Samsung Galaxy S23 Review.

This year, I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy S23 as my smartphone, and I can confidently say that of all of Samsung’s phones, this regular-sized version is the most balanced one I’ve used. So why would I recommend it over its bigger and more expensive counterparts? Let me explain.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is Easy to Use

The physical design of the S23 is not distinct from the S21 and S22, aside from the camera bump corner. This is not bad, as it’s still one of the few single-handed devices available. With a 6.1 inch AMOLED screen, it is relatively small by today’s standards, and its 1080 x 2340 p resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate and 19.5:9 aspect ratio make it comfortable to use with one hand.

Viewing videos on the S23 in either portrait or landscape mode is straightforward and comfortable when used for extended periods. Though it is not Samsung’s most advanced display, the 425 pixels-per-inch still makes for an enjoyable visual experience. Dark colors are particularly vivid on the AMOLED panel, and it is an excellent match for space-inspired wallpapers like the one I have installed from Wallpaper Engine. As with other contemporary Samsung devices, the S23 maintains the company’s high standards for excellent viewing experiences.

The fingerprint scanner beneath the display is extremely accurate when it comes to recognizing my thumbs. I’m satisfied with its performance 95% of the time, as I’m aware it’s as good as it’s going to get with this technology. The face scanner is also a viable option to unlock the screen, and I use them both together. I’ve seen other scanners that are far slower and not as reliable.

Not the most outstanding, but…

I was quite content with the display of the S23, but the triple camera setup truly shines. I was really impressed with the pictures especially the ones I took from a skyscraper. The 50 MP f/1.8 wide sensor easily captures a great deal of scenery without distortion. The 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide also provides a great angle without producing an exaggerated, fisheye effect. Which is something I have encountered with other phones. The S23 is able to accurately capture the scene as my eyes see it.

The Samsung S23 generally handles light well no matter the environment. At sunset, it captures the light source accurately and maintains good contrast in the shadows. Even in bright conditions, it rarely oversaturates the photo. Furthermore, it doesn’t wash out the background when taking pictures in the sun. The 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens also provides good quality when used for zooming. Surprisingly, the sharpness of the image remained high even when the wide aperture was used at 3x.

The S23 has great low light capabilities and produces solid photos for sharing on Instagram. It has been observed that the phone increases its exposure to ensure details are picked up from a distance. At its price point, grainier photos can be seen in better lighting scenarios, so Samsung did well here. I’m still undecided as to whether I think the Pixel 7 or iPhone provide better low light shots than the S23, but all three of these phones are competitively equal for 2023.

For a flagship phone, I’m content with the speed at which I was able to take a picture and keep going. I think this is why Samsung’s S series phones have been so successful. Even though these models don’t have the best specs or results, they are ideal for people who don’t want to spend time tweaking their camera to get the ideal shot for social media. If that describes you, then the S23 is more than capable of meeting your photo taking needs.

Doing Excellently Well

The battery in the S23, with a capacity of 3,900 mAh, is not as large as the Ultra, but it’s been very impressive to me in terms of performance; at the end of a full work day, I’m usually left with over 50% battery life. Running Android 13 with One UI 5.1, the phone runs efficiently and handles background processes well. I have no doubt that the S23 can last through any given day and it’s also equipped with wireless charging, making it even easier to keep it powered.

The S23 stands apart from the other phones in its class due to its use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, along with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. It is incredibly fast, and I have only experienced occasional hiccups. It also has a very good battery life, which makes it great for mobile gaming. Since launch, I have been playing call of duty with no issues and have not felt any discomfort in my hands, even during longer gaming sessions. The S23 also does not heat up excessively during gameplay.

The audio emanating from the bottom-firing speaker and the earpiece is quite loud, yet still maintains a respectable quality even when the levels are cranked up. Although the projection is not as rich and full as some of the new phones, it still does a good job if there is no Bluetooth earbud connected.

The S23 is an easy phone to review. It is built with an aluminum frame and glass body that makes it feel expensive. The flagship chipset keeps it competitive with the best in the industry and the camera setup is up to par with industry leaders. What makes it stand out is that it offers a great value for its price and is easier to hold in one hand than many of its pricier counterparts. It is an excellent option for all types of buyers.