Samsung galaxy S23 and S23 ultra

[5105973]

Oh you are the first person to tell me that 🤣 I have no idea why it looks like a cat. Killing Eve was a great show, it was fun to be a part of. Sad it ended ☹️

Looks like a mosaic of a winged cat to me!

 

[5105973]

I might just swing by a Best Buy sometime this week to really look at it as 23 Ultra in person.

Last one I own was the Galaxy S8 and I recall returning it all weekend later because it felt laggy and jittery.

Oh God please don’t speak of that phone ever again. Worst experience ever. My husband and I had them and both were horrible. They lagged. They stuttered. They stalled. And I barely had anything loaded on mine other than the apps that came pre installed on it. I traded mine in for the S9+ which restored my faith in Samsung. It was a great phone and I still regret not keeping it an extra year.

 

[Bkdodger]

I think eventually Nothing brand/company will venture into the flagship territory, its inevitable. And I think with the Nothing 2 is a step in that direction.

It's definitely looking to go that way...

 

[5105973]

OK. A mini review of my experience of the S23 ultra so far:

- I'm coming from an iPhone 11 Pro Max (last 3 years). Very briefly about two weeks of Pixel 7 Pro.

- Really fast smooth phone.
- screen display is amazing
- camera probably the best out there - possibly a tie with the Pixel 7 Pro
- battery really good.

But here's the thing - ITS NOT AN IPHONE!

Having become SO used to how an iPhone works, this is what I use on my iphone daily:

- face unlock for Apple Pay : it just works and Apple Pay accepts all my cards, where as Google Pay accepts most, but not all of my cards. If I have the iPhone with me I don't take my wallet or cards when I go out as I know I can use Apple Pay anywhere I need to use it.

- face ID for banking apps. Quick and easy. On the S23 the face unlock is useless and doesnt work 99% of the time. Fingerprint ID works, but again, 95% of the time and can sometimes be fiddly. Yes I have changed settings and re registered finger print as I have screen protector.

- Printing a document with the iPhone - just finds the printer no problem. After some faffing around with the samsung yesterday I eventually found out I had to download another app called Epson iPrint. Yes, works now on S23, but needless faffing.

Notifications are a LOT better on Google / S23, but for daily usage, you can't go wrong with an iPhone.

I really do want to try out alternatives - i wouldnt have tried a P7P and then spent a fortune on buying the S23 Ultra if I didnt!. But Apple are really good at pinning you down theres no doubt that iOS generally works MOST of the time.

As it stands, I will be selling the S23 U in a few days time.

Yeah I find my Pixel and the version of Android on it more fun but my life of function revolves around iOS and I just had to accept that I am stuck in it. That’s why when my iPhone 14 Pro Max started giving me splitting migraines I had to find an iPhone I could use again.

Which landed me on my current refurbished 12 Pro Max. (For those who heard I was stuck with a lot of problems that blocked me from logging into ny Google photos and other services, my husband fixed the problem. I don’t know how, he just said I had configuration issues.)

I’m fortunate to be able to play with any Android phone to my hearts content so far, but it’s always going to have to be on my secondary sim for the foreseeable future. Which is fine. I’ve got not problem juggling all of my phones. It’s my hobby.

 

[5105973]

I have to say that iPhone 14 Pro Max impressed me, I liked the big flat screen, and it's extremely fluid smooth. Plus if I recall, iOS does allow font size change per individual app settings? Also idjt the 14PM known for great battery life?

But the rest of iOS, I'm a diehard Nexus / Pixel guy that loves vanilla Android.

I need a second look at the S23 Ultra again, without it being in display mode at the store.

Samsung display mode is Satan. I hate it. It doesn’t let you really see anything. So annoying!

 

[danb1979]

Hi, you always offer the smart advice, and it's appreciated.

I think I'm just bored with stock / vanilla Android lately, I do wish there was more customization like custom ROM's used to offer, back in the heyday of XDA like 7 to 10 years ago. But I haven't ROM'd a smartphone in many years, it's a dead scene today. But back then I loved tweaking my phone with cool dark themes, with more options than just standard "dark mode" gives. And other things to make my phone look a bit more unique.

