Samsung Galaxy S23 Review: A Harmonious Blend Of Style And Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is built for people who want flagship features in a sturdy device. Hate curved edges? Tired of having to use two hands to accomplish basic tasks on your phone? The S23 is for you.

As the base model of Samsung's flagship lineup this year, the Galaxy S23 delivers on form factor, ease of use, (mostly) on camera and speed but fails in terms of battery performance. How does it stack up against recent flagships by OnePlus and Xiaomi? Keep reading to find out.

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Design and Display

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is an aesthetic joy! Owing to its smaller size compared to other Android flagships, it is the right choice for those looking for a relatively small device that fits in their pockets with dimensions of 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and a weight of 168 grams.

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Samsung has decided to not use curved displays on this device, unlike the S23 Ultra that is much bigger and bulkier. The S23's compact size makes it easier to access the volume and unlock buttons. At 6.1 inches, the screen size is optimum for browsing, reading, and social media. If you're going to be watching a lot of movies or playing a lot of games, this is not the right device.

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The S23's Dynamic AMOLED display (with 120Hz refresh rate support for smoothness) is vibrant, but I personally like a bigger screen for video consumption. Samsung also deserves a shoutout for its minimalist always-on display. In essence, the design is simple, sturdy, and stunning to look at and hold!

Performance

Supported by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, (I used the 128GBROM + 8GB RAM variant) the Samsung Galaxy S23 tackles challenges well, but doesn't qualify as a powerhouse. Perhaps that's because I've bore witness to the might of much faster devices like the OnePlus 11 5G and the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

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This is the optimal phone if your primary usage is limited to social media and casual video consumption.

The S23 will show very subtle signs of lag if you switch from a power-consuming game like Diablo Immortal to much lighter Kindle e-reader app. I left more than 40 apps open for a week to see how it fares, and after a few days, the phone would often show some lag, but nothing prominent enough to piss off the casual user. In the long term, this could be an issue, though!

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Also read: Everything About Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Screams 'Extra' And Rightly So!

To my disappointment, the Samsung Galaxy S23 showed moderate signs of heating with heavy usage. Even then, it's not significant enough to put you off... unless of course, the battery dies... which it will (more on this in the battery section). In terms of the software, I really prefer Samsung One UI over other Android interfaces and even with some pre-loaded apps, the interface doesn't feel bloated.

Camera

First things first, the shutter speed will definitely put you off - Samsung really needs to up its game. If you're going to be clicking a lot of moving objects, skip this device. Otherwise, the camera delivers on most fronts.

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The portrait shots are beautiful - and the colours, in classic Samsung fashion will make your memories feel more colourful and punchy!

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When you're taking really close shots, sometimes the details will not register. Just play with the focus a little bit, and you'll get a good shot eventually (which shouldn't be happening at all) and the camera, for some reason, adds shakiness to tiny details like small text. It's still a flagship so you'll get a good camera experience if not an exceptional one.

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Priced at ?74,999, this is an above average camera phone that can take detailed daytime shots and can decently tackle nighttime photography. But if camera is your priority in the same price range - the Xiaomi 13 offers more overall value.

Also read: Xiaomi 13 Pro: Impressive Camera, But Can It Stand Out In A Saturated Market?

The S23 has a 50 MP wide camera, a 10 MP telephoto lens, and a 12 MP ultrawide (120 degree) camera. As I've stated earlier, I really think Samsung has nailed the camera design and placement in the Android ecosystem - the lenses aren't bulky and don't take up a lot of space on the back panel.

Battery

Samsung, listen up! When you pitch 25w as fast-charging, you must know that it's not true... at least in the Indian market.

With OnePlus and Xiaomi devices offering 120w+ charging speeds, it's a shame that Samsung has decided to play it safe again.

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Also read: OnePlus 11 5G Delivers Impressive Flagship Performance On A Budget

The phone takes roughly over an hour to reach 100% if you begin to charge your phone at 20%, which is quite slow in the current landscape. And unlike the S23 Ultra that would last you a day easily, the S23 will need two full battery cycles every day - if you intend to use it for more tasks than just basic social media and e-mailing. And while poor battery performance can be excused if fast-charging makes up for it, that's not the case with this device.

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My verdict

Compact, clean-cut, and comfortable to use is how I'd describe the Samsung Galaxy S23.

Even then, it's clear that Samsung didn't make this device for people who are always looking to maximise the potential of their smartphones. Beginning at ?74,999 for the 128GB+8GB variant, it's a good flagship device that does what it claims - nothing less, nothing more. Although, the hefty price tag is enough to put many people off - and rightly so.

Have you been thinking of buying the new Samsung Galaxy S23? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.