How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S23 and which model to buy
samsung has three new flagship smartphones by 2023 — Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra. They are available for pre-order right now and will officially go on sale from February 17th. But is it worth upgrading? If you need a new phone, which Galaxy S23 model is best for you? We analyze how each model is different, what’s new and which one is right for you. We’ve also featured some of the best Galaxy S23 promotions from Samsung and mobile carriers so you can get the most out of your purchase.
Be sure to check out our Best Android Phones and Best Cheap Phones guides for more recommendations. If you prefer last year’s Galaxy S22 on the cheap, we also have accessory recommendations.
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New technology in all three phones
The Galaxy S23 series has a similar design philosophy across all three devices, although the Ultra stands out with its rectangular edges. They all share the same bright AMOLED screens, 120Hz screen refresh rate, and basic features like wireless charging, solid 5G and Wi-Fi 6E support, in-display fingerprint sensors, and IP68 water resistance. They’re made from aluminum, and the glass that protects the screen and back is Corning’s latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2. You can get them all in Phantom Black, Cream, Green and Lavender, as well as Lime, Graphite, Sky. Blue and red color options if you buy directly from Samsung.com.
These phones are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for Galaxy with 8GB of RAM – not just in the US, but globally. The “for Galaxy” moniker indicates that the chips are clocked slightly higher than the base Snapdragon chips, so they’re slightly faster, and there are additional optimizations to make them more efficient. The line also features a redesigned cooling chamber that is twice as large, which should keep the phone cooler during long gaming sessions. In terms of cameras, all three models have the same 12MP ultra-wide camera, a similar 3x optical telephoto lens, and a new 12MP selfie camera.
All three S23 phones will get five years of security updates and four Android OS updates (they start with Android 13), which is the best software policy you’ll find for Android phones. This is where the similarity ends. Here’s how they all differ.
The Galaxy S23 is the smallest of the lineup with a 6.1-inch screen, so if you want a phone that can comfortably be used with one hand, this is the one for you. It’s the only S23 model to start at 128GB of internal storage – the other two now start at 256GB – but Samsung has bumped up the battery capacity by 200mAh over the Galaxy S22 to 3,900mAh. It’s also the only one in the group that’s capped at 25W charging speeds, so it doesn’t charge as quickly when plugged in. (Remember, there’s no longer a charging adapter in the box, so you’ll have to supply one yourself.) The big change is the main camera, which uses a new 50-megapixel sensor to improve dynamic color range.
S23+ is the clumsy middle child who doesn’t exist. as feature-packed like the Ultra, but not so different from the standard S23 as to warrant a $200 price increase. However, this phone is larger at 6.6 inches and has a larger 4700mAh battery capacity than its predecessor. Internal storage starts at 256GB, which is important since Samsung stopped including microSD card slots in its top phones in 2021. 45W charging (charger not included), so it will charge a little faster than the S23. From our previous experience, the charging speed does not differ much, so this should not affect your decision. Get it if you need a bigger battery or a slightly larger screen.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the cream of the crop in Samsung’s lineup. It retains the same excellent 10x optical zoom camera as its predecessor, allowing you to take clear photos of distant objects. it same has a 3x optical zoom, and who doesn’t love the options? If you’re an S Pen fan, this is the only Samsung phone with a built-in stylus that’s accessible from the bottom edge of the device. It’s the largest 6.8-inch phone of the trio (and the heaviest), and while it has an adaptive refresh rate like the other two, it can switch between 1 and 120Hz when needed, which means it’s a little more efficient. . battery. It has a 5,000mAh battery and Samsung says it will last 20 percent longer than last year’s S22 Ultra despite the same capacity.