We hold hands with the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus that have just been made official. In addition to a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, these smartphones are also based on minimalist DNA for smooth evolution.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+ were formalized alongside the S23 Ultra. Less prominent than the larger, more expensive model, they just have a minimalist approach to the possible that could almost hide the improvements they bring. The latter, although subtle, must be taken into account. Here’s our take on sharing with you our first impressions of these high-end phones.
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ultra sobriety
Regarding the design, it is necessary to start from an observation. Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ are twin brothers and the second one just ate a little more soup to be taller. Aside from the template, they look like two peas in a pod. Therefore, they were jointly inspired by the design of their big brother ultra, at least at the level of the camera. In fact, the block at the back somehow disappears.
Get out, therefore, of the aluminum rectangle that was partially rolled on the edge of the device. Here we have three cameras visually separated from each other. The Galaxy S23 and S23+ thus get rid of the signature of the S22 and S22+ to adopt a more minimalist look. Samsung explains that it wanted to bring consistency to the range after receiving very positive reviews about the design of the S22 Ultra last year.
Here we have the main element that allows us to differentiate between the S23 and S23 Plus on the one hand and their predecessors on the other. It is frankly very beautiful and integrates perfectly on the back with the matte coating of smartphones. However, we lose a bit of the je-ne-sais-quoi that was also the charm of the non-Ultra Galaxy S.
In the grip, it is a great success. The more or less flat edges combine perfectly with the rounded corners to give a look that looks quite nice on these smartphones, especially the classic Galaxy S23, which is very small compared to the other two models. The S23+, meanwhile, trades some of that cuteness for a bigger screen.
Precisely the display: 6.1 inches for the Galaxy S23, which thus almost acts like a modern compact smartphone, and 6.6 inches for the S23 Plus. Amoled, Full HD +, 120 Hz adaptive mode (which drops to 48 Hz) and maximum brightness promised at 1750 nits, which is as much as the Ultra. It will be perfect for the scorching summers ahead. If you can’t find a shady corner, at least you won’t have a problem viewing the displayed content despite the strong sun.
Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, reinforced aluminum and a repairability index of 8.2/10 are elements that ensure the longevity of the products.
Discreet, but powerful… and more autonomous?
Minimalism is the valued argument for design. For performances, this speech flies away like a speck of dust in the face of the phenomenal wind that blows me over my favorite jokes. Boom! We’re stuffed with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with little onions as, not happy to FINALLY have Qualcomm’s latest chip in the European models (goodbye frustrating Exynos), we’re served here a specially optimized version for the S23. And 8 GB of RAM in addition.
With these kinds of promises, Samsung sets the bar high and is keen to deliver. Because pending full proof, we can only trust your word. I could tell you that I didn’t experience any slowdowns during my brief use of the S23 and S23+, but obviously that’s not very representative of what consumers expect.
The SoC change could also have a good impact on the autonomy of the two smartphones whose predecessors were never very famous for their endurance. Let’s hope Snapdragon eventually does better than Exynos at this level.
Especially since the batteries have been boosted a bit, 200 mAh in each device:
- 3900 mAh for Galaxy S23 (25W max charge);
- 4700 mAh for the Galaxy S23 Plus (maximum charge at 45 W).
For your shots, there are no major changes, apart from the fact that all photo sensors (rear and front) benefit from dual pixel autofocus so you no longer have trouble focusing. It was quite encouraging during the grip, but then again, we’ll have to wait for the test to be sure.
On the interface side, One UI 5.1 is there with Android 13, four major updates, and five years of software monitoring for security.
minimum service
As you will have understood, a grasp of the S23 and S23+ gives an idea of its user experience, but like its minimalist design, the improvements they bring are made discreetly, at least until we have been able to subdue them. extensive tests. Is this the minimum service? Can be. If we can already rejoice in the presence of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for our day to day, the other additions remain shy.
Samsung says the goal isn’t to lure people in with the S22 or S22 Plus. An argument you’ll hear, but you could still argue that the S23’s 25W charging is still limited for a smartphone at this price point.
Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus price and release date
The two smartphones will be launched on February 17 in commerce.
samsung galaxy s23
The Galaxy S23 comes in two versions: 128GB UFS 3.1 storage and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage. Count respectively on recommended prices at 959 and 1019 euros.
where to buy the
Samsung Galaxy S23 at the best price?
Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is based on UFS 4.0. A 256 GB version for 1,219 euros and a 512 GB version for 1,339 euros.
where to buy the
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus at the best price?
Make an order
From February 1 to 16, you can benefit from a bonus of 150 euros when you recover your old smartphone and double its storage capacity for free (for example, receive the 512 GB version of the S23+ for the price of the 256 GB version).