This one is excellent

It may be simple to fail to remember that the Galaxy S23 Plus even exists, overshadowed as it’s through the extra top rate and feature-rich Galaxy S23 Ultra. And the ones searching for a inexpensive flagship smartphone may gravitate towards the lovable little Galaxy S23. There’s no reason why to forget about this telephone, although — the S23 Plus stocks maximum of its options with the remainder of the S23 circle of relatives, together with an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, an improbable OLED display, and Samsung’s class-leading replace ensure. Maximum smartphone OEMs don’t have the size to unlock 3 other variations of the similar telephone, however Samsung does. That implies you’ll be able to play Goldilocks and skip the telephone that’s too large, forget about the one who’s too small, and settle in with person who could be simply best for you.

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (8GB/256GB): $999 / £1,049 / €1,219
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (8GB/512GB): $1,119 / £1,149 / €1,339

Introduced in early 2023, the Galaxy S23 Plus is the center kid in Samsung’s new circle of relatives of flagship phones. It’s made from Gorilla Glass Victus 2 at the display and rear panel, with a body of Samsung’s customized Armor Aluminum alloy. The telephone has a 6.6-inch flat OLED display; quite smaller than the 6.8-inch curved OLED at the Galaxy S23 Extremely and considerably greater than the 6.1-inch OLED at the base style Galaxy S23. The display steps down to at least one,080 x 2,340 from the 1440p solution introduced through the S23 Extremely, however you continue to get the similar 120Hz adaptive refresh fee (that may drop to 48Hz) and height brightness at an outstanding 1,750 nits. Underneath the show is the newest Qualcomm ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which will acknowledge your biometrics with out the aggravating flash required through optical sensors.

Samsung unified the frame taste with the Galaxy S23 series, giving all 3 fashions the floating digicam lenses at the again. The S23 Plus looks as if a scaled-up model of the S23, and just like the smaller telephone, there’s no S Pen strengthen. Samsung used to be ready to spice up the battery capability as opposed to the Galaxy S22 Plus from 4,500mAh to 4,700mAh, whilst additionally upping the bottom garage from 128GB to 256GB. There’s no headphone jack, however what else is new? The one I/O is the bottom-mounted USB-C 3.2 port, with strengthen for as much as 45W charging speeds.

Some of the notable adjustments from the Galaxy S23 Extremely is that the Galaxy S23 Plus doesn’t get that fancy new 200MP digicam. It sticks with the similar setup because the Galaxy S22 Plus: a 50MP number one, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide. The S23 Plus does, alternatively, get the similar overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip because the S23 Extremely. That is, through maximum measures, the quickest processor to be had in an Android telephone. As we’ll see, it even beats Apple’s customized A-series chips in some benchmarks.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is to be had unlocked or from carriers in Phantom Black, Lavender (pictured), Cream, and Inexperienced colours. If bought immediately from Samsung, you’ll be able to additionally get certainly one of two unique colours: Lime and Graphite. The S23 Plus works on all primary 5G networks throughout each sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies in the United States.

For those who’ve touched a Galaxy S22 Plus someday up to now yr, you have got a good suggestion of what the S23 Plus seems to be and looks like. The 2 telephones are extraordinarily shut in dimension and form, with the S23 Plus only a fraction of a millimeter wider. The aluminum body encircling the telephone doesn’t bleed into the again panel to enclose the cameras like at the S22 Plus. As an alternative, you get person digicam cutouts for every of the 3 rear-facing sensors. This taste is extra in keeping with Samsung’s Extremely telephones.

The 6.6-inch OLED display dominates the entrance of the telephone, and we adore the extraordinarily slender and symmetrical bezels surrounding it. The threshold-to-edge show with completely even bezels seems to be sublime — much more so than the S23 Extremely in many ways, which has a noticeably greater chin on the backside. The S23 Plus’ OLED panel could also be totally flat, while the S23 Extremely curves down at the left and proper edges. That’s vital to make a telephone as large because the S23 Extremely relaxed within the hand, however the S23 Plus is slightly under that restrict. It’s simple sufficient to carry in a single hand, the flat show received’t display as a lot glare in vibrant gentle, and also you received’t get as many unintentional touches.

