Samsung’s new smartphones boost their autonomy and photography
Samsung has released its new high-end smartphones. The Galaxy S23 will rely on autonomy and now a 200 megapixel photo sensor.
This is a mini-event for Samsung that could have a big impact for users. On Wednesday, during its Galaxy Unpacked conference, organized in San Francisco, the South Korean manufacturer released its new high-end smartphones: the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra.
As in previous years, Samsung was rejected by its three standard bearers to extend the price range from less than 1000 euros to more than 1830 euros. A device that ultimately changes slightly in substance and form, but refines its accomplishments.
More careful, but more effective photography
The 2023 vintage is not Samsung’s most revolutionary. In terms of design, the brand sticks to unified and minimalist lines. There are three sizes of AMOLED screens for its smartphones with a central punch for the camera:
– 6.1 inches for Galaxy S23,
– 6.6 inches for the Galaxy S23+
– 6.8 inches for the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The difference will play in the refresh rate of the image showing 120 Hz for the three devices, but will be adaptive from 1 to 120 Hz depending on the activity of the S23 Ultra, and from 48 to 120 Hz for its two acolytes. Something that will relieve the eyes by making the scrolling of the screen more fluid, but also the battery with a use adapted to the needs and reduced when necessary.
Other visual changes also come from the image block. Exit the domino-style corner module to surround the sensors Galaxy S22s. They are now “out in the open”, embedded directly into the back coating. A more elegant and almost more discreet design, but will also make the smartphone a little more wobbly on its back.
Focusing mainly on photo and video, the Galaxy S23 and S23 + have three optics on the back: a 50 Mpx main sensor, a 12 Mpx ultra-wide-angle and a 10 Mpx telephoto lens with optical stabilizer (3x zoom). They are accompanied by advanced Dual Pixel autofocus. On the front, the selfie camera has also been improved with a 12 MP sensor.
As its name suggests, the Galaxy S23 Ultra also wants to see more than photos. This is the very first Samsung device to rely on a 200MP primary sensor. This will have the effect of offering more detailed, colorful and bright images, but also heavier. A useful option for those who like to print their photos, but are very useless when it comes to sharing them on Instagram.
However, it is possible to return to a resolution of 50 Mpx or 12 Mpx (by default) if you do not want to saturate the phone’s storage space. The device also features the 12MP ultra-wide-angle and 10MP (3x) telephoto lenses found on the Galaxy S23/S23+. But it also benefits from a second telephoto lens with x10 optical zoom to go even further.
Because Samsung once again wants to talk about its photo and video talents (it is possible to film in 8K at 30 frames per second). That’s why the South Korean improved its devices not only with better sensors, but also software promises to refine the image in low light, whether in selfie or portrait mode.
Samsung abandoned its in-house processor
The Galaxy S23 series is also helped here by a big change: the arrival of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the most powerful designed by Qualcomm, which now comes to equip all premium Samsung devices instead of the house Exynos. The first since the Galaxy S6 (2015). Since then, only smartphones sold in the United States have been equipped with the processor Snapdragon while the rest of the world is satisfied with an Exynos chip whose main problem is autonomy.
This option will allow Samsung to improve the possibilities of its cameras and optimize the overall performance of the Galaxy S23. But it will also have a positive effect on autonomy, with a better ability to manage the much needed energy. And Samsung is adding in larger capacity batteries to ensure more than a day of operation for its devices. Please note that the charger is no longer supplied, as are the headphones.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is also visible from its acolytes. It shows less austere lines, with rounded edges more reminiscent of the old Galaxy Note. There is also an S-Pen stylus that can be slipped into the groove at the bottom and allows you to take notes, draw, circle, in a very reactive way.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is IP68 certified for its resistance to dust and immersion (1.5 m under fresh water for 30 minutes max). They also benefit from 6E Wifi connectivity in addition to 5G.
Samsung Galaxy S23 prices, colors and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S23 will be available in two configurations at 959 euros for 128 GB of storage and 1019 euros for 256 GB.
The Galaxy S23 + is offered with 256 GB (1219 euros) or 512 GB storage (1339 euros).
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is available in three configurations: 256 GB or 512 GB storage for 1419 or 1599 euros respectively. The most advanced version has 1 TB of storage, for 1839 euros.
All the smartphones will be officially launched on February 17, 2023. They come in black, cream, green, and lavender colors. Exclusive colors will be sold in the Samsung Shop online: graphite and lime (yellow) for the Galaxy S23 and S23+ as well as for the S23 Ultra which will also benefit from red and sky blue variations. Pre-orders begin on February 1.
