Much like Manchester City’s seemingly inexorable march to success, Samsung doesn’t really even need to try that hard any more to deliver the goods when it comes to flagship smartphones. Perhaps the big wigs over in South Korea have monthly meetings with coach Pep Guardiola on how to assemble a slick engine that dazzles from all angles. Whatever the tech giant does, its latest Galaxy S23 Ultra is proof of a winning formula that simply won’t be overtaken by plucky newcomers and underdogs.
At a glance, you might cry that these handsets are marginally different in style and substance from their previous incarnations, and that’s often true. There’s only so much innovation Samsung is willing to work on when it comes to its premium gear to stuff in your pockets, but it’s under the hood where the real wizardry happens. It’s the sheer prowess of the custom Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the technical specs of its quad-lens set-up, and the gorgeous display that denotes the actual change. And having spent a while testing out the S23 Ultra, we’re convinced we’ve reached the pinnacle of what a quality smartphone should look like.
Raw technical speed
The headline upgrade on the Galaxy S23 Ultra is its custom-made processor. Previously, depending on where you are in the world, you’d be locked to either the Samsung Exynos (for Europeans) or the Qualcomm Snapdragon variant (everywhere else). The Eurocentric model felt a little lackluster when it came to extending battery life, running apps, and managing your multiple tasks, however, Samsung’s high-flying relationship with Qualcomm has now secured the chip for all smartphones everywhere.
As such, you’re getting a supercharged F1-grade engine that assists in powering the exceptional camera, next-level display, and keeps things ticking along at break-neck speed on your device, and it is noticeably more efficient when it comes to battery retention and efficiency. Ultimately, most of you will use this multitasking monster to smash out games such as Genshin Impact or a spot of Candy Crush on the go, but the S23 Ultra handles all of this and considerably more with the eagerness of an untethered lion in a chicken pen.
The ultimate camera phone
If gaming isn’t your bag, the chip will direct all its power to the incredibly well-specced camera setup, making this one of the most complete camera phones available. It’s the first Samsung phone to feature an absurd 200MP wide sensor for unrivaled snapping. Wrap all that up with the dual 10MP (3x and 10x) lenses and the 12MP ultra-wide lens and you’re all set for the photoshoot of your dreams in any light setting.
The new “nightography” system draws out all the precision from your shots in low light without washing out your subject, and there’s built-in functionality with apps like TikTok and Snapchat so you can film the most hilarious clip in hi-res and send it to your adoring fans instantly. Our favorite upgrade is the stabilization system that steadies a wobbling hand during filming or photography to eliminate blur and deliver the crispest of shots.
Big handsets are here to stay
With all that tech packed inside, the S23 Ultra follows the ever-present trend of bigger equals better. If you squint you’ll be able to notice very subtle differences in design to the S22 Ultra, which largely boils down to a flatter display with a more acute edge. To the Average Joe, this is more or less the same design ethos as before, though it’s .2 ounces heavier if that matters to you, and is about as cumbersome to use as most other plus-sized handsets on the market.
What has changed is the materials used, resulting in a more ecologically conscious smartphone that’s made from recycled fishnets, plastic bottles, and barrels that clog up our Earth’s waterways—all of which is executed with the aim of balancing sustainable processes with a premium feel. The handset itself is still made of aluminum and Gorilla Glass, but most of that recycled material is used to make the smaller bits like volume buttons, SIM card trays, and wireless antenna.
