Electronics › Smartphones
Galaxy S23 Ultranewer model: Galaxy S24 Ultra
Model timeline
Flagship Android smartphone with large display
Mid-range · middle third of smartphones
Quick take
In short: what each side says
Reviewers · Buyers · The press — each opened up in full further down ↓
Reviewers agree the Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers outstanding battery life, a versatile camera system with exceptional zoom, and flagship performance, though its size and curved display won't suit everyone.
Owners love the camera zoom, S-Pen, battery life, and display, but screen fragility and build durability issues divide them—some experience cracks and seal failures despite protection.
2 of 4 outlets recommend it.
Every side lands high — Holds up.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Smartphones.
The verdict
What the panel makes of it.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra ranks second for battery life and delivers exceptional endurance, a versatile camera with standout zoom, and smooth performance, but its large size, curved display reflections, and screen fragility concerns make it best suited to productivity-focused users who can tolerate a heavy device.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of May 2026
Reviewers agree the Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers outstanding battery life, a versatile camera system with exceptional zoom, and flagship performance, though its size and curved display won't suit everyone.
What they praise
- Battery life is exceptional, easily lasting full days of heavy use with minimal charging, aided by the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- Camera system is highly capable, with the 200-megapixel main sensor providing good detail and the 10x optical telephoto excelling at distance shots and stabilized video
- Performance is smooth and responsive with no degradation over time, handling intensive tasks and gaming without issue
- The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor unlocks instantly even with wet or oily fingers
- The S Pen stylus adds genuine utility for note-taking, remote control, and precise navigation
What they knock
- The phone is very large and heavy, feeling like a brick in hand and requiring adjustment time for comfortable use
- The curved display causes reflections from side lighting during content viewing, though accidental touches are minimal
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while tough, scratches more easily than expected and requires a quality screen protector
- Design looks nearly identical to prior models, making it visually indistinguishable across generations
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
Synthesised from: Marques Brownlee · 6 Months Later · Mrwhosetheboss · GSMArena Official · Mohit Balani
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is Better Than You Think!
Marques Brownlee
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review - 6 Months Later
6 Months Later
The Samsung S23 Ultra is secretly INCREDIBLE
Mrwhosetheboss
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra full review
GSMArena Official
Samsung S23 Ultra Review in 2024 After Ai Updates | Hindi
Mohit Balani
Feature by feature
What critics and buyers say, by feature.
“CPU than its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra can comfortably stretch its 5000mAh battery to a full day away from the mains”— Stuff
“We've run several Galaxy S23 Ultra benchmarks, and the results are quite strong.”— Tom's Guide
From 7 published reviews + buyer ratings · last 18 months?
What buyers say?
What Google knows about it.
Beyond the video critics, Google pools 49,221 buyer ratings of the Galaxy S23 Ultra from across retailers — a far wider, if blunter, jury. Here’s the shape of that opinion.
49,221 ratings · 7 written
across 6 retailers
What owners single out
Buyers' weakest aspect (screen durability) directly overlaps video reviewers' concern that Gorilla Glass Victus 2 scratches easily and requires a screen protector.
In their words
“I've Been a Samsung lover since the Note days, and the Samsung S23 Ultra has to be one of my favorites. The S-Pen is like my mini magic wand- I use it for everything from editing my photos, to drawing, signing documents. And once you use the pen you will never want a phone without a pen. The quality of the images and the zoom are wild, and the screen is just flawless.”
Jocelyn R · verified purchase · influenster.com
“Galaxy User for 15 years now. I've had this phone for over a year. Great phone, but there's a major drawback that I would HIGHLY dissuade anyone from purchasing this phone. The drawback: The large, fragile screen that becomes unusable after the slightest damage. 2 different S23 Ultra's have had their screen crack, despite being in an Otterbox and falling a max of 3 feet. Okay, small crack, no big ”
Josh Smith · verified purchase · Google
as of June 11 · 49221 buyer ratings?
What the press says?
Where the established press lands.
The press is split
2 of 4 outlets recommend it.
Across 4 independent outlets · published expert reviews · last 18 months
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
You value prestige and want Samsung's most advanced flagship device.
Flagship positioning from tier-3 brand with premium design, S Pen exclusivity, and commanding price point signal premium connoisseur appeal.
You need a proven phone from an established maker with broad consensus.
49k+ reviews with strong consensus, mature Samsung brand, settled product line, and no reported reliability red flags across owner aspects.
You want a flagship phone that excels across the board with proven reliability.
High buyer rating (4.6/5 from 49k reviews) with best-in-class camera, battery, and performance; curved display and durability concerns prevent a higher score.
You love phones with exceptional design, feel, and sensory appeal.
Praised for smooth performance, responsive unlocking, and S Pen utility; large size and identical design to prior models temper enthusiast delight.
You prefer a phone that works out of the box with minimal setup.
S Pen stylus, curved display quirks, and large form factor add complexity; reviewers note it requires adjustment time for comfortable use.
You want strong performance without paying premium flagship prices.
Street price of $403–1000 USD overlaps mid-range, but flagship positioning and lack of cheaper rival with comparable features limits value appeal. Consider Pixel 9a.
You want the newest cutting-edge phone technology available now.
A newer Galaxy S24 Ultra already exists, making this generation outdated for early adopters seeking the latest innovation. Consider Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 28.
Alternatives by price · Same field?
Same field, less money.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra best known for?
Reviewers highlight exceptional battery life that easily lasts full days of heavy use, a versatile camera system with a 200-megapixel main sensor and 10x optical telephoto for distance shots, and smooth performance handling intensive tasks and gaming. The S Pen stylus adds genuine utility for note-taking and precise n…
Is the Samsung S23 Ultra worthy?from Quora
The phone suits users who want a productivity powerhouse with strong battery endurance and versatile zoom photography. It ranks second for best battery life and second for best camera phones. Its size and heavy weight, curved display, and need for a screen protector are the main tradeoffs.
Who should buy the S23 Ultra and who should skip it?
It's best for users who need serious battery life, want S Pen capability, and can handle a very large heavy device. Skip it if you prefer compact or lightweight phones, dislike curved displays, or don't need stylus features.
How good is the camera?
The 200-megapixel main sensor provides good detail, and reviewers praise the 10x optical telephoto for distance shots and stabilized video. Reviewers are split on its close-up performance and low-light stage photography, and some debate Samsung's color processing against competitors.
What are the main drawbacks?
The phone is very large and heavy, feeling like a brick in hand. The curved display causes reflections from side lighting and its Gorilla Glass Victus 2 scratches more easily than expected, requiring a quality screen protector. The design looks nearly identical to prior models.
How does the battery compare?
Reviewers confirm exceptional battery life, easily lasting full days of heavy use with minimal charging. The efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip supports this endurance, and the AI ranking places it second for best battery life phones.
Source-tagged questions come verbatim from public forum threads · answers are ours
The recap
Where it stands today.
- Generation★Superseded by Galaxy S24 Ultra — the newer model in Samsung’s lineup.
- MakerBy Samsung — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.