The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the compact model of the 2023 Galaxy S lineup. Samsung announced it on February 1, 2023, and it went on sale on February 17, 2023. It launched in the US at $799.99 with 128 GB of storage. Samsung no longer sells it in the US, and the Galaxy S24 replaced it in 2024.
Design and display
The phone has a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 2340 x 1080 resolution. The refresh rate adapts between 48 Hz and 120 Hz. Peak brightness reaches 1,750 nits, according to Tom’s Guide and PhoneArena.
Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covers the front and the back. The frame is aluminum, and the body is IP68 rated. It measures 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and weighs 168 grams. The camera bump of earlier models is gone, so each rear lens sits on its own.
Performance
Every Galaxy S23 uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, in a version tuned for Galaxy phones. It is a 4 nm chip with an Adreno 740 GPU. The main core runs at up to 3.36 GHz.
All versions have 8 GB of RAM. Storage options are 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB, depending on the market. The 128 GB model uses UFS 3.1 storage, while larger versions use faster UFS 4.0. There is no microSD slot.
Cameras
The rear camera system has three lenses. The main camera has a 50 MP sensor with an f/1.8 lens and optical stabilization. A 12 MP ultrawide camera covers a 120-degree field of view. A 10 MP telephoto camera offers 3x optical zoom and also has stabilization.
The rear cameras record video at up to 8K and 30 fps. The 12 MP front camera records 4K video at up to 60 fps.
Battery and charging
The battery has a typical capacity of 3,900 mAh. Wired charging tops out at 25W, which fills about half the battery in 30 minutes. The phone also supports wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare for accessories. Samsung does not include a charger in the box.
Software and updates
The Galaxy S23 shipped with Android 13 and One UI 5.1. Samsung promised four Android upgrades and five years of security updates. That support counts from the global launch in February 2023.
Other features include an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader, stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The USB-C port runs at USB 3.2 speeds. The phone has no headphone jack.
Should you buy the Galaxy S23?
The Galaxy S23 suits buyers who want a small flagship with a 3x telephoto camera. Its IP68 rating and long update promise also help. However, the phone is no longer produced, and new units are hard to find. Buyers should also choose a 256 GB model to get UFS 4.0 storage. The Galaxy S24 is the direct successor for anyone who prefers a newer model.
