We analyzed 339 verified user reviews for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to understand its real-world performance. Our method is straightforward: we identify key aspects that matter to users, such as the camera, battery, screen, and software.
We then count every positive and negative comment made about each one. This gives us a precise percentage score, revealing the phone’s true strengths and weaknesses based entirely on what actual owners have to say.
💰 Value for Money: Costs & Coverage
Scrutinizing the Value for Money of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra reveals a story of profound satisfaction tinged with notable frustrations. While many users feel the steep price tag is warranted by the phone’s immense capabilities, the overall picture is far from perfect.
The core of the positive sentiment stems from a powerful sense of overall satisfaction relative to the cost, which scores an impressive 84%, precisely matching the category average. This indicates that once users commit to the purchase, the daily experience largely validates their investment.
“My first Samsung mobile experience has been nothing short of perfection. Everything that was promised has been delivered and more.”
This feeling is echoed by others who believe the device is not just a phone but a comprehensive tool, with one user concluding:
“All in all I think this is really one of the best phones and you can’t go wrong buying it especially with the current market.”
Unexpected Costs and Missing Items
However, this satisfaction is undercut by a significant pain point: unexpected costs and missing items. This factor scores a dismal 17% in positive sentiment, falling short of the 21% category average and highlighting a major source of post-purchase irritation.
For a premium device, users are frequently annoyed by what’s not in the box and what isn’t covered by the warranty. This frustration is vividly captured by one user’s experience:
“it’s disappointing that it doesn’t come with a wall charger, even though it has an upgraded charging system. For the charging to work properly, you have to buy a wall plug.”
The issue becomes even more acute when essential components break. One user was shocked to discover their S Pen, a key feature of the phone, was not covered by the warranty:
“I just paid 1400 for this phone… they were like uhh that’s an accessory and isnt covered under the manufacturer warranty… Which is insane if you think im gonna do that.”
A Worthwhile Upgrade Over Competitors
In the competitive landscape, the S23 Ultra carves out a compelling case for itself, particularly for those upgrading from older models. The Upgrade Justification for the S23 Ultra scores 68% for positive sentiment, a full 9 points above the category average.
This is also a massive 20 points higher than its predecessor, the S22 Ultra. This data suggests that the S23 Ultra represents a far more meaningful leap forward, captured perfectly by a user who described the jump from their old device as:
“like going from a horse drawn buggy to a rocket ship.”
This feeling of a worthwhile upgrade also gives it a distinct edge over its main rival. The S23 Ultra’s 68% score on this factor is a significant 15 points higher than the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 53%, indicating Samsung owners feel more confident in the value of their upgrade.
This is often an emotional conversion, as one reviewer admitted:
“I think that the S23 Ultra far surpasses the competitor’s phone (I can’t believe I am saying this, because I am Team competitor all the way).”
Trade-Off: Buyers are paying for a device that delivers immense satisfaction and a clear sense of a worthwhile upgrade, but must accept the frustrating reality of missing essentials and the risk of expensive, uncovered repairs.
📸 Camera: Night & Zoom Dominate
When evaluating the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, users aren’t just satisfied—they’re often evangelists. The overwhelming praise is rooted in two specific, exceptional capabilities: its performance in the dark and its astonishing zoom.
Digging into the hidden data reveals that Low Light Performance earns a stellar 92% positive rating, a full 31 points above the category average. This isn’t just a marginal improvement; it’s a game-changer that empowers users to capture moments they previously thought were impossible.
One astrophotographer was left “mind blowing,” exclaiming,
the night mode and astrophotography capabilities on these cameras is phenomenal. The night sky is bedazzled with stars and the moon looks as if its being viewed through a telescope when you simply point your phone up and let the cameras do the work.
Similarly, its 90% positive score for Zoom Capabilities—a staggering 44 points above average—translates into practical magic. One user marveled at the ability to “zoom in to see mountain tops 5 miles off into the horizon.” For many, this isn’t just a feature; it’s a new way of seeing the world.
Frustration with Software Processing
However, beneath the surface of near-universal praise lies a distinct vein of frustration, primarily from experienced photographers who feel let down by the camera’s aggressive software. While overall Image and Video Quality scores an impressive 91%, some users feel the phone’s processing goes too far, robbing them of control.
This is a recurring point of contention, with one long-time Samsung user lamenting:
it is impossible to turn off so called intelligent optimization on 200 mp camera. After optimization my pics are ruined. Colors are way too pronounced, artificial and even ridiculous.
Another professional photographer found the camera to be brilliant but ultimately unreliable, stating,
it’s very hit or miss unless you install and use Expert Mode or Expert Raw, even then it’s so-so.
For these users, the camera’s attempt to be smart results in an experience that feels inconsistent and occasionally unusable for professional work.
Competitive Showdown
In a direct competitive showdown, these details become critical purchasing factors. The S23 Ultra’s 18-percentage-point advantage in Zoom Capabilities over the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is a defining difference for users who value capturing distant subjects.
