Hey, when the Samsung Galaxy S23 came out in February 2023, I decided to give it a shot after being on iPhones for years. I was coming from an older model and wanted something compact but powerful, without the huge size of the Ultra. After using the S23 for quite some time now, here’s my real talk on what I like, what bugs me, and how it holds up against phones like the iPhone 16 Pro or even the S23+ that my friend has.
Design: Small, Solid, and Easy to Carry
The S23 is one of the few flagship phones that still feels pocket-friendly. It’s 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and weighs just 168 grams, way lighter than my friend’s S23+ (195 grams) or the iPhone 16 Pro (199 grams). I got the Phantom Black version, which looks sleek and doesn’t show fingerprints much, but the Cream and Lavender colors are pretty cool too if you want something different. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back, plus the Armor Aluminum frame, make it feel tough I’ve dropped it a few times on hardwood floors, and it’s fine with a basic case.
The 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is sharp with 1080 x 2340 resolution (425 PPI) and gets super bright at 1750 nits. Watching videos or scrolling X is a joy, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes everything smooth, just like the iPhone 16 Pro’s ProMotion. It’s not as big as the S23+’s 6.6-inch display, which is great for me because I can use it one-handed without stretching. The IP68 rating means I don’t worry about rain or spills, and the ultrasonic fingerprint reader works fast, though Face Unlock is just okay in low light. No fancy Action Button like newer iPhones, but the power and volume buttons are placed perfectly.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | Android 13 |
| Processor Type | Snapdragon |
| Display Size | 15.49 cm (6.1 inch) |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Cream, Lavender, Green, and Phantom Black |
| Camera | 50MP + 10MP + 12MP | 12MP Front Camera |
| Form Fator | Smartphone |
| Biomatric Security Feature | Face Recognition |
| Sim Card Size | Nano + eSIM |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
Performance: Fast Enough for Everything I Do
This thing flies with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip. Paired with 8GB RAM, it handles gaming, editing photos, and running a bunch of apps without slowing down. I play Genshin Impact on high settings, and it stays cool most of the time better than my old phone that heated up like crazy. Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro, it’s close in everyday speed, but Apple wins for super-heavy tasks like video exports. The S23+ has the same chip, so performance is identical, but the smaller size means it can get a bit warmer during long sessions.
Storage is 128GB or 256GB (I went with 256GB UFS 4.0), no microSD slot, which is a bummer if you’re used to expandable storage. It runs One UI 5.1 on Android 13 out of the box, now up to One UI 7 on Android 15, and Samsung promises updates until 2028. I love the customization Good Lock for tweaking everything but it has some bloatware. Connectivity is solid with 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, though newer phones have Wi-Fi 7. Emergency SOS via satellite is there, but I haven’t needed it.
Cameras: Great Shots, But Not Ultra-Level
The triple camera setup is 50MP main (f/1.8, OIS), 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP 3x telephoto. Daylight photos are sharp and colorful, and Night mode does a good job in low light better than my old phone by a mile. The 3x zoom is handy for portraits, but it’s no match for the S23 Ultra’s 10x or iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x in detail at distance. The 12MP selfie camera is solid, with nice skin tones, though the iPhone’s front camera feels a tad sharper for video calls.
Video goes up to 8K 30fps, which is cool, but I stick to 4K 60fps for smoother footage. Features like Director’s View are fun, but I don’t use them much. Colors are vibrant Samsung style but some people say they’re oversaturated compared to the iPhone’s more natural look. The S23+ has the same cameras, so no difference there, but the bigger screen makes editing photos nicer.
Software and Battery
One UI 7 is packed with goodies like Edge Panels and DeX for desktop mode, but it can feel busy compared to iOS. Some updates brought minor bugs, like battery drain for a few users on X, but mine’s been fine after tweaks. The 3900 mAh battery lasts me a full day (about 6-7 hours screen time), but it’s not as good as the S23+’s 4700 mAh or iPhone 16 Pro’s efficiency. 25W charging gets to 50% in ~30 minutes, slower than OPPO or Vivo phones I’ve tried, and 15W wireless is convenient with my MagSafe-like pads. No charger in the box, though.
Price and Final Thoughts
I picked mine up for around $799 (128GB), but now in November 2025, you can find it for $300-400 renewed or discounted. It’s a bargain compared to the iPhone 16 Pro or even the S23+ if you want compact. The main downsides are the battery could be better, and no expandable storage, but for a small phone with flagship power, it’s hard to beat.
Honestly, the Galaxy S23 has been my daily driver without regrets. It’s fast, the screen is amazing, and cameras are reliable for everyday snaps. If you hate big phones like the S23 Ultra or want something cheaper than the latest iPhones, grab an S23 it still feels fresh in 2025. My friend with the S23+ likes the bigger battery, but I love how pocketable mine is. Solid 8.5/10 for me!