The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains one of the most talked-about smartphones in 2025, even as newer models like the S24 and S25 Ultra hit the market. Released in early 2023, the S23 Ultra was hailed as a powerhouse, combining top-tier performance, a revolutionary 200MP camera, and the iconic S Pen. But with the rapid pace of smartphone innovation, is it still worth buying in 2025? This in-depth review explores the S23 Ultra’s performance, camera, battery life, and value for money, helping you decide whether it’s still the king of Android flagships or if it’s time to consider an upgrade.

Performance: A Powerhouse That Still Delivers

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a chipset exclusively tuned for Samsung devices. Even in 2025, this processor remains a beast, offering lightning-fast speeds for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. Benchmark tests show that the S23 Ultra still outperforms many newer mid-range and even some flagship devices, thanks to its optimized software and hardware integration. Users report zero lag, smooth animations, and seamless app transitions, making it a reliable daily driver for both casual users and power users.

The device comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring quick load times and efficient multitasking. Whether you’re editing 8K videos, playing graphics-intensive games, or running multiple apps simultaneously, the S23 Ultra handles everything with ease. The One UI 7.0 update has further refined the user experience, introducing new AI features, improved battery management, and enhanced security patches. Samsung’s commitment to long-term software support means the S23 Ultra will continue to receive updates, keeping it relevant for years to come.

One of the standout features of the S23 Ultra is its 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which remains one of the best in the industry. With a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 1750 nits, the display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility. The screen’s responsiveness and smoothness make it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks.

Camera: A Photography Giant That Still Competes

The S23 Ultra’s camera system was a game-changer when it launched, and it continues to impress in 2025. The 200MP main sensor captures stunningly detailed photos, while the 10x optical zoom and 100x Space Zoom allow for incredible versatility. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or distant subjects, the S23 Ultra delivers sharp, vibrant, and true-to-life images. The 12MP ultra-wide lens and 10MP periscope telephoto lens round out the quad-camera setup, making it one of the most versatile smartphone cameras available.

In low-light conditions, the S23 Ultra excels thanks to its advanced Nightography mode, which reduces noise and enhances detail. Video recording is equally impressive, with support for 8K@30fps and 4K@120fps, along with advanced stabilization for smooth footage. While newer models like the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra have introduced AI-powered editing tools, the S23 Ultra’s camera still holds its own, especially for users who prioritize raw performance over gimmicky features.

200MP Main Sensor: Captures ultra-detailed photos with rich colors and dynamic range. Ideal for printing or cropping without losing quality.
10x Optical Zoom: Allows for crisp, clear shots of distant subjects, making it perfect for concerts, sports, and wildlife photography.
Nightography Mode: Enhances low-light photography, reducing noise and improving clarity in dark environments.
Expert RAW App: Gives photography enthusiasts manual control over settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance.
8K Video Recording: Future-proofs your content, ensuring high-quality video for years to come.

Battery Life: All-Day Power with Fast Charging

The S23 Ultra packs a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of heavy use. With moderate usage, many users report getting a day and a half out of a single charge. The device supports 45W wired fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare, allowing you to charge other devices like earbuds or smartwatches on the go. While the S25 Ultra offers slightly faster charging speeds, the S23 Ultra’s battery life remains competitive, especially with optimizations introduced in recent software updates.

For users who demand even more endurance, the S23 Ultra’s battery can be replaced, extending the device’s lifespan. This is a significant advantage over newer models, which often have sealed batteries that are more difficult and expensive to replace.

Design and Build: Premium and Durable

The S23 Ultra features a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, making it one of the most durable smartphones on the market. The device is IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, ensuring it can withstand accidental drops and exposure to the elements. The S Pen integration is another highlight, offering a seamless note-taking and drawing experience. Unlike the S25 Ultra, which removed Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen, the S23 Ultra’s S Pen supports gestures and remote control features, adding to its versatility.

