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Samsung Galaxy S23 Review

Written on .

Consensus Review 57 independent sources

Samsung Galaxy S23

A refined, compact flagship smartphone balancing high-end performance with premium ergonomic design.

8.8 /10
CONSENSUS PICK
✅ 92% Positive ⚠️ 8% Mixed ❌ 0% Negative

How This Score Is Calculated

  • Sources analysed: 57 reviews
  • Explicit scores: 57 sources (weighted 1.5×)
  • Consensus bonus +0.3: 90%+ sources agreed
  • Value sources: 12 of 57 mentioned price/value

Algorithmically calculated. No manual adjustments.

  • Most praisedCompact design
  • Most criticisedSlow charging
  • ConsensusHigh
  • Value for moneyGood Value (7.2/10)
CONSENSUS PICK Best for compact phone lovers Good Value

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is widely regarded as the premier compact Android flagship. Reviewers praise its excellent performance, ergonomic form factor, and reliable battery life, noting it effectively solves the shortcomings of previous generations.

🔧 Key Specifications

  • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Display: AMOLED 120Hz
  • Charging: 25W wired
  • Build: Gorilla Glass Victus 2

💲 Price Range

₹65,000 – ₹71,000

What Reviewers Say

✅
Compact Design The ergonomic, pocket-friendly size is frequently cited as the phone's greatest selling point.
15/57
❌
Slow Charging Reviewers consistently criticise the 25W charging speed as outdated compared to competitors.
9/57

👍 Key Strengths

  • Excellent compact form factor
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Brilliant AMOLED display quality
  • Reliable all-day battery life
  • Premium build quality

👎 Key Weaknesses

  • Slow 25W charging speeds
  • No charger included in box
  • Shutter lag in camera app
  • Minor year-over-year changes

💰 Value for Money

7.2/10 Good Value

While generally seen as a worthwhile investment for top-tier hardware, some reviewers note that the price is high for a mid-sized device.

12 of 57 sources commented on price or value.

🏆 CONSENSUS PICK

The Samsung Galaxy S23 delivers a polished, high-performance experience in a manageable size. If you want a flagship Android phone that fits comfortably in one hand, this is the best choice on the market.

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Reviewer Perspectives & Source Breakdown

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Overkill has never looked so good | BBC...

sciencefocus.com

Price: Approximately 1,29,000 INR

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a near-faultless, high-performance smartphone that offers an exceptional camera and display. However, its extremely high price and excessive feature set make it an unnecessary luxury for most users.

Comparison: It is frequently compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max for raw power and the Google Pixel 7 Pro as a more affordable, highly capable alternative.

Pros

  • Fantastic camera
  • Premium and stylish build
  • Powerful internals
  • Brilliant display
  • Top-notch battery

Cons

  • Ultra expensive
  • Large size won’t be for everyone

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review | Digital Camera World - digitalcamerawo...

digitalcameraworld.com

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a versatile and powerful camera system paired with excellent performance and display quality. While it offers only subtle refinements over its predecessor, it remains a top-tier smartphone for photography enthusiasts.

Comparison: It is very similar to the S22 Ultra, sharing a comparable camera setup and design. While it offers a more powerful processor and a new 200MP sensor, users of the previous model may find the differences minimal.

Pros

  • Supremely versatile camera system
  • Fantastic display quality
  • Powerful performance
  • Strong battery life

Cons

  • Heavy-handed processing in auto mode
  • Very similar to the S22 Ultra
  • Will be too big for some

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: the ultimate Android phone? | Creative ...

creativebloq.com

Price: Approximately ₹1,00,000 - ₹1,30,000

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a premium, high-performance powerhouse featuring an exceptional camera system and a versatile S Pen. Despite its large size and high price, it stands as one of the best smartphones currently available.

Comparison: It performs neck-and-neck with the iPhone 14 Pro Max and is positioned as a powerful alternative to more reasonably sized or priced smartphones.

Pros

  • Fast and responsive performance
  • Beautiful design and premium build quality
  • Excellent AMOLED screen
  • Remarkable camera system

Cons

  • Device is very large
  • Very expensive
  • Limited utility for the S Pen

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: A new yardstick against which all flags...

firstpost.com

Price: Rs 1,24,999

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the definitive Android flagship of the year, offering unmatched performance and a versatile, top-tier camera system. Despite minor design changes, its refined hardware and software make it a complete and premium package.

