I’ve completed my overview of the Galaxy S23 Extremely for NextPit, and I’ve this to say: Samsung’s flagship completely received me over regardless of its insolent value of $1,199. That is the magnum opus from the producer and it’ll most likely stay the perfect Android smartphone of the 12 months. Uncover my ideas on this complete Galaxy S23 Extremely overview.
Good
- Excellent AMOLED QHD+ display at 120 Hz refresh fee
- Extremely polished end
- Most versatile 200 MP digital camera module available on the market
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 makes all of the distinction
- Wonderful battery life which is a feat for Samsung
- 4 years of Android updates + 5 years of safety updates
- The built-in S Pen is as cool as ever
Dangerous
- Nothing a lot new in One UI 5.1
- Identical design as final 12 months
- Archaic 45-watt charging velocity
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely in a nutshell
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely has been out there in most areas since February 17, 2023. It arrives in three reminiscence configurations of 8/256 GB, 12/512 GB, and 12 GB/1 TB, retailing for $1,199.99, $1,379.99, and $1,619.99, respectively.
On paper, the Galaxy S23 Extremely delivered nearly nothing new in comparison with the Galaxy S22 Extremely. I used to be even of an analogous opinion throughout my hands-on session. Nevertheless, after placing it by way of the paces on this complete overview, I discovered the Galaxy S23 Extremely to be an actual winner.
Design
The Galaxy S23 Extremely carried over the identical design language from final 12 months’s Galaxy S22 Extremely, which itself share cues from the final
Galaxy Notice 20, sporting angles and a slot for the S Pen.
What I preferred:
- Aluminum body and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 in entrance and on the again
- Built-in S Pen nonetheless works brilliantly
- IP68 licensed
What I disliked:
- Iffy digital camera module (completely subjective)
- No 3.5mm audio jack
- Similiar design to final 12 months’s mannequin
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely has nearly no noticeable modifications when it comes to design in comparison with the Galaxy S22 Extremely.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely is available in 4 colours: Phantom Black, Cream, Inexperienced, and Lavender. The glass again is protected by Corning’s new Gorilla Glass Victus 2, as is the display. The body is made from aluminum and the smartphone is IP68 licensed for each water and dirt resistance.
On the underside edge, we will see the S Pen slotted in properly, identical to in its predecessor from final 12 months. It does appear as if Samsung didn’t actually trouble with the design, however then once more, if it ain’t broke, why repair it?
Display
The display of the Galaxy S23 Extremely has not modified a lot in comparison with the final 12 months’s mannequin. We discover a 6.8-inch AMOLED slab with curved edges which are suitable with HDR10+ and a most refresh fee of 120 Hz.
What I preferred:
- Good brightness identical to earlier than
- The QHD+/120 Hz combo nonetheless works effectively
- Display is barely much less curved
What I disliked:
We, due to this fact, discover a very related, if not equivalent, panel to final 12 months’s Galaxy S22 Extremely. The QHD+ decision of 3088 × 1440 p has not modified, and neither has the adaptive refresh fee of 1 to 120 Hz utilizing LTPO 2.0 expertise.
The curved edges of the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s display will not be to everybody’s style. Samsung appeared to have anticipated this by decreasing the angle. The flat floor of the slab would due to this fact be barely wider than on the earlier mannequin. It is only a tiny change, however you possibly can see it whenever you maintain the S22 Extremely and S23 Extremely facet by facet.
The display has a punch-hole that’s centered on the prime. The thought of a hidden digital camera underneath the display stays the prerogative of Samsung’s foldable smartphones. Contemplating the lack of picture high quality that this expertise brings with it, possibly it is all for the perfect.
Interface/OS
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely runs on
One UI 5.1, which is the newest pores and skin from Samsung that’s based mostly on
Android 13. Among the many new options are Modes and Routines.
What I preferred:
- 4 Android updates + 5 years of safety updates
- A Focus mode like on iOS with Modes and Routines
- An especially fluid and delightful person interface
What I disliked:
- Not many unique options (possibly that is a great factor)
- Loads of bloatware
I believe One UI is turning into a increasingly lovely interface. On the Galaxy S23 Extremely, every part is far smoother, particularly the animations.
I additionally cherished discovering Samsung’s tremendous intuitive multitasking options. With the ability to change to separate display by swiping up with two fingers is one such instance.
Swiping from a prime nook of the display to change an open utility to windowed mode can be a really good contact (pun meant!).
I additionally just like the stacked widgets identical to on iOS. With the ability to retailer a number of widgets in a single location opens up loads of prospects for customizing your house display.
Among the many most notable new options, I wish to specifically point out the Routines and Modes features. With Routines, you possibly can automate a sequence of actions in your smartphone based mostly to your exercise. Mainly, it really works just like the routines of your linked objects in your sensible dwelling.
It can save you these totally different routines and affiliate them with Modes (sleep, sport, work) to change from one mode to a different and apply the corresponding routines. For energy customers or digital detox lovers, this may very well be very related.
