Every year, numerous smartphones are launched, and they consistently prove to be of high quality. However, ever since the release of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, every new phone faces the challenge of competing with it to establish its value. Nearly a year has passed since its launch, yet the latest smartphones of this year, such as Vivo's X100 series, Oppo's Find series, and Xiaomi's 14 series, continue to be compared to it – and all of these are indeed exceptional devices. They boast top-notch hardware, including processors, camera systems, and build materials. However, their worth is ultimately determined by how well they perform compared to the S23 Ultra, which, even after a year, remains an undisputed champion. But why does this year-old phone still maintain its relevance? If you pose this question, people often start listing its specs, which is not the proper way to assess a phone's relevance. We will analyze the relevance of this phone based on functionality and user experience. Let's answer this question without delving into the specs.
S Pen
Starting with the S Pen, it proves to be incredibly useful once you get accustomed to it. Primarily, I find it beneficial in two situations. First, when you need to take a selfie from a distance or a group picture, and no one is available to capture it, you can use the S Pen as a wireless camera shutter button. Another useful scenario is that you can take notes whenever you want. As soon as you take out the S Pen, the note app launches, and as soon as you put it back, the note gets saved. This is a highly useful feature, especially for students and professionals. Even if you can't find a use case for the S Pen, it's not a concern; just let it stay inside your phone and use it as a regular smartphone.
Design
Moving on to design and form factor, it is a subjective topic that depends on personal preference. Personally, I am not a fan of the S23 Ultra's form factor, as it is a bit larger and pointier than my liking. I prefer phones that can fit in my hand and have curved edges. According to me, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus has the best form factor, with a big screen, curved edges, and easy one-handed operation. However, the form factor of the S23 Ultra is not bad at all; a majority of people appreciate it. If you love curved screens and don't mind operating phones with two hands, you will likely adore this beautiful phone. Yes, it is a bit heavier, but you get used to it quickly once you start using it.
Display
Now, let's discuss the display of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung provides displays to most smartphone companies, but it seems they reserve the best for themselves. The display of the S23 Ultra is one of the best from Samsung. Even though new flagship smartphones with better specs have been launched, it still holds its ground. If you are someone who multitasks, you won't find a better display in this form factor. Combined with the versatility of One UI 6, the S23 Ultra's display becomes one of the best out there. Adding GoodLock makes it unbeatable, as GoodLock offers the best module for one-handed operations. However, one caveat is that One UI doesn't offer a vertical app drawer natively. I believe including a vertical app drawer in One UI should not be an issue for Samsung.
Camera
Before discussing camera capabilities, I want to mention that I appreciate the rear camera placement on the S23 Ultra. This placement gives a cleaner and premium look to the S23 Ultra. It is one of the reasons why Samsung is using a similar design on every smartphone, from budget to premium, as they aim to create their identity with this camera placement, much like the iPhone. Speaking of camera capabilities, the S23 Ultra excels in both photos and videos, making it the only smartphone that offers content readily usable on social media. Not only does the main camera perform well, but the ultrawide and telephoto lenses of the S23 Ultra also produce some of the best shots out there.
Performance
I am confident that if you have a basic understanding of smartphones, you will never doubt the power of the S23 Ultra, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is overclocked for the Galaxy S23 Series. This chip has proven to be the best SoC from Qualcomm to date. Although Qualcomm has introduced the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and many smartphones have been launched with this chip, we still need time to assess its long-term performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The S23 Ultra can handle anything you throw at it.
Battery
No need to worry about the battery, as the battery life is fantastic on this device. You can easily get through the entire day even if you are a heavy user, and the idle drain is minimal, contributing to the overall battery life. While it may not have the absolute best battery life compared to other smartphones, the 5,000mAh on the S23 Ultra is more than sufficient. Despite having only 45 watts of wired charging, it is fast enough, and if you charge it overnight or at the start of the day, it will last the whole day.
Price
Regarding pricing, the S23 Ultra is an ultra-premium smartphone, and its price reflects that. Officially, it is still being sold at ₹1,24,999 on the Samsung store, but it is listed on Amazon at just ₹96,890, which is already a good deal. Click here to check out this deal. With the Samsung Galaxy S24 series launching soon, its price is expected to decrease further. Additionally, if you have a lower budget but desire the S23 Ultra, there are no-cost EMI options available for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, even after a year, the S23 Ultra feels fresh and has not aged at all. I think this enduring freshness is really important when you buy a smartphone as you want your phone to feel fresh even after a year. Its continued relevance after a year goes beyond mere specifications, focusing on the practical aspects of user experience, functionality, and design. From the versatile S Pen to the exceptional display and powerful camera capabilities, the S23 Ultra remains a formidable choice for users seeking a premium smartphone experience. Whether you're captivated by its advanced features, sleek design, or robust performance, the S23 Ultra remains a compelling option for those who value a device that feels fresh and contemporary even after a year of use.
As always, keep an eye on the market for potential offers and discounts, especially with the imminent launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.
So this is our analysis of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. And based on this analysis, we will recommend you to buy it in 2024. I hope you found it useful. What do you think about Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2024? Share your opinion in comment section below. Follow us on Twitter for more such interesting analysis.
