As every year, the technology giant Samsung launches its new devices in the Galaxy S series. This week Samsung announced three devices: Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
For 24 hours we tested the largest and most massive model of the three – the Ultra – to find out what has been renewed and if there is any news in the device. Samsung is trying to produce the best Android here, the one that can really compete with Apple without competitors from the same operating system. Is she successful?
Screen and display: iridescent and colorful
Similar to the previous generation, this time too it is a 6.8-inch screen with QHD+ quality and a DYNAMIC AMOLED 2X display. The refresh rate of the device reaches up to 120 Hz, and the touch measurement rate is up to 240 Hz in game mode. The device has a peak brightness of 1,750 nits, which means a decent deal with the sun’s rays that can make the screen difficult.
One of Samsung’s strongest points is its colorful screens. The details on the screen look excellent, certainly when you see video content in full clarity. Ultra has also incorporated a Vision Booster feature, which allows you to adjust the color and contrast of the image in relation to the lighting conditions in the environment.
Camera: Resolution petition
The rear camera setup of the device is square: a 200MP main adaptive sensor, and here is also the significant news. The company wants to sell the device as the best camera on the market, more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max for example.
According to Samsung, the sensor uses Pixel Binning technology to support multiple levels of high-resolution processing at the same time. In fact, this adaptive sensor can combine 16 pixels into one larger pixel for brighter images with much more detail, including in low-light situations.
Next to it is a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and two telephoto sensors. The front camera offers 12MP. Samsung integrated an AI-based algorithm of the image processing unit (ISP) to provide good images in all lighting conditions. Another significant improvement is the double optical image stabilizer – so that videos shot in low light or blur will be more stable. The pictures themselves are great, but with the naked eye it’s hard to tell the difference between the current generation and the previous one.
Design: Improved glass
The device is very similar to its predecessor, with the same size, the same curves and the same packaging, but the display is slightly flatter, so it is more convenient to use the built-in pen that comes with the device. The glass of all the launched devices is Gorilla Glass Victus® 2, i.e. improved glass, which means that the device itself is better protected from scratches and falls.
The device weighs 234 grams, a little more than the previous generation. The device is protected by the IP68 standard, water resistant to a depth of up to 1.5 meters for a period of up to 30 minutes, and protected against dust, sand and dirt.
Performence: New Qualcomm processor
Samsung and Qualcomm usually cooperate, and this time it is reflected in the new Qualcomm processor. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the most powerful processor on the mobile market, and according to Samsung, the graphic performance of the ultra is more than 40% faster than the previous generation, and the artificial intelligence performance has been optimized by more than 40% to create a balance between performance and power, low-latency gaming, and more. This in combination with a running memory of 12GB RAM.
In short-term use it is difficult to examine how the device copes with significant loads over time. However, the device was able to withstand any load and any obstacle along the way. In combination with the mentioned screen, the games run great and look great, and in normal use no malfunctions or explosions occurred on the screen.
battery: without substantial change
The battery inserted into the device has a capacity of 5,000 mAh, combined with charging with a 45 watt power adapter. According to the company, it can be charged to 65% in half an hour, similar to the previous generation. Like the other smartphone manufacturers, Samsung will also require you to purchase a power adapter separately, based on the concept that you already have one at home or to make the box smaller.
Something else: A tiny pen is built into the device
The device includes the familiar stylus pen from the Note devices, with which you can quickly write on the screen and perform small tasks. In Ultra it is possible to use the pen to cut out parts of an existing image, and use them in other applications. Similar to the previous model, the pen itself is tiny, so those with large hands will face quite a bit of awkwardness. Latency is great and the display is flatter, so the overall experience is good.
price: in the high range
The ultra device comes in three memory models: the 256GB model is priced by Samsung at NIS 5,000. The 512GB model costs NIS 5,500, and the 1TB model costs NIS 6,500. This is a premium device in the high price range, so from the beginning it is aimed at a certain audience, and is not suitable for everyone.