But with the Google Pixel it's a very minimalist UI, and on one hand I do like and appreciate that, but on the other hand, it's a bit too stripped down, a bit too minimal with almsot zero customizing options, which I find boring.

Going back to the iPhone, yeah playing with that iPhone 14 Pro Max at best Buy was nice, it's a beautiful phone, and very snappy very smooth. But iOS just isn't for me, if I get one, and start using daily, the frustrations pop up of how it operates overall, and I find it extremely limiting, and almost maddening to use coming from Android.

You soon get used to it though

 

[danb1979]

It does actually, the Nothing Phone 2 almost looks like an iPhone Pro Max phone running stock Android that's tweakable.

It's a blatant rip off of the iPhone IMO; just doesn't have the switch to knock it to mute etc

Can't actually see how well it'll do in the real world market; it's just not well known enough

 

[jamezr]

I think eventually Nothing brand/company will venture into the flagship territory, its inevitable. And I think with the Nothing 2 is a step in that direction.

I think you are 💯 correct!

 

[Technerd108]

I have to say that iPhone 14 Pro Max impressed me, I liked the big flat screen, and it's extremely fluid smooth. Plus if I recall, iOS does allow font size change per individual app settings? Also idjt the 14PM known for great battery life?

But the rest of iOS, I'm a diehard Nexus / Pixel guy that loves vanilla Android.

I need a second look at the S23 Ultra again, without it being in display mode at the store.

Well since both Pixel 8 series and Apple iPhone 15 series will be released next quarter at the end then it might be wise to look at what we get then. You will have the latest and greatest to compare.

I am more excited for the Pixel 8 series than I am for the iPhone although finally getting usbc and I am hoping a telephoto zoom with a a17 on TSMC 3nm. Sounds like a pretty good combination. I just don't think I can afford one.

We will see how good the Tensor G3 is and if Google made any improvements to the thermal cooling design besides the new Tensor alone.

We will see how flat the screen is and the other details above and below the hood. If Google keeps the same pricing as last year they should sell well. If they encourage old gen owners to upgrade giving them a high trade in value they will further boost sales. As long as Samsung is mostly making the chip Google has to keep the pricing low.

To me iOS and Pixel UI are more similar than say OneUI and Pixel UI even though OneUI and Pixel UI are both based on Android, Pixel UI and iOS seem more similar to me. It is the simplicity of the OS and options. Pixel UI offers more in terms of customization and just more organized settings menus than iOS. Then you have the AI stuff on Google Pixel which is pretty amazing. You can use your Pixel pretty much hands free. But iOS is very fluid and very well designed. The customization is lacking but it offers a consistency across devices and people. It is easy to just use and go. Both OS are fast and have nice animations and transitions.

While OneUI is Android it has a very significant customization called OneUI and has had various previous names. It is known for a lot of menus, settings and customization options. Kind of like throwing the software kitchen sink at a problem. It has evolved over the years and is now very nicely animated, with no more stutter, it is a heavy UI but mostly is useful and offers you options you wouldn't otherwise even have but when you need it comes in very handy. Most of the time everything works very fluid and smooth. Occasionally I will get some odd error but I don't know if it is just Android or OneUI. I don't tend to get those issues on my Pixel. In other words OneUI is like the Swiss army knife of OS. It has Dex, it has amazing customization, and endless settings to configure which if you like that kind of control and I do then it is great.

Hi, you always offer the smart advice, and it's appreciated.

I think I'm just bored with stock / vanilla Android lately, I do wish there was more customization like custom ROM's used to offer, back in the heyday of XDA like 7 to 10 years ago. But I haven't ROM'd a smartphone in many years, it's a dead scene today. But back then I loved tweaking my phone with cool dark themes, with more options than just standard "dark mode" gives. And other things to make my phone look a bit more unique.

But with the Google Pixel it's a very minimalist UI, and on one hand I do like and appreciate that, but on the other hand, it's a bit too stripped down, a bit too minimal with almsot zero customizing options, which I find boring.

Going back to the iPhone, yeah playing with that iPhone 14 Pro Max at best Buy was nice, it's a beautiful phone, and very snappy very smooth. But iOS just isn't for me, if I get one, and start using daily, the frustrations pop up of how it operates overall, and I find it extremely limiting, and almost maddening to use coming from Android.