In the case of the S Pen, Samsung did not introduce something new nevertheless it’s nonetheless a pleasure to make use of. It is exhausting to stay with out it for taking notes, capturing screenshots, or picture modifying.
Let’s discuss picture modifying. Samsung affords some choices in its Gallery that I discovered to be somewhat helpful. The truth that you possibly can “remaster” a failed picture is fairly cool. And it is even cooler when doing so truly labored!
As a result of I am beginning to flip this overview right into a 500-page treatise on One UI, I will simply conclude with the “magic eraser” characteristic that permits you to erase undesirable components from a photograph. Personally, I believe it labored fairly effectively. However I am unable to say that it stacks up effectively in opposition to Apple’s and Google‘s options.
Efficiency
For the very first time in Europe, the Galaxy S23 Extremely is supplied with Qualcomm’s
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. That is nice information for these of us exterior of the US, as Samsung beforehand included its much less highly effective Exynos chips on such areas.
What I preferred:
- Large efficiency achieve of the SD 8 Gen 2 in comparison with final 12 months’s Exynos 2200
- Progressive thermal throttling
- As much as 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage and 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM
What I disliked:
In the case of benchmarks, we obtained scores in keeping with different Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered smartphones. On the similar time, there aren’t too lots of these simply but. It did carry out higher than the OnePlus 11 5G (overview).
It’s, nonetheless, much less secure than the Xiaomi 13 Professional (overview) on the 3DMark Wild Life Stress Check benchmark that simulated 20 minutes of intensive gaming use. However that is actually as a result of the truth that Xiaomi operates with near no thermal throttling, which can ultimately end result in overheating points.
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely (SD 8 Gen 2) |
OnePlus 11 (SD 8 Gen 2) |
Xiaomi 13 Professional (SD 8 Gen 2) |
Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Wild Life | Too highly effective | Too highly effective | Too highly effective | 5,682 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Stress Check |
Finest loop: 12,278 |
Finest loop: 12,784 |
Finest loop: 13,091 |
Finest loop: 5,741 Worst loop: 3,351 |
| Geekbench 5 | Single: 1,912 Multi: 4,981 |
Single: 1,170 Multi: 4,813 |
Single: 1,509 Multi: 5,006 |
Single: 1,155 Multi: 3,356 |
Nevertheless, the Galaxy S23 Extremely doesn’t overheat in any respect. It by no means exceeded 45° throughout our benchmarking efforts. This was made doable courtesy of its thermal throttling which occurred in a progressive method. As quickly because the temperature rose, the smartphone pulled the handbrake with the dexterity of the late, venerable Ken Block. All the pieces was carried out easily and the framerate stabilized shortly.
In on a regular basis use, we will clearly run all possible video games from the Play Retailer with out lacking a beat. I used to be truly capable of run Name of Responsibility Cellular and Sky Kids of Mild at 120 FPS. Sadly, I do not need any video to point out you as a result of the display recorder robotically drops the framerate to 60 FPS max. So you may must make do with the screenshots under.
I used to be additionally capable of run Fortnite at a continuing 60 FPS with the graphics turned up. Even Genshin Influence, a sport that eats up a ton of RAM, ran at 60 FPS with out kicking up a fuss. And at no time did the smartphone burn my fingers. It is actually evening and day in comparison with the Galaxy S22 Extremely.
Picture high quality
The Galaxy S23 Extremely embeds a quadruple digital camera module that’s spearheaded by its new 200 MP picture sensor. The latter is mated to a basic 12 MP extremely wide-angle lens and two telephoto lenses at 10 MP every. Samsung has additionally lastly improved its selfie digital camera by throwing in a 12 MP lens.
What I preferred:
- Most versatile digital camera module available on the market
- The primary lens of 200 MP works nice in the course of the day and at evening
- 3x and 10x zoom performs effectively
- Nice progress in low mild conditions
What I disliked:
- Portrait mode is a bit disappointing for this value vary
- No huge enhancements with regards to selfies
- Focus remains to be a bit iffy (however I am kidding)
The digital camera module of the Galaxy S23 Extremely completely illustrated the person expertise with this smartphone. On paper, nearly nothing has modified. However whenever you step away from the specs and truly use the cameras, you possibly can see the distinction instantly.
The picture high quality of the Galaxy S23 Extremely is nearly impeccable in the course of the day
Let’s start with the obvious distinction: the primary lens with this new 200 MP Isocell HP2 sensor. I used to be fortunate sufficient to have just a few hours of fine climate this week. And I discovered all my daytime photographs to be wonderful. The extent of element captured is spectacular. Nicely, the colours are nonetheless a bit saturated, however that has at all times been the case with Samsung, and I like this colorimetry.
The dynamic vary administration is great. Even in complicated photographs, we have now a balanced distinction. The 12 MP ultra-wide angle additionally does very effectively. Edge distortion is well-contained and I did not discover any main shade inconsistencies in comparison with the rendering of the primary lens.
The portrait mode of the Galaxy S23 Extremely
I simply discovered the portrait mode to be not so good as the Huawei Mate 50 Professional (overview) and the iPhone 14 Professional (overview). The cropping is just not at all times clear and the main target tends to run, particularly with non-human topics.