While one user admitted that an iPhone “does take better pictures,” they immediately followed with, “BUT mine has a stronger zoom on the camera!” This highlights a clear trade-off that buyers consciously make.
Furthermore, the S23 Ultra’s night photography (92%) is a massive 19-point leap over its predecessor, the S22 Ultra (73%), offering a compelling reason for loyal users to upgrade. This resolves a key pain point expressed by users of rival phones, one of whom bought the S23 Ultra for this very reason:
competitor’s pictures are terrible, especially at nighttime.
Clear Win: The camera system’s class-leading zoom and phenomenal low-light capabilities deliver an outstanding and versatile photography experience that solidifies it as a top choice for mobile creators.
📱 Screen: Brightness vs. Curves
The screen experience on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a story of brilliant peaks and frustrating valleys. Users are unconditionally thrilled with its performance in one key area: outdoor usability.
The phone’s brightness and outdoor visibility earned a perfect 100% positive sentiment, a massive 26 points higher than the category average. This isn’t just a number; it’s the practical difference between squinting at a washed-out display and comfortably using your phone in bright daylight.
As one user put it:
“the brightness can go up to 1750 nits, in other words it’s bright even outdoors.”
Another celebrated an easy transition from a different device:
“the display is incredibly bright and vivid so the transition has been easy.”
A Divisive Design Choice
However, this glowing universal praise is sharply contrasted by a divisive design choice. The element causing the most user frustration is the very shape of the screen, with “design features and changes” receiving a positive score of just 29%, a significant 13 points below the category average.
The source of this dissatisfaction is the signature curved edge, which users feel compromises durability for aesthetics. This design choice creates a very real dilemma, with many lamenting that the curved edges are:
“near impossible to fully protect.”
Another owner clearly articulated the practical problem:
“the slight curve on the lateral edges makes screen protectors tough.”
Competitive Comparison
This trade-off becomes even clearer when measured against the competition. While the S23 Ultra’s perfect 100% brightness score puts it at the top of the class alongside the Google Pixel 8 Pro and OnePlus 12, it decisively outshines the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which scores a much lower 80% on the same metric.
For users who frequently find themselves outdoors, this is a compelling reason to choose the Samsung.
Conversely, the frustration with the S23 Ultra’s curved screen is amplified when compared to the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which earns an impressive 80% positive score for its design features, a direct result of its more practical, flat-screen build. The sentiment among a vocal group of Samsung users is best summarized by one who pleaded for the company to:
“ditch the rounded screen edge all together.”
Trade-Off: Buyers get a class-leading, phenomenally bright display perfect for any lighting condition, but must accept a controversial curved-edge design that complicates screen protection and handling.
✨ Design: Beauty, No Evolution
When it comes to the Design of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, users tell a story of admiring a beautiful object while simultaneously longing for something new. The phone earns high praise for its visual appeal and comfortable ergonomics, but this satisfaction is undercut by a sense of stagnation and frustration over missing features.
The strongest element driving positive sentiment is the phone’s raw Aesthetics and Look, scoring an impressive 84%. Users feel they are holding a truly high-end device, describing it as “the most refined and premium experience yet.” This feeling comes from specific, deliberate choices, as one owner noted how the “curved infinity O screens, and squared edges this makes any viewing angle very satisfying.”
The praise extends to its feel in the hand, with Size and Handling scoring 74%, three points above the category average. This is especially true for those with larger hands, for whom the phone feels tailor-made:
I’m a big fella so it works very well with me because I have big hands.
For these users, the size and shape provide “superior grip and comfort,” making them feel they “never worry or feel any form of discomfort.”
Design Shortcomings
However, this polished exterior masks deep-seated user frustration with the lack of meaningful evolution in Design Features and Changes, which scores a dismal 37%, a full 3 points below the category average. The core of this disappointment is the feeling that Samsung played it too safe, with one user bluntly stating, “the design is almost an exact replica of the S22 Ultra with minimal deviation.”
This frustration is compounded by the removal of beloved practical features. The absence of expandable storage is a significant pain point, described by one as a “huge” loss, while another laments the lack of a headphone jack was a “deal breaker for me because sometimes Bluetooth devices run out of power at the most inconvenient and inopportune times.”
This sentiment is echoed by reports of questionable durability, reflected in a Build Quality and Materials score of 72%—four points below the category average—with one user claiming the phone was “designed to break nearly instantly from nothing” after the screen cracked from minimal force.
The Competitive Landscape
In a competitive context, these mixed feelings become even clearer. While the S23 Ultra’s Design Features and Changes score of 37% is low, it represents a substantial 16-point improvement over its predecessor, the S22 Ultra (21%). This jump is explained by users who feel that a “couple of small tweaks — the phone’s slightly reshaped side rails and screen — have a big impact on the device’s likability.”
Yet, when looking at rivals, the S23 Ultra’s design appeal fades. Its 84% score for Aesthetics and Look is dwarfed by the Google Pixel 8 Pro’s incredible 95% rating, suggesting that while the Samsung is handsome, its competitor is seen as the true beauty queen. Similarly, its 72% for Build Quality and Materials significantly trails both the Google Pixel 8 Pro (83%) and the OnePlus 12 (80%), giving credence to user durability complaints and providing a tangible reason for buyers to consider Android alternatives.