Considering what you have said about iOS multiple times we will just take that as a hard pass on iPhone for now. Gotta get you to open up to using multiple frustrating OS. Lol.

From what you have said that you are just getting bored with Vanilla Android and I understand this. OneUI is perfect if you are bored with Vanilla Android. It adds a lot more customization and features than regular Android which can feel bloated and overwhelming but it can also be fun to tweak every aspect of the phone to your unique style.

I am saying this genuinely. I think you should give Samsung another go. Ultimately if Google just fixes a few issues with the 7 in the 8 then if you were only going to have one phone then I think Pixel 8 might be best. Samsung s23 ultra is a fantastic phone in every sense of the word and OneUI 5 is a lot better than in the past. BUT at the end of the day it is still not a Pixel. Sure it might get boring doing it Google's way all the time but it is kind of hard to argue a better way.

I would suggest buying a heavily discounted s23 ultra. Use it for whatever return period you have and be really careful with it. Then after you use it for a bit you can determine if it is a fit or if you still like Pixel. Then you can either keep the s23 ultra with a good discount or you are waiting for the 8.

Google certainly has the potential to make one of the best phones of the year. We will see what happens and how it plays out.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Excellent post
[IMG alt="Technerd108"]https://forums.macrumors.com/data/avatars/m/1290/1290071.jpg?1668755584[/IMG]

Technerd108​

 

[unclejamaal]

V

I just figured out how to add a GIF to my lockscreen. Now I have Godzilla breathing fire on a tank. My Always On Display has a picture of the Godzilla movie, Destroy All Monsters, LOL.

My iPhone 13 Pro Max can't even do either of those things.

I like my iPhone but customization on OneUI is pretty fantastic. It is these small fun and useless things that make me love my s22 plus more than my iPhone.

Although there are some things I really do like about the iPhone. That is why I enjoy using both platforms since I can't meld the two into one device.

As far as Android goes it has really improved overall in the past few years. Integration with my devices is much better than ever before. I can actually mirror my phone screen on my PC and use the apps on my phone on my PC. I can call and send and receive texts.

The setup is not as smooth and easy as Apple but it is not that difficult to set up either.

Apple still makes better SOC's and in some areas I prefer their hardware like battery life and anti reflective coatings on their screens, better update support and better optimized apps and OS but the gap is closing and they are clear trade offs to each platform.

If Apple doesn't stop trying to monetize everything and continues to expand pushing adds and data mining they are going to lose one of the major benefits they once had.

Although I suspect our privacy is pretty much compromised no matter what platform or device we use as long as we are connected to a network and cellular service.

how did you get Godzilla breathing down the Lock Screen? I need this! This could be enough for me to keep the s23U 😂

 

[Leafs1201]

For some reason, I think I'm done with my S23U, just really craving going back to an iPhone, just don't really know how to explain to the missus I want to change phones again 😂🙈 unless I can try and find anybody that wants to swap an iPhone 14 Pro Max for my 4 month old Ultra, oh well I can always hope, haven't really got an idea why I want to go back apart from the eco system I suppose, I've still got my iPad, watch series 7 and airports Pro. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[Dave245]

For some reason, I think I'm done with my S23U, just really craving going back to an iPhone, just don't really know how to explain to the missus I want to change phones again 😂🙈 unless I can try and find anybody that wants to swap an iPhone 14 Pro Max for my 4 month old Ultra, oh well I can always hope, haven't really got an idea why I want to go back apart from the eco system I suppose, I've still got my iPad, watch series 7 and airports Pro. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

This is why I've got my iPhone (14 Pro Max) and the S23 Ultra. I love my Apple products and would never give them up fully. The S23 Ultra is my second device. I totally get what you mean tho, for me it's IOS and the whole Apple thing.

