Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the ultimate flagship for 2023. The premium device has an appearance virtually unchanged from its predecessor, yet there are substantial differences. How about a 200 megapixel camera or a processor swap. We list all the differences here for you.

Same look, recycled

You don't have to buy the S23 Ultra for its looks. In fact, it looks almost the same as the S22 Ultra. A 6.8-inch screen made of 22% recycled glass with sloping sides. A frame made of polished metal and with glass on the back again, again this time Gorilla Glass Victus 2. At the bottom, like last year, you will find an integrated S Pen to operate the device with, but rather to create content with. Drawings, text, thoughts, whatever you want. In addition to recycled glass, the Ultra also contains discarded fishing nets, PET bottles and water barrels.

Higher 200MP camera

For innovation, we have to look inside the S23 Ultra. Although, you can also see it from the back. There, in fact, is a brand new main camera of a whopping 200 megapixels. Samsung gives the camera sensor a fancy name; Adaptive Pixel Sensor. Like many other sensors, this one applies pixel binning, combining several pixels into one. You then don't shoot pictures of 200MP in size, but of 50 or 12MP. Also new is dual optical image stabilization for improved performance with dusk and even higher 8K video recording.

Main Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specifications

• 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, smooth up to 120Hz
• 200MP head, 12MP wide-angle, 10MP telephoto + 3x zoom and 10MP telephoto + 10x zoom
• 12MP selfiecam with 80° viewing angle, faster autofocus and smoother 60Hz video
• Powerful specially developed Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
• Available with 8+256, 12+256, 12+512GB and 12+1TB of RAM+storage
• 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging for 65% charge after 30 minutes
• Waterproof IP68 casing of which 12 components are made of recycled materials

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy

Ultra phones are among the most powerful phones. And this year there is good news, at least for European buyers. Samsung is equipping all S23 Ultra copies with the same processor; the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Previously, Samsung used two versions; one with the latest Snapdragon and one with its own Exynos. The latter proved inferior to the Snapdragon chipset in recent years. Samsung is not just applying an off-the-shelf chipset; it has worked with Qualcomm to create a modified version that boasts significantly improved graphics performance. Samsung claims up to 41% faster than the S22 Ultra.

Longer lasting, but not just

The Galaxy S23 Ultra should last a long time thanks to its 5000 mAh battery. On one charge, we mean. But Samsung also makes sure the device lasts long in other areas. With software updates, we mean. Samsung ships the device with Android 13 + One UI 5.1 but promises updates up to Android 17, which is four generations of Android. Security updates roll in for up to five more years. With that, S23 Ultra remains a reassuring buy, provided you put down quite a bit for it. Because it is by no means cheap.

Pro and cons Galaxy S23 Ultra

• More powerful processor
• Higher 200MP camera
• Much better graphics
• Partly recycled

• Much more expensive