General [Info] Galaxy S23 Ultra

[MikeChannon]

See:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review: Refined to near perfection

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a more refined Galaxy S22 Ultra, and while it might have features you don't need, it's one of the best.

www.xda-developers.com

 

[blackhawk]

I predict another dud flagship. Too thick, too heavy with a so-so display/bezel ratio. With poor SOT for the huge mAh battery.
No expandable storage; the high capacity internal memory variants will be in short supply and thus very expensive, predictably. And of course a huge price tag until Samsung realizes it's not selling well, again. This will make it 4 years running that Samsung has failed to deliver an exceptional, well balanced flagship.
That's what I think...

 

[EtherealRemnant]

I predict another dud flagship. Too thick, too heavy with a so-so display/bezel ratio. With poor SOT for the huge mAh battery.
No expandable storage; the high capacity internal memory variants will be in short supply and thus very expensive, predictably. And of course a huge price tag until Samsung realizes it's not selling well, again. This will make it 4 years running that Samsung has failed to deliver an exceptional, well balanced flagship.
That's what I think...

Battery should be much better since the 8 Gen 2 is a TSMC chip.

There's very little that can be done about battery when 5G is enabled but even with it, the X70 is said to be up to 40% more efficient than the X65 was.

 

[blackhawk]

Battery should be much better since the 8 Gen 2 is a TSMC chip.

There's very little that can be done about battery when 5G is enabled but even with it, the X70 is said to be up to 40% more efficient than the X65 was.

Time will tell. I doubt it will improve the SOT much. There's also the burden of the variable refresh rate display. Not sure how much more scoped storage impacts battery life but it requires more cpu cycles.

Starting with the N20U the batteries have gotten bigger, as has the thickness and weight of all the Samsung flagships. At the same time even with the larger capacity batteries the SOT decreased.
Poor form factor and performance balance have now become Samsung's flagship hallmark.

Their last great flagship remains the N10+. No 5G or variable refresh rate display but more functional with a display color/gamma accuracy/calibration that likely exceeds all those that followed. If Samsung adopted a fixed 90hz display refresh rate much better color/gamma accuracy could be achieved. They won't do this because Samsung is now marketing hype rather than performance driven. Case in point how many megapixels will the new cam sensor have?
For that tiny sized sensor 20mp is pushing it. Little doubt the mp count will continue to climb at the cost of pixel light gathering ability and sampling accuracy. The newer generations of Samsung cams seem to be very power hungry as well.
What a sick joke.

The laser AF is a great benefit. That should have been implemented 5 or more years ago. Sony was using this technology back in 2004 on its cams. Not to worry if you don't have it as a 3mw 535nm laser pointer can be used for spot on AF lock ups on older phones

 

[borijess]

Battery like on my SD Ultra S22 is why I am upgrading. It was terrible from the start nothing has really changed.

 

[blackhawk]

Battery like on my SD Ultra S22 is why I am upgrading. It was terrible from the start nothing has really changed.

If you want good SOT go with a N10+*, they get 12+ hours SOT with a new battery. Browsing with Brave I was using 6%@hr when this battery was newer. A better balanced and more usable device... even today**.
The S23U is already shaping up to be more of the same Samsung bs... 3+ years of fail and ball drops.


*stock Snaps that are optimized. All Samsung's should be optimized for best performance and SOT.

** I'm running Pie and Q so no CPU cycle sucking scoped storage. You'll be stuck with Android 12, 13 or 14 on the S23U. 13 is a mess. Google is more Apple now (as is Samsung) than it is Android... more dropped balls rolling around inside the machine.

 

[EtherealRemnant]

You'll be stuck with Android 12, 13 or 14 on the S23U. 13 is a mess.

I actually disagree with this. 13 has been great. I didn't like 8/Oreo because of how many apps they broke and 10 was slower than 11. 12 had some regressions and random quirks but 13 has been great. I don't actually have any specific OS-related complaints, just phone complaints about the Pixel 7 Pro, but if I'm being honest, I'm really just being petty, because the 7 Pro is great device that would serve most people well.

The reason I'm looking at the S23 series is specifically because of band support. I have Boost Infinite which uses AT&T towers so I want access to the 3.45GHz DoD spectrum and the Pixel 7 Pro's modem doesn't support it. Additionally Boost Infinite will be switching to using Dish Network's 5G network as it's primary and the Pixel doesn't support n70 and multiple other bands Dish is using.

Also, I just haven't had Samsung since the Note 5 and my partner has a Samsung A51 and I have played with it and actually kind of like it, so it just feels like it is time.

The Note 10+ is missing way too much for me to consider it. I'm not giving up 5G. The modem in that device has extremely limited and largely incomplete 5G support.

 

[blackhawk]

I actually disagree with this. 13 has been great. I didn't like 8/Oreo because of how many apps they broke and 10 was slower than 11. 12 had some regressions and random quirks but 13 has been great. I don't actually have any specific OS-related complaints, just phone complaints about the Pixel 7 Pro, but if I'm being honest, I'm really just being petty, because the 7 Pro is great device that would serve most people well.

