The Galaxy S23, the upcoming entry in Samsung’s flagship series, will reportedly debut later this year with a host of improvements, such as a reimagined look, more powerful internals, improved optics, and perhaps even a reimagined colour palette.
Contents
Latest Galaxy S23 leaks
Galaxy S23 release date
Model | Announcement date | Release date |
---|---|---|
Galaxy S23 series | February 8, 2023 (est.) | February 24, 2023 (est.) |
Galaxy S22 series | February 9, 2022 | February 25, 2022 |
Galaxy S21 series | January 14, 2021 | January 29, 2021 |
Galaxy S20 series | February 11, 2020 | March 6, 2020 |
Galaxy S10 series | February 20, 2019 | March 8, 2019 |
If Samsung’s prior releases are any indicator, the Galaxy S23 phones will be introduced on February 24, 2023. Samsung brought ahead the release dates of the S21 and S22 so that they would be available shortly before the Monday start of the Mobile World Congress in late February.
We expect the Galaxy S23 series to debut on February 24, 2023, the Friday before the MWC expo (which runs from Monday, February 27, 2023, to Thursday, March 2, 2023). Dates for the unveiling ceremony and the beginning of preorders for the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra are pencilled in for February 8, 2024, assuming Samsung sticks to its original plan.
Samsung Galaxy S23 cases leak#Samsung #SamsungGalaxyS23 pic.twitter.com/3rbeIsqlem
— Anuj Raghav (@RaghavTechie) October 3, 2022
Samsung Galaxy S23 price
Model | Price |
---|---|
Galaxy S23 Ultra | $1199 (exp.) |
Galaxy S22 Ultra | $1199 |
Galaxy S20 Ultra | $1399 |
Galaxy S23 | $799 (exp.) |
Galaxy S22 | $799 |
Unless supply chain issues delay mass production of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, or Samsung determines that the new quad-curve design and 200MP camera sensor merit a higher S23 price, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is scheduled to start at $1199.99, the same as its predecessor. We hope that the Galaxy S23 will start at $799, the Galaxy S23+ will cost $999, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra will cost a luscious $1199, all in keeping with the S22 Ultra, which hid the S Pen and maintained a large battery while charging the same as before.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Plus vs Galaxy S23 specs
Galaxy S23 Ultra | Galaxy S23 Plus | Galaxy S23 | |
---|---|---|---|
Display | 6.8-inch, 3080 x 1440 pixels, 500ppi, 1-120Hz Dynamic AMOLED, Gorilla Glass Victus | 6.6-inch, 2340 X 1080 pixels, 390ppi, 48-120Hz Dynamic AMOLED, Gorilla Glass Victus | 6.1-inch, 2340 x 1080 pixels, 422ppi, 48-120Hz Dynamic AMOLED, Gorilla Glass Victus |
Dimensions | 163.4×78.1×8.9 mm | 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6mm | 146 x 70.6 x 7.6mm |
Main camera | Custom 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor, OIS, Dual PDAF | 50MP, F1.8 aperture, 23mm, 1/1.56″ sensor size, OIS, PDAF | 50MP, F1.8 aperture, 23mm, 1/1.56″ sensor size, OIS, PDAF |
Telephoto camera | 10MP, 3.0X optical zoom, F2.4 aperture, 69mm, 1/3.52″ sensor size | 10MP, 3.0X optical zoom, F2.4 aperture, 69mm, 1/3.94″ sensor size | 10MP, 3.0X optical zoom, F2.4 aperture, 69mm, 1/3.94″ sensor size |
Telephoto camera #2 | 10MP, 10.0X optical zoom, F4.9 aperture, 230mm, 1/3.52″ sensor size | – | – |
Ultra-wide camera | 12MP, F2.2 aperture, 13mm, 1/2.55″ sensor size | 12MP, F2.2 aperture, 13mm, 1/2.55″ sensor size | 12MP, F2.2 aperture, 13mm, 1/2.55″ sensor size |
Hardware | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 12GB RAM + 256GB, 12GB RAM + 512GB, 12GB RAM + 1TB | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8GB RAM + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB storage | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8GB RAM + 128GB, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage |
Battery | 5,000mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless charging | 4,700mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless charging | 3,700mAh, 25 wired, 15W wireless charging |
While the LTPO panel on the Ultra models can cover the entire 1Hz-120Hz range and save battery life while displaying static images, the Galaxy S23 and S23+ may get the hybrid LTPS to display that Samsung managed to introduce variable refresh rate, too, but which can only go down to 48Hz.
