SMARTPHONE TIER: FLAGSHIP/PRO
Battery Capacity mAh: 5000
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - is considered one of the best smartphones, will it be for Battery Performance!
Smartphone Battery Performance Overall
Score: 36/100
Ranking #102
Credit Image: Samsung
All you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone.
Overview
Samsung has recently introduced the S23 series to the smartphone Galaxy range. It comprises the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is said to be one of the best mobile phones around.
ViserMark has recently tested the battery performance and has written reviews on the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+. The Samsung Galaxy S23 series delivers on all key performance features, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is no exception.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra joins the other Samsung Galaxy S23 devices in the Flagship/Pro Tier (€700+), being more pricey than other smartphone categories.
What's it like to Use?
This smartphone is slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, yet feels more stable. Being slightly more rounded helps improve its grip and makes writing with an S Pen much easier than on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The phone's front and back have Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for improved drop protection. It is also IP68 rated for water/dust resistance.
The S Pen with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra fits neatly into its compartment on the phone, although it hasn't seen any upgrades this year. The phone also includes dual speakers that enable Dolby Atmos, albeit the audio quality varies depending on the applications used.
The phone uses pre-consumer recycled glass, metals, and ocean-bound post-consumer plastic in its manufacturing, in addition to 100% post-consumer recycled paper for the packaging and more recycled materials.
How does it perform?
Having an incredible performance, helped by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra benefits from a slightly upgraded version of the already top-of-the-line chipset. This Android smartphone has few competitors with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM; maybe the closest one is the Google Pixel 7 Pro, which lacks optical zoom and stylus capabilities and has a shorter lifecycle for Android OS updates.
The 6.8-inch AMOLED display on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which Samsung refers to as the "Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O QHD+ Edge Screen Display," has a resolution of 3088 x 1440, a maximum brightness of 1,750 nits, and an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz.
Everything from animations and scrolling to video games and films appear fluid and smooth, with bright colours. Although the display's nit levels aren't the highest, it does well in most lighting situations. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a variety of pre-set profiles that you can use to customise the display's tint or saturation to suit your tastes. Also, unlike Apple's products, Samsung phones don't yet have full-fledged 3D facial recognition via the front camera.
What else is in the box?
The contents of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra box are limited to a few key items, which include the flagship smartphone itself, along with an S Pen for taking notes and drawing on the device's large, high-quality screen.
Although the box's contents may be limited, Samsung provides everything you need to start using this powerful, feature-packed smartphone. In addition to these items, the box contains a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging, data transfer, and documentation to help users get started with their new device. Finally, a sim ejector tool is also included, allowing users to easily insert or remove the sim card needed for cellular connectivity.
A Quick Summary
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a great option for people who want the highest performance and features available without compromising usability or a superior camera experience. Overall, it can stand above other flagship smartphones with its quality style, features and battery performance.
Product - Good Points
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the following features:
6.8-inch AMOLED display
long-lasting battery life
fast performance for multiple tasks
storage increased to 256GB
Camera system improvements, with many creative options
S Pen unique to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
trade-in options offered for discounts on purchase
guaranteed updates for 5 years
Product - Be Aware of Points
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra lacks in performance in the following ways:
lacks fast charging
may not be suitable as a pocket phone
no MicroSD slot
expensive smartphone choice
Smartphone Battery Performance Score
and Battery Performance Results
ViserMark wants to share the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - Battery Performance with you. The Smartphone Battery Performance Score is based on different criteria and benchmarks for evaluating a smartphone's performance. Using various testing criteria, measured using real-life scenarios and live networks, our results are collated with calculations from Battery Life, Power Efficiency, and Charging Time.
Our tests are performed with the strictest protocol in a controlled environment to ensure repetition and consistency powered and automated by SmartViser’s test automation solution viSer. The automation test includes a variety of user actions, from calls to social media and periods of standby times.
These results provide an overall Smartphone Performance Score. Different Smartphone Performance Scores can also provide a reference point for performance benchmarks and smartphone comparisons. Translated into the ViserMark Labels, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - Battery Performance is detailed here.
Our experts are asked to test more than 100 Smartphones every year. As an independent mobile phone testing environment, SmartViser measures key areas of user experience.
More details can be found on how we perform our smartphone testing here.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Battery Performance review by ViserMark is based on the smartphone battery performance results obtained during testing.
Reading this review, you can find a full breakdown of our battery performance results.
