Is the Galaxy S23 Worth the Upgrade? How It Compares to five Older Samsung Phones

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 simply launched in February, so it’s possible you’ll be questioning: Is it definitely worth the improve? There’s no one-size-fits all reply that applies to everybody. The age and situation of your present cellphone, your finances and whether or not your machine will help new variations of Android ought to all issue into your resolution. 

The Galaxy S23, which begins at $800, has a 6.1-inch display and a 50-megapixel major digital camera, similar to the Galaxy S22. But the S23 has a bigger battery, a brand new processor and barely up to date digital camera algorithms that enhance the best way photographs are processed. While these adjustments are appreciated, the Galaxy S23 is usually a minor enchancment over the Galaxy S22. The improve is value it should you’re seeking to change a cellphone you have had for a number of years, ideally one which’s greater than two years outdated. Even the Galaxy S21, which launched in 2021, possible nonetheless has sufficient life left to make it via one other 12 months. 

Buying selections will all the time differ relying in your wants and finances. But should you’re a present Samsung person contemplating making the soar, here is what to learn about how the Galaxy S23 compares to older gadgets.

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S22

With the Galaxy S23, Samsung addressed my greatest concern concerning the Galaxy S22: its quick battery life. The new cellphone has a bigger battery (3,900 mAh in comparison with 3,700), which has made a distinction in my testing.

Otherwise, in comparison with the Galaxy S22, you are getting a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that is been optimized for the brand new Galaxy lineup particularly, whereas the Galaxy S22 runs on final 12 months’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. Performance is quicker, particularly when exporting video. But you in all probability will not discover a lot of a soar in on a regular basis use, since most trendy processors are well-equipped to deal with gaming, multitasking and different run-of-the-mill duties.

The Galaxy S23’s cameras are largely the identical because the Galaxy S22’s, besides the algorithms have been up to date to enhance processing in low mild circumstances. The selfie digital camera additionally has a barely increased decision (12 megapixels versus 10), though I did not discover a lot of a distinction. There’s nothing concerning the Galaxy S23’s digital camera that feels vastly totally different from the earlier era, though I did discover that low-light portraits appeared higher.

The cellphone launches with Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI 5.1 software program, each of which can be found for the Galaxy S22 sequence. 

The backside line: Don’t improve to the Galaxy S23 when you’ve got a Galaxy S22. The adjustments aren’t noticeable sufficient to warrant an improve. Battery life is the one significant change you may discover between the 2 telephones, however I’d solely suggest upgrading if you may get the S23 without spending a dime via a trade-in deal. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S21

The variations between the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S21 are extra noticeable, however you possibly can in all probability maintain onto your S21 for an additional 12 months earlier than upgrading. 

The Galaxy S23 has a noticeably improved digital camera because it inherits the 50-megapixel sensor that debuted on the Galaxy S22. As I wrote in my evaluate, the Galaxy S22’s cameras supply higher coloration, distinction and low-light efficiency in comparison with the Galaxy S21. 

The Galaxy S21 additionally runs on a processor that is now two years outdated, in comparison with the brand-new chip within the Galaxy S23. That stated, should you’re simply utilizing your cellphone for easy duties like video calls, taking part in video games and checking social media, the older Snapdragon 888 chip might be holding up simply advantageous. 

The backside line: If your Galaxy S21 nonetheless feels quick and the battery life is passable, you possibly can wait one other 12 months earlier than upgrading. Samsung helps three generations of Android working system updates for the Galaxy S21, that means it should get new platform-wide software program updates till 2024. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S20

Whether you need to improve from the Galaxy S20 is not as easy of a solution. There’s sufficient to achieve that might justify making the soar, however the Galaxy S20 additionally nonetheless has lots to supply.

By upgrading, you may get a sooner chip, an improved digital camera with considerably higher low-light efficiency and a recent design. Since the Galaxy S20 launched in 2020 with Android 10, it will not be eligible for brand spanking new Android OS updates shifting ahead. 

Samsung dedicated to offering three generations of updates for the Galaxy S20 lineup, making Android 13 the final one. That means you may must improve to get future variations of Android and the brand new options that come together with these updates. The firm does, nevertheless, nonetheless present month-to-month safety updates for the Galaxy S20. 

