Samsung has been continually expanding both the A-series and the M-series lineup of smartphones. They might compete in the same pricing but the M-series is different as this one packs different specs inside also this smartphone series is online-only. Today, we’re gonna review the Samsung Galaxy M23 5G, one of their most affordable smartphones with 5G inside.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Design and construction
The one that we got for review comes in Green and I do like the shade that they used here as it doesn’t look cheap and despite having a plastic build on the smartphone, I do like the feel of it when I’m holding the smartphone.
Speaking of holding the smartphone, the ergonomics are pretty good as we got here the curves on the side and it’s also light to the hand. However, the frame of this one is also plastic which makes it less premium just like the A-series smartphones.
On the right, the smartphone comes with the power button and also the volume rocker and the power button of the smartphone also serves as the fingerprint scanner for security.
For the ports, the smartphone comes with USB-C port, and it also supports up to 25W of fast charging which might not be the fastest in the market, but it will do its job definitely along with the 5000mAh battery of the smartphone.
As for the battery, they did a pretty good job as well as we’re getting a long battery life and it can definitely last up to a day or two depending on your usage. But as for me, I was only able to use the smartphone for a single day due to heavy usage. But it still is a heavyweight in the battery series. In our PC Mark Work 2.0 Battery test, we got a score of 11 hours and 57 minutes which is great
Software and performance
The Samsung Galaxy M23 5G runs on the latest One UI 4.1 based on Android 12 and I can say that this one does have a smooth and carefree UI. Everything was smooth and the colors and icons on the smartphone were really fine and easy to the eyes. Thankfully, there were less apps that are preinstalled on the smartphone.
For the performance, the Samsung Galaxy M23 5G comes with Snapdragon 750 5G. It’s not new and we’ve seen this before on other smartphones from Samsung as well and it was initially pegged for midrangers to have a 5G connectivity inside and while the chipset might fall a little bit behind the Snapdragon 695, the Snapdragon 750 5G is still a very decent one for its affordable price tag.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M23 5G is a very decent smartphone from the Korean company. While there are some drawbacks including the lack of the AMOLED display, the performance that we got on the smartphone is decent enough. We got 5G inside and the camera of the smartphone is decent enough to be used for everyday usage.
The battery of the smartphone is pretty good as well and the competitive pricing of this one makes it more interesting.
While the Pixel 6 ushered in three years of major Android OS version updates and an additional two for security patches, that’s still nowhere near the longevity of the iPhone. Google hopes to change that on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro with noticeably more OS updates.
Looking at the mobile Android landscape, three years of OS updates – which was also the case on Qualcomm-powered Pixel phones from 2017-2021 – is less than Samsung’s promise of four, which started last year with the Galaxy S21, S22, Flip 3, and Fold 3 and continued through devices released this year, including some of the company’s more affordable releases.
Other Android-powered devices like the Nvidia Shield are up to eight years of updates in large part because Nvidia wholly controls the (aging) Tegra X1 and X1+ chips. Google is moving in that direction with Tensor, though the first three generations of Tensor are heavily based on Samsung Exynos.
Google touts “5 years of Pixel updates” on existing Tensor-powered devices as, after Android 13, 14, and 15 (for example), the Pixel 6 will get two more years (24 monthly security patches) that should let you comfortably keep using your phone albeit without major operating system updates during those last two years. Of course, many new features on Android are delivered via app updates and Google Play services, so your phone will not be left too far behind.
Then there’s Apple, with the iPhone XS released in September 2018 with iOS 12 that will get iOS 17 this fall. The iPhone 6S (and 7) from 2015 is still getting security releases on iOS 15 and currently stands at just shy of 8 years of updates.
Android’s update story paling in comparison to the iPhone has been an easy knock, and Google is working to address that with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. We’re hearing that Google plans to competitively boost how many years of OS updates the Pixel 8 series and presumably future devices will get.
From what we’re hearing, Pixel 8’s update promise should surpass Samsung’s current policy on flagships and meaningfully match the iPhone. Of course, the devil is in the details, especially in those later years. For example, the Galaxy line has, in the past, adopted a quarterly approach towards the end. Even a bump to just five years of OS updates for Pixel would be enough and let the Google phone be at the top of the ecosystem, with anything beyond that squarely going after the iPhone’s record.
Google says last 2021 that Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro stick with 3 years of major OS updates, 5 years of security
The new Pixel 6 series delivers the company’s in-house Tensor chip which is supposed to upgrade how long these phones last. While it does do that, it’s a bit disappointing to see that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will only get 3 years of major Android OS updates.
Confirmed to Ron Amadeo at ArsTechnica, Google says that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will get 3 years of major Android updates, on par with the company’s current Qualcomm-powered Pixels. That’s not to say there won’t be any upgrades past then, as Google will be offering 5 years of security updates.
We build Pixel phones to get better over time with software and feature updates, so starting with Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro Pixels will now receive security updates for at least 5 years. Users will still get at least 3 years of OS updates, after which we’re committing to ensure that Pixels will stay up-to-date and secure. The frequency and categories of updates will depend on the capabilities and needs of the hardware.
On a support page, Google provides more specific dates.
While this is still a bit disappointing, it’s still in stark contrast to the rest of Google’s competition on Android. Most OEMs are hesitant to provide long-term support. Samsung, for instance, only offers a maximum of 4 years of support for its devices, and that’s a new policy that only applies to a select few devices.
Hopefully, Google will expand this policy in future generations.
The Galaxy A13 is one of the newest entry-level phones joining the Galaxy A family. We have the 4G version for review, which is already selling in India and Europe. There is a Galaxy A13 5G as well, which upgrades to a 90Hz screen and a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, but is otherwise quite similar to our 4G version.
It should be noted that the Galaxy A13 is actually not the lowest entry into the Galaxy A family, as it still sits above the Galaxy A03. Samsung has really been fleshing out its lineup lately. Unfortunately, that also means we end up with a large number of very similar devices.