Smartphone Battery Performance Overall Score:
The Battery Performance Label shows a score between 0 and 100. It reflects the performance based on independent, repeatable, and rigorous testing. Using various testing criteria, measured using real-life scenarios and live networks, results collated with calculations from Battery Life, Power Efficiency, and Charging results that amount to the total score.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Smartphone Battery Performance Score
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra battery performance test results show an overall score was given 36 out of hundred. When viewing the ViserMark Flagship/Pro Tier (€700+) tier, we can see the Battery Performance Scores for smartphones with similar results, as seen in the chart below.
Comparison of Smartphones in the Flagship/Pro Tier
The chart shows three comparative Smartphone Battery Performance Scores of the OPPO Find N2 Flip, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the Google Pixel 7. With only 4 marks separating the top and the bottom, it's worth noting the competitiveness of the Flagship tier.
The OPPO Find N2 Flip, an innovative foldable smartphone, has a slightly higher Battery Performance Score of 38. A MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus chipset runs it and takes full advantage of having the lowest battery capacity of 4300 mAh. Although still one of the newest foldable devices, once opened, it matches the same display size of 6.8 inches of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Google Pixel 7 is the oldest of the three devices and is less expensive than other smartphones. Although it has a smaller display, weighs less, and has a smaller battery capacity, it matches the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on features that you would expect a Flagship/Pro mobile phone to have, including IP68 ratings and guaranteed regular software and security updates.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels in features, battery performance, and camera quality. For example, there are 4 cameras, one of which offers a specification of 200 MP, compared with the more standard 50MP. The Qualcomm SnapDragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy runs the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. It delivers an excellent user experience and much more efficiency, staying cooler under heavy usage and extending battery performance.
Let us discover if our testing results can show a few more key improvements.
Other smartphone battery performance results can be seen
in the Flagship/Pro Tier Ranking table.
Battery Life
Smartphone battery performance can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the device's hardware, software optimisation, battery capacity, usage patterns, and individual settings. The battery capacity, usually measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), determines how much charge a battery can store.
The Battery Life ViserMark Label displays the “Days-of-Use” in both actual days and provides accurate information in hours. It reflects the usage of a smartphone from a full charge.
How long will the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra battery last?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra - Battery Performance achieved an impressive 2 days of use, lasting up to 48 hours between charges. The Google Pixel 7 and OPPO Find N2 Flip obtained 1.5 days of use, lacking 10 hours or more.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Smartphone Battery Life Ratings
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has taken advance of an impressive Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy, providing more power efficiency. Also, by offering regular software updates, Samsung may include further optimisations to enhance battery performance.
Often the display is one of the most power-hungry components of a smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has one of the largest displays, 6.8 inches. However, preset features like adaptive brightness, which automatically adjusts screen brightness based on ambient lighting, can help conserve battery life.
Smartphone usage can significantly affect battery life. Activities like gaming, video streaming, or using resource-intensive apps can consume more power than tasks like texting or checking emails. Background apps and notifications may also impact battery drain, especially if they continuously refresh data or use location services.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery capacity that ensures long battery performance and a smooth experience when using features and productivity tools, especially for the S pen, unique to the Samsung Galaxy Ultra series.
Comparison of Smartphones in the Flagship/Pro Tier
The Google Pixel 7 and the OPPO Find N2 Flip offer power-saving modes that limit certain features, reduce performance, or adjust settings to conserve battery life. Enabling these modes can significantly extend usage time, which may impact the functionality or battery performance.
Other smartphone battery performance results can be seen in
the Flagship/Pro Tier Ranking table.
Power Efficiency
Smartphone power efficiency refers to the ability of a smartphone to maximise its performance while minimising power consumption. It is crucial for smartphone users as it directly impacts battery life and overall device usage.
Calculated using Battery Life and Battery Capacity and expressed in “Leaves", it reflects a rating between 1 being the least and 5 being the most power efficient.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Smartphone Battery Efficiency Results
How power efficient is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?
When tested, the battery performance of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra gained a 1 out of 5 as a battery efficiency score. This matches all three comparative devices when tested for battery efficiency.
Comparison of Smartphones in the Flagship/Pro Tier
As mentioned, the Qualcomm SnapDragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy provides more power efficiency, as it has been designed to deliver high performance while consuming minimal power. Samsung has made many small improvements to balance smartphone performance and energy efficiency.
Both Google and OPPO, as manufacturers, have also managed background processes and ensured better app management to enable resource allocation so power consumption can be minimised.
All three devices have AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes) displays that offer benefits in power efficiency. These displays can selectively light up individual pixels, resulting in power savings when displaying dark or black content. Additionally, adaptive brightness settings can optimise power usage by automatically adjusting screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.
