The Samsung Galaxy S23 may be the base model of the S23 lineup, but there’s a lot to love here. We break everything down in our full review!
Since 2010, there has been a Samsung Galaxy S phone. It has become one of Samsung’s most popular products, and one of the most prolific Android phones on the market. This year, we have the Galaxy S23 series, and the regular Galaxy S23 exists as the smallest and cheapest of the trio.
I’ve been a lifelong iPhone user, but the Galaxy S23 is becoming one of my favorite alternatives since I’ve joined Digital Trends. It may be the smallest and cheapest of the S23 family, but honestly, there’s a lot to love here.About our Samsung Galaxy S23 review
This review was written by Christine Romero-Chan after over a week of use in the U.S. Samsung provided a T-Mobile SIM card to use with the Galaxy S23. We’ll continue to regularly use the Galaxy S23 in the coming weeks and months and will update this review when necessary.Samsung Galaxy S23: design
Unlike the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S22 before it, the Galaxy S23 has a refreshed design that is more akin to other modern smartphones, like the iPhone 14 Pro. It no longer has the camera island housing; instead, the cameras are now freely floating on the back. The bumps aren’t quite as big as seen on an iPhone, but it’s not completely flush. Still, it’s a sleek, clean design that should appeal to minimalists. It’s also the same design you’ll find on the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Samsung uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and the back glass, and the glossy metal frame features Samsung’s Armor Aluminum. The S23 also has an IP68 rating, which means it’s fairly dust and water resistant. If you tend not to use a case or screen protector on your phones, the S23 should be pretty durable. But if you don’t want to leave anything to chance, looking at a Galaxy S23 case or Galaxy S23 screen protector certainly won’t hurt.
The Galaxy S23 has a simple design with rounded corners and slightly curved edges, which reminds me of the old iPhone 11 design. However, the front display is flat with the frame, and the bezels are relatively thin compared to what I’m used to.
The buttons feel good, with a tactile click, and as part of Samsung’s efforts toward sustainability, are even made from recycled materials. Even the speaker grille is made with sustainable materials, and some recycled glass can be found in the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The packaging and plastic screen cover are also eco-friendly.
My favorite part about the S23’s design is just how comfortable the size is and how lightweight it is. At just 5.93 ounces, it’s much lighter and easier to use than my iPhone 14 Pro that clocks in at 7.27 ounces (without my case and MagSafe PopSocket). That’s even more the case when compared to the S23 Ultra at 8.25 ounces. Thanks to the lightweight feel of the Galaxy S23, I found it comfortable to hold for long periods of time and even use comfortably with one hand — though this may be in part because of a case. Without a case, I found the matte glass on the back of the S23 to be a little slippery.
The review unit I received is the Cream color, which is a creamy, off-white color. If you had the Phantom White S22, the Cream definitely has a tad of beige to it (you’ll notice if you place them side by side).
I personally like the Cream color, as it’s a light neutral tone that will go with anything and makes some case designs pop out more. But if you don’t like white shades, other Galaxy S23 colors include Phantom Black, Lavender, and Green. If you buy an S23 directly from Samsung’s website, you can also choose from the exclusive Lime and Graphite options.Samsung Galaxy S23: screen
The Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that features a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The resolution sits at 2340 x 1080 pixels, which means 425 pixels per inch (ppi). It should also be noted that the display on the S23 and the S23 Plus are both completely flat, unlike the S23 Ultra, which is curved near the edges. To me, the flat design is sleeker and more practical.
When you go outside in bright sunlight, the peak brightness is capped at 1,750 nits, which is the same as the S23 Plus and the S23 Ultra. It may not be as bright as Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro series (2,000 nits outdoors), but it’s still very usable on Southern California’s bright and sunny days. Though it’s been a bit gloomier lately than I’d like, I have no problem using the S23 outside in direct sunlight when Mother Nature allows it.
From the moment I turned the Galaxy S23 on, I was thoroughly impressed by the screen. It’s incredibly vibrant in its colors — the blacks are rich and deep, and text is sharp and crisp — just as you’d expect from a flagship phone. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate also makes scrolling very smooth, though Android’s lack of elasticity compared to iOS will always be a bit jarring to me.
I do have to admit that because Samsung’s displays tend to be much more vibrant than other devices, it may make photos taken with the device appear overly saturated. However, when I view the photos I take with the S23 on a different device, like my iPhone 14 Pro or Pixel 7, they look a little toned down. This is a clear demonstration of how Samsung’s displays really make things “pop” on the screen.Samsung Galaxy S23: performance and software
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 is powered by the latest and greatest chip from Qualcomm: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. But this is not quite the same chip that you can find in other premium Android phones this year, like the OnePlus 11.
No — Samsung wants you to know that this is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which is a special version of the processor that is specifically optimized for Galaxy devices.