The Galaxy S23 Plus isn’t a small telephone, nevertheless it’s now not a significant imposition just like the Galaxy S23 Extremely is. The latter, which is sort of 40g heavier than the Plus, all the time turns out at the verge of tumbling out of my hand or jumping from my pocket. The S23 Plus is far much less ungainly, nevertheless it nonetheless gives numerous display actual property. It’s an excellent dimension if you need a large telephone that isn’t going to stay from your pocket.

Talking of the display, it’s now not as a lot of a downgrade from the Extremely as chances are you’ll be expecting. The 1,080 x 2,340 OLED seems to be crisp — it will not be QHD+, however nearly 400 pixels in line with inch is not anything to sneeze at — and the height brightness of one,750 nits guarantees you’ll be capable to learn it even beneath vibrant outside gentle. It will get glossed over once in a while, however Samsung’s OLEDs also are notable for the way readable they’re in low gentle. At minimal brightness, many telephone displays are dingy, however the Galaxy S23 Plus continues to be contrasty and sharp with the brightness the entire approach down.

The aluminum body has a shiny end that displays smudges and fingerprints, however the again is a pristine expanse of silky matte glass. We love Samsung’s glass texture as it nearly doesn’t really feel like glass. The graceful end repels oils, and it’s now not as slippery as shiny finishes on telephones just like the Google Pixel 7 and OnePlus 11. It’s the similar Gorilla Glass Victus 2 because the entrance panel, which must hang up smartly even though you decide to not quilt it with an S23 Plus case.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus efficiency: How briskly is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy?

All of the participants of Samsung’s S23 circle of relatives get the similar Qualcomm gadget on a chip (SoC), they usually’re the one telephones that experience it. The S23 Plus runs Samsung’s custom designed model of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which has an overclocked top CPU core and GPU. This isn’t simply advertising fluff — the Samsung-exclusive chip is quicker than different Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones in some benchmarks (particularly the ones with blended or CPU workloads), however the margin is sufficiently small that it doesn’t make a noticeable distinction in daily use. For extra detailed checking out at the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, take a look at our deep dive on the hyperlink.

Then again, in the event you’re upgrading from ultimate yr’s Samsung flagships, you’re going to for sure understand an development. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 within the S23 Plus gives higher efficiency than the Gen 1, in particular in video games. All cellular SoCs throttle to a point beneath sustained load; the S23 Plus is not any other regardless of its distinctive chip design. But even if it heats up, the bespoke Snapdragon chip continues to be quicker than maximum flagships at its peaks and it plays smartly sufficient in GPU tension exams.

We ran the S23 Plus via a number of benchmarks, together with the brand new Geekbench 6 and the venerable 3DMark. Naturally, the flagship-class {hardware} publish spectacular numbers. It scored inside the margin of error for all of the Galaxy S23 sequence in Geekbench, crowned the PCMark Paintings 3.0 check, and registered a three,818 in 3DMark Wild Lifestyles Excessive — the latter a large leap the Galaxy S22 Plus’ 2,538 in the similar GPU check. Apparently although, we discovered thermal efficiency lagging quite at the back of the S23 Extremely, which starts at the next ranking within the 3DMark Wild Lifestyles Rigidity Take a look at and plateaus at a touch greater mark for repeated runs.

As for reminiscence, Samsung best gives 8GB of RAM within the S23 Plus, regardless of in the event you get the 256GB or 512GB garage possibility. The S23 Extremely has a SKU with 12GB of RAM, which is more future-proofed and in keeping with different flagships just like the Pixel 7 Professional and OnePlus 11. Then again, we didn’t understand a lot distinction between the 2 with reference to background apps. The Galaxy S23 Plus can immediately recall an app from the background that may now not were open for hours. Telephones will much less RAM will in most cases must reload apps in that situation.