The Galaxy A13‘s body is nearly identical to the A13 5G, though it does get Gorilla Glass 5 display protection like the Galaxy A23. Also the same size 6.6″ PLS LCD, though at 60Hz, unlike the A13 5G and A23, both of which can do 90Hz.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
The camera setup on the A13 is nearly identical to that on the A23, except for the lack of OIS on the main camera and the unfortunate 1080p video capture limitation imposed by the 8nm Exynos 850 chipset. The Galaxy A13 5G gets the MediaTek Dimensity 700, whereas the A23 is based on the Snapdragon 680 chip and they can both capture 4K video too.
All three phones have 5,000 mAh batteries, but the A13 pair is limited to 15W charging, while the Galaxy A23 can charge at up to 25W. Like we said – subtle difference in these parts of Samsung‘s lineup.
Unboxing
Before we get into the actual review, let’s check out the retail package. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to go over here. Samsung has really slimmed down the accessory bundle. In fact, there are no accessories to speak of unless you count the Type-C to Type-C USB cable. We gave it a quick test, and it seems to be a simple passive cable without an e-marker chip. Then again, it just needs to handle 15W of charging and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480Mbps).
This means that you’ll have to pick up a charger separately. Any decent PD unit or one of Samsung‘s older-style Adaptive Fast Charging adapters should work since the A13 can’t use more than 15W.
While the lack of a charger in the box is a bit unfortunate, there is the ecological angle to consider. Indeed, shipping fewer chargers likely means fewer will eventually end up in a landfill. Also, the entire packaging of the Galaxy A13 is made from non-corrugated fiberboard (paperboard), also marked as 21 PAP. It is made of cellulose fibers that are recyclable and biodegradable (compostable).
Alternative offers
At the time of release, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is listed in India for INR 14,999 or right around EUR 180 and just shy of $200US or $298.07AUD. The official Samsung UK website also has a price – GBP 179. That’s fitting some pretty tight budgets, but it doesn’t mean the phone runs uncontested.
Looking at the Galaxy A13’s close siblings first, you could easily save a few bucks and go for the older Galaxy A12 instead while stocks last. Its 48MP main cam, while a slightly older design, is not that different in practice. The HD+ display resolution is a bit more of an unfortunate downgrade, but then again, the Galaxy A13 actually has trouble even running its own One UI at FullHD+, so HD+ is realistically a more comfortable environment for the lower-end hardware. And sure, the new Galaxy A23 looks better all around, notably with a usable chipset on board 4K video capture and OIS, but also a notably higher price tag. If you don’t want to deal with sub-par sharpness or irritating performance glitches though, you might need to stretch your budget to meet it.
The slightly-older Galaxy A22, however, is a different beast. It can currently be had for right around EUR 190 and gets you a 90Hz Super AMOLED panel, albeit of lower HD+ resolution. The MediaTek Helio G80 is also arguably more powerful if not as efficient. The slightly older but comparable 48MP main cam on the Galaxy A22 gets OIS too. And beyond that, you are not sacrificing any of the other quality of life aspects of the Galaxy A13. Notably, the big battery with excellent endurance.
A slightly more regional suggestion would be the Galaxy F23, which isn’t all that more expensive than the Galaxy A13 and is currently selling in India. You will have to settle for an PLS display instead of AMOLED, but a fast 120Hz one. The F23 also includes a more capable Snapdragon 750G chipset with 5G connectivity, in case that’s on your list of priorities. Other than that, it is a similar device to the Galaxy A13 in most other aspects.
Of course, we can’t talk about budget phones without mentioning Xiaomi and specifically the Redmi line. The Redmi Note 11 is a viable and direct competitor to the Galaxy A13. For just shy of EUR 200, it gives you a 90Hz 6.43-inch AMOLED display, stereo speakers and 33W charging on its 5,000 mAh battery. The Snapdragon 680 chipset, while limited to 1080p video capture, is still better than the Exynos 850. It is also paired with faster UFS 2.2 storage.
Xiaomi has a pretty viable 5G alternative in this price range as well in the Poco M4 Pro 5G. Like the Galaxy F23, it comes with some other specs compromises here and there to fit 5G into the budget, like a 90Hz IPS display and a lighter camera setup also capped at 1080p video capture. Still, the compromises really aren’t that many, and you still get things like stereo speakers, Gorilla Glass 3 and 33W charging.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G • Realme 8
Finally, the Realme 9i fits within the same budges and matches most of the aforementioned specs of the Poco M4 Pro 5G, but notably skips the 5G part, which hurts its value proposition a bit. A much smarter play would probably be the Realme 8 if you can still find one of those. It has a Super AMOLED HDR10 display, a versatile camera setup, and a huge 5,000 mAh battery with excellent endurance and 30W charging.
Verdict
There is a lot that can go wrong when creating a phone, especially a budget one. The trouble is that most of these devices look very similar on paper. You have to spend some time with them to uncover any issues hidden beneath the surfaces and unfortunately we located a few pretty major ones on the Galaxy A13.
While the A13 is structurally solid, it was obviously made cheaply with soft plastics, susceptible to damage. It also looks and feels quite cheap in person. The same goes for the display. While it offers a sharp picture thanks to its FullHD resolution, its pixel response time is sluggish, with plenty of smearing and ghosting. It also suffers from poor backlight uniformity, and since Samsung did not include a proper proximity reader or an ambient light sensor, you have to do a lot of manual adjustments.
But perhaps the biggest issue the Galaxy A13 has is its performance or rather lack thereof. The Exynos 850 is particularly lacking in the GPU department and faced with the daunting task of pushing pixels on a FullHD+ panel, it simply fails to deliver. The otherwise slick and feature-rich One UI 4.1 Core lags and stutters frequently on the Galaxy A13, badly hurting its general usability.