The comparative smartphones have incorporated power-saving modes, adaptive battery management, background app restrictions, and power-saving features. These functionalities enhance efficiency to help prioritise power usage, limit unnecessary background processes, and optimise system resources for improved efficiency.
Annual Energy Consumption
Determining a smartphone's annual energy consumption can be challenging as it depends on several factors, including the smartphone model, battery capacity, usage patterns, and charging habits.
ViserMark is pleased to introduce a new label providing further information on Annual Energy Consumption. This is typically based on specific testing protocols measured using real-life scenarios and live networks to reflect usage accurately.
How much energy does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra use?
Our battery performance results calculated that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra would use only 3.4 kWh per Annum; when tested, the OPPO Find N2 Flip and Google Pixel 7 showed both 4 kWh per Annum, slightly higher.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Smartphone Annual Energy Consumption Results
A smartphone's battery capacity plays a significant role in determining energy consumption. Devices with larger batteries, like the 5000 mAh of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, tend to consume more energy than those with smaller ones, including the Google Pixel 7 and OPPO Find N2 Flip, because they store more energy.
Comparison of Smartphones in the Flagship/Pro Tier
Daily activities greatly influence energy consumption. For instance, frequent use of power-intensive apps, heavy gaming, or prolonged video streaming can drain the battery faster, resulting in higher energy consumption. Conversely, conservative usage and enabling power-saving features can reduce energy consumption.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy has improved the Galaxy series. Samsung has also introduced a larger vapour cooling chamber to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, meaning even more back-end processing efficiencies can be gained.
Through ViserMark's battery performance testing protocol, end-users can see an objective benchmark across all devices on their smartphone's expected annual electricity consumption.
Should I buy it?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains mostly unchanged in design and display to its predecessor Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. However, the performance has improved in many areas with the help of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset.
This smartphone is ideal if you like a large screen, especially when using the S Pen. The long battery life ensures great performance, and its excellent camera capability makes it a very powerful smartphone.
Although a superb Flagship/Pro smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is large and heavy. To ease the way, Samsung is offering an incentive to trade your current Samsung device with certain providers. Also, the high price may influence users to consider the less expensive Google Pixel 7 or the more innovative foldable OPPO Find N2 Flip option.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 series delivers on all key performance features, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is no exception. Therefore, deciding which model to purchase will be a personal choice regarding usage, specific requirements and budget.
Product Features and Specification
Release Date February 2023
Display | 6.8 inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X 3088 x 1440 pixels resolution |
Processor | Android 13 w/ One UI 5.1, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy |
Memory | RAM: 8GB / 12GB STORAGE: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
Protection | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminium frame. IP68 dust/water resistant |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (3x), 10MP telephoto (10x) |
Front Camera | 12MP Auto Focus. Video: UHD 8K (7680 x 4320)@30fps |
Battery | 5000 mAh 45W wired, and 10W wireless charging 4.5W reverse wireless |
Communications/Audio | S Pen Support, Stereo speakers. No headphone jack. NFC: Yes. Radio: No |
Dimensions and Weight | 78.1 x 163.4 x 8.9mm and 234g |
Colours Available | Phantom Black, cream, green, lavender. Other exclusive colours: Sky Blue, graphite, lime, red |
Extra Insights
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra support 5G?
A: Yes, it does
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have a headphone jack?
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra support wireless charging?
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have dual-SIM capabilities?
Q: What storage and RAM variants are the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra available?
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have stereo speakers?
Q: Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have a microSD card slot?
Q: Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra VoLTE enabled?
ViserMark tests are performed with the strictest protocol in a controlled environment to ensure repetition and consistency powered and automated by SmartViser’s test automation solution viSer. The automation test includes a variety of user actions, from calls to social media and periods of standby times.
VCX (Valued Camera eXperience)
The VCX Forum has been working with its members on the system and infrastructure as a non-profit organisation. We strive to improve our technology to develop and exchange accurate and objective quality and performance indicators that are our ultimate goal. We will also serve as a compass for the smartphone camera industry. We appreciate your interest in VCX-Forum.
No VCX reviews are available for this smartphone.
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Background
The Samsung Group is a multinational conglomerate based in South Korea, with its headquarters in Seoul. The company operates in various industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, information technology, etc.
Samsung has a significant global presence and is one of the largest smartphone manufacturers worldwide. The company's products are available in numerous countries, and it has an extensive retail and distribution network.
Samsung offers a diverse lineup of smartphones catering to different price segments and user preferences. Their flagship smartphones typically feature high-end specifications, advanced cameras, and innovative features. The Galaxy S series and Galaxy Note series are particularly popular, known for their performance, display quality, and overall user experience.
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