Not Everyone Should Upgrade to Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Just Yet

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 simply launched in February, so chances are you’ll be questioning: Is it well worth the improve? Truth is, there is not one reply that may be utilized to everybody. The age and situation of your present cellphone, your price range and whether or not your gadget will assist new variations of Android ought to all issue into your determination. 

The Galaxy S23, which begins at $800, has a 6.1-inch display and a 50-megapixel primary digicam, identical to the Galaxy S22. But the S23 has a bigger battery, a brand new processor and barely up to date digicam algorithms that enhance the way in which pictures are processed. While these adjustments are appreciated, the Galaxy S23 is usually a minor enchancment over the Galaxy S22. The improve is price it in the event you’re trying to substitute a cellphone you’ve got had for a number of years, ideally one which’s greater than two years previous. Even the Galaxy S21, which launched in 2021, possible nonetheless has sufficient life left to make it by means of one other 12 months. 

Buying choices will at all times differ relying in your wants and price range. But in the event you’re a present Samsung consumer contemplating making the soar, here is what to find out about how the Galaxy S23 compares to older units.

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S22

With the Galaxy S23, Samsung addressed my largest concern concerning the Galaxy S22: its brief 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 gentle circumstances. The selfie digicam additionally has a barely greater decision (12 megapixels versus 10), though I did not discover a lot of a distinction. There’s nothing concerning the Galaxy S23’s digicam that feels vastly completely different from the earlier era, though I did discover that low-light portraits seemed 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 collection. 

The backside line: Don’t improve to the Galaxy S23 you probably have 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 will get the S23 free of charge by means of 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 one more 12 months earlier than upgrading. 

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

The Galaxy S21 additionally runs on a processor that is now two years previous, in comparison with the brand-new chip within the Galaxy S23. That stated, in the event 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 high-quality. 

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, which means it’s going to get new platform-wide software program updates till 2024. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S20

Whether it is best 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 loads to supply.

By upgrading, you may get a quicker chip, an improved digicam with considerably higher low-light efficiency and a contemporary design. Since the Galaxy S20 launched in 2020 with Android 10, it’s going to 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 need to improve to get future variations of Android and the brand new options that come together with these updates. The firm does, nonetheless, nonetheless present month-to-month safety updates for the Galaxy S20. 

At the identical time, the Galaxy S20 continues to be a really succesful cellphone. Even although you will not get the choice to shoot pictures 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 remember the fact that the Galaxy S20 has a bigger battery and a barely greater 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 important sufficient to justify the improve, however you additionally needn’t in the event you’re blissful together with your Galaxy S20. Hang onto the S20 in the event you’re pleased with its efficiency, battery life and in the event you worth maintaining that microSD card slot over having a greater digicam. Just bear in mind you will not get the subsequent model of Android. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S10

Galaxy S10 house owners: it is time to improve. Not solely will the digicam 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 previous. That means your cellphone could also be beginning to really feel sluggish, and the battery in all probability struggles to get by means of 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 features must be significant. Your Galaxy S10 additionally does not assist 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 recent Android releases. That would make final 12 months’s Android 12 replace the final one because the Galaxy S10 launched with Android 9. (You will, nonetheless, nonetheless get quarterly safety updates you probably have the common Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, S10E or S10 5G.)

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

One factor to bear in mind, nonetheless, is that you’re going to lose the beloved microSD card slot by upgrading to the Galaxy S23. So remember to decide a storage capability that is smart in your wants since you will not have the ability to broaden it. 

The backside line: Yes, you probably have a Galaxy S10 it is price upgrading to the Galaxy S23. You’ll get 5G assist, entry to new variations of Android, longer battery life, a quicker new processor and a much-improved digicam. 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, in reality, it is exhausting to know the place to start out. 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 digicam is among the many largest adjustments; the Galaxy S9 solely has one rear 12-megapixel digicam, and the Galaxy S9 Plus has an extra 12-megapixel telephoto digicam. The Galaxy S23 has the next decision 50-megapixel primary digicam, together with a 10-megapixel telephoto digicam and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens for capturing a wider area of view. The Galaxy S23’s selfie digicam additionally has the next decision (12 megapixels versus the S9’s 8), together with different enhancements like higher low-light seize. 

If you’ve gotten the usual 5.8-inch Galaxy S9, you may additionally get a bigger display because the 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 not any microSD card slot in Samsung’s new cellphone for including extra storage. 

The backside line: There are a bunch of causes to improve you probably have a Galaxy S9. You’ll get a considerably improved digicam with a number of lenses, a lot quicker efficiency, longer battery life, new variations of Android and 5G assist. 

Overall, it is price upgrading you probably have a cellphone that is greater than two years previous. Galaxy S20 house owners can in all probability get one other 12 months out of their gadget if it is in good situation, however the Galaxy S23 additionally gives sufficient enhancements to justify the improve. If you’ve gotten a Galaxy S10 or earlier, the reply as to if it is best to improve is a convincing sure.