Given that battery pack capacities are anticipated to remain unchanged, any potential improvement in runtime would have to come from Qualcomm’s speculated Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which is said to place a premium on power economy.
The 3GHz Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 monster heats up and throttles quite a bit under heavy load like 3D gaming, so that would be a significant gain if it were built on the second-generation optimised 4nm process and reportedly had an ingenious mix of older and newer ARM Cortex core generations that should make it very gentle on the battery with everyday tasks.
It’s possible that the Galaxy S23 will have the best performance/power drain ratio of any Galaxy S series to date, given that Samsung plans to employ just Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 throughout all markets where it will sell the device.
Keeping the rest of the hardware the same should allow Samsung to release the Galaxy S23 and S23+ at lower pricing, which is good news because many people may be turned off by the S23$1000 +’s price tag because it just includes a processor update and not an LTPS display.
Galaxy S23 camera
Galaxy S23 Ultra camera specs to expect
- Main camera: 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP2 1/1.3″ sensor with 0.60-micron pixel size
- 3x telephoto camera: 10MP, Sensor size: 1/3.52″; Pixel size: 1.12 μm
- 10x periscope zoom camera: 10MP, Sensor size: 1/3.52″; Pixel size: 1.12 μm
- Ultrawide camera: 12MP sensor size: 1/2.55″; Pixel size: 1.4 μm
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is rumoured to feature a 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP2 sensor with a 1/1.3-inch dimension, 0.6m-sized pixels, and a wider aperture of f/1.7. The 1/1.33-inch, 0.8m-pixel, f/1.8-aperture sensor of the S22 Ultra captures 108 megapixels. It must be a new sensor because that falls in between the ISOCELL HP1’s 0.64 microns and the HP3’s 0.56 microns.
Just as with its previous 108MP and 200MP products, Samsung will likely sell its extremely high-res sensor to other phone makers for bragging rights, while keeping their customised version for themselves and the Galaxy S Ultra line.
Even if Samsung has been employing 108MP sensors for the past three years in a row, that doesn’t make the S22 Ultra’s sensor any less impressive. On the other hand, the S23 and S23+ may take on the Ultra’s 108MP sensor to further impress potential purchasers.
It is anticipated that the zoom cameras, which now consist of a 10MP camera with 10x periscope magnification and another 10MP sensor under the 3x telephoto camera lens, will not receive the same upgrade as the main camera.
We have no complaints, as the Galaxy S22 Ultra has the most powerful phone camera zoom we have ever tested, rivalled only by a few other flagships with a 10x optical zoom lens and the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s shorter-range periscope zooming.
The S23 Ultra’s 200mp Sensor May Not Have Been Announced Yet
Where do we stand with Samsung’s rumoured 200-megapixel flagship camera sensor? Even if a 200MP sensor seems excessive, it’s important to keep in mind that flagship chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 only support a maximum of 1080p on a single camera, and Samsung’s Ultra brand of smartphones are known for their extreme build quality.
We can’t wait to see what the S23 Ultra’s camera is capable of doing, as the magic of Nonacell pixel-binning will result in breathtaking pixel size on such a high-res camera, and Samsung has already shown it can avoid most of the pitfalls that giant camera sensors with tiny pixels represent with its 108MP units.
Watch the video where Samsung’s mobile camera leader outlines the benefits and features of the company’s first 200MP HP3 ISOCELL sensor, then get ready to drool over the bespoke HP2 unit on the S23 Ultra, which will outperform it in every measurable way.
