Samsung launches a few smartphones each year, from theGalaxy S rangeat the beginning of the year, to theGalaxy Z rangestowards the later half of the year, along with a few Galaxy A devices throughout.TheGalaxy S22 serieslaunched at the beginning of 2022, and following the pattern, the company has now announced the Galaxy S23 series to take their place.We’ve got afeature comparing the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S22, as well asthe Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Galaxy S22 Ultraif you want to know the full differences between the old and new models. We’ve also covered offhow the three devices compareto each other in another feature.Here is a summary of everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S23 range though, including pricing, release date and what specs these three models offer.
Samsung Galaxy S23 release date and price
Samsung announced the Galaxy S23, S23+ and the S23 Ultra during itsGalaxy Unpacked eventon 05 June 2025. The devices are available to pre-order now, from 1 February, with an on sale date of 17 February.
In terms of pricing, theSamsung Galaxy S23 starts at £849in the UK for the 128GB storage model. TheGalaxy S23+ starts at £1049in the UK and theGalaxy S23 Ultra starts at £1249in the UK.
For reference, the Galaxy S22 range started at £769 in the UK and $799 in the US, while the S22+ started at £949 in the UK and $999.99 in the US and the S22 Ultra started at £1149 in the UK and $1199.99 in the US, so there is quite a big price bump for 2023.
Galaxy S23 design
The Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+ offer a similar design to the S22 Ultra - and therefore the S23 Ultra - by ditching the camera island on the rear and offering the lenses on their own. Otherwise, the Galaxy S23 and S23+ offer the same design as each other - as well as similar to their predecessors - with rounded edges and acentralised punch hole cameraat the top of their displays. The S23 is smaller and lighter of course, but the two devices share an identical design aside from physical size. You canread our first impressions of the Galaxy S23 here, andthe Galaxy S23+ here.
The S23 Ultra meanwhile, has a squarer design compared to the S23 and S23+, whilst also sporting a built-in S Pen likethe S22 Ultra.
There is hardly any difference between the S22 Ultra and the S23 Ultra in terms of design, though the 2023 model does have slightly reduced curves on the edges of the display, offering more useable display area within the footprint. The camera lenses on the rear also protrude more so than the S22 Ultra.Our first impressions of the S23 Ultra can be found here.
All models areIP68 rated for water and dust resistanceand they all offer Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. They also all come in the same four colours of Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender and Green.
Galaxy S23 display
The display sizes of the Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra are the same as theGalaxy S22, S22 Plus and S22 Ultra, respectively.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch display, while the S23+ has a 6.6-inch display. Both have a Full HD+ resolution, delivering pixel densities of 425ppi and 398ppi respectively, and both have an adaptable refresh rate up to 120Hz.
The S23 Ultra meanwhile, has a 6.81-inch display with a Quad HD+ resolution for a pixel density of 500ppi and arefresh ratebetween 1Hz and 120Hz. The S23 and S23+ both have flat displays, while the S23 Ultra has a curved display - though less so than the S22 Ultra, as we mentioned.
While the sizes and resolutions remain the same from the Galaxy S22 models to the Galaxy S23 models, the peak brightness has increased on all three models to 1750nits. It’s not quiteiPhone 14 Proterritory, though it’s definitely an improvement across the board.
Galaxy S23 hardware and specs
The Samsung Galaxy S line typically runs on the latest Qualcomm and Exynos processors, depending on the region. For 2023 however, Samsung has ditched Exynos and is sticking with Qualcomm only.
The Qualcomm chip all models of the S23 series is using isthe Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platformthat was announced in November, though it’s a unique version of this chip, with a higher clock speed than the standard offering.
Supporting this platform, will be 8GB of RAM in both the S23 and the S23+, while the S23 Ultra will have the options of 8GB or 12GB of RAM. Storage capacities for the S23 are 128GB and 256GB - the same as the S22, while the S23+ has had an increase in base storage up to 256GB, with a 512GB model also available. The S23 Ultra meanwhile, has three storage capacities of 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. None of the S23 models have microSD support so no storage expansion is available.
In terms of battery, the S23 has a 3900mAh battery, the S23+ has a 4700mAh capacity and the S23 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery.
