The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Is a Minor Update To a Spec Monster (theverge.com) 18
At Samsung's first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, the company unveiled its new Galaxy S23 devices: the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Here's what The Verge's Allison Johnson says about the most premium phone of the bunch, the Galaxy S23 Ultra: Compared to the outgoing model, it comes with an updated processor, a new 200-megapixel main camera sensor, and a tweak to the form factor. The built-in S Pen is still here, naturally. And thankfully the price hasn't inflated. In fact, the starting MSRP of $1,199.99 now comes with 256GB of storage -- double last year's base model. It's a little extra shine on what was already Samsung's star smartphone. [...]
The S23 Ultra also features a very slight exterior redesign. The long edges of the phone are slightly less curved, so there's more of a flat surface to grip when you're holding the device. The back panel and the screen also curve around the sides a bit less, so you might be less likely to run your S Pen off the edge of the device, which tended to happen with the more rounded design. [...] That's the short list of what's new. What's not new is basically everything else: a 5,000mAh battery, IP68 dust and water resistance, and either 8GB or 12GB of RAM depending on the configuration. Your color options this year are phantom black, lavender, green, and cream [...]. [T]he S23 Ultra is up for preorder today and starts shipping on February 17th. "Samsung's trio of flagships for 2023 offer some refined designs -- which look a little iPhone-like, if I'm being candid -- with some camera, battery, and processor improvements over last year's S22 generation," adds The Verge's Antonio G. Di Benedetto. You can view a full list of specs here.
The S23 Ultra also features a very slight exterior redesign. The long edges of the phone are slightly less curved, so there's more of a flat surface to grip when you're holding the device. The back panel and the screen also curve around the sides a bit less, so you might be less likely to run your S Pen off the edge of the device, which tended to happen with the more rounded design. [...] That's the short list of what's new. What's not new is basically everything else: a 5,000mAh battery, IP68 dust and water resistance, and either 8GB or 12GB of RAM depending on the configuration. Your color options this year are phantom black, lavender, green, and cream [...]. [T]he S23 Ultra is up for preorder today and starts shipping on February 17th. "Samsung's trio of flagships for 2023 offer some refined designs -- which look a little iPhone-like, if I'm being candid -- with some camera, battery, and processor improvements over last year's S22 generation," adds The Verge's Antonio G. Di Benedetto. You can view a full list of specs here.
Oh, oh, I know this one (Score:2)
But this one has FIVE cameras. Don't get stuck with ONLY four cameras.
Technology reporting is abysmal as writers try to squeeze excitement out of nothing. In other news, technology is abysmal as designers try to squeeze excitement out of 100 more pixels/nanometer.
Tldr. Don't get off the couch.
Re: (Score:2)
But this one has FIVE cameras. Don't get stuck with ONLY four cameras.
I foresee a SNL fake-commercial sketch for a phone with nothing but cameras on the back at some point ... :-)
Re: (Score:1)
I foresee a SNL fake-commercial sketch for a phone with nothing but cameras on the back at some point ... :-)
Probably more trypophobia-inducing than funny, though.
Re: (Score:2)
That's hilarious and I couldn't find an example of anyone making a photoshop or mockup of that yet. I'm picturing some borg phone
Re: (Score:1)
Don't bother. Apple "might" release something that folds... NEXT YEAR... maybe. .. no one knows... it's a rumour.
Dunno why anyone wants folding phones anyway. It's not just sour grapes, there is no way I'd ever go back to using a phone with a plastic screen, especially one with a big crease down the middle.
Sorry plastic screens, it's like Taylor Swift once said: we are never, ever, getting back together. Like, ever.
Re: (Score:2)
I totally agree.
Three weeks ago, I went into a large telecom provider's showroom, took a brief look at foldable phones, that crease was horrible.
I bought the S22 Ultra.
My previous phone was a Note9 which served me faithfully since 2018. It was about time to upgrade.
See ya in 2027, Samsung!
So, wait, $1,200 for a flagship phone is good now? (Score:2)
I can remember a time not so long ago when you could get the new flagship Samsung phone for $99 from your cell phone provider if you were willing to sign up for a two-year contract. It even came with a set of earbuds and a USB charger, which is something that you have to pay extra for now.
I guess that this is why Samsung's best-selling phones are now all mid-range models like the A53. They've basically priced themselves out of the market for your average consumer.
Re: (Score:1)
Adjusting for inflation, flagship phones really haven't gone up too much in price. A $599 iPhone in 2007 would be approximately $880.98 in today's money.
Although, if you go by the cost of groceries over the same time period, modern smartphone pricing looks downright cheap in comparison.
Re: (Score:2)
I can remember a time not so long ago when you could get the new flagship Samsung phone for $99 from your cell phone provider if you were willing to sign up for a two-year contract.
How can you have a UID that low and not know how mobile contracts work? Also WTF kind of contract were you signing up for that charged you an additional $99 for the phone.
It even came with a set of earbuds and a USB charger, which is something that you have to pay extra for now.
Good. We have enough e-waste. But if you want, send me your address. I'll happily donate one of the 10 sets of pointless chargers / earbuds I have here in my junk drawer if you're that desperate. Hell I'll donate all the earbuds to you. Not entirely sure how you're planning on using them on the S23, but that's your problem not mine.
In the
Meh. (Score:1)
I walked away from Samsung a few years ago after having several variations of the phone, and they all became slow, crappy phones within two years. One of them even refused to stay on.. got a replacement and that stopped working after a year. I switched to a One Plus 7TPro when it came out a little over three years ago and this thing still runs well, even after being dropped numerous times and having a few cracks in the screen. I took better care of my Samsungs.
Re: (Score:2)
I've got a Galaxy S10+ that I picked up after my previous phone's screen (S7 Edge IIRC) fell off a shelf about chest high and met the corner of a paver, spiderwebbing it like mad. Replacing the screen was going to be $250-$300, so I bought new.
Obviously I don't take the best care of my phones, and this thing has hit pavement at least once at 15+ MPH when I dropped it while riding my bike. Has not slowed down any noticeable amount except when I've had it up and running with uptimes in the 60+ day range and
Re: (Score:1)
Spec Monster (Score:2)
Like putting spoilers on a Yugo.
200 MP camera? Pffff (Score:2)
I'll wait for Apple's Gigapixel camera in the new iPhone 18