Samsung Galaxy S23 review: specs, battery & used prices

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the compact 2023 flagship: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 6.1-inch 120 Hz OLED, IP68 and a 168 g body — the lightest flagship in the catalog. Everyday 84/100, camera 42/100, compactness 98/100. New 8/128 units list at $799; used 8/128 units run around $200, an aggressive discount for silicon this current.

Display and design

The 6.1-inch 120 Hz OLED at 1,200 nits is bright and color-accurate in a frame that vanishes into a pocket — compactness 98/100 with proper IP68 sealing and matte glass backs that resist fingerprints. At 168 g it is the phone to hand to anyone who claims flagships got too big.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy was the best Android silicon of its year and remains fluent at everything: gaming 40/100, everyday 84/100. One major OS version remains on the four-year runway, plus years of security support. Thermals in the small body throttle earlier than the Ultra's — the one cost of the size.

Camera

Three stabilized lenses — 50 MP main, 12 MP telephoto, 10 MP ultrawide — with 8K30 video and Samsung's most consistent processing generation. Camera 42/100; the step to the S23 Ultra buys the 200 MP sensor and a longer telephoto, not better discipline.

Battery and charging

The 3,900 mAh cell is the compact-body trade: battery 18/100 means a day of moderate use, less under load. 25 W charging (7/100) is unremarkable. Size is the deal; endurance is the invoice.

Verdict

At around $200 used, the S23 is the cheapest current-feeling compact flagship in the catalog — top-tier silicon, IP68, years of updates left. The S23 Plus answers the battery complaint with bulk; the S23 itself answers a question the market mostly stopped asking.