Samsung Galaxy S23 Review: The Best Compact Flagship to Beat

samsung galaxy s23

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is here to redefine what a compact flagship smartphone can offer. It brings a premium design, stellar performance, and an exceptional camera system, all packed into a sleek, hand-friendly size. If you’re looking for a phone that combines power with portability, the Galaxy S23 may be your best bet. Let’s dive into its features to see if it’s truly the compact flagship to beat.


Design and Build

Samsung stays true to its premium ethos with the Galaxy S23. Encased in Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an aluminum frame, the phone feels solid and durable. Its 6.1-inch AMOLED display is vibrant and sharp, with excellent brightness levels and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Available in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender, the color options add personality without being overwhelming. Its compact size makes it comfortable to use one-handed—a rarity in the flagship segment today.

Clipping objects animation using the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung Galaxy S23
(Image credit: Future)

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM. This combination ensures buttery-smooth performance, whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or editing photos.

The custom-tuned Snapdragon processor for the Galaxy series offers optimized gaming performance, with games like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile running flawlessly at high settings.


Camera Performance

Samsung Galaxy S23 Screen shots of Director's View with Samsung Galaxy S23.

Samsung s23

The camera system on the Galaxy S23 is nothing short of spectacular. It features a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.

In daylight, images are sharp, vibrant, and full of detail. Night photography is equally impressive, thanks to Samsung’s advanced image processing and improved low-light capabilities.

The 12MP selfie camera is a welcome upgrade, delivering crisp and natural-looking photos and videos.


Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy S23 Screen shot of wireless power sharing with Galaxy S23.
(Image credit: Future)

Despite its compact size, the Galaxy S23 boasts excellent battery life. The 3,900mAh battery lasts an entire day of moderate to heavy usage. Additionally, fast charging and wireless charging support make topping up the battery quick and convenient.


Software and Features

GIF animation of using Samsung DeX with Samsung Galaxy S23 Galaxy S23 Ultra.
(Image credit: Future)

Running on One UI 5.1 based on Android 13, the software experience is smooth and intuitive. Samsung continues to lead with customization options and long-term software update support, ensuring the Galaxy S23 remains relevant for years.


Price and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S23 starts at $799, positioning it as a premium offering in the compact flagship category. While it competes directly with devices like the iPhone 14 and Google Pixel 7, its blend of design, performance, and software makes it a standout choice.


Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Compact, premium design
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • Excellent camera performance
  • Long-lasting battery life

Cons:

  • Slightly expensive
  • No significant innovation in design

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 sets a high benchmark for compact flagship smartphones. It balances top-tier performance, a stunning design, and a stellar camera system, making it the go-to choice for those seeking a no-compromise, pocket-friendly phone.

If you’re considering upgrading to a compact flagship in 2024, the Galaxy S23 should be at the top of your list.

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