Samsung galaxy S23 and S23 ultra

[Technerd108]

@Technerd108

I was wondering how big of a different the 12 gig ram really makes over 8 gig. For the storage, I barely ever use much storage. I am not much of a picture taker, and hardly ever take videos. So paying $200 more just for 4 gigs of ram I am not so sure of. Even out of the 256 gig storage model, I would use less that a third of it, and that would include apps.

@mjschabow

I don't feel the iPhone is bloated, that crown would go to Samsung. . As for bugs, I don't really ever notice any.

For the weather, I stopped using the stock weather app when Apple stopped sourcing their data from The Weather Channel. Their current provider is hardly ever correct. I use the Weather Channel widget on my widget screen to get a correct weather update.

Another bummer would be that if I would get the S23 Ultra and decide to keep it, then I would have to invest in a new smartwatch. I always have my Apple Watch on when I leave the house. I mainly just use it for notifications and using Apple Pay. I know a Google watch would do that also, but the fact that I would have to buy one is a bummer.

Oh, and one more thing. 95% of everyone I know has an iPhone, so losing iMessage is a really big deal to me. Plus I have an iMac and an iPad.

I dunno, I guess I get bored with stuff and want to try something new, that is why the new Sammies always dazzle me.

It always boils down to ecosystem and incompatibility.

I would say if something dazzles you but you are locked in then it is just a shiny distraction because no matter what Samsung did you would be coming back to iPhone.

Just wait for the iPhone 15.

 

[Bkdodger]

I've never been one to worry about bloat on my phones ..I just don't feel any performance drops and if I'm unable to disable it then let it sit on the sideline unused ...these phones run smoothly IMO don't feel them being dragged down by the OS..

 

[daveathall]

I've never been one to worry about bloat on my phones ..I just don't feel any performance drops and if I'm unable to disable it then let it sit on the sideline unused ...these phones run smoothly IMO don't feel them being dragged down by the OS..

I agree with this completely, "Bloat" and "Lag" seem to affect the minds of those that have never used a flagship Android phone and want something negative to say about them more than with actual usage. Certainly, 5 or 10 years ago, they may have had a point, nowadays though, my Galaxy S23 Ultra is as fast, smooth and polished as any other phone I have used. I sold my iPhone 14 pro and Apple Watch series 8 and Ultra after comparing the phones in use for 2 weeks with the S23U.

 

[Bkdodger]

Picked another case today …nice feel in hand and has MagSafe …

UAG Metropolis Lt Pro

 

[swarlos]

Picked another case today …nice feel in hand and has MagSafe …

UAG Metropolis Lt Pro

Could you take a pic with a MagSafe accessory attached?

 

[Bkdodger]

Could you take a pic with a MagSafe accessory attached?

I mainly use a car mount and I tried this with it yesterday and it attached with no problem strong enough and held up during the ride... I don't really have any Magsafe charging pucks or use any wallet type accessories but I will try to test it over the next few days

 

[keithop]

Loving my s23u but on the apple 14pm, I have a personal focus setup that shows notifications for my personal email but not my company email. Anyone know if that's possible on android? (both accounts are on the same app)

 

[Bkdodger]

Loving my s23u but on the apple 14pm, I have a personal focus setup that shows notifications for my personal email but not my company email. Anyone know if that's possible on android? (both accounts are on the same app)

What app you using ?

 

[keithop]

What app you using ?

well I've used samsung mail, outlook, gmail... I could kinda use anything if it lets me choose which mailboxes I see during a focus mode

 

[5105973]

This morning I noticed that the top of the crystal of my Apple Watch (Aluminum sport model) has two deep scratches and some scuffs on it. I don’t know how or when I got them. All the things my watch has been through, the crystal was pristine. Lol the minute I look at a Samsung watch and this happens!

It’s okay, I wasn’t planning on trading this Apple Watch away. Nobody but me is going to be looking closely enough to see the damage. But I was caught by surprise because I can’t recall doing anything that might have caused this.

I noticed the Samsung watches use a sapphire crystal. They don’t cost a ridiculous amount. I wonder why non SE Apple Watches don’t just go with sapphire.

I’d like to switch over and get a Watch 5 but I still rely on Apple Maps and Apple Watch to work together for turn by turn prompts. And I do some iMessages on my watch.

 

[Bkdodger]

well I've used samsung mail, outlook, gmail... I could kinda use anything if it lets me choose which mailboxes I see during a focus mode

Ha gotcha ...I'm going to have to do some digging around ...