We by no means had any problems with battery lifestyles at the Galaxy S22 Plus, however some felt the 4,500mAh capability used to be too small. Samsung upped the battery on this yr’s non-Extremely telephones, giving the S23 Plus 4,700mAh to paintings with. In keeping with our checking out, you’ll want to spend the simpler a part of an afternoon streaming video at the S23 Plus and now have sufficient left within the tank to move out for the night time with out concern of a useless battery. With extra standard utilization, the Galaxy S23 Plus will simply ultimate a complete day, and two days is inside succeed in if you are taking only some precautions, like ensuring you’re absolutely charged ahead of you unplug.

The Galaxy S23 Plus fees at a most energy of 45W, which is greater than the 25W max of the child Galaxy S23 and the similar because the Galaxy S23 Extremely. The 45W score isn’t the most efficient you’ll be able to get — that crown is going to OnePlus’ SuperVOOC-powered OnePlus 11 with 80-125W peaks relying to your area. However Samsung does nonetheless clobber Google’s piddly 23W charging at the Pixel 7 Professional.

Even if Samsung’s telephones do ostensibly strengthen greater speeds, the telephones can also be choosy about how the ability is delivered. Fortunately, the vital Energy Supply PPS-equipped plugs are simple sufficient to search out now — take a look at our information for the best Galaxy S23 chargers for some nice choices. The S23 Plus has proven that, just like the S23 Extremely, it maintains greater energy for longer and with sharper peaks (as much as 42W in keeping with our checking out), leading to quicker general recharges — nearly precisely one hour to head from 0 to 100%.

Samsung is transferring in the appropriate route, however at those costs, it might be great to have even greater speeds. The 15W wi-fi charging possibility is favored, although best Samsung’s “Speedy Wi-fi Charging 2.0” chargers are assured to hit 15W. Maximum different wi-fi pads max at 10W by way of the S23 Plus’ Qi charging strengthen.

Samsung upgraded the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s number one digicam this cycle, however the Galaxy S23 Plus and base style S23 are nonetheless the use of the similar setup as their Galaxy S22 opposite numbers. That implies you’re having a look at a 50MP number one digicam, which shoots pixel-binned 12.5MP footage through default. You’ll shoot in complete 50MP solution with the S23 Plus, however the binned footage in most cases glance higher until you get started cropping and zooming. For those who like Samsung’s trademark picture processing, you’ll nonetheless just like the S23 Plus simply effective, however can it compete with the very best camera phones?

Footage taken at the S23 Plus are vibrant, with pumped-up colours and distinction. This may make some bits and bobs somewhat blurry, however the general symbol might nonetheless glance sharper in the event you don’t crop in. When gentle is low, Samsung leans towards longer exposures that make it more difficult to get transparent footage of transferring topics. Each the Pixel 7 and Galaxy S23 Extremely shoot sharper, brighter footage. Night time mode (which Samsung insists on calling “Nightography”) has gotten higher during the last few generations, however the S23 Plus is at an obstacle in comparison to the Extremely. That telephone’s binned 200MP sensor can accumulate extra gentle than the S23 Plus with its 50MP sensor even if the overall symbol solution is similar. Whilst the S23 Extremely can commerce blows with Google in night time mode, the S23 Plus nonetheless runs at the back of.

The principle sensor is optically stabilized, which is helping somewhat however can not paintings miracles when the telephone selects a 1/15 publicity time indoors. There’s no periscope zoom digicam right here, however you do get the lesser of the 2 telephoto lenses observed at the S23 Extremely. This 3x optical shooter gets you nearer for your topic with out shedding pixels, however the sensor is best 10MP. For those who push the zoom past 3x, the picture high quality abruptly deteriorates. The Extremely can push virtual zoom to 100x, referred to as House Zoom. The S23 Plus tops out at 30x, or even this is uselessly blurry.

Whilst telephones just like the OnePlus 11 have moved to a lot greater solution ultrawide cameras, we a lot favor what the Galaxy S23 Plus can do right here with its 12MP digicam. Samsung’s competitive picture processing evens out publicity around the body whilst holding maximum main points. Because you’re now not taking ultrawide footage to zoom in, the decrease solution isn’t an issue.

