TechPhonesAndroid PhonesDon’t buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The S23+ is the pick of the litterThe Galaxy S23 Ultra is a brilliant phone, but for most of us it isn’t the best one to buyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesAndroid PhonesDon’t buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The S23+ is the pick of the litterThe Galaxy S23 Ultra is a brilliant phone, but for most of us it isn’t the best one to buyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a brilliant phone, but for most of us it isn’t the best one to buy
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Samsung)
(Image credit: Samsung)
TheSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultrais one of thebest phonesever made, I’m sure. But if you buy one, that’s probably a mistake. For most of us, the S23+ is the sweet spot in theGalaxy S23 range.
When I look at the Ultra I’m reminded of some of the cars that blurp and burble their way around the streets near me. I live close to student accommodation and some of those students clearly have rich parents: their cars are AMG Mercedes, Maseratis and similarly expensive look-at-me-mobiles. And those cars drive almost exclusively on roads so potholed that if you go beyond 20mph you’ll burst your tyres.
There’s no point in buying a fast car you can’t drive fast. And I think it’s a similar story with phones.
Why the Galaxy S23+ is the best Galaxy S23
I think the S23+ hits all the right boxes for power users. It’s a step up from the standard S23 in several actually useful ways – a slightly bigger screen, a significantly better battery – and where it differs from the Ultra it doesn’t differ dramatically, so while it has 8GB of RAM to the Ultra’s 12GB you’re not going to notice a huge difference.
The most significant differences aren’t deal-breakers. There’s no S-Pen, and you don’t get the fancy new 200MP camera. But 50MP with allSamsung’s processing power is more than enough for amazing prints, assuming anybody even gets photos printed these days, and the S Pen isn’t something most phone users are crying out for.
Me, I’d buy the Plus – and I’d buy it now while Samsung is offeringdouble the storage for free. You can get the 512GB Plus for £1,049, minus any trade-in, and that’s a good £200 less than the Ultra with the same capacity.
Are those extra megapixels really worth an extra £200? That money could get you a really sweet pair oftrue wireless earbudsto go with your phone instead, and I don’t think that’s a decision you’d regret.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
TOPICSsamsung galaxySamsung
TOPICS
Amy Schumer’s Netflix comedy will leave your jaw on the floorOne big taboo gets busted in Kinda Pregnant
One big taboo gets busted in Kinda Pregnant
10 minutes, two dumbbells and this standing workout for more sculpted armsTone your arm the fun way with this no-repeat workout
Tone your arm the fun way with this no-repeat workout
One Samsung Galaxy S25 model will be missing from Galaxy Unpacked next weekThough we might still get a teaser
Though we might still get a teaser
Samsung’s 2025 soundbars include a clever convertibleSamsung is to introduce a new flagship soundbar for 2025 and a really clever compact model too
Samsung is to introduce a new flagship soundbar for 2025 and a really clever compact model too
New Samsung Galaxy S25 marketing images show all phones in close-up detailNew leak reveals more on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and standard models
New leak reveals more on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and standard models
There’s an amazing money-off deal on Samsung Galaxy S25 alreadyGet £50 / $50 off a new Samsung Galaxy S25 when you register your interest
Get £50 / $50 off a new Samsung Galaxy S25 when you register your interest
Samsung’s latest laptops changed my mind about AI – here’s whyThe Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup fully revealed in press images leak – best look at the Ultra and standard models yetNow Samsung just has to make them official
Now Samsung just has to make them official
The fourth, mystery Samsung Galaxy S25 might have been found onlineDetails about a slim Galaxy S25 have appeared – will it launch soon?
Details about a slim Galaxy S25 have appeared – will it launch soon?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra fans could be disappointed in one key areaIt could spell the beginning of the end for a beloved piece of hardware
It could spell the beginning of the end for a beloved piece of hardware