Samsung Galaxy S23+ review

Added by on 02.02.2023 | Last update 11.16.23
Samsung Galaxy S23+ review

The Galaxy S23 Plus sits between the compact Galaxy S23 and the high-end Galaxy S23 Ultra. In the past, the Galaxy S Plus has struggled to stand out compared to the more powerful Galaxy S23 Ultra, but now the Galaxy S23 Plus aims to change that with its refreshed design, improved performance, brighter display, and bigger battery.

The new Galaxy S23 Plus gets more attention in terms of design and performance, making it worthy of consideration by those who are in the market for a new phone. With improved specs such as a brighter display and bigger battery, the Galaxy S23 Plus has the potential to create its own identity and finally break away from the shadow of the S23 Ultra. Whether you're looking for a compact phone or a higher-end device, the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a solid mid-range option that's worth considering.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Specifications

  • Release date: 2023, February 01
  • Colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
  • Dimensions: 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm.
  • Weight: 196 g.
  • Screen: 6.6" in, 1080 x 2340, Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Camera : Triple, 50MP
  • Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
  • CPU: Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
  • Memory: 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
  • Battery: 4700, Li-Ion, non-removable
  • Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
  • Operating system: Android 13, One UI 5.1
  • Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Samsung Galaxy S23+ Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Design and colours

The design of the Galaxy S23 Plus has undergone significant changes. Instead of the cut-out camera island that was present in the Galaxy S22 Plus, the Galaxy S23 Plus has dedicated cutouts for each camera lens, which creates a clean and neat look. The front and back of the phone are flat, made with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the Armor Aluminum side bezel is curved, making it comfortable to hold and giving it a compact look despite its 6.6-inch display. This design is more comfortable to hold compared to the rectangular design of the modern iPhone.

The Galaxy S23 Plus has a number of standard features, including IP68 water and dust resistance, stereo speakers, and a built-in ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, but it doesn't have a microSD card slot or a 3.5mm audio jack. It follows the recognizable Samsung Galaxy design and retains what seems to work well for the brand. Available colors are black, cream, green and lavender, which look elegant but may be perceived by some as boring. More colours may be released in the future, either as exclusive or widely available options.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Display

The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a 6.6-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display that delivers high-quality visuals. The screen boasts a maximum brightness of 1750 nits and vibrant colors that make content stand out. The display has 393ppi and a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels.

The device offers two color profile options - a native profile with sRGB-level color accuracy and a vivid profile for optimal content viewing. The screen also has a fast refresh rate, ensuring smooth and eye-pleasing visuals.

The Galaxy S23 Plus display uses the same 48Hz-120Hz panel that is a staple in Samsung flagship devices.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Camera

The Galaxy S23 Plus has a powerful triple camera. It has a 50MP main wide-angle camera with f/1.8 aperture, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 10MP 3x optical telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture that can zoom up to 30 times.

The front camera has been upgraded to a 12MP dual autofocus lens that can capture sharp selfies and shoot Super HDR videos, 4K@60fps videos for social networks. Low-light portrait performance has also been improved.

Expectations are high for the Galaxy S23 Plus' camera performance and image quality, with the goal of taking AI-driven photography to a new level without overcomplicating things.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Performance

Samsung is finally ditching the Exynos chipset to the delight of fans around the world. Starting with the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung will rely solely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which is a major change for the company. This will allow Galaxy fans outside the US to enjoy the performance and power efficiency of the Snapdragon chip, as Samsung's Exynos chips have lagged behind Qualcomm's offerings in recent years.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is the right chip for all of Samsung's latest flagship products. It delivers both performance and efficiency. In real life, the phone performs exceptionally well, making everyday activities a joy. The phone can handle anything you ask of it with ease, thanks to its 8GB of RAM.

In terms of storage, the Galaxy S23 Plus will be available with 8GB of RAM and versions with 256 or 512GB of memory. Unfortunately, there won't be a microSD card slot for further expansion. This isn't news, as microSD card slots have been absent in Samsung flagships for several years now.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Connectivity

The Galaxy S23 Plus offers premium connectivity with its 5G capabilities that support both 6GHz and mmWave standards. It also features Wi-Fi 6E support, which requires a compatible router. Users can expect seamless and high-speed connectivity with the Galaxy S23 Plus.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Operating System

The Galaxy S23 Plus is powered by Samsung's One UI 5.1, which is built on Android 13. One UI 5 is an excellent software update offering improved customization options and system performance. It also adds further refinements and improvements to the interface.

Some notable features of One UI 5.1 include modes that allow you to create custom scenes for activities such as sleep, exercise, driving, work, or relaxation. Bixby Text Call lets you answer incoming calls with a text message, similar to Google Assistant, and Samsung Notes co-editing during video calls is a handy new feature.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Battery and charging

The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with a larger 4700 mAh battery, which is 5% more than its predecessor, the Galaxy S22 Plus. This battery is paired with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, making it more power efficient and providing better battery life than its predecessor.

The phone's FHD+ screen and efficient chip contribute to the Galaxy S23 Plus' good battery performance. In terms of charging speed, the phone still supports fast 45W wired charging and fast 2.0 wireless charging, and a full 45W charge takes approximately one hour. Charging time is slightly longer if you use a 25W charger.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Conclusion

The Galaxy S23 Plus faces competition from the iPhone 14 Plus and Pixel 7 Pro, which are considered its natural rivals. Although the iPhone 14 Plus lacks some features of the Galaxy S23 Plus, such as a telephoto camera and a high refresh rate display, it can offer better battery life. On the other hand, the Pixel 7 Pro comes with a number of camera features and a user-centric experience. However, it is considered a true flagship.

The S23 Plus offers noticeable improvements over the S22 Plus in various aspects, especially in terms of performance and battery life. It offers a great alternative compared to the S23 and S23 Ultra and could attract users looking to switch from other brands and operating systems. With the benefits and value that come with owning a Samsung flagship device, the S23 Plus has the potential to be the best choice for those looking for a well-rounded Android phone.

Samsung Galaxy S23+ video review

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Samsung Galaxy S23+ and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Samsung.

Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor

Hello, I am Richard Taylor, a technology expert and journalist from the UK. I have a degree in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham. My passion is the latest technology, especially smartphones. That's why I chose to test, analyze, and write expert reviews about them. My technical expertise, combined with a deep passion for technology and years of experience, has made me a trusted source of information. Over the years, I have written reviews for various sites, but for quite some time now, I have been writing exclusively for PhonesData. You can see more about me here or read all my smartphone reviews here.

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