Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy S23 Ultra? It Depends

It is no simple activity to determine whether or not it is time to improve your telephone. That is very true when you’re eyeballing a telephone as costly because the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, which begins at $1,200 and not using a low cost.

The reply largely is determined by which telephone you personal, the age and situation of it and your price range. There isn’t any single method that applies to everybody, however taking these components under consideration will help you with the choice. In case your telephone is just too previous to obtain new Android platform upgrades, that is additionally an excellent signal that you need to take into account upgrading. (However earlier than you do, see if it can save you some cash by way of a trade-in deal.) 

Galaxy S23 Extremely vs. Galaxy S22 Extremely

With the Galaxy S23 Extremely, Samsung improved the areas that its Extremely telephones are identified for: digital camera high quality and efficiency. The Galaxy S23 Extremely is Samsung’s first telephone able to capturing images at a 200-megapixel decision. The whole Galaxy S23 lineup additionally runs on a brand new processor that is been particularly optimized for Samsung’s Galaxy units. 

Nevertheless, in my testing, Samsung’s behind-the-scenes enhancements to the best way the digital camera captures coloration and dynamic vary felt extra impactful than the upper decision. The bottom degree Galaxy S23 Extremely additionally has twice as a lot storage in contrast with the Galaxy S22 Extremely, which may very well be useful for storing all these images.

Watch this: Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely Evaluate: Excessive High quality Digital camera For A Excessive Value

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That mentioned, it is price holding onto your Galaxy S22 Extremely for some time longer earlier than upgrading. Although the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s enhancements are appreciated, they’re going to be far more noticeable when upgrading from a telephone that is a number of years previous. 

The Galaxy S23 Extremely and S22 Extremely nonetheless have loads in frequent. Each telephones have a big 6.8-inch display, an included S Pen stylus, higher low mild pictures in contrast with earlier generations, a multi-lens digital camera system that may zoom as much as 100x digitally and a 5,000 mAh battery. You will get the identical general expertise on each telephones, however with refinements to digital camera high quality and processing energy on the Galaxy S23 Extremely. 

Samsung additionally gives newer telephones with 4 generations of Android updates and 5 years of safety updates, that means the Galaxy S22 Extremely will really feel related for the following few years. 

The underside line: If in case you have the Galaxy S22 Extremely, do not improve simply but. There’s nonetheless loads of life left in that telephone. 

Galaxy S23 Extremely vs. Galaxy S21 Extremely

The Galaxy S21 Extremely and S22 Extremely share many similarities, with the main variations being the S22 Extremely’s included S Pen, newer processor and improved low mild pictures efficiency. Due to this, the identical recommendation holds true: In case your Galaxy S21 Extremely is in good condition, do not improve but. 

Images is probably going an enormous precedence when you’re within the Extremely lineup. The Galaxy S23 Extremely brings just a few enhancements on this regard, resembling the brand new 200-megapixel sensor, higher dynamic vary and improved low mild efficiency. 

However these adjustments aren’t important sufficient to justify springing for a brand new gadget simply but, until you’ll be able to mainly get it totally free by way of a trade-in deal. Even then, I would encourage you to carry onto your S21 Extremely for so long as doable to justify the cash you spent on it within the first place. 

The Galaxy S23 Extremely’s 200-megapixel digital camera is simply really noticeable while you zoom in on the pixel degree, or when you intend to print massive copies of your images. And when you actually need the S Pen, you’ll be able to all the time purchase it individually as a substitute of upgrading your complete telephone.

Since Samsung helps 4 generations of Android software program updates on the Galaxy S21 lineup, you will additionally proceed to get new variations of Android by way of Android 15. 

The underside line: In case your Galaxy S21 Extremely is in good condition, maintain onto it for a short while longer. You will nonetheless get a foremost digital camera sensor with a better decision than most telephones, in addition to the power to zoom as much as 100x digitally. You will miss a few of Samsung’s newer enhancements to low mild pictures and dynamic vary, however the Galaxy S21 Extremely nonetheless has a really succesful digital camera. 

