Samsung galaxy S23 and S23 ultra

[Ludatyk]

Slightly related but unrelated question: for those of you who like One UI and daily drive a Samsung phone, why do YOU like it? I'm asking because I've tried time and time again to like and appreciate it (I've owned S22, Flip 4, Fold 4) but I feel I'm either scratching the surface or don't need a lot of the features that One UI brings to the table. I flip flop between various Android phones and the iPhone quite regularly, I have found that I prefer the Pixel UI and I really like Material You and the fun animations / smoothness it brings. However, I can't last with the recent Pixels because with my dry skin the fingerprint scanner drives me up the wall. I want to like Samsung more than I end up doing.

Tbh, it comes down to S-Pen support, Sound Assistant and Pop-Up window. I could mention DeX, Good Lock and I recently explored HeX Installer... which has been dope (can't believe I didn't jump on it when @Bkdodger brought it to my attention).

But those 3 key features will keep me on Galaxy phone until something irresistible comes along.

 

[keithop]

HeX Installer... which has been dope (can't believe I didn't jump on it when @Bkdodger brought it to my attention).

oh wow yeah that looks great! can't believe I didn't know about that one

 

[5105973]

Lol okay so true to form I canceled my first order. No, I didn’t change my mind over color.

I just got my full preorder credit and I decided to go for 1 TB because I have filled up my S22 Ultra more than I have filled my iPhone. I’m going to be choosing more RAW options and 4k video. There’s a possibility I will get to travel to Greece and/or Italy while I own this phone, so I want to be ready to take some really fancy photos and video.

If it’s in good working order I want to keep this phone two years or even more. I also am tired of upgrading so often.

I’m sure they will have upgrades next year too but I’m starting to get nervous about the loss of a physical sim option. I am getting worried about the things that could be taken away each year.

MKBHD said he saw a lot of display flicker when making videos of these phones. I noticed that too. I hope it doesn’t mean migraines for me. If so, back it goes and I stay with my S22 Ultra. That’s another thing I now worry about each time I upgrade. If this S23 Ultra works out for me I want to hang onto it, judging from how much I have come to appreciate my S22 Ultra.

If I don’t upgrade next year trade in value is gonna suck the following year anyway so I may as well go for it.

 

[Technerd108]

Lol okay so true to form I canceled my first order. No, I didn’t change my mind over color.

I just got my full preorder credit and I decided to go for 1 TB because I have filled up my S22 Ultra more than I have filled my iPhone. I’m going to be choosing more RAW options and 4k video. There’s a possibility I will get to travel to Greece and/or Italy while I own this phone, so I want to be ready to take some really fancy photos and video.

If it’s in good working order I want to keep this phone two years or even more. I also am tired of upgrading so often.

I’m sure they will have upgrades next year too but I’m starting to get nervous about the loss of a physical sim option. I am getting worried about the things that could be taken away each year.

MKBHD said he saw a lot of display flicker when making videos of these phones. I noticed that too. I hope it doesn’t mean migraines for me. If so, back it goes and I stay with my S22 Ultra. That’s another thing I now worry about each time I upgrade. If this S23 Ultra works out for me I want to hang onto it, judging from how much I have come to appreciate my S22 Ultra.

If I don’t upgrade next year trade in value is gonna suck the following year anyway so I may as well go for it.

I hope the s23 screen is good for you.

In terms of trade in value, it is really anyone's guess.

As I said before my s20fe got a higher trade in value than my s22plus?

So I think it might be better than you think specially if sales are still not great for Samsung this year.

I mean $500? What will it be in 2 years? $350. Not a huge difference.

I am really hoping though that the s23 Ultra works out for you!

 

[SteveJUAE]

You think they are going to improve the battery? Are we taking hours difference do you think? It's literally the number 1 thing I want Samsung too improve.

Camera I'm happy for them to just improve it slightly, I already love the one on my S22 Ultra. Do you think they will improve the quality of the zoom?

It may be worth it for us in the UK just because of the Snap Dragon chip and no more exynos. But as I said, it will all depend on battery life for me.