It’s a real shame since the Galaxy A13 still delivers in other key aspects. It has stellar battery life, and its cameras, while not exactly impressive, benefit from mature processing and deliver decent results. We just can’t recommend the Galaxy A13, especially since Samsung itself has other better and more well-rounded Galaxy devices in the same price range to get instead.
Pros
Gorilla Glass 5 finish on the front.
Large screen with good contrast and max brightness. Decent color reproduction.
Great all-around battery life.
The daylight camera quality is solid. Video capture is also good, despite 1080p resolution cap.
Latest Android 12 and solid One UI Core with lots of features.
3.5mm jack, microSD, NFC.
Cons
Subpar performance, especially graphics on the FullHD+ display. Lag and slowdowns are frequent.
Unibody has soft plastic prone to scratches and blemishes.
Virtual proximity sensor is unrealiable, lack of ambient light sensor means brightness adjustment is even worse.
No color mode options. Sluggish pixel response times with smearing and ghosting. Poor backlight uniformity.
Single speaker with mostly unimpressive quality.
No Night mode, Scene optimizer or video stabilization.
Samsung launched its Galaxy S23 series earlier this year as its first flagship in years to ditch Exynos chips and instead use Qualcomm Snapdragon on a global scale. Apparently, though, the Galaxy S23 FE will do the exact opposite, using Exynos in every region, including the United States.
The Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra are all built on top of a special version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that’s specific to Samsung. The chip is used globally, where in years past Samsung would have only used Snapdragon chips in regions such as Korea, the United States, and a few others. Elsewhere, such as in Europe, Samsung has usually left its users with Exynos chips, often leading to tons of problems with software glitches, overheating, or worse.
Samsung is largely expected to stick with this Snapdragon-only model for the foreseeable future, but that won’t apply to all devices.
it seems the former is true, according to what we’re hearing: Samsung really is planning to launch a Galaxy S23 FE, and it will arrive sometime in the fourth quarter of 2023. And it could have a surprise in store, one that may or may not make you happy.
SamMobile reports that the Galaxy S23 FE is, firstly, actually happening.
SamMobile also claims that the Galaxy S23 FE will arrive with a 50MP primary camera, 4,500 mAh battery, and a base model with 128GB of storage, with 256GB as an optional upgrade.
Apparently, the more affordable device is slated for release in Q4 of this year, which puts it ahead of schedule compared to the last “Fan Edition” release, with the Galaxy S21 FE having launched in January 2022 (mere weeks before the Galaxy S22 series). This was previously reported in February.
But, more interestingly, Samsung is apparently planning to ship the Galaxy S23 FE exclusively with an Exynos chip. Specifically, this would be the Exynos 2200 which was used in the Galaxy S22 series in some regions, and brought Samsung’s partnership with AMD to the GPU. The chip wasn’t well-received, but it can still certainly get the job done.
Using Exynos on a global scale for the Galaxy S23 FE is certainly a choice with the company having so publicly gone all-in on Qualcomm, but the decision to use the chip in the US has even more of an impact. As it stands today, the only “flagship-tier” smartphones sold in the US with Exynos chips are from Google, technically, as Tensor chips are heavily based on Exynos devices. The last time Samsung sold a flagship with Exynos in the US was with the Galaxy S6 series, which opted for the chips as Qualcomm’s designs were dealing with overheating issues at the time.
Galaxy S23 FE coming with Exynos chip worldwide
The Galaxy S23 series launched earlier this year and is exclusively powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, but with the Fan Edition, Samsung is apparently going to flip the script: The Galaxy S23 FEwill be powered by the Exynos 2200 chip in all markets, including the USA!
the Exynos 2200, the chip that powered the Galaxy S22 series in Europe, will also power the S23 FE from what we’ve heard. The Exynos 2200 was Samsung’s first chip with an AMD GPU and was, if we’re being honest, quite a mess, which is probably why Samsung decided to go all in with Qualcomm for the S23 series.
The Exynos 2200 will be nearly two years old by the time the Galaxy S23 FE makes its debut, so it will hopefully not cause the kind of issues we saw on the Galaxy S22 lineup. In fact, Samsung better make sure that is the case if it is planning to use the chip for the US market, where customers and Samsung fans have been spoiled by Snapdragon chips on high-end Galaxy phones for many years while customers in the rest of the world have suffered the increasingly problematic Exynos chips.
Galaxy S23 FE will bring an upgraded rear camera
Anyway, let’s talk about some other Galaxy S23 FE specs that we have learned about. One of the S23 FE’s biggest upgrades could be a 50MP rear camera. The S20 FE and S21 FE used the same 12MP rear camera as the standard S20 and S21 models, and with Samsung upgrading the main camera to a 50-megapixel sensor on the (non-Ultra) Galaxy S22 and S23, we guess it’s only natural that the S23 FE get the same upgrade.
The S23 FE will come in 128GB and 256GB storage tiers, and we assume there will be 6GB or 8GB of RAM accompanying that storage. We also learned that the S23 FE will have the same 4,500 mAh battery as its predecessors, likely with 25W fast charging (though we won’t say no to Samsung doing a little charity by adding 45W charging support while keeping the price of the phone the same as the S20 FE and S21 FE).
And finally, it seems Samsung is bringing the model numbers for the Galaxy S FE series in line with what it has been using for the flagship S line since last year. The S23 FE will have model number SM-S711x – notice the 7xx series of numbers here is what Samsung also uses for the Galaxy Z Flip lineup, indicating that while these are high-end devices, they aren’t supposed to be considered proper flagships.
While we make sure we only put exclusive information out there if we trust the source, it’s always possible a few details could change by the time the new phone makes it to market. As usual, we’ll keep you updated whenever new information pops up, so stay tuned!
Samsung’s Galaxy A mid-range lineup has undergone its yearly refresh, and it’s looking really good. The new Galaxy A33 is probably one of the most interesting models this year as it has been significantly upgraded since the Galaxy A32 and makes for an excellent bang for the buck offer at the €300 mark.
