The review of the Samsung Galaxy S23+ (plus) comes a few weeks after that of its younger brother, the S23, and although the two smartphones are practically identical – and for this reason we will not repeat the written review but give it a different cut -, there are at least three reasons why the plus version might be preferable.
PERFECT SIZE FOR MANY
Size is the first factor that could make you choose S23 Plus over Ultra or small. On the one hand we have a smartphone with a very large display, perfect for using multimedia content, for browsing the internet and for viewing the many social media now increasingly focused on videos. The weight is then contained, confirming how balanced this device is, allowing you to insert it in your pocket without particular difficulties unlike the S23 Ultra
As you can also see from the comparison above, the S23 Plus is exactly in between in terms of size and weight but has all the advantages of the small model in terms of usability and autonomy, it doesn’t give up on anything.
EXCELLENT AUTONOMY
If you are looking for a Samsung with a convincing battery, the S23 Plus is the choice to make. The autonomy is also superior to the S23 Ultra with the same use and conditions and in these weeks of support between the two models, I can confirm that the Plus is the one with the best autonomy of this S23 series. Excellent processor, One UI 5.1 which has no abnormal consumption but, above all, very convincing standby management and extremely low wi-fi consumption.
Considering then weight and dimensions similar to S23 and the fact that Samsung guarantees 5 years of updates, here is that S23 Plus is configured as the best choice for those who don’t change their smartphone often. In 3 years even with 80% battery you will probably have a range similar to the S23 small when new.
HANDLING AND FLAT EDGES
Galaxy S23+ feels much nicer in hand than Ultra and not far from S23. The flat edges ensure a firmer grip, the smartphone slips less and you don’t have too much bulk in your pocket. The absence of curvature also shows perfect frontal symmetry of the body around the display which, combined with the small central hole, makes the S23 Plus extremely pleasant to see from the front and one of the most aesthetically interesting smartphones of this 2023.
Having said that, however, there are Galaxy S23+ it is not the perfect smartphone and it is not the product that kills the competition. In fact, it has some elements which, having tried so many novelties in this 2023, must be placed in the set of pros – above – and cons which I will now list for you.
DISPLAY DOES NOT COME TO S23 ULTRA
The screen of this S23+ is excellent and no one will be hurt and will have difficulty seeing the contents in any light condition. However, having the S23 Ultra next to it, it is noted that the peak brightness is lower and the readability less perfect. Considerations that I can only make because I have the two smartphones next to me and that do not detract from the value of this Plus but are combined with the lack of dynamic Refresh Rate as on the Ultra. Details, trifles and “nerd” things that differentiate the super TOP from the TOP.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS
Can we complain about the photos that top-of-the-range smartphones take? Absolutely not! Does S23 Plus take worse photos than Ultra? Absolutely yes! Put more clearly, between S23 and S23+ there are no differences in photographic quality and both are 2 steps below Ultra. On the one hand, Ultra’s 50MP with Pixel Binning is still unique for the market and, as I said in the review here, the real change in the sector after years of absolute calm. On the other hand, the number of different optics and the periscopic zoom of the older brother guarantee a versatility that the S23 and S23+ do not have.
This is reflected both in the photos with a very marked difference, and in the videos where the S23 Plus still manages to have a small advantage in optical stabilization compared to the S23. However, the gap with Ultra remains which with its Zoom allows you to make videos with an even higher quality.
PRICE STILL NOT SCREAMING
As happened last year for the 22 series, this year too the S23 Plus is disadvantaged by its price positioning and, clearly, by street prices. If the theoretical price lists show a reasoned difference between the three models, following online offers and not only, one realizes that the S23 Ultra often reaches figures that are “dangerously” close to the S23 Plus while the normal S23 continues to drop in price, increasing the gap with its older twin.
Hardware7
Quality Price
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
BEST PRICE
918€
bpm power918€
Samsung Galaxy S23+ PLUS 5G 6.6″ 8+256GB S916 BLACK Smartphone Mobile Phone
969€
SAMSUNG Galaxy S23+Black 256GB Phantom Black
1.049€
In fact, this leads us to consider S23+ a “difficult” purchase and that it is made only by those who find the real added value in the first 3 points of this analysis. For the other Ultras and S23 they may be the most correct choices: the maximum on the one hand at around €1030, the more compact and updated Android at around €720 on the other.
What is missing is further added value for the Plus which I believe should have been in the photographic part. In fact, if the S23 Plus were identical but with a 108MP camera taken from the S22 Ultra, it probably would have been the best smartphone of 2023. As it is, to have the best – Samsung at least – you have to give up low weight, comfortable dimensions and having to necessarily take a renamed “Note”.
For everything else, it’s hard to find fault with this S23 series.
VOTE 8.6
AUTONOMYSIZE/SCREEN RATIOHARDWARE AND SOFTWARE QUALITYGUARANTEED UPDATES
TOO EQUAL TO S23 PHOTOGRAPHIC SIDECHARGING AT 45W STILL SLOW COMPARED TO THE COMPETITORSSTILL HIGH PRICE
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is available online from Bpm power at 918 euros or from eBay to 969 euros. The value for money is discreet and it is the best device in this price range. To see the other 122 offers click here.
