Whenever February comes around, Samsung always makes sure to be the first to make a big splash! It isn’t any different in 2023 when the company just launched its latest flagship smartphones. Meet the Galaxy S23 Series!
We get the same three models as last year: the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra. All three improve on their predecessors in three key aspects: camera, performance, and having a more eco-conscious design.
More Megapixels + More Creative Controls = More Camera!
If there’s one thing that Samsung nailed lately, it’s the cameras on its phones. With the Galaxy S23 series, we get more advanced cameras that aim to further improve its capabilities in low-light. (Or as Samsung likes to call it: Nightography.) A new AI-powered image signal processor (ISP) helps correct the photo with visual noise by enhancing object details and color tone.
Exclusive to the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a new 200MP Adaptive Pixel sensor which is also known as the newly-released ISOCELL HP2 sensor. The S22 Ultra was already doing pixel binning but the S23 Ultra now brings multiple levels of pixel binning. With that, you can shoot photos with resolutions of either 12.5MP or 50MP. Also thanks to its new 200MP main camera, we get fast autofocus and Super HDR capabilities! This allows for up to 4K video recording at 60 fps with 12-bit color on both the front and rear cameras.
The S23 series also takes a suite of tools that help differentiate the photo-taking experience. The standout app is, of course, the Expert RAW app. This app enables DSLR-style image shooting and editing in RAW and JPEG. You can experiment with multiple exposures, photo art, or even capture a clear view of the Milky Way with Astrophoto settings. All this can now be used within Samsung’s native camera app once you downloaded the Expert RAW app.
Additional camera enhancements include better OIS on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, 8K video recording up to 30 fps, object-based AI for better portraits, and 360 Audio Recording in tandem with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro.
Snapdragon Everywhere!
In the past, the Galaxy S series would rely on two processors: the latest flagship Qualcomm chip, and an in-house Samsung Exynos chip. The problem is that the phone with the Qualcomm chip would consistently be better than the one with Exynos. (There was even a petition on change.org due to this very problem!)
This all changes with the Galaxy S23 Series as Samsung now uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in all markets! The company did get access to a higher-clocked version (dubbed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy), so expect these new phones to perform slightly better than the competition. Other improvements include the full use of the 8 Gen 2’s NPU architecture for all those new AI camera features and support for real-time ray tracing on the S23 Ultra. It also helps that there’s improved cooling thanks to a bigger vapor chamber found in all S23 Series phones.
Designed with the Planet in Mind
Samsung has been making big plays in terms of producing phones with recycled materials. From six internal and external components in the S22 Ultra, the Galaxy S23 Ultra now uses 12 internal and external components made with recycled materials. It’s also nice to know that the company uses a wider variety of recycled materials than before. These include pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass and post-consumer recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, PET bottles, and water barrels.
The Galaxy S23 Series is the first to use Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 which improves durability for long-term use. At the same time, it consists of an average of 22 percent pre-consumer recycled content. The boxes of these phones now use paper made with 100% recycled paper.
Speaking of long-term use, Samsung is leading the charge in terms of software update support. With 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates, you can rely on your phone to work for longer.
Specs
Here are the detailed specs of the S23 Series:
Galaxy S23 / S23+
- 6.1-inch (S23) / 6.6-inch (S23+) Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with a 2340 x 1080 resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate with 48-120Hz variable refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate in Game Mode
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- 8GB RAM, 128 or 256 GB internal storage (S23) / 256 or 512 GB internal storage (S23+)
- Triple rear cameras: 50MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture, 12MP ultrawide camera with f/2.2 aperture and 120° field-of-view, 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and f/2.4 aperture
- 12MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- 5G support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- S23: 3900 mAh battery with support for 25W wired charging and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
S23+: 4700 mAh battery with support for 45W wired charging and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 - Android 13 with OneUI 5.1
- Comes in four colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender
Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 6.8-inch Edge Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with a 3088 x 1440 resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate with 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate in Game Mode
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB internal storage
- Quad rear cameras: 200MP main camera with f/1.7 aperture, 12MP ultrawide camera with f/2.2 aperture and 120° field-of-view, 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and f/2.4 aperture, 10MP telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom and f/4.9 aperture
- 12MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- 5G support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- 5000 mAh battery with support for 45W wired charging and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
- Android 13 with OneUI 5.1
- Comes in four colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender
Pricing and Availability
The S23 Series all come in four colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender. You can get the S23 for P53,990 for the 128GB variant and P58,990 for the 256GB variant. If you need a bigger screen, there’s the S23+ for P68,990 for the 256GB variant and P76,990 for the 512GB variant.
For the absolute best that Samsung has to offer, there’s the Galaxy S23 Ultra for P81,990 for the 256GB variant and P89,990 for the 512GB variant. If you need even more storage, there’s the 1TB variant that’s exclusive to Samsung.com for P103,990.
Samsung.com Preorder Offers
For those who will preorder through Samsung.com from February 2 to 23, 2023, you will enjoy up to P76,000 in discounts including a FREE Memory Upgrade worth up to P8,000! (This means that if you’re planning to get the 256GB S23 Ultra, you’ll automatically get the 512GB one.) You can trade in your old devices and enjoy savings of up to P13,000 on top of your old phone’s residual value.
In addition, you will get an e-voucher worth up to PHP 5,000, a 50% discount on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series. On top of this, you will also get a FREE 1-year Samsung Care+ coverage worth P5,999, and earn double Samsung Rewards points.
Samsung Galaxy VIP Bundle
As an exclusive Samsung.com offer, the Galaxy S23 Ultra 1TB will be offered as part of a limited-edition Samsung Galaxy VIP bundle with total savings of P38,000. The VIP bundle includes the 1TB Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Watch5 Pro 46mm, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Super Fast Wireless Duo Charger, Galaxy S23 Ultra Leather Cover, and 1-year Samsung Care+ coverage all for a discounted price of P119,378.
Other Preorder Offers
You can also preorder the Galaxy S23 Series through Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, and MemoXpress Online. Customers who pre-order through these channels from February 2 to 23, 2023 will enjoy as much as P65,000 worth of discounts. This also includes the FREE Memory Upgrade, additional savings for traded-in devices, 50% off on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series.
Are you looking to pick up a Galaxy S23 Series device? The preorder deals look pretty sweet if you ask me.