Though Samsung has yet to specify officially, the S23+ and S23 Ultra will offer faster charging speeds, thought to be up to 45W, while the S23 will apparently top out at 25W.
The S23 Ultra and S23+ also haveUltra Wide Bandon board, while the S23 doesn’t. All three models will offer support forDolby Atmos,Wi-Fi 6Eand Bluetooth 5.3 though.
The three models will launch with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 software and Samsung has promised four years of Android software updates.
Galaxy S23 cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a 200-megapixel HP2 sensor, which is biggest story of the series really. The quad rear camera is made up of the 200-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and laser auto focus, coupled with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture and two 10-megapixel telephoto sensors, both of which have OIS and one with f/2.4 aperture and the other with f/4.2. It’s capable of 3x and 10x optical zoom, as well as 100x Space Zoom.
The S23 and S23+ have the same camera setup as each other, which is a triple camera system and the same resolutions as the S22 and S22+. This is a 50-megapixel main camera with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture and one 10-megapixel telephoto sensor with f/2.4 aperture. They are both capable of 3x optical zoom and 30x Space Zoom.
All three models have an 8K video recording capability at 30fps, and they all also come with a AstroHyperlapse mode that allows you to take photos of moving stars. It’s also possible to get a 50-megapixel RAW file from the ExpertRAW app compared to the 12-megapixel RAW file available with the Galaxy S22 series.
There’s an improved front camera on all three Galaxy S23 models, moving from the 10-megapixel snapper that we’ve seen consistently over the last couple of years, to a 12-megapixel snapper. The new front camera offers 4K video at 60fps and the sensor has an aperture of f/2.2.
Samsung Galaxy S23 rumours: What happened?
Here is everything we heard about the Samsung Galaxy S23 before they were officially announced on 1 February.
20 August 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra photos join a growing list of leaks as launch nears
Spotted by SamMobile, Twitter user Xitton shared photos of the Galaxy S23 Ultra in a local carrier store as well as a hands-on video that showed the screen and overall design of the phone. Some of the photos and the video have been removed from Twitter thanks to copyright claims. But some remain - at least for now.
04 August 2025: Samsung’s 128GB Galaxy S23 might be slower than the rest
A report from Universe Iceclaims the newSamsunglineup is set to use faster UFS 4.0 NAND storage throughout, but the 128GB entry-level model might miss out and be stuck with the older UFS 3.1 storage instead.
10 August 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 series to ship with One UI 5.1 - here’s what’s new
A report from WinFuture claimsthe Galaxy S23 devices will run on One UI 5.1 and come with a couple of new features including quick access to the Expert RAW camera option, a joint family album, with families of up to six people getting 5GB of storage in which to save content. Users will also be able to choose a location to save screenshots into it is said.
08 June 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23’s overclocked Qualcomm Snapdragon chip is all but confirmed
Images spotted by SamMobileshowing marketing material for upcoming phones all but confirm the custom Qualcomm chiop with Samsung appearing to be leaning into gaming performance.
01 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23’s special Snapdragon chip probably won’t be a one-off
Leaker Yogesh Brarsays that the “Snapdragon for Galaxy” program will continue into the future - at least until Samsung believes that its own Exynos chips can do a better job. In other words, the custom Qualcomm chip expected inside the S23 won’t be the last.
20 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tipped for a huge portrait video upgrade
A leak claimsthat Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra flagship phone will have a big improvement in the quality of the portrait video that it can capture.
A Weibo leaker claimed that the Galaxy S23 Ultra will be good for recording portrait videos with a resolution of 4K and a refresh rate of 30fps. It was also claimed the new camera will be even better at separating the foreground from the background for an improved bokeh effect.
08 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra hands-on and pre-order images look convincing, leaked unboxing video less so
Trusted online leaker, Evan Blass, postedtwo pre-order sheets showing the S23 and S23 Plus, and the S23 Ultra separately. You cansee the tweet here.
23 August 2025: Upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 again tipped for Samsung’s Galaxy S23
9to5Google reportedthat documentation it’s seen confirms that the existence of a new “Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy” chip. That chip will have a base clock speed of up to 3.36GHz.
24 August 2025: The Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup may include a ‘significant price hike’
Areport by 9to5Googleclaimed that prices for the Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra leaked in Australia and show some notable increases.
