Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: the ultimate Android phone?

A phone that wants to be so much more, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a flagship device with a lot going for it.

A white-backed Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra sitting on a desk
(Image: © Future / Ian Evenden)

Our Verdict

Samsung’s 2023 flagship is a roaring powerhouse of a phone, radiating premium construction from every facet of its rectangular frame. The specs are unbeatable, the screen a beautiful thing, the S Pen stylus a great accessory, and the cameras remarkable when you consider how small they are. This is the phone to beat right now.

For

  • Fast and responsive
  • Looks great
  • Excellent screen

Against

  • Too large
  • Very expensive
  • Is the S Pen that useful?

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Key specs

CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB/12GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
Screen: 6.8in Dynamic AMOLED, 3088 x 1440px
Main camera: Rear: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x and 10x telephoto
Front camera: 12MP
Video recording: 8K (7680 x 4320)@30fps
Connectivity: 5G, USB-C, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm
Weight: 233g

A big, heavy, expensive Android phone like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra needs something special to make you want it instead of an iPhone or something more reasonably sized and priced. Luckily, Samsung’s latest flagship has it. The phone feels premium, powerful, and comes with what’s likely the best camera setup currently available on a phone. This is easily one of the best smartphones available.

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