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At its Unpacked event, Samsung unveiled its brand new flagship phone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G. This device has received several powerful upgrades, including a 200-megapixel main camera and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that is exclusive to the Galaxy. We are here to provide you with a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra hands-on experience.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G Hands-On: First Impression
The leaked images and official invite for the Samsung Unpacked event both emphasize the rear of the device, showcasing a cluster of three cameras. This has led us to conclude that the design of the device is similar to that of the previous Galaxy S22 Ultra. Given that the device boasts the most advanced hardware and feature-rich software Samsung has ever produced, the camera is considered a given and doesn’t require much discussion.
However, upon handling the device, we were pleasantly surprised and completely changed our initial impression of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The numerous positive improvements to the device greatly enhance the experience for power users and cement its status as a top-tier device, different from its predecessor, the S22. It is now among the best phones available, rivaling even the iPhone. So, what exactly are these improvements? Read on for our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra hands-on and first impression below:
High-end design
Completely different from the teaser photos on the event invite, which only show us a portion of the S23 Ultra when viewed vertically from the back, the S23 Ultra has a flattened border, and the screen has beveled edges. And the rear is less beveled and is turned almost 90 degrees, making the device very different from before.
This is precisely what Samsung should have emphasized when promoting this device. It aids the S23 Ultra in breaking away from the shadow of the S22 Ultra, thereby making the device appear more robust and luxurious.
You will notice that the side edges of the Samsung S23 Ultra are beveled, making them flatter and clearer to see. Despite this, the device still maintains its luxurious appearance and all of its high-end features. The junction between the back and aluminum frame is seamless, comfortable, and sturdy, without the presence of any rough burrs commonly found in other machines that have completely flat cuts.
On the right side, we will also have a volume up and down and turn off the screen buttons like the old tradition of Samsung. The finished buttons are also very sturdy and solid.
The bottom edge is beveled flat. We will see a USB-C jack, 45W fast charging for the device, speaker cluster, mic, and SIM slot. Of course, we will still have the S-Pen – the pen that has helped Samsung build a large fan base over the years.
The pen is still the same as the previous generation, the shape and finish of the pen are still nice and high-end. The top edge of the S23Ultra is simply a mic and is beveled flat.
On the back, the cameras are arranged in a different style to the previous S22 Ultra, if you look closely you will notice that the cameras are larger than before.
Our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra hands-on version comes in green, which is one of the many new colors the company has introduced this year. In addition to the traditional black and white, there are also cream and eye-catching lavender color options. We appreciate the unique approach to color selection. These new colors will further reinforce the identity of the Samsung S23 Ultra, improving its positioning and making it easier to recognize, especially compared to the previous S22 Ultra.
Dynamic AMOLED display
Samsung has equipped the S23 Ultra with the most advanced features it has to offer. The device features a 2X Dynamic AMOLED screen with a size of 6.8 inches and a brightness of 1750 nits. The screen also has a 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures a smooth visual experience. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides strong protection to the screen and has minimal bezels on the sides. This design enhances the appearance of the device and minimizes the chances of accidental touches while using it with one hand.
Samsung announced that the device will still feature a 12MP selfie camera located at the center of the screen. The camera will also include a professional photography mode and features to enhance photography quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
The S23 Ultra is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which is a collaboration between Qualcomm and Samsung, optimizing its performance for Samsung devices. This chip is not just powerful in terms of CPU or GPU cores, but it also features an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for advanced artificial intelligence processing capabilities. This enhances the device’s performance for heavy tasks, such as playing ray tracing games and optimizing power consumption, as well as improving image processing and photography.
Samsung announced that the heat sink on the S23 Ultra features a vapor chamber that is 30% larger than its predecessor. This promises to keep the device operating at a cooler temperature during prolonged gaming sessions. I already have a Genshin Impact account ready, but I need to borrow the device for a longer period for review and report back to you.
The information regarding the phone’s memory and the battery is as follows: the phone will have 8GB of RAM and the memory options will start from 256GB. There is also a 1TB version available for those with high storage requirements. The battery will be a 5000mAh capacity, with 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. Thanks to the optimization of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of power consumption, we are confident that the battery life will be longer than the average for the S22 Ultra. However, we would like the opportunity to review it for a few days before we can provide more details.
Great cameras
Samsung has announced that the camera of the S23 Ultra has been greatly upgraded, featuring a 200MP sensor as the highlight. The phone also includes pixel binding technology to combine pixels and both optical and electrical anti-shake elements. The algorithms have been improved for better imaging performance, and the increased resolution of the sensor aims to enhance the quality of the images and allow for better photo printing. In terms of video recording, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G offers 8K 30fps and 4K 120fps capabilities, which are more than sufficient for a recording device.
Camera features:
- 200MP wide-angle camera
- Super wide camera
- 3X optical zoom telephoto camera
- 10X optical zoom telephoto camera
- 12MP selfie camera
In addition to hardware upgrades, the Samsung S23 Ultra is also upgraded in terms of shooting modes, such as more features in professional shooting mode, enhanced 50MP RAW image capture, professional mode, astrophotography mode, Milkyway galaxy hyper-lapse, etc.
OneUI 5.1 with subtle upgrades
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will feature an upgraded OneUI interface, version 5.1, with improved performance, security, and more customization options. OneUI 5.1 also includes new features for S-Pen users, such as the ability to write and reply to messages with handwriting recognition. The S23 Ultra will automatically convert handwritten text to typed text for messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and WhatsApp, offering a convenient and impressive upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra pre-order price, release date
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, with deliveries starting on February 17th. At the launch, buyers will receive a free storage upgrade and an additional Amazon gift card worth $100. The base model with 256 GB of storage is offered for a list price of $1,199 / £1,249.
