Hands On With The New Samsung S23 Ultra: Is It Worth Upgrading?
© CBS News/Credit : SamsungThe Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is Samsung's latest and most advanced smartphone. It's not officially out until February 17th, but we were lucky enough to be there early to check it out. Find out if you should upgrade to a new Samsung device.
The best product in this article
Samsung Galaxy S23, $800 and up
Samsung Galaxy S23+, $1,000 and up
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, $1,200 and up
Here at CBS Essentials we keep you updated with all the announcements and offers on the latest range of Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphones. Now we are here to give you all the details about the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra based on our hands-on tests. I've spent the last week with the smartphone and I'm going to share with you all my first impressions and thoughts to help you decide if you should upgrade your phone.
Read on to learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and whether you should upgrade to Samsung's latest premium smartphone.
What's new in the Samsung S23?
© CBS News/Credit : SamsungThe Samsung Galaxy S23 offers a 6.1-inch display with a dynamic AMOLED display. It is based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform. It is compatible with wireless charging and supports Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 technology for more efficient charging. This is the first Samsung smartphone with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for increased screen power.
The S23 features a 50MP wide-angle camera, a 10MP telephoto lens, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera and an improved 12MP selfie camera to help you take clear pictures.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 starts at $800 with 128GB and 256GB storage options. It's available for pre-order today and will be available on February 17th. If you pre-order the device by February 16, you'll get a free memory upgrade and up to $100 in Samsung credit.
Samsung Galaxy S23, $800 and up
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has all the main features of the S23, plus some extras like a larger 6.6-inch screen and longer battery life.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ will start at $1,000 with 256GB and 512GB storage options. It's available for pre-order today and will be available on February 17th. If you pre-order the device by February 16, you'll get a free memory upgrade and up to $100 in Samsung credit.
Samsung Galaxy S23+, $1,000 and up
What's new in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?
© CBS News/Credit : SamsungThe S23 Ultra has a 6.8-inch screen compared to the standard 6.1-inch screen of the S23. It has a built-in S Pen and the largest battery of the three models.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra also offers a professional camera. Samsung even filmed the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra launch during the Samsung Unpacked event to demonstrate the high quality of the camera. The smartphone camera can record in 8K at 30 frames per second. It features a new 200MP adaptive pixel sensor that easily adapts to different lighting conditions.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $1,200 with storage options of 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. It's available for pre-order today and will be available on February 17th. If you pre-order the device by February 16, you'll get a free memory upgrade and up to $100 in Samsung credit.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, $1,200 and up
Hands-on experience with the Samsung S23 Ultra
I spent the last few days with the new Samsung S23 Ultra. Here are my main findings.
configuration process
Setting up the Samsung Galaxy S23 was very easy. This was my first time setting up an Android and it was very quick and easy. I liked that there was an option to import my data from iPhone and iPad. I love that they make it easy for people to stream from other types of devices.
Another thing I noticed during the setup process is that the S23 Ultra gives you multiple options for locking and unlocking the phone. You can choose PIN code, Face ID, Touch ID or any combination of these options. I liked that there was a Touch ID option because Apple eliminated that option when they got rid of the iPhone's Home button, and it's honestly my favorite way to unlock the phone.
camera quality
© CBS News/Credit : SamsungIf you caught the Samsung Unpacked event earlier this month, remember that the Samsung S23 Ultra's camera was the star of the show. The S23 Ultra has a professional camera with a 200-megapixel main camera sensor and 8K video recording.
The S23 Ultra offers exceptional camera quality. What I like about this phone is that it offers high-end camera settings and many options, it is not difficult to use. I was worried that it would be difficult to adjust the camera or find the right settings, but switching between night mode, portrait mode, pro mode and other settings is very easy.
I'm happy with the photos I was able to take with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. It performed very well in night mode in my opinion and the video quality was particularly impressive. Compared to my regular phone, the iPhone 14 Pro, it delivers really impressive low-light detail in my opinion. The S23 Ultra's camera specs are slightly better than the S23 and S23+, so I personally think the premium model is worth it if you're looking for a great camera.
User interface and accessibility
© Courtesy of CBS News / Credit: Kaylyn McKenna / SamsungI was very impressed with how easy this phone was to use. I'm a technical writer, but not necessarily someone who adapts very quickly to new interfaces and technologies. After ten years of using iPhone exclusively, I expected to learn a lot from my first full Android experience. However, the Samsung S23 Ultra offers a great user experience right away.
The home screen has a more minimalist design, but you can swipe up to see all your apps. Setting the options was also very easy. Smartphone interfaces are a big point of personal preference, so familiarize yourself with the interface. It may or may not be your thing, but it sure is easy to navigate.
Samsung Galaxy also offers a number of special tools and settings that make navigating the phone easier for everyone. You can adjust font contrast, use TalkBack to navigate your phone with a screen reader (such as Apple VoiceOver), turn off animations, and make other changes to customize the interface to your needs.
General results
Equipped with the updated Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the Samsung S23 Ultra is fast and responsive when you're taking photos, browsing the web or playing games on your smartphone. Audio and video playback was very clear when watching videos or listening to music. The display is quite bright and clear, even outside in direct sunlight. I think the battery life and processing speed are excellent for the average smartphone user.
Should I upgrade to the Samsung S23 Ultra?
The Samsung S23 Ultra offers many improvements. I don't have the S22 in hand to compare it to, but looking at the new phone's specs and testing, the Samsung S23 Ultra seems to offer some significant improvements over previous models that make the upgrade worthwhile for many users. .
The most obvious improvements are the phone's professional camera and gaming capabilities. A professional camera is definitely a compelling argument for active social media content creators, aspiring filmmakers, and smartphone photography enthusiasts. If you're looking for an improved camera or 8K video capabilities, you should probably upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. If you're not into photography or gaming, an older model or a standard Samsung Galaxy S23 will do.
If you're a Samsung user looking to upgrade, you'll love the S23 Ultra's new camera, simple display, and upgraded processor. Samsung is also offering some special deals and discounts, including a free memory upgrade if you pre-order the S23 Ultra now. If you're ready to upgrade, now is the time.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, $1,200 and up
