Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+: Evolution or Stagnation in the Premium Smartphone Arena?

Over the years, Samsung’s Galaxy S line has consistently been a top recommendation for anyone seeking a premier Android smartphone experience without compromises. The Ultra variant now includes an S Pen stylus (taking the place of the Galaxy Note) and features the highest-end camera technology in the lineup. However, its significantly higher price compared to the standard models makes the regular S series more appealing for those wanting a flagship Samsung device.

With the introduction of the new Samsung Galaxy S23 and Samsung Galaxy S23+, the enhancements seem relatively minor in comparison to their predecessors. The key differences are related to battery life, design modifications, and an upgraded processor. Let’s delve into the new features.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ look nearly identical to their former versions from the front. It is only at the back that one can spot some alterations. The sleek Armour Aluminium frame remains flat just like their predecessors, but the distinctive contour-cut camera housing has seen modifications.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 (top) and Galaxy S23+ (bottom) have rear panels crafted from Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2

Samsung has introduced a new floating camera design, providing individual cutouts for each lens. While this aligns more closely with last year’s Galaxy S22 Ultra, the camera lens rings now feature a shiny chrome finish, giving them a more pronounced look. Furthermore, Samsung has enhanced the quality of the glass.

Both the front and rear glass on the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ incorporate Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which the manufacturer claims is more resistant to breakage upon impact compared to earlier models. The devices are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance and will be offered in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender colors.

The 6.1-inch and 6.6-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED displays on the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ boast a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of up to 240Hz (in Game Mode). The screens on both smartphones closely resemble those of last year’s models with no significant improvements.

Both the Samsung Galaxy S23 (right) and Galaxy S23+ (left) feature flat Super AMOLED displays

Fortunately, both the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ utilize the same custom SoC found in the more premium Galaxy S23 Ultra variant. Dubbed the “Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform for Galaxy,” it offers an array of performance enhancements (CPU, GPU, and NPU) compared to the standard version. The Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ will include 8GB of RAM and storage options up to 512GB.

The rear camera configuration remains largely similar to that of the previous model, featuring a 50-megapixel primary camera (with OIS), a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3X optical zoom (with OIS), and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. A 12-megapixel front-facing camera manages selfies and can now record videos in HDR10+ and capture RAW images.

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The Samsung Galaxy S23 (left) and Galaxy S23+ (middle) alongside the Galaxy S23 Ultra (right)

The battery capacity of the Samsung Galaxy S23 has been increased from the previous 3,700mAh to 3,900mAh, but charging speeds remain capped at 25W for wired and 10W for wireless charging. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ features a larger 4,700mAh battery (up from 4,500mAh) and supports 45W charging when connected via a cable, while wireless charging is still limited to 10W. Both devices run on One UI 5.1, based on Android 13.