Likewise, the front-facing digicam is best 12MP, however Samsung’s picture processing jives smartly with selfies. They’re crisp, frivolously lit, and the pumped-up colours make everybody glow. You’ll do portrait mode with both front-facing or rear-facing cameras, however the effects are higher with the rear-facing array. As for the digicam app, Samsung’s inventory device is full-featured with slow-motion, professional modes for picture and video, and an Knowledgeable RAW mode if you wish to procedure footage manually.

Samsung has been pushing video solution for a number of years, first providing 8K on its 2020 flagship telephones. You’ll shoot 8K at 30fps with this telephone, now not that you just must. Those information are large, and you most likely don’t also have an 8K show. Extra fascinating is the pointy and extra usable 4K possibility at as much as 60fps, and you’ll be able to even turn on HDR10+ recording for higher lights. Then again, those movies are recorded in HEVC layout, which some programs received’t perceive.

• Instrument: The Galaxy S23 Plus runs the similar construct of Android 13 with One UI 5.1 because the S23 Extremely. The one distinction is that the S23 Plus does now not have the entire S Pen add-on options. For those who’ve used One UI in the previous few years, you’ll really feel proper at house with the S23 Plus. There are few adjustments, and maximum of them are restricted to Samsung’s integrated apps and products and services. There’s the aforementioned Knowledgeable RAW picture mode, progressed software seek, symbol enhancing choices within the gallery app, higher split-screen app ideas, and Speedy Pair for speeded up software setup. One UI may glance other from the inventory Android interface, however the running gadget doesn’t do anything else off-the-wall or overly complicated, as chances are you’ll see in a heavier pores and skin like Oppo’s Colour OS.
• Updates: Samsung guarantees 4 years of complete OS replace strengthen, which means the S23 Plus will see Android 17 in past due 2026 or early 2027. It must get a yr of safety patches strengthen past that, making for the longest update policy of any Android telephone.
• Connectivity: In the United States, the S23 Plus helps each mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G networks, and the frequencies gets you the most efficient conceivable protection on the entire primary networks. We examined the S23 Plus most commonly on T-Cell, the use of the service’s low-band and Extremely Capability bands. Efficiency used to be as just right as we’ve observed from a smartphone. As well as, the S23 Plus has Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, ultra-wideband (for Samsung’s sensible tracker tags), and Wi-Fi 6E. There’s no Wi-Fi 7 strengthen regardless of Qualcomm’s strengthen on the chipset stage, nevertheless it’s masses future-proofed for contemporary Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Audio: Telephones don’t frequently have nice audio system, however we had been pleasantly stunned through the Galaxy S23 Plus. The sound, whether or not track or a voice name, comes via transparent, with little or no distortion even at greater volumes. A lot of the tinny high quality found in different telephone audio system is absent right here, and there’s even slightly little bit of bass. The Galaxy S23 Plus additionally has complete Bluetooth codec strengthen to be used with wi-fi headphones, in addition to Bluetooth LE strengthen for suitable gadgets.

It will have gave the impression unfathomable a couple of years in the past {that a} $1,000 telephone would now not be one of the best, however right here we’re. The Galaxy S23 Plus is the center of Samsung’s S23 lineup, with the bottom style Galaxy S23 ($799.99 at Samsung) for $200 much less and the S23 Extremely ($1199.99 at Samsung) for $200 extra.

Many patrons will gravitate towards a kind of extremes in the event that they’re useless set on a brand new Samsung telephone. The Galaxy S23 Extremely’s worth is top, nevertheless it does be offering a large number of upgrades for that further $200 such because the 200MP number one and dual-telephoto cameras, S Pen capability, a higher-spec show, and 12GB base RAM. In the meantime, the leap from Galaxy S23 to S23 Plus isn’t fairly as dramatic — you get a larger display and battery, quicker charging, and the Galaxy S23’s 6.1-inch display is sharper on account of the smaller dimension. In years previous, a 6.1-inch telephone display would were monumental, however the transfer to taller display ratios (the Galaxy S23 is nineteen.5:9) could make that diagonal size really feel extra cramped than you’d be expecting.