 

[5105973]

My orange case for my S23 finally arrived!

 

[SteveJUAE]

My orange case for my S23 finally arrived!

Lol you edited it so much most of the post has gone

So you not getting a new watch now ?

I was about to note I was also regressing and buying more Apple stuff, today, think I will get a M2 MBP to test out running Parallels and Win11

 

[Technerd108]

My orange case for my S23 finally arrived!

You said something about getting a larger Apple watch?

Just so you know I believe the Ultra is probably the same weight as the 45mm stainless steel version. Obviously 49mm is really big but I think the weight would be very similar to Aluminum but just a little lighter.

So if a large screen is a thing the ultra might be better? I don't know if they have a leather band but just to tempt you I think you should go for the ultra.

The ultra also uses a flat sapphire crystal. I have seen some girls rocking them but it isn't an elegant looking watch.

Anyway if you get a stainless steel or wait or whatever I just hope you get what you want!!

 

[Dave245]

Just a little update, I'm still using my S23 Ultra, I had the big update the other day (it was around 900mb) and it makes a big difference to the camera, especially in the 200mp and 50mp mode. I'm enjoying my S23 Ultra, however I tend to use it more as a camera and office type of phone (because I can use the sPen). My iPhone 14 Pro Max is now my main phone, I think that I prefer IOS more than OneUI.

A big factor into it is also the Apple Watch being much better (in my opinion) when it comes to fitness. My Apple Watch Ultra integrates really well with Apple Fitness+ and I have recently subscribed to Apple One Premier which works great with all my other Apple devices.

 

[Technerd108]

Just a little update, I'm still using my S23 Ultra, I had the big update the other day (it was around 900mb) and it makes a big difference to the camera, especially in the 200mp and 50mp mode. I'm enjoying my S23 Ultra, however I tend to use it more as a camera and office type of phone (because I can use the sPen). My iPhone 14 Pro Max is now my main phone, I think that I prefer IOS more than OneUI.

A big factor into it is also the Apple Watch being much better (in my opinion) when it comes to fitness. My Apple Watch Ultra integrates really well with Apple Fitness+ and I have recently subscribed to Apple One Premier which works great with all my other Apple devices.

Thanks for letting us know about the software improvement on the cameras.

Use what you like. You have the best (literally) of both worlds. If you prefer one over the other that is natural and nothing wrong with it.

Keep on rocking your iPhone as much as you like!

 

[5105973]

Lol you edited it so much most of the post has gone

So you not getting a new watch now ?

I was about to note I was also regressing and buying more Apple stuff, today, think I will get a M2 MBP to test out running Parallels and Win11

This is the S23 Ultra thread. I’ve been thread jacking a lot lately. Sorry.

 

[keithop]

Just a little update, I'm still using my S23 Ultra, I had the big update the other day (it was around 900mb) and it makes a big difference to the camera, especially in the 200mp and 50mp mode.

interesting, what differences are you seeing?

I'm enjoying my S23 Ultra, however I tend to use it more as a camera and office type of phone (because I can use the sPen). My iPhone 14 Pro Max is now my main phone, I think that I prefer IOS more than OneUI.

yeah that's how I've been using it recently, mainly as a camera.

Android is mainly tamed and I find it faster than ios and in most ways a lot more fun BUT the i14pm is the phone of least resistance for me.... face unlock works better on it in all lights and is secure enough for bank apps to use it which is good. Notifications on the always on screen are useful to me, I just glance over and can see if there's anything urgent I need to reply to.

Then there's the ecosystem (talked about below)

...and the apps. I know it's not every app and perhaps with my selection i'll see it but with someone else's they wont, but I still see more flakiness on some apps on android. The Naim audio app search for music is terribly slow and unreliable on android and near instant on the iphone for example.

A big factor into it is also the Apple Watch being much better (in my opinion) when it comes to fitness. My Apple Watch Ultra integrates really well with Apple Fitness+ and I have recently subscribed to Apple One Premier which works great with all my other Apple devices.

Watch doesnt make much difference to me because I use so few of its features but I do have Apple One which is pretty great. I don't have to worry about storage space or if I have this or that sub, it's all included.

There's other stuff too like I select my personal time focus on the iphone and it's set on all my desktops/laptops/watches etc. Just works like it should with no faffing. It may be that I can get that on android and windows too but I haven't really managed it so far.

For my main work, azure architecture/planning/implementation, servers etc., windows is just so natural.... but the windows going non-responsive, visual glitches and the general lack of design does annoy me. Mac feels very smooth to me, well put together, consistent(mostly) but sometimes the having to double click (once to focus once to select) annoys me and the menu at the top whilst predictable and consistent is a right pain sometimes on a huge monitor.

