Jenith
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I have been using the Galaxy S23 Ultra since its launch in early 2023. I wanted to upgrade to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but I didn't, and I think I can go on with my current phone for two more years. There were times I wanted to upgrade to a newer phone, sometimes for faster access to the newer One UI version and sometimes for better hardware, but I am still perfectly happy with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Here are the four major reasons why I am satisfied with my phone.
The phone's 6.8-inch OLED screen is smooth and bright. Even with the AOD mode turned on, there is no significant drop in the battery life. It supports HDR in all the video streaming apps I use. Its speakers, too, are quite loud and have satisfactory audio performance.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S23-Ultra-S-Pen.jpg
The only display-related feature that I wish my phone had is the anti-glare coating that is available on newer Galaxy S Ultra devices, but the lack of it isn't a deal breaker, as the screen is bright enough that I can see what's on it without too much effort.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a solid camera setup. Its 200MP primary camera captures really good images and videos in all lighting conditions. I also find the front-facing camera great for taking selfies with my family. I used it extensively during my holiday trips, and it didn't disappoint.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Galaxy-S23-Ultra-5.jpg
The telephoto cameras (3x and 10x zoom) might not have high resolutions, but they still deliver good results. As I said earlier, I am willing to buy a new Galaxy phone when Samsung upgrades both telephoto cameras to 48MP or 50MP resolution, as that would bring the ability to capture 8K videos using all the rear cameras.
The only area where I want Samsung to really improve is the speed of capturing moving subjects like kids and pets. I am a dad, and I capture a lot of images of my kid. Sometimes, I have to request my kid not to move much or wait until he's done moving so that I can capture a blur-free shot. Other than that, I don't have any issues with the Galaxy S23 Ultra's cameras.
The 5,000mAh battery still lasts me more than a day, even with Always On Display mode enabled. I use a 5G SIM, and since there are no major network issues in my area, I think that’s also helping the phone’s battery performance.
My daily usage includes a lot of messaging, social media browsing, reading news on Feedly, streaming music on Apple Music and Spotify, watching videos on Disney+ Hotstar and YouTube, managing emails, controlling smart home devices, online shopping, mobile payments, navigation via Android Auto, and occasional photo and video editing. I also play Call of Duty: Mobile for about half an hour almost every day. When I travel, I use the camera and Wi-Fi hotspot extensively.
I expected to see a bigger drop in battery life since the phone is now 2.5 years old, but it has held up surprisingly well. That said, I do plan to replace the battery in the next few weeks, which should further extend the phone’s longevity.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Galaxy-S23-Ultra-One-UI-7-1-1920x1079.jpg
While I’ve been happy with the software over the past two years, I was eagerly waiting for the One UI 7 update. I enjoy customizing my home and lock screens with new wallpapers and widgets, and One UI 7 added several new widgets, clock styles, transparency settings, label options, and a more customizable Quick Panel. I also like the vertical app drawer and having the search bar at the bottom.
More importantly, the update made my phone feel much more fluid. Animations and transitions are now buttery smooth, something that wasn't always true before. The phone feels fast and smooth, even immediately after unlocking, whereas earlier, it would sometimes stutter for a second or two.
Day-to-day performance also feels slightly faster. I don't have hard numbers to back up this claim, and maybe I’m just noticing the smoother animations. Either way, the experience is better.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra still meets my needs, and newer phones haven't offered significant upgrades that would compel me to switch. That said, I'm open to upgrading to the Galaxy S26 Ultra next year if Samsung introduces a 50MP 3x zoom telephoto camera or resolves issues with motion blur when capturing moving subjects.
The post Still a king: Why I am sticking around with my Galaxy S23 Ultra appeared first on imeisource.
Here are the four major reasons why I am satisfied with my phone.
Good display and speakers
The phone's 6.8-inch OLED screen is smooth and bright. Even with the AOD mode turned on, there is no significant drop in the battery life. It supports HDR in all the video streaming apps I use. Its speakers, too, are quite loud and have satisfactory audio performance.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S23-Ultra-S-Pen.jpg
The only display-related feature that I wish my phone had is the anti-glare coating that is available on newer Galaxy S Ultra devices, but the lack of it isn't a deal breaker, as the screen is bright enough that I can see what's on it without too much effort.
Capable cameras
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a solid camera setup. Its 200MP primary camera captures really good images and videos in all lighting conditions. I also find the front-facing camera great for taking selfies with my family. I used it extensively during my holiday trips, and it didn't disappoint.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Galaxy-S23-Ultra-5.jpg
The telephoto cameras (3x and 10x zoom) might not have high resolutions, but they still deliver good results. As I said earlier, I am willing to buy a new Galaxy phone when Samsung upgrades both telephoto cameras to 48MP or 50MP resolution, as that would bring the ability to capture 8K videos using all the rear cameras.
The only area where I want Samsung to really improve is the speed of capturing moving subjects like kids and pets. I am a dad, and I capture a lot of images of my kid. Sometimes, I have to request my kid not to move much or wait until he's done moving so that I can capture a blur-free shot. Other than that, I don't have any issues with the Galaxy S23 Ultra's cameras.
Battery still lasts more than a day
The 5,000mAh battery still lasts me more than a day, even with Always On Display mode enabled. I use a 5G SIM, and since there are no major network issues in my area, I think that’s also helping the phone’s battery performance.
My daily usage includes a lot of messaging, social media browsing, reading news on Feedly, streaming music on Apple Music and Spotify, watching videos on Disney+ Hotstar and YouTube, managing emails, controlling smart home devices, online shopping, mobile payments, navigation via Android Auto, and occasional photo and video editing. I also play Call of Duty: Mobile for about half an hour almost every day. When I travel, I use the camera and Wi-Fi hotspot extensively.
I expected to see a bigger drop in battery life since the phone is now 2.5 years old, but it has held up surprisingly well. That said, I do plan to replace the battery in the next few weeks, which should further extend the phone’s longevity.
One UI 7 has improved fluidity and performance
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Galaxy-S23-Ultra-One-UI-7-1-1920x1079.jpg
While I’ve been happy with the software over the past two years, I was eagerly waiting for the One UI 7 update. I enjoy customizing my home and lock screens with new wallpapers and widgets, and One UI 7 added several new widgets, clock styles, transparency settings, label options, and a more customizable Quick Panel. I also like the vertical app drawer and having the search bar at the bottom.
More importantly, the update made my phone feel much more fluid. Animations and transitions are now buttery smooth, something that wasn't always true before. The phone feels fast and smooth, even immediately after unlocking, whereas earlier, it would sometimes stutter for a second or two.
Day-to-day performance also feels slightly faster. I don't have hard numbers to back up this claim, and maybe I’m just noticing the smoother animations. Either way, the experience is better.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra still meets my needs, and newer phones haven't offered significant upgrades that would compel me to switch. That said, I'm open to upgrading to the Galaxy S26 Ultra next year if Samsung introduces a 50MP 3x zoom telephoto camera or resolves issues with motion blur when capturing moving subjects.
The post Still a king: Why I am sticking around with my Galaxy S23 Ultra appeared first on imeisource.