The Galaxy A33 5G has been promoted to the waterproofed league, and it now features the same IP67-rated ingress protection treatment as the higher tier models. Until now, the A3x models weren’t sealed against water. But that’s not all, of course.
The Galaxy A33 is keeping the 90Hz Super AMOLED screen of the Galaxy A32, but it employs a much more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset with a newer processor and gaming-friendly graphics. And there is an integrated 5G modem, too, so now you won’t have to choose between 4G and 5G versions.
The camera has been improved, too. Now the 48MP primary features optical stabilization and supports up to 4K video capturing. The 13MP selfie camera can do 4K videos, too.
The Galaxy A33 also brings stereo speakers, something that was reserved for the A5x and higher models in the previous generations. And finally, but not of least importance, the Galaxy A33 now supports faster 25W wired charging.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
It’s not all updates, though, as two things have changed for the worse since the Galaxy A32. The Galaxy A33 has no audio jack, and the microSD bed is now shared with the second SIM option.
Still, we have to say we are intrigued by the Galaxy A33 5G as it has been clearly promoted in rank and now can be considered as part of the premium mid-rangers like the Galaxy A53 and A73.
Unboxing the Galaxy A33 5G
The Galaxy A33 5G is packed into one of the thinnest retail boxes we’ve seen, and we thought we’d find the phone all alone in there.
Well, there is no charger in the retail bundled, but that was expected. And while we didn’t see a cable at first, it turned out there is a USB-C cable inside the thin paper compartment.
The cable is compatible with 25W fast charging, so if you purchase Samsung‘s 25W Samsung USB-C charger or similar, you should be able to use that straight away.
The competition
The Galaxy A33 5G turned out to be not only an excellent upgrade over the previous A32 model but also one thoughtful all-round mid-ranger with many attractive treats and one nicely low pricing. Indeed, there is a lot to like about the A33 5G – its water-resistent design and seamless shape, the good 90Hz OLED, the powerful hardware, the larger battery, and even all cameras on both sides as they provide some notably good photo and video quality.
The Galaxy A33 5G costs €290 for the 4GB/128GB model, and we’d say this is quite reasonable, all things considered (war, pandemic, chip shortages, production delays, inflation).
Of course, 2021 was a better year for smartphones as the overall state of the economy was not as bad. The Galaxy A52s is still available, and it costs exactly as much as the Galaxy A33 5G. The A52s has a 120Hz AMOLED, a more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset, and a higher-res primary camera, but it’s also larger. We would recommend getting the A52s instead of the A33 if the size doesn’t bother you.
The Realme 9 Pro+ is about €40 to €80 over the Galaxy A33 5G, depending on the retailer. It offers a similar screen and performance, and even camera experience, but we had some issues with its ultrawide camera, and the Realme has no ingress protection whatsoever.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is about €50-€60 over the Galaxy A33 5G. It offers a faster 120Hz AMOLED screen with HDR10 support, a similar performance, and an overall good camera experience. This Redmi offers a speedy 120W charging, there is an audio jack on it, and together with the better display – we’d say this is a deal you may want to consider. You will trade the IP67 resistance for a basic IP53 splash-proofing, and there is no OIS on the main camera, though.
And, finally, you may want to consider the Poco X3 GT, which is still widely available and priced at €290. This Poco has a more traditional 120Hz LCD display, but it offers flagship-grade performance courtesy of the Dimensity 1100 5G chipset. The X3 GT offers a similar camera experience (even if there is no OIS); the stereo speakers and the battery life match the A33’s, while its charging is much faster at 67W (and there is a charger inside its box, mind you). The Poco X3 GT is an excellent choice for gaming on the go if you are on a budget, so it’s worthy of your consideration.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G • Realme 9 Pro Plus • Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G • Xiaomi Poco X3 GT
Our verdict
The Galaxy A33 5G turned out to be a well-executed sequel to the Galaxy A32, one that leveled up the A3x models by putting an IP rating and OIS. This means the Galaxy A33 is where the premium part of the A series begins now.
So, to sum up, the Galaxy A33 has a really attractive design. The 90Hz OLED display is bright and fast, and we are happy with its color accuracy and the overall experience. The same goes for the battery life and the charging speed, though you will need to buy a 25W charger if you don’t own one already.
The Galaxy A33 did not only upgrade the design and the camera but the speakers, too. It now offers stereo speakers with good loudness and sound quality. Oh, and its performance has improved significantly since the A32, and there is now 5G by default. Nice!
Finally, we were also impressed with the photo and video quality across all cameras, even if the colors often go a bit overboard with the saturation. This often happens with Samsung phones, so it’s not entirely surprising, though.
Maybe the best part about the Galaxy A33 5G is the thoughtful pricing that starts at just under €300. Which makes it easy to forgive the missing charger and audio jack. In fact, these are probably our only beefs with this phone, which says a lot.
So, if your budget is around the €300 mark, and you can’t get a faster recent Galaxy smartphone (like the A52s), the Galaxy A33 5G will be an excellent choice, and we do recommend it for its all-round feature set.
A year later, the Note that isn’t returns. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra brings predictably minor upgrades – camera tweaks here and new chipset there, mostly – but how much can you really improve on the S22 Ultra in just a year? We’ll attempt to answer that question and see if the new Ultra can spark excitement in ways the specsheet couldn’t.
And it’s an expansive specsheet, of course. At the Ultra’s heart is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and it’s one specifically made for the Galaxies – with higher clock rates than competitors get. The latest Qualcomm top-end chip also comes with efficiency promises, and we would never say no to some extra endurance.
The camera sees the introduction of a new 200MP sensor, up from the 108MP resolution of Ultras past. The couple of telephotos remain a staple of the lineup and a standout feature in the market where 10x optical zoom is nowhere to be found outside of the Samsung offerings. The 2023 Ultra is still the only model in the lineup with an autofocusing ultrawide – more of an ongoing rant we just had to include here about the lack of it on the lesser S23s than an actual noteworthy feature of the ultimate Galaxy.
