Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Review
The Galaxy S23 offers a compact option for those seeking a more manageable size. The Galaxy S23 Plus, however, shares the same design as the standard Galaxy S23 while incorporating some features from the Galaxy S23 Ultra. This review will provide valuable insights into what the Galaxy S23 Plus specs offer.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Design and Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus brings a fresh look compared to its older siblings, the S21 Plus and S22 Plus. It ditches the wraparound camera for three sensors directly on the back, creating a neat and simple appearance.
The S23 Plus's design is appealing, with a new camera change that won't be a big deal for most. The phone's front and back glass are shielded by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a highly durable and scratch-resistant glass, and the metal frame is reinforced with Samsung's Armor Aluminum for extra toughness.
The S23 Plus has rounded corners and smooth edges, unlike the sharper Galaxy S23 Ultra. This makes it more comfortable to hold. It's also lighter, weighing 6.91 ounces compared to the Ultra's 8.25 ounces. Even though it's a large phone, the S23 Plus is easier to manage with one hand and fits well in tight pockets.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Screen
The Galaxy S23 Plus features a remarkable 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. With a pixel density of 393 pixels per inch (PPI) and a brightness level of up to 1,750 nits, the screen quality matches that of the S23 Ultra.
As expected from a modern Samsung flagship, the screen is exceptional. The colours are vivid and vibrant, the blacks are deep and rich, the text is incredibly sharp, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth and fluid motion. Even on sunny days, the screen's brightness of 1,750 nits allows for excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
Another noteworthy aspect is the shape of the display. Unlike the S23 Ultra, which has a slight curve on the edges, the screen of the Galaxy S23 Plus is entirely flat. Here's something practical and reassuring about a flat-screen: there's no need to worry about accidental touches or palm rejections; applying screen protectors will be more accessible, and the overall look is clean and sleek.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Performance and Software
The Galaxy S23 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor; in simpler terms, this high-end SoC stands for 'System-on-a-Chip' and is a powerful chip that was introduced in late 2022 and made using advanced technology to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency in smartphones. It loads apps and games instantly, effortlessly handles multitasking, and excels in graphics-intensive tasks without overheating. With 8GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage, it offers ample space for your needs.
Running on Android 13 with Samsung's One UI 5.1 interface, the S23 Plus combines functionality with customisation. It has valuable features like customisable lock screen shortcuts, a sleek UI for clock and notification appearance, and button or gesture navigation options. Link to Windows allows seamless syncing with your PC.
Notably, Samsung guarantees four major Android upgrades and five years of security updates for the S23 Plus, exceeding even Google's phone support. This ensures your phone will stay up-to-date and secure. It's a significant advantage for long-term use.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Camera
While the spotlight is on the Galaxy S23 Ultra's impressive camera, it's worth noting that the Galaxy S23 Plus also offers an excellent camera system. It includes a 50MP primary camera, 12MP wide-angle camera, 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP selfie camera.
The primary camera of the S23 Plus shares many qualities with the S23 Ultra. Photos with it display vibrant colours that are visually pleasing. The camera captures images quickly, ensuring ample detail throughout. Portrait mode photos also turn out beautifully. Samsung's edge detection is notably better than the iPhone 14 Pro, even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Night mode photos are solid as well.
So if you're an avid photographer seeking the most comprehensive camera experience, the S23 Ultra is the better choice. But if you're looking for a well-rounded, dependable camera system that consistently delivers good results. In that case, the Galaxy S23 Plus has what you need.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with a 4,700mAh battery, offering a boost from the 4,500mAh battery in last year's S22 Plus.
The S23 Plus can easily last a day and a half with regular daily use. Which included streaming YouTube TV and playing PUBG for over an hour each, browsing social media and watching YouTube; the screen-on time totalled 4 hours and 26 minutes; even after all that, the phone still had 31% battery remaining by 11:35 p.m. It's hard to drain the phone's battery in a single day.
When it's time to recharge, the S23 Plus supports wired charging up to 45 watts, wireless charging up to 15W, and reverse wireless charging up to 4.5W. With a compatible charger delivering a total 45W output, you can expect the S23 Plus to go from 30% to a complete 100% in under an hour.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus: Final thoughts
So, is the Galaxy S23 Plus a recommended choice? Absolutely! Starting at £899, it offers a remarkable package that is hard to fault. From its stunning design and beautiful display to its powerful performance, reliable cameras, feature-rich software, and impressive battery life, the S23 Plus delivers on all fronts.