Depending who's test you wish to believe there is not hours differences between most flagship models

The tech chap seems to think the S23 will be better and under his test conditions its likely it would be better than current I4PM

YMMV

 

[torana355]

Currently have the Pixel 7 Pro and extremely satisfied 4 months later, zero upgrade itch for the S23, to me it'd be more of a downgrade losing the silky buttery smooth stock Android and going back to the bloatware Touchwizz or whatever new name they slapped on top of TW. Hard pass.

To me the smartphone world is iPhone Pro Max or Pixel Pro

But good luck to those that don't like stock Android and need the million apps and options bakes into Samsung's UI.

You do realise Samsung phones haven't had lag in almost half a decade now, My Note 10 Plus still runs butter smooth.

 

[Ludatyk]

oh wow yeah that looks great! can't believe I didn't know about that one

Yeah, it’s one of those aspects you won’t know it exist unless someone advise you on it! And I didn’t think nothing of it at first.. until I actually went through the process. There’s plenty of themes to choose from, but I alternate between two themes for the most part…

 

[Bkdodger]

I'm sorry didn't mean to be rude here. it's cool if everyone's happy getting their new Galaxy S23, that's fun and exciting for sure.

I think I'm just burned out on smartphones lately, i was a BIG smartphone nerd and switched phones like every 6 months back in the golden age of smartphones. But the last 2 or 3 years, a new phone is almost no different than the old phone, virtually the same thing. The luster and excitement of a new phone just isn't the same as it used to be.

Even me, I have the Pixel 7 Pro now, and before that the Pixel 6 Pro, and between the two, even I can barely tell the difference, they seem too similar and no that different. I think smartphones have plateaued and meant to be upgraded maybe every couple years or three years nowadays. Upgrading year to year in my opinion is just burning cash as a first world consumer LOL

No worries bro. I definitely hear you and I understand... And some of these incremental updates most of us should not need to update to a new phone for 3 years, but of course we're a different breed in these forums haha .. so I think with these latest trade-in values Samsung is trying to put a stop to our urges lol... I love the pixel experience but sometimes I scratch my head at some of the little things they don't let you either customize or update.. or simple stuff. Like if you put your passcode why do you need to hit that okay or the arrow? You should just let you go right into the phone.. And then of course we all know them changing directions every other year. Hope that stops.. Samsung, definitely to me has the better hardware and more good options that I wish Google would use some of those ideas. Hopefully we'll see that in the pixel fold or whatever it's going to be called... And again, I'll always finish with the last thing I always say when I'm posting around these places.. The one good thing about Android. We have plenty of choices now. I love my iPhone as well but you really not having different options on the daily..

 

[mjschabow]

Really love their innovation with accessories. The silicon case with the strap is such a great idea.

 

[Fernandez21]

Wow, trade in values are the worst I have seen in a long while, $250 for my s23, and only $390 for my fold 3! Was considering upgrading, but will stick with my pixel 7 for now. Hope trade in values get better when the fold 5 comes out.

 

[aggie99]

I don't rememer if the S22U did it but I can't seem to get my Z Fold 4 camera to automatically detect low light and switch to night mode like my Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone do. Anyone with an S22U able to confirm if it does? I hate having to toggle on night mode for low light pics. If I have to do this on the S23U it would be a disappointment.

 

[5105973]

Really love their innovation with accessories. The silicon case with the strap is such a great idea.

I really loved the one for my S22 Ultra. They redesigned it for this year. I hope I like the redesign.

I got confirmation on my second order, which was a relief. All the accessories I'd wanted were still available the second time around. I don't think they got near the traffic as in years past. There was just a few minutes after Unpacked where the site choked. Then it's been normal.

I got the white silicone grip case, and a lavender and an orange silicone case. I got the S View Wallet case. I get one every year. Some years I use it a lot. Last year, I only used it when I traveled.

I've got a Ringke clear case and I already had an adhesive ring for it.

Now I just have to stay out of trouble while I wait for my phone!

I've seen a few videos and am pleased to see how the lilac looks in them. Still, you should have seen me wrestling with my color choices while placing my order. My husband came up to watch me and laughed and laughed.

