Samsung’s Galaxy S series is always one of the most anticipated flagship devices of the year. This year’s models have some compelling new features, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a 200MP camera, and a much larger 5000mAh battery for the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
While there are still a few questions about this year’s Galaxy S lineup, a new leak has shed some more light on the hardware. The leaked spec sheet also shows off a slower base storage option and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Features
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Series will come with a number of features that you can expect from the latest flagship smartphones. These include water resistance, Wi-Fi 6E, Android 13 with One UI 5.1 and an under-display fingerprint reader.
All three phones will reportedly sport AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. A Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset will be paired with a choice of either 8GB or 12GB of RAM depending on the model.
Some of these phones will get a bigger battery than usual, too. While the base model gets a 3900mAh battery, the Galaxy S23 Ultra will get an even bigger 5000mAh unit.
Some of these phones will also reportedly get satellite communication for handling emergency messages when a device is out of cell signal. This could be a useful feature for emergencies, such as hurricanes or tornadoes.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Series looks similar to its predecessors, with only minor differences. That includes the rumored 200MP camera on the S23 Ultra, which is expected to feature three lens rings protruding independently rather than an elevated “camera island” like most phones.
The standard S23 and S23 Plus will also appear virtually unchanged. According to popular leaker @IceUniverse, they’ll have the same rounded edges and thin bezels as last year’s Galaxy S22 series.
Meanwhile, the S23 Ultra could have a slightly smaller design than its predecessor, as shown in unofficial renders by OnLeaks. It will also have a rear camera sensor that protrudes more than the S22 Ultra, though this isn’t necessarily a major upgrade.
The leaks also confirm that the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23+ will be available in Mystic Lilac, Cotton Flower (a gold/white colorway), Botanic Green and Phantom Black. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will likely be offered in these colors, but don’t expect to see the S Pen change its color as it did on the S22.
Colors
There are four color options for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Series. These include Botanic Green, Cotton Flower, Misty Lilac, and Phantom Black.
We’ve seen these colors in previous renders, which were reportedly spotted by supply chain consultant Ross Young back in October. As far as we know, they’re still in play, but we’ll have to wait a little bit longer for the actual devices themselves before we can confirm their official marketing names.
While the color choices aren’t new, it’s a change from what we’ve previously seen with the Galaxy S series. It’s also a departure from what we’ve seen with other phones from the company.
Pricing
In previous generations, Samsung’s flagship smartphones have typically started at around $899. But in 2019, the Galaxy S10 series and its FE (Fan Edition) versions launched at $999, which led to some criticism over its price.
It looks like that could change for 2023 though, as new pricing details reveal that the S23 Series will be priced significantly higher than its predecessors. Specifically, the base model of the S23 Plus will start at $999 in the US, while the Ultra will be priced $1,049.
If you’re looking to buy one of these phones, you can get some help by signing up to Samsung’s reservation system. For a limited time, you can get $50 in Samsung Credit towards your new S23 phone or $100 towards a Galaxy Book.
In terms of specifications, the S23 and S23+ will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is expected to offer improved performance thanks to a 36% boost in CPU speed and 48% increase in graphics performance compared to last year’s model. They will also feature a 5000mAh battery that’s similar to that found in the Galaxy S22 Ultra.