Galaxy S22 Ultra (top) next to Galaxy S23 Ultra
The otherwise lengthy list of numbers and features below doesn’t really bring major changes from the previous generation. Battery capacity remains the same as does the charging rating; the ultrasonic fingerprint reader hasn’t gotten optical all of a sudden, proprietary features like DeX and Samsung Pay are still here, and you can count on the display being the best in the business. A small victory is the 256GB base storage – last year’s model started at an unreasonably low 128GB – so yay?
Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
We did call the S23 Ultra a Note from the get-go, and the S Pen is indeed here to stay – despite habitual pessimists around the office writing if off after the beloved Note moniker disappeared with the S22 Ultra. Sure, you can have an S Pen (a different one) for your Fold, but no S Pen case beats the convenience of an in-body stylus like the one you get here.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra unboxing
You don’t get a lot else, though. The Ultra shows up in what has become the norm for Samsung high-end phone packages – a thin as possible black cardboard box with a likeness of the handset printed on the lid in a corresponding color to the actual unit inside.
The size of the box guarantees there’s no charger inside, but there’s still a USB-C cable – despite our continued droning how ‘this time may be the last time you’re getting a cable’, Samsung actually persists in including one – does that count as winning? There’s also a SIM eject pin, which we normally wouldn’t mention, but the unboxing section could use the extra words.
Competition
In the rarefied atmosphere the Galaxy S23 Ultra calls its home market segment, purchasing decisions are likely not necessarily driven by value for money, at least not as top priority. Perhaps more important here are factors like having the absolute best camera, or getting all the productivity, or less reasonable but still entirely understandable motivators like brand loyalty or having the latest and greatest there is.
With those last couple of thoughts in mind, the S23 Ultra‘s standing is challenged by the Z Fold4 – isn’t a cutting-edge foldable more modern and awesome than a bar that’s, in principle, the same as any other? And the fact that it’s a Galaxy foldable helps too. The Fold can also win a productivity battle with the Ultra – easily, thanks to a way larger display and, yes, S Pen support too, even if the stylus is not quite as convenient to store as the Ultra’s. But the bendy Galaxy is merely an okay cameraphone, and that’s where the Ultra’s victory isn’t up for debate.
Cameraphones from Xiaomi are among our favorites, but it’s hard to name a Galaxy rival at this point in time. The Mi 12s Ultra is a remarkable picture-taking device, but it’s limited to the Chinese market. The Mi 11 Ultra may be international, but can’t really be found in stores, plus it’s now a full two years old. We’ll go with the 13 Pro for its specsheet – promising in many ways, but it’s zoom-challenged, not to mention we haven’t seen it in person yet.
How about a Google Pixel 7 Pro then. Once an undisputed photo taking champ, if a relatively niche one, the Pixel is no longer one-of-a-kind in its capabilities. But the 7 Pro does capture great photos, and its 5x zoom might be just what you’re missing on the Galaxy. There’s also the tiny detail that the Pixel is way less expensive than the S23 Ultra (call it a $500/€500 difference), and you may be giving a second thought to that ‘money is no object’ preamble.
Finally, a rather obvious alternative presents itself in the shape of an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone stands out as the best option for video capture, and it’s got a compelling camera system altogether, even if it can’t compete with the Galaxy for reach. Then come arguments of the non-quantifiable kind like status, brand preference, and bubble color.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 • Xiaomi 13 Pro • Google Pixel 7 Pro • Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Verdict
The ultimate Galaxy smartphone for 2023 (that doesn’t bend in the middle) doesn’t bring anything ground-breakingly new and exciting – how’s that for a single con?
Indeed, the Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s one flaw is perhaps entirely not its own – the S22 Ultra was just too good. Following up on that was always going to be little more than polishing touches that inevitably lack the wow factor. But if you can switch into managing expectations mode, rather than moan about the lack of innovation or originality, you’ll appreciate this year’s Ultra for its maturity.
A increase in battery life, faster charging (only slightly, but still quicker than Apple or Google will give you), one of the best displays in the business – that’s a strong start on the fundamentals. The camera, too, is improved, beyond just the 200MP number on the posters, cementing the Ultra as one of the top cameraphones on the market. And then there’s the S Pen – a proposition as unique in its utility in 2023 as it was last year. None of this is novel or thrilling stuff, but it all adds up.
With all of that in mind, the Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s only verdict can be ‘Highly recommended’.
Pros
Traditional Note form factor, improved handling, still premium as ever.
S Pen has wide-ranging functionality for work and play, is virtually without competition.
Wonderful display.
Excellent battery life, faster charging than big-name competitors.
Ultra-grade camera system is one of the best on the market; primary module is a genuine improvement, zooming capability is hard to rival.
Cons
Nothing is, in principle, really new or different.
One of the best compact phones in the world just got better – the Samsung Galaxy S23 is faster, sturdier, better connected, and with more battery juice. The Galaxy S23 is still as small, lightweight and attractive as ever, and we expect it to become a fan-favorite in the compact segment.
The new Galaxy S23 models introduce a refined design, and that’s the first thing you will notice. The contour-cut camera housing is no more; there are just three small rings for the lenses. Additionally, the front and rear glass panels are now made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 sheets with improved drop resistance.
The Galaxy S23 retains the compact 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with extended 1080p resolution and dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. The peak brightness of the panel has been improved, and it’s now 1750 nits, up from 1300 nits on the Galaxy S22.
For the first time in a long time, the entire Galaxy S23 lineup uses a Snapdragon chipset, so you don’t need to import a Qualcomm-powered unit if you are not a fan of the Exynos platform (we won’t blame you). Even better, Samsung used an overclocked version exclusive to the Galaxy S23 phones with higher CPU and GPU clocks. The new models also rely on next-generation memory chips made by Samsung themselves.