It was bad enough picking between cream and lilac. I really liked the blue and lime green, too. I was so shocked to see them as options for the Ultra.

 

[5105973]

I don't rememer if the S22U did it but I can't seem to get my Z Fold 4 camera to automatically detect low light and switch to night mode like my Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone do. Anyone with an S22U able to confirm if it does? I hate having to toggle on night mode for low light pics. If I have to do this on the S23U it would be a disappointment.

It was not automatically on when I just fired up the camera and took a picture of my oven in a dark room. But now that I've turned it on, it's still on when I open the camera up again. Even after turning the phone off. And even after exiting the app and opening it again.

When I turn the bright lights on, it automatically turns off. When I turn the lightswitch off, night mode came back on.

I think there's a setting somewhere that you can instruct the camera to retain some settings.

 

[Tulani]

Really love their innovation with accessories. The silicon case with the strap is such a great idea.

some more choices

Elevate your Samsung S23 Ultra with Spigen’s exclusive new lineup of accessories

Spigen releases new MagFit accessories and newly designed cases for Samsung's S23 Ultra #sponsored

www.androidpolice.com

 

[5105973]

Wow, trade in values are the worst I have seen in a long while, $250 for my s23, and only $390 for my fold 3! Was considering upgrading, but will stick with my pixel 7 for now. Hope trade in values get better when the fold 5 comes out.

Trade in for my Green 512 GB S22 Ultra was only $400 at Best Buy. $500 at Samsung.

 

[5105973]

some more choices

Elevate your Samsung S23 Ultra with Spigen’s exclusive new lineup of accessories

Spigen releases new MagFit accessories and newly designed cases for Samsung's S23 Ultra #sponsored

www.androidpolice.com

Wow, I'm seeing so many interesting cases for the S23 Ultra this year.

I am so intrigued and tempted by the new one Samsung made that has a ring attached to it. It's got a base and you're supposed to be able to attach accessories to it. My only concern with that is that sticks out a bit in the pocket.

 

[M5RahuL]

US Market ONLY, AFAIK!

Google Fi is offering $420 for the Note 20 Ultra 5G (128/256 ) and $450 for the 512GB, plus $600 off of the MSRP and free storage upgrade.. So, essentially $599 ( not counting the Trade In ! ) + ~ $120 ( 4 months of service ) + Port in $ ( $3 if you have a google voice number.. it qualifies! ) + Taxes.. not a bad deal at all

If you have, say the N20 Ultra 5G, discount another $420-$450.. and the Google Fi offer is a great deal!

I'm seriously considering it..

Google Fi devices are factory unlocked, unless they changed it for the S23 series ( I doubt it )

$1200 ( 512 GB variant, MSRP )
- $600 ( Google Fi instant discount )
- $420 ( N20U 128GB Trade In in good condition aka No cracks or bad IMEI etc.. )
+ ~120 ( 4 months of service ..$20 voice + $10 data/GB )
+ ~30 Taxes for the Fi service for 4 months
+ $49.50 ( Tax for the device )

Activate the Google Fi sim on the S23U, leave it in for a few minutes..maybe make a few calls, take out the sim and stick in a drawer ( do NOT put the sim in another phone at all!! ), insert your regular sim and go about your business!

Cancel Google Fi service after 4 months, and done!

Google Fi Wireless for Phone Plans & Mobile Phone Deals

Explore Google Fi Wireless and enjoy flexible plans, superior coverage, and seamless device integration for a unique mobile experience.

fi.google.com

All said and done ~$380 for the upgrade after trade in, with no carrier bill credit BS.

 

[Technerd108]

US Market ONLY, AFAIK!

Google Fi is offering $420 for the Note 20 Ultra 5G (128/256 ) and $450 for the 512GB, plus $600 off of the MSRP and free storage upgrade.. So, essentially $599 ( not counting the Trade In ! ) + ~ $120 ( 4 months of service ) + Port in $ ( $3 if you have a google voice number.. it qualifies! ) + Taxes.. not a bad deal at all

If you have, say the N20 Ultra 5G, discount another $420-$450.. and the Google Fi offer is a great deal!

