Our Review and Specifications
Range: Flagship | Standout Feature: 200.0 MP Camera With 10x Optical Zoom | Unique: Built-In S Pen
Big Screen, Big Zoom, Built-In S Pen. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra was Samsung’s flagship-of-flagships when it launched in February 2023, and no other Samsung device at the time could match its 200.0 MP main camera when it was released. Packing a 5000mAh battery, a huge 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X 1440 x 3200 QHD+ screen, a genuine 10x optical periscope zoom and a built-in S Pen, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra looked like a device in a league of its own, and three years on it still holds up well.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy CPU, with 8GB or 12GB RAM and storage options up to 1TB, you do not have to worry about speed or multitasking ability. The chipset is now a few generations old, but it still handles heavy gaming, camera processing and everyday multitasking without any hesitation in our testing.
On the storage side, there’s no MicroSD expansion on the S23 Ultra, so buyers need to pick their storage tier carefully at the point of purchase, as it isn’t upgradeable later.
Samsung fitted a huge 200 megapixel sensor as the main camera on the rear, as part of a quad lens setup with a 200MP (F1.7) primary, a 10MP (F4.9) periscope telephoto offering true 10x optical zoom, a 10MP (F2.4) telephoto offering 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP (F2.2) 120˚ ultra-wide camera. You also get a 12MP front selfie camera.
The battery on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 5000mAh, which comfortably gets most users through a full day of use. You do not get a charger in the box, but the S23 Ultra supports 45W wired charging and charged our test phone from zero to 65% in around half an hour. It also supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for topping up earbuds or a watch.
Samsung decided to exclude the 3.5mm headphone jack, so you’ll need a USB-C or wireless earbud for your music and audio.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a phone that has aged unusually well. It was a superb flagship at launch, and at current prices it remains one of the better buys in Samsung’s back catalogue, particularly for anyone who wants the S Pen and a proper zoom lens without paying current flagship prices.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Specifications
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Display Size & Resolution | 6.8inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 1440 x 3200, 120Hz |
| CPU Type & Speed | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, up to 3.36 GHz |
| SIM & Slot Type | Dual-SIM Nano-SIM, no MicroSD support |
| Ram Size | 8GB or 12GB |
| ROM Size | 256GB, 512GB or 1TB |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, Wi-Fi Direct, 5G |
| Rear Camera (Multiple) | 200.0 MP + 10.0 MP + 10.0 MP + 12.0 MP |
| Front Camera | 12.0 MP |
| Battery Capacity | 5000mAh |
| Biometrics | Under-Display Fingerprint Sensor, Face Unlock |
| Dimensions (HxWxD, mm) | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 |
| Weight (grams) | 234 |