The reason I'm looking at the S23 series is specifically because of band support. I have Boost Infinite which uses AT&T towers so I want access to the 3.45GHz DoD spectrum and the Pixel 7 Pro's modem doesn't support it. Additionally Boost Infinite will be switching to using Dish Network's 5G network as it's primary and the Pixel doesn't support n70 and multiple other bands Dish is using.

Also, I just haven't had Samsung since the Note 5 and my partner has a Samsung A51 and I have played with it and actually kind of like it, so it just feels like it is time.

The Note 10+ is missing way too much for me to consider it. I'm not giving up 5G. The modem in that device has extremely limited and largely incomplete 5G support.

Agreed, I wouldn't get the 5G N10+ variant. With an unlimited grandfathered 4G data plan it's a no brainer. Since 5G started rolling out 4G has even better bandwidth. Because many websites limit data speeds even the 4G download speed isn't fully utilized most times. The power drain of 5G remains an issue on the newer models as does the SOC, display and camera. They reached the thermal limits of the available surface area. The N10+ can operate at a 99F ambient temperature doing internet browsing with no cooling for an extended time because it's using less power and producing less waste heat.
Storage is inadequate and expensive on all models after the N20U.
30 gms heavier, worse display/ratio and a much worse SOT than the N10+. Not a well balanced flagship at all. S23U is more of the same... bs.

The claims that Android 11, 12 or 13 are more efficient than 9 I have severe doubts about. Even if Google implements a more efficient file system the overhead of scoped storage* remains. I like to see a side by side comparison on a N10+ running on 9 vs 10, 11 and 12. No one does that.

*In Android 10 scoped storage isn't fully active. It doesn't seem faster than Pie and SOT may be slightly worse. Still playing with my other N10+ that was factory loaded with Q. I prefer Pie as it's more functional and easier to troubleshoot.

 

[borijess]

If you want good SOT go with a N10+*, they get 12+ hours SOT with a new battery. Browsing with Brave I was using 6%@hr when this battery was newer. A better balanced and more usable device... even today**.
The S23U is already shaping up to be more of the same Samsung bs... 3+ years of fail and ball drops.


*stock Snaps that are optimized. All Samsung's should be optimized for best performance and SOT.

** I'm running Pie and Q so no CPU cycle sucking scoped storage. You'll be stuck with Android 12, 13 or 14 on the S23U. 13 is a mess. Google is more Apple now (as is Samsung) than it is Android... more dropped balls rolling around inside the machine.

That's not what I am looking for. I want the latest and greatest to have good battery life. Not great but just good. I had the note 20 ultra and that thing had better battery than the s22 ultra. I am just hoping Samsung has figured it out with the s23.

 

[blackhawk]

That's not what I am looking for. I want the latest and greatest to have good battery life. Not great but just good. I had the note 20 ultra and that thing had better battery than the s22 ultra. I am just hoping Samsung has figured it out with the s23.

Expect another hand warmer...

 

[borijess]

Expect another hand warmer...

I hope not.

 

[blackhawk]

I hope not.

Don't be the first to buy it. Samsung's recent track record speaks for itself. Besides they'll be more desperate after 6 months to sell the excess units. Predictably there will be a shortage of 1 and .5tb variants though.

 

[dazed1]

Case in point how many megapixels will the new cam sensor have?
For that tiny sized sensor 20mp is pushing it. Little doubt the mp count will continue to climb at the cost of pixel light gathering ability and sampling accuracy. The newer generations of Samsung cams seem to be very power hungry as well.
What a sick joke.

The laser AF is a great benefit. That should have been implemented 5 or more years ago. Sony was using this technology back in 2004 on its cams. Not to worry if you don't have it as a 3mw 535nm laser pointer can be used for spot on AF lock ups on older phones

You doubt but i don't since i now use gen 2 and before i used 2 gen 1 phones, the difference in battery is huge, incomparable

About the sensor, here is some technical info, it is miles better vs HM3 on 22U.

三星两亿像素HP2技术解析：大满阱，双增益，与全向对焦

刚刚发布的三星HP2极有可能成为S23Ultra主摄CMOS，尺寸1/1.3''，两亿像素十六合一，单像素0.6微米。从尺寸上看并不出奇，但这次三星点到了另一个科技树。 超大满阱容与D-VTG技术HP2的亮点在于其采用的D-VT…

zhuanlan.zhihu.com

Its not about the megapixels but what tech is in it, and what it can do, this sensor is almost on imx 989 level

 

[blackhawk]

You doubt but i don't since i now use gen 2 and before i used 2 gen 1 phones, the difference in battery is huge, incomparable

The new Samsung phones are battery hogs.

About the sensor, here is some technical info, it is miles better vs HM3 on 22U.

Not my second language...