Galaxy S23 Extremely vs. Galaxy S20 Extremely

The Galaxy S20 Extremely falls into that grey space the place it may very well be price upgrading, however it is determined by the situation of your gadget. For those who bought the Galaxy S20 Extremely at launch, your telephone is now greater than 3 years previous. Meaning efficiency and battery life could be beginning to degrade. 

Upgrades to the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s cameras, battery life and energy are possible noticeable to justify an improve, however you are additionally fantastic to hold onto your Galaxy S20 Extremely for one more 12 months when you’re pleased with it. Simply do not forget that the Galaxy S20 Extremely is simply eligible for 3 generations of Android platform updates, that means it is reaching the top of its run because it launched with Android 10. (That mentioned, the telephone nonetheless receives month-to-month safety updates). 

Each the Galaxy S20 Extremely and S23 Extremely have devoted lenses for capturing large, ultrawide and zoomed-in images. However there are some notable variations in relation to the specs of these cameras. As beforehand talked about, the Galaxy S23 Extremely can shoot images at as much as a 200-megapixel decision, whereas the Galaxy S20 Extremely shoots as much as a 108-megapixel decision — just like the Galaxy S21 Extremely and S22 Extremely. 

However there are some adjustments in relation to the telephoto lenses, too. The Galaxy S23 Extremely has two 10-megapixel telephoto cameras in contrast with the Galaxy S20 Extremely’s 48-megapixel telephoto lens. Since having two zoom lenses means the S23 Extremely does not should crop as a lot to attain a zoom, you need to see crisper outcomes when zooming at 3x and 10x. 

Samsung has additionally improved optical picture stabilization over time, that means the S23 Extremely needs to be higher at taking regular pictures whereas zooming. Again in 2020, some customers additionally reported points with the Galaxy S20 Extremely’s autofocusing, although Samsung later launched a software program repair. Nonetheless, it is secure to say you’ll be able to count on a digital camera improve when you change to the S23 Extremely. 

In any other case, you will be getting many routine upgrades with the S23 Extremely, resembling a quicker new processor, a refreshed design that extra intently resembles the Galaxy Notice and the included S Pen stylus. Newer Samsung telephones just like the S23 Extremely even have extremely wideband assist, which ought to make it simpler to share information with different Samsung telephones and use your telephone as a digital automotive key. 

But it surely’s price remembering that you will be giving up the S20 Extremely’s micro SD card slot when you improve, that means you’ll be able to’t add extra storage. You will additionally lose the power to make use of Samsung Pay on older fee terminals that do not assist tapping to pay.

The underside line: If in case you have a Galaxy S20 Extremely, the adjustments within the Galaxy S23 are noticeable sufficient to justify an improve. However the Galaxy S20 Extremely can be current sufficient to make it price holding onto for now when you’re nonetheless pleased with it. 

Galaxy S23 Extremely vs. Galaxy S10 5G

The Galaxy S10 5G was Samsung’s top-of-the-line telephone from 2019, that means it is now roughly 4 years previous. And in these 4 years, Samsung has made many enhancements that actually justify an improve. Given the Galaxy S10 5G’s age, it additionally now not receives Android platform updates since Samsung assured solely three generations of updates. 

As is typical for Samsung’s high-end telephones, one of many greatest advantages you will get from upgrading is cameras. Along with the main positive aspects in decision, low mild efficiency, stabilization and dynamic vary, you will additionally get a a lot nearer zoom on the Galaxy S23 Extremely. The Galaxy S10 5G helps solely a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom, which is a far cry from the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.

Digital camera apart, you will get a considerably newer processor that ought to lead to quicker efficiency and higher energy effectivity, a much bigger battery, the S Pen and a barely bigger display. All advised, there’s loads to be gained from upgrading — nearly the whole lot will really feel new.

The underside line: Sure, you need to improve  if in case you have a Galaxy S10 5G. All the things from the software program to the cameras and efficiency will get an enormous enhance. 

Total, it is price upgrading to the Galaxy S23 Extremely if in case you have a Samsung telephone that is no less than 3 years previous. Check out the desk under to get a more in-depth have a look at how the Galaxy S23 Extremely compares with its predecessors.