Galaxy S23 storage
Model | Storage |
---|---|
Galaxy S23 Ultra | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (exp.) |
Galaxy S22 Ultra | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB |
Galaxy S23 | 128GB/256GB (exp.) |
Galaxy S22 | 128GB/256GB |
Samsung can afford to be generous with the amount of storage space on its phones since it produces its RAM and internal flash storage chips. For the Ultra model of the Galaxy S23, Samsung may finally break the cycle of 128GB base storage.
This time around, 128GB might not be enough space for the S22 Ultra, as its replacement is expected to have a considerably more powerful camera sensor capable of capturing massive single RAW photo files and beautiful 8K video footage.
Also, by the end of the year’s third quarter, Samsung’s Universal Flash Storage (UFS) solution version 4.0 will be available for mass production, as previously announced. With UFS 4.0, mobile devices like smartphones and tablets would experience significant performance and efficiency improvements; this technology may be included in the 2023 Galaxy S23 flagship series.
Galaxy S23 design
The design of the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+ is expected to remain unchanged from their predecessors but for the addition of a new colour or two, while the design of the Galaxy S23 Ultra will only remain essentially unchanged due to small tweaks necessary by significant under-the-hood enhancements.
According to Ice Universe, the Galaxy S23 Ultra will feature a different curvature radius of the side frame, which could result in a bit extra internal space.
Technical Concept, a graphics artist who frequently creates movies like the one you see above based on rumoured design changes, has portrayed this same variation in side curvature in 3D render format.
It is anticipated that the Galaxy S23 Ultra will not include any external changes apart from a boxier shape when viewed from the sides. The raindrop camera set design on the back, for example, will remain the same even if the device’s main sensor is upgraded to 200MP (from 108MP, as has been rumoured).
Instead of being part of an elevated camera island “plateau” like on nearly every other major smartphone, the three lens rings would still protrude separately from the rear.
According to OnLeaks, the Galaxy S23 and S23+ will seem very similar to their predecessors in terms of size and shape, but they will adopt the new and unique island-less camera design with isolated individual camera lenses.
This also means that if you decide to upgrade to a Galaxy S23 or S23+, you won’t be able to use the case you had for your previous phone, as there will be a large gap between the lenses that won’t be covered.
Galaxy S23 display
However, a quad-curved S23 Ultra display wouldn’t make much sense on a phone with an S Pen pen integration because you’d need as much flat canvas to doodle on as possible, suggesting that those speculations may have been referring to the smaller S23 and S23+ models of the Galaxy S23 series.
Later reports indicated that the Galaxy S23 and S23+ would look and function identically to their forerunners on the outside and in terms of specifications, except for a new Snapdragon processor; in particular, Samsung would use the same hybrid LTPS display technology with a refresh rate of 48Hz-120Hz as it did with the forerunners, forgoing any new battery-saving technology.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.7″ 1440p panel from Samsung’s latest, 12th-gen OLED display generation, similar to the one that significantly increased the peak brightness of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 in comparison to the Z Fold 3, or the one that achieved a record peak brightness of 2000 nits on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
If the S23 Ultra panel can match or exceed the brightness of the S22 Ultra in the controlled conditions under which Samsung conducts its tests, it will be truly remarkable.
Galaxy S23 battery
Using a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor manufactured on the 3nm technology, and maybe bringing new generations of OLED panels to the table is likely to improve the battery life of the Galaxy S23 series.
However, the battery sizes and capacities of the S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra may need to be reduced to match the battery life we saw in our S22 tests if Samsung opts for a total redesign and a waterfall display on the S23 series.
Thanks to reports suggesting Samsung will continue to include a 5,000 mAh battery pack in the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Galaxy S23 Ultra could have a longer battery life than the S22 Ultra.