Comparison: The S23 Ultra is positioned as the best Android smartphone available, with the reviewer noting that other brands will likely copy its features in their own flagship devices.

Pros

  • Vibrant and sharp display
  • Exceptional performance
  • Versatile and high-quality camera system
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Premium, durable design
  • Excellent integrated S-Pen features
  • Long-term software update commitment

Cons

  • Slow 45W wired charging speeds
  • No charging brick included in the box

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: The smartphone with galactic power and ...

notebookcheck.net

Price: INR 110,500.00

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a powerful, refined flagship featuring a new 200MP camera, efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and excellent build quality. While it is expensive and lacks expandable storage or an audio jack, it remains a top-tier Android smartphone.

Comparison: It performs competitively against the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max and Xiaomi 13 Pro, offering a more versatile camera system and integrated stylus compared to most market alternatives.

Pros

  • Excellent build quality and design
  • High-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • Impressive 200MP primary camera sensor
  • Outstanding software update support policy
  • Integrated S Pen functionality

Cons

  • Lack of microSD card storage expansion
  • No 3.5mm audio jack
  • High price point
  • Cameras cause significant wobbling on flat surfaces

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra long-term review: Design and handling - gsmaren...

gsmarena.com

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a refined, comfortable design with improved handling over its predecessor. While it excels in display quality, build, and biometrics, it suffers from poor oleophobic coating and lacks the refined haptics found in competitors.

Comparison: The speakers are slightly less bass-heavy than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the device lacks the refined haptics offered by Pixel, Xiaomi, and Apple phones.

Pros

  • Comfortable to handle due to reduced screen curves
  • Excellent, high-quality display
  • Fast and accurate ultrasonic fingerprint scanner
  • Balanced weight and spot-on button placement
  • Rich and loud speakers

Cons

  • Poor oleophobic coating causes smudging
  • Cumbersome for users with smaller hands
  • Dust accumulation in earpiece slit
  • Lacks subtle, premium haptics
  • Limited options for quality glass screen protectors

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: High Quality Camera For A High Price - ...

cnet.com

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers an exceptional camera experience, highlighted by its 200-megapixel sensor and significant improvements in color and dynamic range. While it offers premium performance, it comes with a high price tag.

Pros

  • Impressive 200-megapixel camera
  • Enhanced color reproduction
  • Improved dynamic range

Cons

    Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: You may be paying just the right price ...

    zeebiz.com

    Price: Rs 1,25,000

    The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is an incredibly capable flagship smartphone that handles heavy multitasking and gaming with ease. Despite its high price, its robust performance, impressive 200MP camera, and long-term software support make it a top-tier choice for power users.

    Comparison: The design remains very similar to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, though it features a slightly curved display and improved durability. It offers significant internal hardware upgrades compared to its predecessor, including a superior camera sensor and cooling system.

    Pros

    • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset
    • Exceptional 200MP camera system
    • High-quality display with 1,750 nits peak brightness
    • Excellent battery life lasting up to two days
    • Versatile embedded S Pen functionality
    • Four generations of guaranteed OS upgrades

    Cons

    • Comes with a very hefty price tag
    • Large size makes it difficult for one-handed use
    • Charging brick is not included in the box
    • Persistent pushy notifications for Samsung's ecosystem apps
    • No expandable storage via microSD card

    Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: ultra camera, ultra power, ultra price ...

    theguardian.com

    Price: Approx. ₹99,000

    The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the most capable Android smartphone on the market, offering class-leading performance, a versatile camera system, and excellent battery life. While it is an impressive all-rounder, its extremely high price makes it difficult to justify compared to cheaper alternatives.

    Comparison: It is significantly more expensive than the Google Pixel 7 Pro, which offers a similar experience for a much lower price. It also faces competition from Samsung's own innovative folding smartphones.

    Pros

    • Brilliant 120Hz display
    • Unrivalled camera system with 10x optical zoom
    • Excellent battery life
    • S Pen stylus inclusion
    • Five years of software support

    Cons

    • Extremely expensive
    • Large and heavy design
    • S Pen may be unnecessary for some

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    CONSENSUS PICK, Compact design, Slow charging, Good Value

    Samsung Galaxy S23, review consensus, expert rating, pros cons, CONSENSUS PICK

    Samsung Galaxy S23 scores 8.8/10 from 57 reviews. CONSENSUS PICK. A refined, compact flagship smartphone balancing high-end performance with premium ergonomic design.