 

[unclejamaal]

Despite my reservations I’m sticking with the s23U for a while

It stood me to less than £400 after cash back, trade in etc

I find it hard to justify spending £950 even on a refurbished 14PM off eBay which is what I guess is a similar spec Iphone

I’ll stick with s23 for a while and see how I get on

Can always sell in a few months and don’t see me making a loss after what i paid

 

[Bkdodger]

We really have to find a way for everyone to carry two phones one in each platform

 

[unclejamaal]

We really have to find a way for everyone to carry two phones one in each platform

How about a dual Spigen Case?
One side for iphone

The other side for s23?

 

[Bkdodger]

How about a dual Spigen Case?
One side for iphone

The other side for s23?

Haha you might have a good idea there ..a true foldable with one each side ...

 

[jamezr]

How about a dual Spigen Case?
One side for iphone

The other side for s23?

Someone needs to make this!!!

 

[unclejamaal]

Someone needs to make this!!!

As it was my idea, I claim the patent !!!

 

[jamezr]

as you should...it is a great idea

 

[Bkdodger]

So I no longer have a working S23U... Around 2 weeks ago I get a pop-up message on my lock screen ” This device is disabled because it was reported as lost, stolen, or has a balance due for failure to meet trade-in terms. If purchased from Samsung.com, check the email used at the time of purchase for an email sent by Samsung for the next steps. "... I bought the phone through Swappa so apparently the person that sold it to me which was a newly sealed unlocked phone bought it from another person and decided to resell it and not keep it ...so has me thinking the person other side financed it and didn't pay after 3 months or maybe stolen but the IMEI was good at sale on Swappa so probably not..I had been using the phone since March when I received it.. I reached out through Swappa and had to open a case with PayPal separately with documentation and photos...long story short they ruled in my favor and have refunded now the amount..just something to think about when going through selling places ..though having PayPal helps IMO ..

 

[unclejamaal]

So I no longer have a working S23U... Around 2 weeks ago I get a pop-up message on my lock screen ” This device is disabled because it was reported as lost, stolen, or has a balance due for failure to meet trade-in terms. If purchased from Samsung.com, check the email used at the time of purchase for an email sent by Samsung for the next steps. "... I bought the phone through Swappa so apparently the person that sold it to me which was a newly sealed unlocked phone bought it from another person and decided to resell it and not keep it ...so has me thinking the person other side financed it and didn't pay after 3 months or maybe stolen but the IMEI was good at sale on Swappa so probably not..I had been using the phone since March when I received it.. I reached out through Swappa and had to open a case with PayPal separately with documentation and photos...long story short they ruled in my favor and have refunded now the amount..just something to think about when going through selling places ..though having PayPal helps IMO ..

Paypal or credit card

Never cash

I have a similar issue on my iPad Pro cellular now

Taking to apple store to see if they can do anything

If not, then off to the second hand store wherr I bought it from

 

[Bkdodger]

Paypal or credit card

Never cash

I have a similar issue on my iPad Pro cellular now

Taking to apple store to see if they can do anything

If not, then off to the second hand store wherr I bought it from

Oh crap and I hope you get it resolved quickly..definitely need them protections the credit cards offer ..

 

[danb1979]

Paypal or credit card

Never cash

I have a similar issue on my iPad Pro cellular now

Taking to apple store to see if they can do anything

If not, then off to the second hand store wherr I bought it from

Take it straight back to where you bought it from, Apple won't want to get involved

I had a similar issue with Music Magpie a few years back; ever since then I've bought the devices outright, brand new.

Don't want the risk, at all

 

[jamezr]

So I no longer have a working S23U... Around 2 weeks ago I get a pop-up message on my lock screen ” This device is disabled because it was reported as lost, stolen, or has a balance due for failure to meet trade-in terms. If purchased from Samsung.com, check the email used at the time of purchase for an email sent by Samsung for the next steps. "... I bought the phone through Swappa so apparently the person that sold it to me which was a newly sealed unlocked phone bought it from another person and decided to resell it and not keep it ...so has me thinking the person other side financed it and didn't pay after 3 months or maybe stolen but the IMEI was good at sale on Swappa so probably not..I had been using the phone since March when I received it.. I reached out through Swappa and had to open a case with PayPal separately with documentation and photos...long story short they ruled in my favor and have refunded now the amount..just something to think about when going through selling places ..though having PayPal helps IMO ..

Wow that is horrible! I am so glad you got your refund!