Anyway bit off topic I know but I tend to post everything here because I don't think I've ever seen a more useful, good tempered thread

 

[Bkdodger]

Roughly. I think that is a little high. I may have to try again and see. Generally I charge when I need to and this is the first time I charged it fully right before I went to sleep. I might have used it for a very small amount so maybe a percent or two?

I ran my test for 7 hours overnight last night and 2% drain ...had it at 69% woke up to 67% ...I normally charge overnight but yesterday phone was used less during the day so I had a good amount of juice

 

[danb1979]

Picture of our Finley enjoying the fire the other afternoon when it was lashing it down outside, using the 3:4 50MPG setting



Using post images.org though so it’s probably compressed

The S23U camera is very, very good indeed and IMO brings out that bit more overall details than the 13 & 14 Pro Max cameras did…

But I don’t think it’s Macro capabilities are as good… need to test more though

 

[5105973]

Lol you edited it so much most of the post has gone

So you not getting a new watch now ?

I was about to note I was also regressing and buying more Apple stuff, today, think I will get a M2 MBP to test out running Parallels and Win11

Sorry my reply was a bit short sounded rude and ignored your question. I was too busy cringing how long and self indulgent the post I amended was. 😖 I was mortified anyone saw it. 😆 I’ve been operating all week on very little sleep and being loopy.

I have the stainless 45 mm sport still coming to me. It should get here tomorrow. Could have been here today, but nobody is going to be home to sign for it or receive it. So I deferred delivery to tomorrow.

Anyway…finally there is some daylight around here but not very much. This orange case has been delayed twice. It had gone out of stock right as I ordered it. I’m so excited to have it. We have been having nothing but grey days for so long. We had a couple of sunny days scattered in to remind us what spring should look like. 🙄 But most of the time it’s perpetual dark. So I needed a little sunshine here!

And since the subject of macros came up,
I noticed some dust on my lenses and decided to leave them be and see if I could get a macro photo of them. And even in paltry daylight I was able to get a nice macro photo quite easily. Behold the glory of pocket lint! I can make out a cat dander and threads from Kleenex. 🤣

 

[5105973]

You said something about getting a larger Apple watch?

Just so you know I believe the Ultra is probably the same weight as the 45mm stainless steel version. Obviously 49mm is really big but I think the weight would be very similar to Aluminum but just a little lighter.

So if a large screen is a thing the ultra might be better? I don't know if they have a leather band but just to tempt you I think you should go for the ultra.

The ultra also uses a flat sapphire crystal. I have seen some girls rocking them but it isn't an elegant looking watch.

Anyway if you get a stainless steel or wait or whatever I just hope you get what you want!!

Thank you!

I gave really careful consideration to the Apple Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch 5 and the 5Pro. I don’t want to threadjack by going into my decision making process here. But I ultimately came down to the 45 mm Aluminum vs Stainless Steel Apple Watch.

I got a little over $200 in points my husband was happy to let me apply and Amazon was having a sale, so I felt this was a good opportunity. When it came down to my dream to have a Hermes leather band, 45 mm is actually a bad choice for my wrist size. But the whole point of me doing this at all was to leave 41 mm behind. I was feeling constrained by the battery and the display. Unfortunately 45 mm is a bit too big, aesthetically. But I just couldn’t bring myself to want 41 mm steel. (Which they are sold out of now, I see).

So the Hermes leather band dream was not a factor. I tried my husband’s, and it just barely fits. I’m not sure I’ll ever get one for that reason. But I can’t rule it out, either! 🤣

Then it came down to materials. And aluminum has more advantages for comfort and work outs. But I looked at my scuffed display. I looked at my husbands scuffed display. I also will still have an aluminum Apple Watch for workouts. So I went with steel for sapphire display and ability to buff out any really bad case scratches. If I don’t like it I’ll have 15 days to return it.

 

[Bkdodger]

Nice color on the case there I'm feeling a orange sorbet once the weather warms up haha

 

[MaskedCarrot]

Well I picked up a S23 Ultra yesterday. I figured what the heck, might as well play with it for 2 weeks to see if I like it. If I do, great, if I don't, I can always return it.

I bought the unlocked version at Best Buy since they had a $200 off discount on the unlocked versions.

 

[5105973]

Nice color on the case there I'm feeling a orange sorbet once the weather warms up haha

I definitely thought Orange Creamsicle!