The triple camera on the back has seen no improvements – the 50MP OIS primary, the 10MP 3x telephoto, and the 12MP ultrawide camera stay the same. What has been upgraded is the selfie camera – it is now 12MP and supports Super HDR, while autofocus and 4K capturing remain available.
The battery capacity has been increased by 200mAh, and it’s now 3,900mAh. The charging capabilities are the same as on the S22 – 25W wired charging, with wireless and reverse wireless options available.
Connectivity-wise, the Galaxy S23 introduces tri-band Wi-Fi with 6e support and Bluetooth 5.3. The Ultra Wideband support is still reserved for the Plus and Ultra versions.
Long story short – the Galaxy S23 is a faster version of the Galaxy S22 with a brighter screen and a larger battery. And a more beautiful design, though that is always subjective.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
The Galaxy S23 is a flagship by the book; there are no two words about that – it has the build and looks, the screen, the chipset, and the cameras of a premium smartphone. The only things we consider missing are 10-bit color depth for the screen – something many high-end phones are offering, and the Ultra Wideband support – a connectivity option that would have allowed support for the SmartTag+. You can still use the regular Bluetooth-reliant SmartTags, of course.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a minor update over the Galaxy S22, and we doubt that many S22 owners will find enough novelties to make them upgrade. But it has more than enough new features over the Galaxy S21 and older to make it an attractive offer. Even better, it is shaping as the best compact Android phone on the market. And now it’s time to properly meet it, shall we?
Unboxing the Samsung Galaxy S23
The Galaxy S23 arrives in a thin paper box, which contains the phone itself, a USB-C cable, and a SIM ejection tool.
Samsung removed chargers and headphones from its boxes a couple of years ago, but we are glad it still provides cables (unlike Sony). And if you’ve bought a Samsung 25W charger, the one that has been available for a few years already, or any USB-C PD + PPS power adapter, you are already well prepared.
Alternative offers
Samsung has priced the Galaxy S23 at €950 for the 8/128 model and about €1,000 for the 8/256 version. Some retailers may be offering the higher-tier storage at the same price as the base one, and we do recommend getting it for the faster UFS 4.0 chip.
The compact niche, especially the compact flagship class, rarely sees new additions, and those mostly come from Samsung, Asus, Apple, and sometimes – Xiaomi. And naturally, we’d explore their most current offers.
Let’s start with the Zenfone 9 by Asus. It is €200 cheaper than the Galaxy S23 and has an identical size, but its screen is a bit smaller (5.9-inch vs. 6.1-inch), and the Zenfone runs on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. The Zenfone 9 has no dedicated telephoto camera, instead, it relies on a sort of lossless zoom from its primary shooter, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Still, if you are after a compact flagship, and the Galaxy S23 is not in your budget, the Zenfone 9 is an excellent choice.
The Galaxy S22 price has dropped significantly and it’s not about €350 cheaper than the current S23. It has the same screen, camera department and charging capabilities, while its performance isn’t that behind either. The only thing that’s noticeably worse on the Galaxy S22 is its battery life, but then again, at €350 cheaper, we’d say that is a rather acceptable deal.
Apple’s iPhone 14 is much lighter and thinner than the iPhone 14 Pro and a good match to the Galaxy S22 because of its lightweight design. It’s a powerful phone with good battery life and top-notch performance, but it’s 60Hz OLED, and the lack of optical zoom are some big omissions, especially considering its €900 price.
The iPhone 14 Pro is 40g heavier than the Galaxy S23 – it has a more luxurious design with a stainless steel frame. It offers a better Dolby Vision display, and 2x lossless zoom in addition to the 3x optical one provided by its triple-camera setup. There are other cool features like UltraWideband support, LiDAR scanner, but, as we said, it’s heavier, and costs €350 over the Galaxy S23.
Finally, the Xiaomi 13 deserves a mention, too. It will soon hit the international markets, and it’s shaping as one of the cheapest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 featuring smartphones with a rumored price between €700-€800. It is also among the first IP68-rated Xiaomi phones. It is slightly larger than the Galaxy S23 because of its bigger 6.36-inch Dolby Vision OLED screen, and its rear cameras are a match to Samsung‘s. The selfie department is still years behind the Galaxy’s, and that’s probably its only downside.
Asus Zenfone 9 • Samsung Galaxy S22 5G • Apple iPhone 14 • Apple iPhone 14 Pro • Xiaomi 13
Verdict
Samsung has made yet another excellent compact flagship that excels in every aspect and aces every test. The phone has an excellent 6.1-inch OLED screen with high brightness and adaptive refresh rate, the most powerful chipset on the Android market, and a superb quartet of cameras that will reliably capture whatever you put in front of their lenses.
We are glad that Samsung took the extra step and made an exclusive deal with Qualcomm for an overclocked version of the SD8G2 chip, and this will surely convince quite a few Exynos-doubting users to grab a Galaxy S23.
Throughout our review, we found that the Galaxy S23 has an excellent design with great handling experience, improved battery life and speaker quality over the Galaxy S22, it is also more powerful, too, and offers an improved camera experience thanks to faster Night Mode shooting. Things that didn’t change this year, but are still alright, are the charging speed and the camera hardware.
The Galaxy S23 has its peculiarities, too. The 128GB model uses the older UFS 3.1 storage chips. And while this year the S23+ got UWB support, it is still missing on the Galaxy S23. Then, many competitors’ displays have 10-bit or even 12-bit color depth, while the Galaxy S23 series is still stuck on standard 8-bit color. And, finally, the GPU stability is not ideal, though this is an occasional thing among phones with passive cooling solutions and top of the line chipsets.
The Galaxy S23 isn’t a major upgrade over the Galaxy S22, and we doubt many people will jump on the new generation. But we can see a lot of people using older phones chose this one for its compact design and all-around package and experience. Even better, those who chose not to get a Galaxy S because of Exynos – well, they can finally get a phone they like, with an overclocked chipset at that.
