OPINION: Earlier this week, Samsung unveiled its flagship smartphone lineup for 2023 with the Samsung Galaxy S23 series.
While the range boasts the usual annual updates, including a more powerful processor, improved cameras and newer software, I’ve noticed that some fans have criticized Galaxy S23 Ultra in particular, arguing that it is essentially the same as Galaxy S22 Ultra.
It’s easy to see why they’re taking this view – the design is largely unchanged from the S22 Ultra, it has the same 5000mAh battery, the same display technology and no major updates to the S Pen Ultra’s functionality, but if I’m honest, I don’t see this is a big problem.
why? Because the incremental upgrades on offer, combined with the already advanced technology of last year’s model, push the smartphone forward in significant ways, rather than just a redesign or introducing features for the sake of it.
I mean, look at it; The 6.8-inch ultra-premium S23 Ultra Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is one of the best in the world, the new 200 MP main camera really looks like a big leap forward especially in low light conditions, and even if it stays the same, the 5000mAh battery should be more than enough to provide a full day of use.
Even a small reduction in the curvature of the display, which may not seem so big at the announcement, is surprisingly noticeable when you pick up the smartphone.
Let’s not forget Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset that will boost performance more than most competing flagships, meaning you’ll get the best mobile performance from a top-of-the-line smartphone.
Sure, it’s not new and it’s not redesigned, but why would it be when it ticks so many boxes?
If you don’t own a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the S23 Ultra remains a tempting option for consumers looking for a significant upgrade to their current smartphone.
Looking at the bigger picture, smartphone innovation has slowed somewhat over the past few years compared to the early 2000s, when technology was seen in seven-year increments.
Smartphones used to evolve so quickly because there were notable advances to be made, be it high-resolution displays, all-day battery life, or powerful cameras—benchmarks that are now largely achieved in today’s smartphone market.
Now we have incredibly detailed displays, cameras capable of taking photos and videos in a wide variety of scenarios, and more than enough processing power to play the most demanding mobile games, so where else to go? What else does a smartphone need? At some point it becomes a lot.
That’s why the incremental changes to the Galaxy S23 Ultra are so important. It’s not about introducing new technology just for the sake of a few headlines at launch, it’s about improving the ultimate smartphone experience for users year after year.
If Samsung really thinks they’ve achieved that with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, that’s fine with me.