The 2 telephoto lenses with optical zoom of the Galaxy S23 Extremely are… ultra-efficient
The opposite nice level of the Galaxy S23 Extremely is its zoom functionality. We’ve got two focal lengths to function at 3x and 10x native zooms. There may be nothing a lot to say right here, other than the sharpness being there alongside the precise colours. I seen some unavoidable artifacts when switching to 30x zoom however I used to be additionally very pleasantly stunned by the outcomes at instances.
Samsung cannot be crushed with regards to the flexibility of its digital camera module. It is simply extraordinarily cool to have so many taking pictures prospects with out having to bodily transfer. The digital camera app nonetheless affords some extent of help that will help you goal whenever you transcend the 20x zoom, which nonetheless works nice, by the best way.
The Galaxy S23 Extremely is a powerful performer at evening
At evening, the Galaxy S23 Extremely affords an computerized evening mode. It’ll activate itself when it detects the encircling mild situations that require it. And with the primary lens, I discover that Samsung managed to seize the scenes very effectively, trying somewhat pure.
There may be not an excessive amount of noise or abuse of digital smoothing occurring there. After all, issues start to go downhill with the ultra-wide angle lens, as common. The 3x zoom remained fairly usable more often than not. The Galaxy S23 Extremely additionally has a devoted evening mode, however I discovered it to be too unnatural and overexposed the scene an excessive amount of.
In any case, we will see a transparent distinction, and there may be surefire progress in low mild situations in comparison with the Galaxy S22 Extremely which was a bit poor on this level, as I famous in my overview.
Battery life
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely includes a large 5,000 mAh battery. This is identical battery capability as final 12 months whereas the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus benefited from bigger batteries in comparison with their predecessors.
What I preferred:
What I disliked:
- Charger is just not included within the field
- No enchancment with regards to quick charging
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely is ultra-durable with regards to battery life. I put it by way of the PCMark Work 3.0 benchmark. I set the show to QHD+ decision, refresh fee to 120 Hz, and brightness to 200 nits. Regardless of all that, the Galaxy S23 Extremely lasted for 13:09 earlier than dropping under the 20% battery life notch.
I’ll do an extra check tonight with the display in Full HD+ and at 60 Hz. I am certain the Galaxy S23 Extremely can hit 15 and even 16 hours of battery life.
I simply suppose it is a disgrace that Samsung nonetheless does not have the need to do higher when it comes to quick charging. As you possibly can see, you may must cope with 45-watt wired charging and 10-watt wi-fi charging once more this 12 months. The 4.5-watt wi-fi reverse charging remains to be a part of the ensemble, too.
And like final 12 months, the charger is just not included within the field since it’s well-known that promoting chargers individually in devoted packaging helps save the planet.
There may be one saving grace although, at the least Samsung does not use proprietary charging expertise implies that you should use any charger that’s suitable with the USB PD 3.0 normal.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely technical specs
| Specs Desk | |
|---|---|
| Machine | |
| Picture | |
| Design | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 entrance and rear aluminum body with IP68 curved display |
| Display | AMOLED 6.8 inch | QHD+ (3088 x 1440 p) | refresh fee 1-120 Hz (LTPO 2.0) |
| Reminiscence | 8 or 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM | 256 GB/ 512 GB/ 1 TB UFS 4.0 |
| CPU/ GPU | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 4 nm | Adreno 740 GPU |
| Picture |
Essential: 200 MP | f/1.7 | OIS | autofocus |
| Video | 8K at 30 FPS |
| Interface/OS | One UI 5.1 based mostly on Android 13 | 4 Android updates + 5 years safety updates |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | wired charging 45 W | wi-fi charging 15 W | reverse wi-fi charging 5 W | charger not included |
| Audio | ND |
| Dimensions & Weight | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm | 233 g |
| Connectivity | 5G | Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Conclusion
On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely doesn’t deliver a lot in comparison with the Galaxy S22 Extremely. However in actuality, I can safely say that that is probably the most profitable flagship from Samsung because the Galaxy Notice 10+.
Actually, the Galaxy S23 Extremely is what the Galaxy S22 Extremely ought to have been. It’s THE mannequin that completes the merger of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Notice sequence. It’s THE mannequin that lastly places an finish to the disadvantageous therapy of European customers by integrating the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC worldside. It’s THE Samsung mannequin that lastly affords wonderful battery life that was at all times a disappointment from the South Korean producer.
If I needed to summarize this overview that might simply have been 6,000 phrases lengthy, I might say that Samsung has three nice arguments to excuse the completely insane value of the Galaxy S23 Extremely: The efficiency of the brand new Qualcomm SoC, a wonderful battery life, and probably the most versatile digital camera module available on the market.
Sure, the worth is extraordinarily prohibitive for most individuals. And sure, the Galaxy S22 Extremely has come down in value fairly a bit. However the Galaxy S23 Extremely will stay way more aggressive, and for for much longer. So even if you happen to’re ready for value drops, go for the S23 Extremely after just a few months somewhat than its predecessor.