The battery of the S23+ has been certified by the Safety Korea regulatory organisation in the same month (September) as the battery of the S22+ was certified by the same authority in 2017. That could be an indicator that in 2023, Samsung will release its S-line of smartphones in the same month (February) as it did in 2019.
The EB-BS916ABY model number indicates that the battery is compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S23+ (model number SM-S916) (the Galaxy S23 Ultra model number is SM-S918). It has a capacity of 4700 mAh, an increase of 5% over the battery found in its predecessor.
To cut production costs and pass those savings on to customers, Samsung has begun diversifying the battery pack suppliers for the Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4. The unit is manufactured by Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) of China, one of the major battery manufacturers in the world.
Galaxy S23 features and software
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
- Qualcomm X70 5G modem
- 200MP Galaxy S23 ultra camera
- 108MP Galaxy S23/S23+ camera sensor
- Quad-curved “waterfall” display design
- 10Hz-120Hz LTPO displays on the Galaxy S23/S23+
- Android 13 with One UI 5 on top
The S23 series’ 5G capabilities were disclosed before Qualcomm revealed the specifics of its next-generation flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipsets, which it has tasked the TSMC foundry to create using its 3nm process.
MediaTek’s top-tier chipsets, such as the Density 9000, were speculated to be included in the processing roster for Samsung’s flagship phone models like the Galaxy S23, however, this was later debunked.
Thanks to Ming-Chi Kuo, we now know that the S23 series will be powered exclusively by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, as Samsung is unable to achieve the power draw synergies between the Exynos 2300 chipset and its 5G modem that Qualcomm can with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and the X70 5G modem crafted on the 4nm process of TSMC.
New Galaxy S23 X70 5G modem features
- Snapdragon X70 unleashes advanced capabilities such as Qualcomm 5G AI Suite, Qualcomm 5G Ultra-Low Latency Suite, Qualcomm 5G PowerSave Gen 3 and 4X
- sub-6 carrier aggregation to achieve unmatched 5G performance.
- Harnessing the power of AI to enable breakthrough 5G speeds, coverage, low latency and power efficiency to fuel the 5G Connected Intelligent Edge
- World’s only comprehensive 5G modem-RF system family capable of supporting every commercial 5G band from 600 MHz to 41 GHz, offering flexibility to OEMs for
- designing devices capable of supporting global operator requirements
- Unmatched global band support and spectrum aggregation capabilities including the world’s first 4X downlink carrier aggregation across TDD and FDD, mmWave-sub-6 aggregation
- Standalone mmWave support to allow MNOs and service providers to deploy services such as fixed wireless access and enterprise 5G, without needing sub-6 GHz spectrum
- Unmatched uplink performance and flexibility with uplink carrier aggregation and switched uplink support across TDD and FDD
- True global 5G multi-SIM including Dual-SIM Dual-Active (DSDA) and mmWave support
- Upgradeable architecture allowing rapid commercialization of 5G Release 16 features through software updates
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra model numbers
The Galaxy S23 Ultra, the apparent successor to the Galaxy S22 Ultra (model number SM-S908), has an internal codename of DM3; what this stands for is currently unknown. The device’s model number is SM-918.
Model numbers for the rumoured Galaxy S23 Ultra are as follows: The Galaxy S23 Ultra has several model numbers, including the SM-S918BDS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, and SM-S918W. The customary prefixes designate the dual-sim and unlocked variants for various areas, but the most important takeaway is that Samsung is working on such a flagship phone.
Should I wait for the Galaxy S23?
- The Galaxy S23 versions might be worth waiting for since they might provide quicker memory in addition to the most cutting-edge processor and 5G modem gear currently available in a smartphone. The Galaxy S23 Ultra looks like it will be the one to wait for, especially if the rumoured 200MP camera is true.
- Those who aren’t convinced that higher pixel counts make a noticeable difference in photo quality need not hold off on upgrading to a Galaxy S23 model; the new phones will retain the same 10Gbit 5G download speeds as their predecessors, which no carrier can currently deliver anyhow.