29 July 2025: Complete specs for Samsung Galaxy S23, Plus and Ultra leak for all to see
The entire specs for the Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultraappeared onlinegiving us a very detailed look at what we can expect
21 June 2025: Reservation page for Samsung Galaxy S23 and unannounced Galaxy Book is live
You can reserve the next Samsung “Galaxy smartphone” on a dedicated pre-order-style pageon Samsung.com already. The website also allows you to put in a reservation for a new Galaxy Book - which is also expected to be announced on 1 February atGalaxy Unpacked.
17 July 2025: Massive Samsung Galaxy S23 pics leak shows Ultra and Plus models from every angle
Following the images of the standard model,Dutch website Nieuwe Mobielpublished a range of photos of the Samsung Galaxy S23+ and the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
08 August 2025: Latest Samsung Galaxy S23 picture leak is the biggest yet
Roland Quandt and WinFuturepublished a range of images showing off what is said to be the Samsung Galaxy S23 from all angles.
16 August 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 launch confirmed, Unpacked teaser videos also show camera
Samsung officially confirmedthe next Galaxy Unpacked event would take place on 24 June 2025. It also revealed a teaser video revealing three spotlights, while leaked teaser videos that appeared around the same time show the camera setup expected for the Galaxy S23 line up.
06 June 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 to launch 1 February, next Unpacked leaked by, er, Samsung itself
A teaser postinghas been found on an officialSamsungwebpage that reveals the date of the next Galaxy Unpacked will be 1 Febraury 2023. It is expected that theSamsung Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra will all launch that day.
04 June 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra promotional images leak
91Mobiles has got its hands onwhat it claims to be marketing material for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S23+ and S23 Ultra.
According to a report by SamMobile, there will be various colours of each of the different variants of the newSamsung phonesbut the signature colours will stand out. The S23+’s signature colour is said to be pink, the S23 Ultra is said to be green and the S23 signature colour is said to be light gold or pink gold.
06 June 2025: Has the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 date just been leaked?
A reliable leaker hassuggested the date of 1 Februaryfor the launch of the Galaxy S23 family.
04 June 2025: The Samsung Galaxy S23’s 8K video capture might be silky smooth
A report by leaker Ice Universesuggests that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will offer even smoother 8K video capture. It’s said to have the same capabilities as the S22 Ultra but with a 30fps option.
10 August 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specs confirmed by Chinese regulator
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S23 Ultrapopped up in a Chinese TENAAregulatory filing, confirming some specs and causing confusion about some others.
13 August 2025: Samsung has confirmed when it’ll announce the Galaxy S23 lineup
In an interview with a Korean news outlet, a Samsung executive confirmed that “the S23 series will be shown during our own Unpacked event in the United States, which will be held in February”.
24 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 touted to get iPhone 14-like satellite features
A report claimedSamsung is testing a new satellite communications feature using 66 low-orbit communication satellites from Iridium.
It’s thought that the company wants to allow users to transmit test messages and small images “at hundreds of kbps”, potentially opening the door to normal messaging services.
06 August 2025: Samsung’s Galaxy S23 might get a unique Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
A screenshot shared by Ice Universesuggests the Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup may get a special version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. It showed what appears to be a Galaxy S23 Ultra running a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with a clock speed of 3.36GHz. The chip that everyone else will get runs at 3.2GHz.
02 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra camera tested against S22 Ultra and Pixel 7 Pro
Ice Universe postedwhat he claims to be a sample photograph taken with the rear camera of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, along with comparison shots taken using a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and a Google Pixel 7 Pro.
30 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 might launch sooner than expected with early February date suggested
Korean news site Chosunis suggesting Galaxy Unpacked is going to happen in the first week of February with an event in San Francisco, with devices available from 02 August 2025.
07 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra camera specs leak and it isn’t good news
According to Yogesh Brar, the Samsung Galaxy S23 will come with 10-megapixel 10x periscope camera as well as a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens.
Another 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera is set to round things out alongside a 200-megapixel main camera.
06 July 2025: Samsung’s Galaxy S23+ breaks cover in early Geekbench tests
The Samsung Galaxy S23+appeared in early Geekbench testswith the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 8GB RAM.