The new Galaxy S23 made our verdict quite easy this time – it’s an impressive smartphone with modern specs and capabilities. It’s a compact and lightweight phone, still priced below or around €1,000, making it much more attractive than Apple’s offers. And for all of these, the vanilla Galaxy S23 gets a big thumbs up from us!
Pros
No-nonsense sturdy and grippy design, IP68.
Outstanding OLED screen, bright and fast.
Great battery life.
Superb stereo speakers.
Top-notch performance, the fastest Android chip inside.
Excellent photo and video quality across the board.
Exciting One UI with DeX support, great connectivity options.
Cons
128GB uses UFS 3.1 instead of UFS 4.0 memory chips.
No UltraWideBand support.
No Dolby Vision or 10-bit color depth support for the screen.
The GPU is very quick to throttle under load to 60% of its max performance.
“The Cost of Replacing a Galaxy S23 Ultra Screen in Sydney, Australia”
Replacing the Galaxy S23 Ultra Screen in Sydney, Australia can be a costly endeavor.
The cost of parts and labor can vary depending on the exact model, the complexity of the repair, and the repair shop you choose. Knowing what to expect before you head to a repair shop can help you better understand what repairs may cost and how to budget accordingly.
The first step in replacing your Galaxy S23 Ultra Screen is to determine which model you have.
Samsung offers three models in their Galaxy S series: the S20 Ultra, S21 Ultra, and S22 Ultra. Each of these models has different features and specifications which will affect their repair costs. Generally speaking, newer models are more expensive to fix than older models due to additional hardware requirements. If your phone is still under warranty, check with Samsung first as they may offer free or discounted repairs.
Once you know which model you have, it’s time to find a reputable repair shop who can replace your screen.
In Sydney, there are many shops offering cell phone repairs so it’s important that you thoroughly research each one before choosing where to go for service. Make sure they use genuine parts from trusted manufacturers so that your phone will remain in good working order afterwards. You should also ask about pricing upfront so that there aren’t any surprises when it comes time for payment.
The cost of replacing your Galaxy S23 Ultra Screen will depend on
a few factors including the complexity of the repair and whether or not any additional components need replacing along with just the screen itself (e.g., digitizer or LCD). Professional technicians typically charge between $200-$500 AUD for this type of work depending on their experience level and if any additional parts are required for full functionality after installation (i-e digitizer or LCD). Additionally, many shops charge an additional fee for labour costs associated with disassembling and reassembling devices after repairs are made; be sure to ask about this before committing to service!
It’s also important that you keep in mind that some phones may not be worth repairing if
they are too old or damaged beyond economical repair (e-g water damage). In such cases it might be more economical to purchase a new device instead as replacement screens could end up costing more than purchasing an entire new phone altogether! With this in mind always make sure that all costs associated with repairing your device are made clear beforehand; don’t get caught out by hidden fees down the line!
Replacing a Galaxy S23 Ultra Screen in Sydney is certainly not cheap
but knowing exactly what needs doing beforehand should help ensure that no unpleasant surprises arise once work begins! Always remember too keep all receipts from any repairs done as warranties may cover future issues related directly back to this initial work – meaning another costly trip back might end up being free!
Our exploration into the complicated world of the Samsung entry-level smartphone lineup continues – we now have the Galaxy A02s for you. Pushing the limits of what can fit a tight budget and still be worthy of the badge, the A02s’ compromises are what we’re here to assess.
We mentioned that it’s a confusing roster that Samsung has, and the A02s is also available as M02s in some regions. While they do have separate model numbers, the hardware is identical, so it could be said that our findings here will apply equally well to the M02s, even though it says A02s on our review unit’s packaging.
Samsung Galaxy A02s • Samsung Galaxy M02s
The ‘s’ in those names carries a lot of significance, mind you. Galaxy A02 and M02 non-s models exist too, identical between them just as well, but with further downgraded internals when compared to the A02s and M02s. Keep your eyes open to what it says on the box.
So, the Galaxy A02s packs a 6.5-inch LCD – AMOLEDs are too expensive for this segment. The chipset won’t win any awards either – the Snapdragon 450 is more than three years old, though it is made on a 14nm process (compare to the 28nm Mediatek in the non-s models).
The triple camera on the back is mildly deceptive – the 13MP main module is joined by the usual (and questionably useful) duo of 2MP ‘macro’ and depth cameras. Which is to say, there’s no ultra-wide camera – you’ll need to look at the A12 for one of these. The 5MP selfie cam is another small downgrade.
Samsung didn’t mess around with the battery, though, and the A02s comes with a 5,000mAh powerpack – same as on the A12 and A02. We wouldn’t call the hardware demanding, so we expect to see great endurance numbers.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Samsung Galaxy A02s unboxing
There’s nothing surprising about the presentation – the A02s ships in the same packaging as the A12 we had before and most other affordable Galaxies. Pull out the cardboard tray out of the sleeve, and you’ll get the same bundle – the phone itself, a 15W adapter and a USB-A-to-C cable. A simple case would have been nice, but every penny is important in this class, so we’re not bothered by its absence.
Much like the A12, the Galaxy A02s has a special back texture – more on that on the next page where we take a look at its design and build quality.
Competition
The Galaxy A02s hovers around the €150 mark for the base 3GB/32GB version in continental Europe, or some £140 in the UK, while its M02s alter ego can be had for as little as INR9,000 in India. That’s clearly at the lower end of the price spectrum, but what else is there for the money?
For one, the Galaxy A12. In most of Europe, that retails for some €10 above A02s money in 4GB/64GB trim, and, for all its flaws, it’s the better phone. You’d be getting an ultra-wide cam, better low-light performance from the main cam, and a marginally quicker chipset. It’s not quite so in the UK or India, for example, where the A12 is appreciably more expensive than its lesser stablemate (£170/INR13,000), and the A02s/M02s does make a case for itself by offering savings.
