Samsung was the first company to create the Ultra segment of smartphones. The Galaxy S20 Ultra, released in 2020, established that Ultra means more than Pro. It means a bigger display, battery, and camera system, as well as better performance.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the embodiment of the Ultra phone, and it's easily Samsung's most popular phone on the market. While the design is a bit stale at this point, it's functional. The rectangular body is ideal for carrying a large four-camera island, a powerful chipset, a large battery, and a stylus. It also has the biggest display you can find on a non-folding phone.
The Galaxy Ultra has embraced its S Pen-carrying identity in its fourth generation, solidifying another feature that only the Galaxy Ultra has. Samsung also added a new 200MP camera to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, making it another ultra-worthy feature.
The biggest changes in the S23 Ultra are the move to Qualcomm's silicon and the new 200MP imager. However, these changes are unlikely to motivate most S22 Ultra users to upgrade.
The S23 Ultra is a subtle evolution over its predecessor. The S Pen, cameras, display, and battery are practically the same, as is the design and build, for the most part.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a safe choice for Galaxy Ultra (and the old Galaxy Note) loyalists who want a familiar do-it-all big Samsung phone. It's an important device for Samsung, and the company painstakingly keeps true to its roots.
The S23 Ultra is probably the most Samsung phone out of Samsung's entire lineup. It's over the top, Ultra-specced, pen-enabled, and huge. It's a phone made for a specific user in mind, and that person will be more than happy with the Galaxy S23 Ultra for yet another year.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a great phone, but it's not for everyone. It's a very specific device that's unlikely to entice the iPhone lover or the Pixel person to switch phones. However, if you're a fan of the Galaxy Ultra series, or you're looking for the biggest and best Samsung phone out there, then the S23 Ultra is the phone for you.