Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G (8GB + 256GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is characterized as a near-faultless, premium Android device, featuring a robust, "chunky" design with a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. Key performance benefits include the high-speed Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip and the versatility of the integrated S Pen. The device excels in photography, highlighted by its 200MP main sensor and extensive zoom capabilities, making it a top choice for mobile photographers. Cons mentioned in the review include a high, premium price tag, along with a large form factor that can make one-handed operation difficult for some users. Additionally, the extreme processing power and high-end hardware may represent overkill for the average user, rendering the phone a niche, albeit high-quality, option.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is positioned by IGN as a top-tier Android device, highlighted by a 200MP camera, exceptional performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, and a improved flat 6.8-inch display with S Pen integration. Notable pros include superior gaming performance and a 5,000mAh battery that easily lasts through heavy daily use. Conversely, cons include a high $1,199 starting price, noise in low-light 200MP photos, and an underwhelming ultrawide camera. The device is ultimately recommended for power users seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one workstation, despite the lack of a headphone jack or expandable storage.

The April 2023 review from TheCanadianTechie highlights the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as a versatile, high-performance flagship featuring a 200MP main sensor, exceptional battery life, and the integrated S Pen for productivity. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, the device offers fluid performance, a bright 6.8-inch AMOLED display, and deep customization through One UI 5.1. Potential drawbacks include a bulky design, slow 45W charging speeds, occasional motion blur in photos, and the lack of a charger or expandable storage.

Pete Matheson’s long-term review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra highlights its "fast and fluid" performance, driven by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor which resolves previous performance gaps. Key advantages include a top-tier, 120Hz display and a highly versatile camera system, particularly in low-light and high-zoom scenarios. However, the review details significant ergonomic and design drawbacks, noting the device is extremely bulky and features an awkwardly placed NFC chip. Additionally, the exterior, including the display, is prone to damage and scratching. Despite these issues, the 45W fast charging and S Pen functionality are praised, with the device remaining a strong, long-term choice even after the release of the S24 Ultra. The review concludes that the S23 Ultra offers top-tier, lasting value.

TheStreet crowns the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as a top-tier Android device, blending S-series performance with Note-series productivity via its integrated S Pen. It features a refined design, a 6.8-inch 120Hz display, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. Key pros include an impressive 200-megapixel camera, excellent battery life, and high performance, though it is balanced against a $1,199.99 starting price, bulky design, and software bloat.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, reviewed by PhoneArena, is defined by refined, iterative improvements rather than a total redesign, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset worldwide, which delivers substantial performance and battery life gains. The device highlights a 200MP main camera sensor with enhanced low-light "Nightography" capabilities and improved 8K video stabilization, maintaining the signature integrated S Pen. Despite these strengths, the phone carries a high $1,199 starting price, remains heavy, and sticks with 45W charging, which lags behind competitors in charging speed.

The PCMag review highlights the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as a top-tier Android flagship, praising its stunning 6.8-inch 120Hz display, the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip's blistering performance, and a versatile 200MP camera system. Additional strengths include the integrated S Pen, excellent battery life, and a strong four-year OS update commitment. However, the device is considered expensive with a $1,199.99 starting price, and its large, squared-off design may be unwieldy for some users. Other downsides include the lack of microSD storage and the absence of a charger in the box.

The Android Authority review highlights the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as a premium, "roaring powerhouse" that sets the standard for Android flagships, despite its iterative design. Key upgrades include the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, which solves previous thermal and battery issues, offering exceptional performance and a day-and-a-half battery life. The device features a superior 200MP camera sensor, an exceptional 6.8-inch 120Hz display, integrated S Pen, and strong four-year software support. Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including a high $1,199 starting price and the decision to include only 8GB of RAM in the base model. The large, heavy design makes it unwieldy for one-handed use, and the device lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage. Additionally, the 45W charging speed, while efficient, does not match the fastest competitors on the market.

The Guardian hails the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as a top-tier Android device, highlighting the global adoption of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for superior performance. The 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and exceptional battery life, lasting over 52 hours, contribute to a premium, albeit heavy, user experience. Its primary camera, a new 200-megapixel sensor, excels in detail and low-light "Nightography," while the dual telephoto lenses provide unmatched, versatile zoom capabilities. Despite these strengths, the phone is considered a "kitchen sink" approach, offering immense power that might be excessive for average users. Key drawbacks include the substantial £1,249 price point and a physical design that is quite large and heavy. Furthermore, the 45W charging speed is slow compared to competitors, and the included S Pen may not be necessary for everyone.