三星两亿像素HP2技术解析：大满阱，双增益，与全向对焦

刚刚发布的三星HP2极有可能成为S23Ultra主摄CMOS，尺寸1/1.3''，两亿像素十六合一，单像素0.6微米。从尺寸上看并不出奇，但这次三星点到了另一个科技树。 超大满阱容与D-VTG技术HP2的亮点在于其采用的D-VT…

zhuanlan.zhihu.com

Its not about the megapixels but what tech is in it, and what it can do, this sensor is almost on imx 989 level

Micro lenses that small have less light gathering ability and waste real estate. The borders of those lens are wasted space, lots of wasted space on a sensor that has very little to spare. The quality of the micro lens are also suspect.
Pixel micro lense quality and individual pixel sampling capabilities are more important than pixel count. 12mp is a reasonable number and 20+mp is pure hype for a sensor this size.

A Canon pro shooter with a full frame sensor is only about 22-26mp. They will chew up any smartphone. Full frame digital movie cams boast a huge pixel count in the 20-40mp range.

 

[dazed1]

The new Samsung phones are battery hogs.

Not my second language...

Micro lenses that small have less light gathering ability and waste real estate. The borders of those lens are wasted space, lots of wasted space on a sensor that has very little to spare. The quality of the micro lens are also suspect.
Pixel micro lense quality and individual pixel sampling capabilities are more important than pixel count. 12mp is a reasonable number and 20+mp is pure hype for a sensor this size.

A Canon pro shooter with a full frame sensor is only about 22-26mp. They will chew up any smartphone. Full frame digital movie cams boast a huge pixel count in the 20-40mp range.

The link is in English, it address all of your concerns and ideas, this sensor FWC is 10k, it is monster in low light

In what segment of photography will canon chew up smartphones? Certainly in won't in single frame and low light with normal exposure times on both

 

[blackhawk]

The link is in English, it address all of your concerns and ideas, this sensor FWC is 10k, it is monster in low light

In what segment of photography will canon chew up smartphones? Certainly in won't in single frame and low light with normal exposure times on both

Single frame and especially low light. The large metal frame provides superior heat sinking and the sensor is also thermally isolated from the processors for a lower noise floor in low light.
A heavier frame with good hand holds means it's much easier to shoot with. Much faster bootups and almost no shutter lag.
On top of that huge lens are available. Some with 200mm front optics for optimum light gathering.

Smartphones do very well with what they got. I view the cam as a convenience not a dedicated shooting platform. Anymore it's all I shoot with. They have limitations and are harder to shoot with than dedicated systems. With no expandable storage they lack onboard backup, a huge disadvantage. Canon has had dual card/write capabilities for around 20 years on their pro models.

The shooter's skill is more important than the camera, one reason they're killing the camera market. On that same line of thinking the improvements on the newest smartphone cams won't make you a great shooter if you aren't.

 

[dazed1]

Single frame and especially low light. The large metal frame provides superior heat sinking and the sensor is also thermally isolated from the processors for a lower noise floor in low light.
A heavier frame with good hand holds means it's much easier to shoot with. Much faster bootups and almost no shutter lag.
On top of that huge lens are available. Some with 200mm front optics for optimum light gathering.

Smartphones do very well with what they got. I view the cam as a convenience not a dedicated shooting platform. Anymore it's all I shoot with. They have limitations and are harder to shoot with than dedicated systems. With no expandable storage they lack onboard backup, a huge disadvantage. Canon has had dual card/write capabilities for around 20 years on their pro models.

The shooter's skill is more important than the camera, one reason they're killing the camera market. On that same line of thinking the improvements on the newest smartphone cams won't make you a great shooter if you aren't.

Most tests i saw by now DSLR vs phone (custom software on the phone - GCAM) results in either close battle, or win for the smartphone on lowish, and especially in low light.

There are numerous versus, if you are interested i can find samples. Single frame dslr cannot compete with 1'' sensor with 30 frames stacked and super advanced denoise algorithims/ISP, it will either burn the highlights, or be just dark.

Where dslr wins, is action shots, long range zooms, astro, portrait and video, not for static shooting.

Here is an example what a phone does in quite dark conditions, with advanced setup,

 

[blackhawk]

Most tests i saw by now DSLR vs phone (custom software on the phone - GCAM) results in either close battle, or win for the smartphone on lowish, and especially in low light.

There are numerous versus, if you are interested i can find samples. Single frame dslr cannot compete with 1'' sensor with 30 frames stacked and super advanced denoise algorithims/ISP, it will either burn the highlights, or be just dark.

Where dslr wins, is action shots, long range zooms, astro, portrait and video, not for static shooting.

Here is an example what a phone does in quite dark conditions, with advanced setup,

Lol, what phone has a 1 inch sensor?
Full frame sensors are 24×36mm ie 1.339 sq inches.
Believe what you want to... at least it will save you $10+G.

 

[dazed1]

Lol, what phone has a 1 inch sensor?
Full frame sensors are 24×36mm ie 1.339 sq inches.
Believe what you want to... at least it will save you $10+G.

Its not real 1'' but its very big, its bigger then Sony RX100 for example, its 132mm2, and sensor size doesnt matter as much when you got 30 frames stacked, that remove like 80% of the noise, and bring much more "light" into the sensor. No need to believe, ive seen the results,

 

[blackhawk]

And low light action shots? Books and parked cars don't move... people do.