Samsung presented its new flagship phones for 2023 – three new models in the Galaxy S23 series. HotNews.ro handled and used the three new models for a series of first impressions before doing a detailed review that will appear in the next period.

The new Samsung Galaxy S23 models, as expected, have a number of improved specifications from last year, but there are also many things that have been retained in the new flagship range from Samsung.

However, one significant change is that the new phones will be more expensive than the variants launched a year ago. Last year, prices started at 4,200 lei for the smallest and basic model, and now prices start at 4,700 lei

Samsung Galaxy S23 – Design

Externally, the S23 and S23 Plus models are the two that have received the largest size makeup from the whole series. Compared to last year, both models now share the same rear design language as the Ultra, with the cameras only featuring slightly protruding lenses, compared to previous models which were built into a metal module that appears to extend from the frame .

And the shape has become more rounded, with more curved edges than before, and the screens are perfectly flat and just as easy to use.

For the S23 Ultra model, there are no major changes in the aesthetic aspect. One (small) change would be that the screen is much flatter than the previous model, although it still curves a bit on the side.

In terms of design, we also note the new colors available, the models are also available in pastel green and pastel purple in addition to the traditional black and white.

Samsung Galaxy S23 – from the most powerful small phone to the most powerful large phone

Galaxy S23 model – the small one – probably one of the smallest flagship phones on the market right now. In the hand, the phone feels very small and easy to hold, which is a breath of fresh air in a market dominated by phones with very large screens, and where compact phone lovers don’t have many options at their fingertips.

However, what is striking is that on all three phones, even the smallest of them, we find the same powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, specially modified for the Samsung line to reach an even higher frequency compared to other models on the market. (3.6 GHz vs. 3.2 GHz on the main core). All in all, if you want a small phone and go with the S23 model, you’re at least happy that you’re not getting a worse version in terms of processing and graphics.

At the opposite pole in terms of size is the older brother – the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Although the screen is very large (and very beautiful), it can at least be a plus in terms of performance if Samsung includes in the phone and excellent Stylus through which users can control numerous functions of the phone. The Ultra model also features an extra (10x) zoom camera, as well as a 200-megapixel main camera, in addition to a larger battery and other minor differences such as a larger battery and faster charging.

First impressions of the three new phones are very good, and I didn’t find a flaw that was obvious in the moments we played with them.

In the hand, the S23 and S23 Plus feel slightly better than last year, and the Ultra’s flatter screen is a plus in use – and here we found ease of use.

I couldn’t identify too many new or added software items due to the limited time I had with the phones, but we’ll be sure to look into that aspect in detail when we have a review model.

However, I appreciated that on the video side, the phones now come with an excellent stabilization mode – mode Super resistant – at higher resolution QHD (1440p) up to 60 frames per second.

• How fast are the new phones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, do they heat up during intensive use, how quickly do they charge, what pictures can they take and what autonomy do users expect – we will answer these questions in a detailed review with the Samsung Galaxy S23 in the near future.

Samsung Galaxy S23 – Specifications and price in Romania

Display:

• S23: 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~422 ppi), HDR10+ compatible / protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 / adaptive refresh rate 48-120 Hz / sample rate touch 240 Hz
• S23 Plus: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ 1440 x 3088, 19:9 ratio (~501 ppi), HDR10+ compatible / protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 / adaptive refresh rate 1-120Hz / touch sampling rate 240 Hz
• S23 Ultra: 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~422 ppi), HDR10+ compatible

Processor: Octa-core (1×3.6 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)

GPU: Adreno 740

OZP:

• S23/S23 Plus: 8 GB of RAM
• S23 Ultra: 8/12 GB RAM

storage:

• S23: 128/256 GB
• S23 Plus: 256/512 GB
• S23 Ultra: 256/512/1024 GB

Battery:

• S23: 3900 mAh lithium-ion battery
• S23 Plus: 4700 mAh
• S23 Ultra: 5000 mAh

Galaxy S23/S23 Plus cameras:

– Primary: 50 MP, f/1.8, 24 mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0 μm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS

– Telephoto: 10 MP, f/2.4, 70 mm (telephoto), 1/3.94″, 1.0 µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom

– UltraWide: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13 mm, 120˚ (ultra-wide), 1/2.55″ 1.4µm, Super Steady video

– Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.2, 26 mm (wide), PDAF

Galaxy S23 Ultra cameras:

– Main: 200 MP, f/1.7, 24 mm (wide), 1/1.3″, 0.6 µm, PDAF, laser autofocus, OIS

– Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13 mm, 120˚ (ultra-wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video

– Telephoto 2: 10 MP, f/4.9, 230 mm (periscopic telephoto), 1/3.52″, 1.12 µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom

– UltraWide: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13 mm, 120˚ (ultra-wide), 1/2.55″ 1.4µm, Super Steady video

– Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.2, 26 mm (wide), PDAF

Dimensions:

• S23: 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
• S23 Plus: 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm
• S23 Ultra: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm

weight:

• S23: 168 grams
• S23 Plus: 196 g
• S23 Ultra: 234 g

Operating System: Android 13 / One UI 5.1

sensors: under-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, compass, barometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor

Connection: 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, USB 3.2 TypeC, Samsung Wireless DeX, UWB

Other features:

– Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under the screen

– Protection against water and dust – IP68

– Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back / aluminum frames

– Dual SIM card

– Always on display

– Wireless charging in both directions (the phone can also charge other devices) – 4.5 W

– Fast charging – S23: 25W / S23 Plus/Ultra: 45W (phone does NOT come with a charger)

– Fast wireless charging – 10 W (Qi/PMA)

– Colors: black, cotton, green, purple

Price in Romania (February 2022): S23 from 4,699 lei for 128 GB, S23+ from 5,949 lei and S23 Ultra from 6,949 lei (incl. VAT).

Cost of pre-order:

• When pre-ordering any model from the Galaxy S23 series from February 1 to 16, users receive double the amount of memory, an electronic voucher for 500 lei and the cost of the current phone, if it is brought in for exchange. Also, I can get a new device by February 10th. Here are the details related to the pre-order offer for the Galaxy S23 models.