I'm seriously considering it..

Google Fi devices are factory unlocked, unless they changed it for the S23 series ( I doubt it )

$1200 ( 512 GB variant, MSRP )
- $600 ( Google Fi instant discount )
- $420 ( N20U 128GB Trade In in good condition aka No cracks or bad IMEI etc.. )
+ ~120 ( 4 months of service ..$20 voice + $10 data/GB )
+ ~30 Taxes for the Fi service for 4 months
+ $49.50 ( Tax for the device )

Activate the Google Fi sim on the S23U, leave it in for a few minutes..maybe make a few calls, take out the sim and stick in a drawer ( do NOT put the sim in another phone at all!! ), insert your regular sim and go about your business!

Cancel Google Fi service after 4 months, and done!

Google Fi Wireless for Phone Plans & Mobile Phone Deals

Explore Google Fi Wireless and enjoy flexible plans, superior coverage, and seamless device integration for a unique mobile experience.

fi.google.com

All said and done ~$380 for the upgrade after trade in, with no carrier bill credit BS.

Another poster originally mentioned this too. It is a good deal. Too bad my s22 plus is only worth $160 to them on trade in but if I sold it on Swappa it might make more sense. 4 months is $260. Hmm might have to think more on this.

 

[M5RahuL]

Yeah I posted about it earlier. It is a good deal. Too bad my s22 plus is only worth $160 to them on trade in but if I sold it on Swappa it might make more sense. 4 months is $260. Hmm might have to think more on this.

I hear ya.. S22 users are getting shafted with TIVs right now! Luckily I have a pristine N20U sitting around.. so pulled the trigger on this deal! Really wanted the blue or lime color, but oh well..

 

[Tulani]

The smallest variant looks really nice and compact… yet again

 

[aldo82]

Preorder was a nightmare for me in the Uk. Couldn’t get Samsung finance to work at all, just kept sitting with a spinning disk. 4 hours of trying later it finally started showing me my credit agreement but then kept crashing back to the start when I tried to take a photo of my ID. Finally, just before midnight I got through the process with only the deposit to pay. Then every time I switched to my banking app to approve the payment, the loan agreement signed me out and cancelled the payment. Arghh! Was a totally impossible loop. But then used a different card and payment went through. 😊

I have the email from Samsung finance but no confirmation email from Samsung yet which is slightly worrying. But if I check the order number then it does show online at least

 

[Dave245]

Depending who's test you wish to believe there is not hours differences between most flagship models

View attachment 2152056

The tech chap seems to think the S23 will be better and under his test conditions its likely it would be better than current I4PM

YMMV

The battery life on my S22 Ultra isn't massively bad, however I would like them to improve it and get to around that of the iPhone 13 Pro Max or 14 Pro Max. The problem with a lot of those videos was that they were using the Snapdragon version instead of the Exynos (which we in the UK had).

I think the S23 Ultra is a nice little upgrade, I think it's worth it for those of us in the UK and Europe that only ever had Exynos previously. I do think we in the UK seem to be getting better pre-order trade ins for some reason (I've got £620 for my S22 Ultra 512GB).

 

[Klyster]

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Pr-order bundles here are pretty good, but I'm still abstaining, doesn't seem much different to my S22 Ultra.

 

[kkh786]

I was half tempted by the specs of the new S23 Ultra (looking over from an iPhone 14 Pro) but Samsung have lost a potential customer with the price hike in the UK and the lack off decent trade in / bonus / free gift offers. Such a shame!

 

[aldo82]

I was half tempted by the specs of the new S23 Ultra (looking over from an iPhone 14 Pro) but Samsung have lost a potential customer with the price hike in the UK and the lack off decent trade in / bonus / free gift offers. Such a shame!

Really? I actually thought the prices were better than the 14 PM. At least I got an upgrade to 512 GB and a discount on both Samsung care and the galaxy watch 5 pro. Never get any discounts from apple. My monthly payments are actually going to be the same as for the iPhone but include a watch too and loads more storage!