19 August 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s night photos said to be much improved
Ice Universe tweetedclaiming that it “can be confirmed that S23 Ultra’s night photos are very strong.”
They go on to add that they’re “much better” than the photos taken from last year’s Galaxy S22 Ultra flagship.
11 June 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 spec leak outs its cameras, CPU, and more
Yogesh Brar postedsome of the specifications expected for the Galaxy S23.
27 June 2025: Leaked Samsung Galaxy S23 benchmarks can’t match iPhone 14 Pro
Early Geekbench 5 numbersfor the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S23 are promising, but not exceptional - especially beside Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro.
02 August 2025: The Samsung Galaxy S23 might be getting a teeny tiny battery
According to Digital Chat Station, the Galaxy S23 will sport a battery with a rated value of 3,785mAh and a typical capacity of 3,900mAh.
27 June 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 case leak may confirm camera bump changes
Universal Ice publishedsome images of Galaxy S23 cases, suggesting rumours of the changes to the camera housing are accurate with individual sensors instead of an island.
31 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 specs leak reveals battery and camera info
According to GalaxyClub, the Samsung Galaxy Plus and Ultra are said to have 4,700mAh and 5,000mAh batteries respectively.
GalaxyClub also claimed that the ultra-wide camera on the rear of the S23 and S23 Plus will be nigh-on identical to the current generation equivalent. The telephoto will be similar, too. The new handsets will get an improved 12-megapixel front camera though, it is said.
12 June 2025: Now Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra renders have appeared online
OnLeaks published rendersof the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra following on from the S23 Plus. It is reportedly a fraction larger than the currently available S22 Ultra, measuring 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.8mm and has “the slimmest bezel ever”.
Samsung will also make tweaks to the screen’s brightness, colour accuracy and HDR performance it is suggested.
02 July 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 leak reveals major camera design change
SmartPrix and OnLeaks publishedsome renders of what is said to be the Galaxy S23 Plus, with a rear camera redesign ditching the housing and moving to individual sensors.
The leak also suggested the Galaxy S23 Plus will have a slight increase in size from the S22 Plus. It’s said to be a fraction of a millimetre taller and wider, and offer a 6.6-inch display.
19 August 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra could be almost identical to S22 Ultra
Leaker Ice Universe (@UniverseIce)suggested there will be very little difference in terms of design of the S23 Ultra compared to its predecessor.
The succession of tweets claims the device will continue to offer a 6.8-inch display with a 3088 x 1440 resolution, have a 5000mAh battery, run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and measure 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm.
It’s also claimed to have a 200-megapixel main camera.
18 August 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra codename and model numbers appear
According to a leak,the S23 Ultra’s codename is “DM3” and the model number is “SM-S918”. Other model numbers related to the device include: SM-S918BDS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, and SM-S918W.
It’s also claimed the S23 Ultra will have a 5000mAh battery and run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform.
18 July 2025: Rumours suggest the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will launch with Isocell HP2 camera sensor
Ice Universe claimedthe Samsung Galaxy S23 might feature a yet-to-be-announced sensor that sits between the 200MP HP1 and HP2. It’s speculated that since the Isocell HP1 and HP3 have 0.64μm and 0.56μm sized pixels, the HP2 will likely find itself in the middle with 0.60μm.
10 August 2025: Qualcomm suggests S23 line will all use Snapdragon chips
In its Q3 2022 earnings call Qualcommsaid: “The way you should think about it is Snapdragon will power their Galaxy product line, their Galaxy flagship products. And what I can say at this point is we were 75 per cent on Galaxy S22 before the agreement. You should be thinking about we’re going to be much better than that on Galaxy S23 and beyond.
“It’s a multiyear agreement. And it’s - that’s probably what I can tell you. You should think about us powering their devices globally.”
25 June 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 could be powered exclusively by Qualcomm - Exynos set to be ditched from global variants
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimedSamsung will stick solely with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors on the next S series devices, suggesting it will ditch ts Exynos chipsets for international variants.
07 June 2025: Samsung Galaxy S23 could get improved front camera
GalaxyClubNL reportedsources have said that the Galaxy S23 will have a new 12MP selfie camera, compared to the 10MP that Galaxy phones have had for a few years now.
