengths, and a huge upgrade to the chipset with an exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for Galaxy phones that promises the world's fastest graphics.
SPECS
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | |
| Starting price | US $1,199, UK £1,249 |
| Display size and resolution | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED, QHD+ Edge Screen, 500ppi |
| Display brightness, refresh rate | 1,750 nits, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear cameras | 200MP (f/1.7) main, 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto (3x optical zoom), 10MP (f/4.9) telephoto (10x optical zoom, 100x Space zoom) |
| Video | 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps and Full HD at 120fps |
| Front camera | 12MP f2.2, 4K video at 60 fps |
| Battery size | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging speed | 45W |
| Size | 3.07 x 6.43 x 0.35 inches |
| Weight | 8.25 ounces |
| Colors | Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender |
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is available for pre-order now with a launch date of February 17. The base model costs $1,199 / £1,249. The most appealing of those is the free storage upgrade, where Samsung will give you the next step up at no cost. So you pre-order the 256GB and get the 512GB. You will also get a $100 Samsung.com credit.
DESIGN
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a similar design to the S22 ultra, with a slightly flatter display. Samsung didn’t change the blocky look all that much, but the camera module is slightly larger than it was last year. That’s partly due to the new 200MP main sensor.
It’s 0.35 inches thick with a weight of 8.25 ounces, The thickness is partially explained by the fact that the S Pen is still stored within the phone itself, making it more convenient than it would be as an external accessory that requires a case. For Galaxy S23 Ultra colors, you can pick between Phantom Black, Cream, Green, or Lavender. Additional colors will be Samsung.com exclusives, which are Lime, Graphite, Sky Blue, and Red.
DISPLAY
The S23 Ultra display is still a 6.8-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 3088 x 1440. That’s 500 pixels per inch. The refresh rate can climb all the way from 1Hz to 120Hz for super smooth scrolling and gameplay, while the lower range helps preserve battery life.
Samsung claims the Galaxy S23 Ultra can crank up its brightness to 1,750 nits, which is very bright. There's also an enhanced comfort feature that lets you adjust color tones and contrast.
CAMERAS
The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s biggest upgrades come to its cameras, the new 200MP main sensor that could be a game changer for them. You can shoot photos in 200MP, 50MP, or 12.5MP, depending on your preferences and situation.
Around front is a 12MP selfie camera, which might seem like a downgrade over the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 40MP front camera. But Samsung says it now offers faster autofocus for the front camera along with Super HDR, so you should see better-looking selfies overall.
PERFORMANCE
The Galaxy S23 Ultra, has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a slightly boosted version of the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It has a higher core clock of 3.36GHz versus 3.2GHz.
It’s the same chip as you’ll find in other top Android phones coming out in 2023. The Adreno 740 GPU is Qualcomm’s most powerful yet, and Samsung says that the S23 Ultra offers the "world's fastest mobile graphics."
Pairing that with the new cooling system that Samsung has brought up and we could have a good option for the best gaming phone. The Galaxy S23 Ultra also supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave technologies. Wi-Fi 6E support is also in place.
BATTERY AND CHARGING
Just like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery that’ll hopefully last longer than last year. It’s possible that the new Snapdragon chip will help there. Charging for the Galaxy S23 Ultra remains at 45W with a wired connection and compatible charger.
SOFTWARE
The Galaxy S23 Ultra ships with One UI 5.1, based on Android 13. You’ll get four years of Android updates and five years of security patches. Samsung has the best update policy in the Android smartphone world, and that continues on with the Galaxy S23 release.
I’m conclusion, The Galaxy S23 Ultra looks like the ultimate Android phone with a price to match. It’s got all of the power and features you could want, including some promising camera hardware. It’s stacking up to be one of if not the best android phone out right now! Now we stay tuned for the reviews and updates as it is released and bought