For those who’re going to spend $1,000 on an Android telephone, the S23 Plus is a good worth, although it most definitely received’t be your first prevent in the event you’re searching for both a cut price or a telephone that stands proud from the pack.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro ($899 at Amazon) is $100 much less, and it has distinctive device options and general awesome digicam efficiency, even if they’re each operating with Android 13 and a 50MP number one shooter. Google’s symbol processing algorithms paintings higher than Samsung’s 9 instances out of ten. Then again, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 ($999.99 at Samsung) is similar worth. It has a worse dual-camera setup, an older Snapdragon chip, and worse battery lifestyles, however howdy, it folds in part! There also are inexpensive choices in Samsung’s Galaxy A circle of relatives if you wish to avoid wasting money, just like the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G ($399 at Amazon) with its 6.5-inch OLED and the similar improve promise because the S23 Plus.

For those who’re now not married to Android, there’s additionally the Apple iPhone 14 Pro ($999.99 at Best Buy) for a similar worth. This telephone is somewhat smaller than the Galaxy S23 Plus at 6.1 inches, nevertheless it has even higher construct high quality, a related show, and get admission to to Apple’s intensive device ecosystem. Plus a novel “Dynamic Island” notch, in the event you’re into that kind of factor. For anyone who doesn’t want to be on Android, it’s a compelling possibility.

If the spiffy new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is alluring, the OnePlus 11 ($699 at OnePlus) is the most affordable approach to get it. It doesn’t have the customized overclocked chip and it confirmed some erratic effects beneath GPU load in our checking out, however its cooling resolution is extra environment friendly and will succeed in greater highs with simply the inventory Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Even if, OnePlus’ tackle Android 13 is somewhat rougher across the edges ever since Oxygen OS merged with Oppo’s Colour OS. One UI 5.1 is a minimum of as just right, even though you’ve have shyed away from Samsung’s device up to now. You additionally leave out out of any wi-fi charging and must cope with OnePlus’ hit-and-miss digicam processing.

It’s a foregone conclusion that the S23 Plus would be the least widespread member of the S23 circle of relatives, however that’s now not as it’s a foul telephone — that might be not possible when it stocks such a lot with the opposite Galaxy S23 variants. Then again, it serves a distinct segment: individuals who need a large Samsung flagship with out the pricy gimmicks of the S23 Extremely. You received’t get an S Pen or a posh quad-camera array, however the Galaxy S23 Plus will get the entire different vital issues, like the newest Snapdragon chip, a wonderful OLED display, and Samsung’s killer replace promise. The Galaxy S23 Plus is supreme if you need a large, no-nonsense telephone.

Sporting the S23 Plus is a pleasure in comparison to the Extremely, which is greater, heavier, and extra sq.. You’ll inform the Extremely is to your pocket each and every minute of the day. That received’t be an issue for some, however the S23 Plus is slender and unobtrusive sufficient that any one will be capable to forget about its presence till they want it. The fabrics, building, and design are the entire perfect you’ll see this facet of the iPhone, too. We’re in particular keen on Samsung’s matte glass, which provides you with the scratch resistance of glass with out making the telephone a slippery fingerprint magnet.

In all probability the most efficient factor in regards to the S23 Plus is that it’s nearly all display, and the display is a stunner. There’s a hole-punch on the best for the selfie digicam, however the show is another way uninterrupted, surrounded through a slim symmetrical bezel. It’s crisp and readable outside with its most 1,750 nits of luminance, and it will get dimmer than maximum telephones with out changing into a fuzzy, low-contrast mess.

Sure, $1,000 is so much for a telephone, however Samsung has sexy trade-in gives. Even after the pre-order bonanza, you’ll be able to get $400-500 for buying and selling in certainly one of ultimate yr’s Galaxy S fashions. If you’ll be able to section along with your outdated telephone, the S23 Plus begins to appear extra sexy. Samsung’s improve ensure additionally guarantees you’ll be able to use the Galaxy S23 Plus for years with out being concerned about being left within the mud.