Samsung has recently released its latest line of smartphones, the Galaxy S23 lineup. The new series includes the Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, and S23 FE models, and builds on top of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, offering 20% improvement on average over the last year's Gen 1. All three models are capable of recording at 8K/30 fps, to give smoother videos when shooting dynamic scenes. Also, storage has been upgraded to UFS 4.0, significantly improving application launch speed and data transfers. In this article, we will take a look at the specs, reviews, and prices of the Samsung 23 lineup, including the key differences between this year's models and their predecessors.
Samsung S23
Platform
OS: Android 13CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Memory
8/128, 8/256, 8/512External card: no
Size
6.1", 168 g (5.93 oz)146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in
Battery
3900 mAhBuy now on Amazon
Main camera
50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm
Video modes
8K@24/30fps4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/240fps
720p@960fps
Selfie camera
12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)Video modes
4K@30/60fps1080p@30fps
As mentioned already, the base model, S23 is now capable of shooting 8K videos at 30fps (frames per second), compared to 24fps of the previous S22 model. Furthermore, the S23 has a new 12MP Selfie Camera, slight improvement to the 20MP camera in S22.
Additionally, to meet users` storage needs, Samsung has added an 8/512GB option, providing users with more storage for their files, media and applications. But keep in mind that the latest and fastest UFS 4.0 storage is available only in 256 anf 512 GB models, smaller one, whith 128GB uses UFS 3.1.
The battery capacity also has been slightly increased to 3900mAh, compared to the 3700mAh battery in the S22, which allow a device to last longer before charging.
Samsung S23+
Platform
OS: Android 13CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Memory
8/256, 8/512External card: no
Size
6.6", 196 g (6.91 oz)157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm
6.21 x 3.00 x 0.30 in
Battery
4700 mAhBuy now on Amazon
Main camera
50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm
Video modes
8K@24/30fps4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/240fps
720p@960fps
Selfie camera
12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µmVideo modes
4K@30/60fps1080p@30fps
The Samsung S23+ model shares specifications with the S23 model, but features a larger 6.6" screen and a bigger 4700mAh battery. Unlike the S23, the S23+ does not have an 8/128GB option, which might work for good, as the smallest 128GB variant is based on the older UFS 3.1 specs and users buying the S23+ model have no chance to buy a phone with slower storage, as this model offered in 256 and 512GB models only, which use UFS 4.0.
If compared with S22+, Samsung`s latest S23+ offers several key upgrades. Firstly, the UFS storage has been upgraded to 4.0 which provides faster read and write speeds. This ensures that users can store more content, launch apps quickly and transfer files efficiently. Additionally, the device also supports 8K video recording at 30fps, a significant improvement from the 24fps offered on the S22+. The selfie camera has also been upgraded to 12MP, providing better image quality and more detailed photos.
Samsung S23 Ultra
Platform
OS: Android 13CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Memory
8/256, 12/256, 12/512, 12/1024External card: no
Size
6.8", 234 g (8.25 oz)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm
6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in
Battery
5000 mAhBuy now on Amazon
Main camera
200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm
10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm
Video modes
8K@24/30fps4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/240fps
720p@960fps
Selfie camera
12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)Video modes
4K@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Samsung pushed the main camera limits once again to 200MP in its flagship model S23 Ultra compared to 108MP used in its predecessor S22 Ultra. You`ll be able to capture photos of the astronauts on the moon or the girl next door in the house across the street (just kidding 😅).
If my old Nikon D850 SLR with its 36-megapixel camera could talk, it would say: "Am I a joke to you?". For sure it`s not correct to compare just megapixels, as they are not an equation to the quality, but having a 200PM you have waay more room for cropping if needed.
Samsung S23 FE
Platform
OS: Android 13CPU: Exynos 2200 (Global)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA)
Memory
8/128, 8/256External card: no
Size
6.4", 209 g (7.37 oz)158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm
6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in
Battery
4500 mAhBuy now on Amazon
Main camera
50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video modes
8K@24fps4K@30/60fps
1080p@30/60/120/240fps
720@960fps
Selfie camera
10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µmVideo modes
4K@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps
The Samsung S23 FE is a more budget-friendly version of the high-end Galaxy S23 series. It has a 6.4" display, while the S23 has a slightly smaller 6.1" one. The bigger phone size allowed to use larger 4500mAh battery, compared to the 3900mAh battery in the S23.
When comparing the Samsung S23 FE with the Samsung S21 FE (as Samsung skipped the S22 FE model), the newer model offers 8K video recording, a faster Qualcomm platform, and more resolution for the main camera. But it comes with a bigger phone weight.