The Redmi 9 is among the go-to options in the segment, and it’s either selling for A02s money or it’s cheaper (or, you know, not officially available). You get more, too – an ultra-wide camera, a better close-up shooter, much more powerful chipset, and a 1080p display. Sounds like a better deal altogether, but a Redmi is no Galaxy.
Neither is a Realme, but the company does have a few compelling offers in the price range. The Narzo 20A is one of the most affordable Realmes in India, at A02s’ price, and it beats the Galaxy with a beefier chipset and 4K video recording capability. Meanwhile, in Europe, you can get your hands on a Realme 7i for a small premium over a Galaxy A02s. That is also a thoroughly more capable package with a superior camera system and chipset.
A Moto G9 Play is a viable alternative to the Galaxy A02s too. The Moto’s chipset is, once again, more powerful than the Galaxy’s, and the camera experience is better on the G9 Play. Mind you, the Moto G9 Play goes by Moto G9 in India, and it’s tangibly more expensive than the competing Galaxy M02s there.
The Galaxy A02s is one of the least expensive Samsung phones you can buy, and as such, it offers good value to those looking for a budget entry into the brand. It’s not a bad choice for a less demanding user either, and those will appreciate the long battery life, decent picture quality and overall look and feel.
A more discerning buyer will likely be put off mostly by the dated, low-performance chipset and lack of a fingerprint reader. The relatively low brightness display and missing camera features don’t help either.
Ultimately, if you’re on a tight budget and looking to get the most out of it, perhaps brand loyalty shouldn’t be on top of your priorities list, and you should look at competing offers from classic value-oriented makers. If you insist on a Galaxy, certain concessions are inevitable.
Pros
Very good screen contrast ratio due to deep blacks.
Samsung’s midrange devices are generally seen as some of the better phones on the market, partially due to what Samsung hides inside. To keep that going, Samsung is ready to equip the net generation of midrange devices with its newest chip, the Exynos 1380.
The Exynos 1380 brings to the table a couple of minor improvements on the overall performance.. The chip follows the 5 nm EUV process and comes with 4 Cortex-A78 and 4 Cortex-A55 cores. To pair, the 1380 incorporates an Arm Mali-G68 MP5 GPU and an AI engine that goes a little further.
According to Samsung, the new AI engine can handle more advanced language recognition specifically for voice assistants. The broader AI capabilities also expand into image recognition, enhancing the SoC’s ability to identify and process images and details. This comes as Samsung focuses more on AI-processed images.
Interestingly enough, the Exynos 1380 from Samsung can also support a camera of up to 200MP – quite the jump in megapixel count for midrange devices. With that, it can also support 4K at 30fps and utilizes USF 3.1 storage for quick saving and recall.
As a successor to the Exynos 1280, the Exynos 1380 is meant to be a midrange chip, likely used in upcoming A series devices. Last year, the Galaxy A33 found itself with the Exynos 1280, so it would be easy to assume that the upcoming Galaxy A34 would see Samsung’s newest SoC, though some regions may see the Dimensity MT6877V. The Galaxy A34 is set to come with 6Gb of RAM and 256GB expandable storage, according to the latest leaks.
Power like a pro
Experiences powered up. With powerful performance, pro-grade camera, and on-device artificial intelligence (AI), the Exynos 1380 5G mobile processor will upgrade your mobile experience to pro-grade.
Pro-grade power
Load fast. Multitask in a flash. The octa-core CPU of the Exynos 1380 processor consists of four high-performance cores that enable fast app loading and multitasking – along with four power-efficient cores that drive long-lasting battery life. Furthermore, the advanced scheduler allocates tasks to appropriate CPU cores for fast and power-efficient computing. With the optimal balance to manage intensive and always-on tasks, the Exynos 1380 processor is designed to unlock new experiences, enhanced with 5G and AI technologies.
Gaming. Beyond.
Level up with great ease. Equipped with the Arm® Mali™-G68 GPU that features five cores running at 950 MHz, the Exynos 1380 offers powerful and steady graphics processing performance for an immersive and steady 3D gaming experience. With its enhanced performance and the advanced API supports, the Exynos 1380 offers users a new kind of gameplay experience based on augmented reality.* The GPU also has efficient power consumption to help prolong battery life for entertainment on the go.
* Based on internal test result compared to the Exynos 1280
Intelligent intelligence
Unlock the potential of mobile experiences. The Exynos 1380 is designed to enable new mobile experiences with an AI engine featuring an enhanced NPU that supports up to 4.9 trillion operations per second.* With the on-device AI capabilities, the Exynos 1380 enables new and smarter mobile experiences such as advanced language recognition for voice assistance. Notably, the Exynos 1380 with NPU enables multiple object recognition in the image to enhance the quality of each object.*
* Based on internal test result compared to the Exynos 1280.
When cameras meet AI
Pro-grade camera for all. The Exynos 1380 features the advanced Triple Image Signal Processor (ISP) based on the cutting-edge technology of flagship processors. The ISP offers flagship-level camera features including up to 200MP image sensor support, zero shutter-lag at up to 64MP, High Dynamic Range, and Electronic Image Stabilization. With cutting-edge AI imaging technology, the Exynos 1380 can recognize various objects to provide optimal image processing of each object, resulting in great photo quality.
Vivid screen Smooth experience
Built for visual comfort. With a fast display refresh rate up to 144Hz at Full HD+, the Exynos 1380 enables a seamless viewing experience and smooth scrolling. Adaptive Tone Control technology adjusts brightness and contrast according to the ambient light to improve visibility, whatever the weather, even in very bright outdoor environments.
Hit 5G speeds
Performance accelerated with 5G. Equipped with an integrated 5G modem, the Exynos 1380 offers fast download speeds up to 3.67 Gbps and upload speeds up to 1.28 Gbps. With this speed and low latency of 5G, the Exynos 1380 supports the user experiences that require lightning-fast network speeds such as live broadcasts or streaming on the go.