The phone’s design is both sleek and functional, with a flat display and minimal bezels. The matte finish on the back resists fingerprints, and the device feels comfortable in hand despite its large size. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, and the stereo speakers tuned by AKG deliver immersive audio for media and gaming.

Software and Updates: Long-Term Support

Samsung has committed to providing four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches for the S23 Ultra. This means the device will continue to receive new features and security improvements well into the future. The latest One UI 7.0 update brings a host of new features, including:

AI-Powered Photo Editing: Tools like Generative Edit and Edit Suggestions make it easy to enhance your photos.
Improved Multitasking: Split-screen and pop-up view modes allow for seamless multitasking.
Enhanced Privacy Controls: New permissions and security features keep your data safe.
Customization Options: More themes, icons, and widgets to personalize your device.

With these updates, the S23 Ultra feels fresh and modern, even as newer models enter the market.

Current Market Price and Deals

As of December 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is available at significantly discounted prices compared to its original launch price. Here’s a breakdown of the current market prices:

128GB Model: Starting at $699 (down from $1,199 at launch).
256GB Model: Starting at $799.
512GB Model: Starting at $999.
1TB Model: Starting at $1,199.

These price drops make the S23 Ultra an excellent value for money, especially for users who want flagship performance without the premium price tag of newer models. Many retailers also offer trade-in deals, further reducing the cost.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Top-tier performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
Exceptional camera system with a 200MP main sensor and 10x optical zoom.
Long battery life with fast charging support.
Premium build quality with a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
S Pen support with Bluetooth functionality.
Long-term software support with four years of major updates.
Great value for money in 2025, thanks to price drops.

Cons:

No major hardware upgrades compared to newer models like the S25 Ultra.
Heavier and bulkier than some newer flagships.
No built-in AI features found in the S24 and S25 Ultra.
Limited availability of certain color options.

Pro Tips for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Users

Enable Adaptive Refresh Rate: Go to Settings > Display > Motion Smoothness and select Adaptive to balance performance and battery life.
Use Expert RAW for Photography: Download the Expert RAW app from the Galaxy Store for manual camera controls and higher-quality images.
Optimize Battery Life: Enable Battery Protection in Settings > Battery and Device Care to extend your battery’s lifespan.
Customize the S Pen: Explore Air Actions and gestures in S Pen settings for a more productive experience.
Enable Night Mode for Low-Light Photos: Use Nightography mode in the camera app for better low-light shots.
Use DeX Mode for Productivity: Connect your S23 Ultra to a monitor for a desktop-like experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra still worth buying in 2025?

Absolutely. The S23 Ultra remains a top-tier smartphone with excellent performance, a stellar camera, and long-term software support. Its discounted price makes it an even better value in 2025.

How does the S23 Ultra compare to the S24 Ultra?

The S24 Ultra introduces a few incremental upgrades, such as a slightly better processor and AI features, but the S23 Ultra still holds its own in terms of performance, camera quality, and battery life. Unless you need the latest AI tools, the S23 Ultra is a smarter buy.

Does the S23 Ultra support 5G?

Yes, the S23 Ultra supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, ensuring fast download and upload speeds on compatible networks.

Can the S23 Ultra’s battery be replaced?

Yes, the battery can be replaced, which is a significant advantage over newer models with sealed batteries.

Does the S23 Ultra have a headphone jack?

No, the S23 Ultra does not have a headphone jack, but it supports USB-C and Bluetooth audio.

Is the S23 Ultra waterproof?

The S23 Ultra is IP68-rated, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.

Will the S23 Ultra receive Android 15?

Yes, Samsung has confirmed that the S23 Ultra will receive the Android 15 update, along with future security patches.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains one of the best Android flagships in 2025, offering a winning combination of performance, camera quality, and long-term software support. While newer models like the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra introduce incremental upgrades, the S23 Ultra’s discounted price and proven reliability make it an excellent choice for users who want a premium smartphone without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a power user, or someone who values longevity, the S23 Ultra is still a top contender in the smartphone market.