At the identical time, the Galaxy S20 remains to be a really succesful cellphone. Even although you will not get the choice to shoot photographs at a 50-megapixel decision like on the Galaxy S23, you may nonetheless get a triple-camera setup on the Galaxy S20. The Galaxy S20 additionally has a 30x digital zoom just like the Galaxy S23, so you will not miss out on getting close-up pictures.

But understand that the Galaxy S20 has a bigger battery and a barely larger display than the Galaxy S23. And most significantly, the Galaxy S20 has a microSD card slot for including extra storage, which the Galaxy S23 doesn’t. 

The backside line: The updates within the Galaxy S23 will really feel vital sufficient to justify the improve, however you additionally need not should you’re blissful along with your Galaxy S20. Hang onto the S20 should you’re proud of its efficiency, battery life and should you worth retaining that microSD card slot over having a greater digital camera. Just keep in mind you will not get the subsequent model of Android. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S10

Galaxy S10 homeowners: it is time to improve. Not solely will the digital camera and processor really feel like an enormous step up, however you may get 5G and the newest model Android. 

If you bought the Galaxy S10 at launch again in 2019, the processor and battery are actually 4 years outdated. That means your cellphone could also be beginning to really feel sluggish, and the battery in all probability struggles to get via a day. The Galaxy S10’s battery can be smaller than the Galaxy S23’s (3,400 mAh capability versus 3,900) and the S23’s processor is extra energy environment friendly — so the battery positive aspects ought to be significant. Your Galaxy S10 additionally would not help 5G, except you splurged on the 6.7-inch Galaxy S10 5G, which began at $1,300 when it launched.

But extra importantly, the Galaxy S10 not receives Android model updates. Like the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S10 was eligible for 3 generations of latest Android releases. That would make final 12 months’s Android 12 replace the final one for the reason that Galaxy S10 launched with Android 9. (You will, nevertheless, nonetheless get quarterly safety updates when you’ve got the common Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, S10E or S10 5G.)

While software program help and battery life are among the many greatest causes to improve, you may additionally get a significantly better digital camera on the Galaxy S23. Samsung’s digital camera has come a great distance during the last 4 years, now providing the next decision major sensor (50 megapixels versus 12 megapixels on the Galaxy S10), enhanced efficiency in low mild and a better digital zoom (as much as 30x on the Galaxy S23 in comparison with 10x on the Galaxy S10). 

One factor to remember, nevertheless, is that you will lose the beloved microSD card slot by upgrading to the Galaxy S23. So remember to decide a storage capability that is smart to your wants since you will not have the ability to develop it. 

The backside line: Yes, when you’ve got a Galaxy S10 it is value upgrading to the Galaxy S23. You’ll get 5G help, entry to new variations of Android, longer battery life, a sooner new processor and a much-improved digital camera. But be ready to say goodbye to the microSD card slot. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S9

There are many causes to improve from the Galaxy S9 — so many, actually, it is onerous to know the place to begin. All of the factors talked about above for the Galaxy S10 additionally apply to the Galaxy S9. Samsung’s five-year-old cellphone lacks 5G, and its processor and battery have possible began to point out their age. You’ll additionally not obtain Android model updates. 

But there are many different advantages available from upgrading. The digital camera is among the many greatest adjustments; the Galaxy S9 solely has one rear 12-megapixel digital camera, and the Galaxy S9 Plus has an extra 12-megapixel telephoto digital camera. The Galaxy S23 has the next decision 50-megapixel major digital camera, together with a 10-megapixel telephoto digital camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens for capturing a wider subject of view. The Galaxy S23’s selfie digital camera additionally has the next decision (12 megapixels versus the S9’s 8), together with different enhancements like higher low-light seize. 

If you might have the usual 5.8-inch Galaxy S9, you may additionally get a bigger display for the reason that Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch show. The Galaxy S23 additionally has twice the storage within the base mannequin in comparison with the Galaxy S9, however there is no microSD card slot in Samsung’s new cellphone for including extra storage. 

The backside line: There are a bunch of causes to improve when you’ve got a Galaxy S9. You’ll get a considerably improved digital camera with a number of lenses, a lot sooner efficiency, longer battery life, new variations of Android and 5G help. 

Overall, it is value upgrading when you’ve got a cellphone that is greater than two years outdated. Galaxy S20 homeowners can in all probability get one other 12 months out of their machine if it is in good situation, however the Galaxy S23 additionally presents sufficient enhancements to justify the improve. If you might have a Galaxy S10 or earlier, the reply as to whether you need to improve is a convincing sure.