I upgraded from the Samsung 21 Ultra to the 23 Ultra. It is a marked improvement. My wife has the 22 Ultra and they look similar… but appearances are where the similarities end between the 22 and 23 Ultras. This phone is insane and a giant leap in camera quality and performance.
When you first lay eyes on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, you might be tempted to think that it looks almost identical to its predecessor, the S22 Ultra. While it’s true that the design, S Pen, and even the colors are quite similar, don’t let this fool you. Inside, the S23 Ultra is a completely different beast, boasting the most powerful Android technology currently available.
Design and Build
Although the S23 Ultra maintains the same design language as its predecessor, there are some subtle differences that elevate the overall experience. The S23 Ultra is more squared off, giving it a premium feel and making it easier to grip. The S Pen is also more squared and less circular, improving its ergonomics.
The color options have been updated with more pastel and neutral tones, but if you’re looking for something more unique, Samsung’s website offers a range of other exciting colors to choose from.
Display
The screen on the S23 Ultra hasn’t changed much from its predecessor, but that’s not a bad thing. Samsung is renowned for producing the best displays in the industry, and this particular screen is no exception. It boasts the most color-accurate and brightest display of any Android phone, making it the ideal device for watching movies or browsing the web. The resolution is 1440 x 3088 pixels with a PPI of 500.
Performance
The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes equipped with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which has been specifically designed for this device. This means that it is not only powerful, but also incredibly efficient. The chip allows the S23 Ultra to power on faster than the S22 and launch applications such as Call of Duty with minimal delay.
In professional use cases, such as exporting edited video clips, the S23 Ultra performs exceptionally well, outpacing its predecessor by a significant margin. This powerful device can handle any game or application without lag or stuttering.
Cameras
One of the most significant improvements in the S23 Ultra is the camera system. Samsung has managed to fit a 200-megapixel main camera into the device, which is almost double the resolution of the S22 Ultra. This allows for higher resolution photos, as well as brighter and more color-accurate shots.
It’s worth noting, however, that these high-resolution photos do take up a lot of storage space, so opting for a larger storage capacity is recommended.
For expert photographers, the S23 Ultra now has Expert RAW built straight into the camera app, allowing for complete control over every aspect of photography, including ISO, shutter speed, and focus. The resulting images can be edited to your heart’s content, allowing for even greater creative freedom.
Astrophotography enthusiasts will be blown away by the Astro Photo mode, which can capture stunning images of the night sky in complete darkness. The Astro Hyperlapse mode is equally impressive, producing mesmerizing star trails in the resulting footage.
Samsung has claimed that the S23 Ultra’s video capabilities are cinema-quality, and our testing confirmed this bold statement. Features such as stabilization are top-notch, and the device can shoot in 8K resolution, which is 16 times larger than 1080p and four times larger than 4K. In comparison to a professional-grade cinema camera, the S23 Ultra’s video performance is surprisingly close, offering impressive dynamic range, texture, and color.
The front-facing camera is also impressive, capable of shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second. Whether you’re capturing memories, creating content, or conducting video shoots for commercial projects… this phone will not let you down.
(below are some random pics I took today)
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a masterpiece of smartphone technology, pushing the boundaries of what a mobile device can achieve. With its stunning display, powerful performance, exceptional camera capabilities, and a plethora of cutting-edge features, the S23 Ultra truly stands out as the ultimate choice for those seeking the best of the best in the Android ecosystem. While its premium price tag may not be for everyone, those willing to invest in this extraordinary device will not be disappointed.
