Technology

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus: A Quiet Contender That Deserves More Attention

Nina Hernandez

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S23 lineup in early 2023, most of the spotlight naturally went to the ultra-premium Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, sitting just beneath it is the Galaxy S23 Plus — a device that deserves more praise than it initially received. While it may not have the S Pen or a 200MP camera like its larger sibling, the S23 Plus quietly addresses many of the long-standing criticisms of Samsung’s flagship phones, making it a worthy upgrade for many users.

A Major Shift: Goodbye Exynos, Hello Snapdragon

One of the most significant and welcome changes in the Galaxy S23 series is the decision to drop the Exynos chip for all models globally. For years, international users were stuck with Samsung’s Exynos-powered phones, which often fell short of their Snapdragon counterparts in terms of performance and efficiency. With the Galaxy S23 Plus powered exclusively by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, Samsung has finally leveled the playing field.

This change is immediately noticeable. The S23 Plus delivers fluid, responsive performance across the board — whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or simply browsing. Compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus, which was plagued by inconsistent performance in some regions due to its Exynos chip, this new model feels like a breath of fresh air.

Display: Bright and Vivid, but Not Perfect

Samsung’s display game is as strong as ever, and the Galaxy S23 Plus doesn’t disappoint in this area. The 6.6-inch AMOLED screen is incredibly bright, vivid, and perfect for outdoor viewing, video streaming, and gaming. That said, some users may notice that it’s not quite as color-accurate as displays on previous Galaxy flagships. Still, it’s hard to argue with its visual appeal.

Design and Storage: Sleek but Familiar

The S23 Plus features the same sleek and minimalist design language as the rest of the lineup. While the build quality is excellent, the available color options are somewhat uninspiring. Samsung played it safe here, which may not appeal to those looking for more expressive finishes.

One of the more practical upgrades comes in the form of storage. The base model now starts at 256GB — double what was offered last year — and at the same $999 starting price. That’s a generous move by Samsung, especially considering how much storage modern apps, photos, and videos can consume. However, a notable downside is the amount of space reserved by the system itself, which reduces the effective storage available to users.

Battery Life and Performance: Reliable Daily Driver

The Galaxy S23 Plus truly excels in battery life, easily making it through a full day of use with room to spare. Combined with the efficiency of the Snapdragon chip and optimized software, it’s a major improvement over previous models.

Performance-wise, the S23 Plus handles everything you throw at it with ease. From intensive gaming to switching between multiple apps, there’s no stutter or slowdown. Samsung’s One UI has also matured into a refined and smooth user interface, adding to the overall positive experience.

Camera: Solid Across the Board

While it doesn’t boast the over-the-top camera specs of the S23 Ultra, the S23 Plus still packs a capable camera system. It includes wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses that cover most photography needs with ease. We ran the S23 Plus through detailed camera testing, and it held up well — delivering sharp, detailed photos in most lighting conditions. The dedicated “Camera” section in our testing showcases how each lens performed.

Price and Value: Better Than It Looks

Although the retail price of $999 may seem steep, Samsung and its partners frequently offer promotions, trade-in deals, and bundles that significantly lower the cost. For anyone looking to upgrade from an older Android device — particularly if they were burned by Exynos performance in the past — the Galaxy S23 Plus is an excellent value proposition.

Final Thoughts: A Well-Rounded Flagship

The Galaxy S23 Plus might not have received the fanfare of the Ultra, but it’s a standout device in its own right. It fixes long-standing issues, offers a balanced feature set, and delivers top-tier performance. It may not be flashy, but it’s dependable, polished, and easy to recommend.

Pros:

  • Outstanding performance with Snapdragon chip

  • Impressive battery life

  • Bright, high-quality display

Cons:

  • Display color accuracy could be better

  • System takes up a notable portion of storage

  • Limited and bland color choices

Overall, the Galaxy S23 Plus proves that you don’t need the most premium device to get a truly premium experience. It’s a smart choice for Android users seeking reliability and performance without going all-in on the Ultra.