According to the Tom's Guide review, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a top-tier Android flagship featuring a 200MP main camera and an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for superior performance. It boasts significant battery life improvements, lasting over 12 hours in tests, alongside a vibrant 6.8-inch display and an integrated S Pen. Despite its high $1,199 starting price and an iterative, heavy design, it remains a premier choice.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a top-tier flagship featuring a 200MP main camera, superior 3x/10x optical zoom capabilities, and a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. According to Trusted Reviews, the device boasts a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 1750 nits peak brightness and a highly responsive S Pen, making it a productivity powerhouse. While the 5,000mAh battery provides all-day life, the device is held back by slow 45W charging, a high price point, and a bulky, sharp-edged design.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a flagship device inheriting the Galaxy Note's S Pen legacy, featuring an exceptional 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and powered by a custom "Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy" chip noted for "blistering" performance. Its primary strengths, or "pros," include a versatile quad-camera system with a 200MP main sensor and a 10x optical zoom lens, alongside battery life extended to about 1.5 days due to processor efficiency. Conversely, the device's "cons" include its large, somewhat uncomfortable form factor, a high starting price of $1,199.99, the absence of a microSD slot, and the exclusion of a charging brick.

According to Creative Bloq, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is positioned as the "ultimate" Android phone, offering premium build quality, a stunning 6.8-inch display, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, a versatile 200MP camera system with 3x and 10x optical zoom, an integrated S Pen, and excellent battery life. However, its significant drawbacks include a high price starting at £1,249, a large and heavy design that makes one-handed use difficult, slower charging speeds compared to rivals, and potentially less intuitive One UI software for users accustomed to stock Android.

According to a Business Insider review, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a high-end smartphone described as "overkill in all the right ways," excelling in performance, features, and photography, but comes with a high price tag starting at $1,200. Pros include a large 6.8-inch 120Hz OLED display, a versatile four-camera system with a new 200MP sensor, an optimized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with improved battery life, and the included S Pen stylus. Cons include the high entry price, occasional camera shutter lag that can cause blurry photos of moving subjects, a design largely unchanged from its predecessor, and the lack of a charger in the box despite supporting 45W fast charging.

Android Police describes the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as a refined, peak Android experience featuring a new 200MP main camera that offers significant detail and creative freedom, despite minor bugs in night mode. The device maintains a nearly identical design to its predecessor but is praised for its premium "fit and finish". Powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, the phone shows performance and battery life gains, with its 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel considered a top display. A drawback noted is the 45W charging speed, deemed slow compared to competitors and requiring specific chargers. Ultimately, the S23 Ultra is presented as a high-end, versatile flagship with excellent software support and the S Pen, best suited for power users without budget constraints. However, its $1,200 price and lack of microSD slot make it a questionable upgrade for recent Galaxy Ultra owners.

TechRadar describes the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as one of the top Android phones, offering powerful performance and a versatile camera system, despite its premium price and familiar design. Key pros include a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, integrated S Pen, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, excellent battery life, and an impressive 200MP main camera with 10x optical zoom. Cons noted are its large size and weight, slower 45W wired charging (with no charger included), and potential for slightly oversaturated colors or bloatware from Samsung's image processing and software.

According to a CNET review, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a high-end "maximalist" phone notable for its 200-megapixel main camera sensor, which enhances low-light photography and detail. It also features a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip for optimized performance, double the base storage, a bright display, and the S Pen. Drawbacks include a high $1,200 starting price, photos that may appear less natural compared to competitors like the iPhone 14 Pro or Pixel 7 Pro, and a large, bulky size.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is characterized as an incremental but highly refined device with a new 200-megapixel main sensor praised for detailed 12-megapixel images via pixel binning and improved low-light performance, though the camera can occasionally produce unnatural results with aggressive HDR or over-sharpening. The custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset delivers fast performance, better thermal management, and genuine all-day battery life, supporting a top-tier 6.8-inch 1440p OLED display, although the under-display fingerprint sensor is noted as inconsistent and slow compared to rivals. While the flatter side rails enhance grip for the large phone and the integrated S Pen remains a unique tool, persistent drawbacks include the high $1,200 price, "maximalist" software with duplicate apps, and the absence of a charging brick.