Trade-Off: Users are asked to accept a familiar, beautiful, and comfortably refined device in exchange for the forward-thinking features and standout durability offered by its sharpest competitors.
🚀 Performance: Unstoppable Power, Cooler Now
The performance of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is defined by a feeling of effortless power, a direct result of its custom-tuned processor. With a 92% positive sentiment for its core processing power and speed, a full 9 points above the category average, users feel a tangible difference in daily use.
This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about an experience where, as one user puts it,
Nothing I’ve thrown at it has caused a wobble.
The phone’s ability to handle demanding applications and constant use is a recurring theme of praise, with another owner simply stating,
I swear you can’t slow it down no matter what you’re doing.
This raw speed is complemented by a 91% satisfaction in multitasking, empowering users to “operate up to 3 different apps at one time,” making the device a true productivity and entertainment workhorse.
Thermal Management
While the S23 Ultra excels in speed, the one area that still gives some users pause is thermal management. Its 62% positive score in this area, while nearly double the dismal 33% category average, indicates that for some, the phone can still run warm.
This reveals a critical nuance: though the S23 Ultra is a top performer in heat dissipation compared to its peers, a notable portion of users still experience moments where the phone “tends to get very hot at times,” particularly during intensive tasks or software updates. This can be a source of frustration and concern for those pushing the device to its limits.
Redemption and Competitive Edge
However, placing this in context reveals a story of significant redemption and competitive advantage. The S23 Ultra’s 62% thermal management score represents a monumental 44-point leap over its predecessor, the S22 Ultra, which limped by at a mere 18%.
This directly addresses a major pain point for loyal Samsung users, many of whom felt the previous model “got really hot and battery took a dump fast.”
This improvement is even more striking when compared to its chief rival, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which struggles with a 25% positive score for thermals. For buyers weighing these two flagships, the S23 Ultra’s ability to better handle heat during demanding sessions offers a clear, practical benefit.
Clear Win: The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s performance is a resounding success, delivering a lightning-fast user experience that not only outpaces key rivals but also decisively corrects the thermal failings of its predecessor.
⚙️ Software & OS: Smooth Yet Unstable
The Software & Operating System of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a story of stark contrasts, a powerhouse of features and fluidity that delights users, yet one that is consistently undermined by frustrating instability.
Users are overwhelmingly impressed by the sheer capability and polish of the interface, particularly its AI-driven intelligence. This is reflected in an impressive 87% positive sentiment for AI features, soaring 18 points above the category average. This isn’t just a number; it translates into a tangible sense of magic in daily use.
One user celebrated how smart features create a superior, almost effortless, user outcome:
“how well the AI adjusts photos to look even better”
This feeling of power is amplified by the exceptional UI smoothness, which scores 80% positivity. For many, this isn’t just about speed, but about freedom and personalization, with one owner declaring that Samsung’s OneUI is the most customizable and adaptable mobile OS available from any company right now.
Software Stability Issues
However, this polished surface is cracked by significant software stability issues. While the S23 Ultra’s 34% positive score in this area is surprisingly 7 points better than the category average, it still means that a majority of user experiences with stability are negative.
These aren’t minor inconveniences; they are deeply disruptive bugs that shatter the premium experience. Users report a litany of frustrations, with one describing a constant barrage of problems.
“constantly have screen locks, system locks, and apps crashing and closing without notice or posting and error.”
For some, these bugs have critical real-world consequences, as another user lamented:
“I cannot send nor receive text messages which is a big part of my daily work.”
Competitive Landscape
This divided experience becomes even clearer in a competitive context. The S23 Ultra’s software superiority is a key reason users choose it over Apple. Its 80% positive score for UI smoothness soundly beats the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 68%, supporting the feeling that Samsung delivers features years ahead of its rival.
“features being available 5 years sooner than Apple introduces to their devices.”
This makes the S23 Ultra a compelling choice for those seeking cutting-edge functionality. But the battle for AI supremacy is tighter, with the Google Pixel 8 Pro just edging out Samsung with an 89% positive score, proving that Samsung, while a leader, is not alone at the top.
Paradoxically, despite its own stability problems, the S23 Ultra (34%) is seen as more reliable than both its predecessor, the S22 Ultra (20%), and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which scored a surprisingly low 15% in this area, subverting the common belief that iOS is inherently more stable.
Trade-Off: Users gain a highly customizable and feature-rich software powerhouse that outshines its rivals in speed and flexibility, but they must accept a level of software instability that can disrupt the premium experience.
🔋 Battery: Speedy Today, Doubts Tomorrow
Regarding the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra‘s battery, users tell a story of two distinct experiences: one of incredible daily freedom and another of lingering concern about long-term performance.
The overwhelming sentiment is anchored by a near-perfect 97% positive score for charging speed, a full 28 points above the category average. This isn’t just a number; it fundamentally changes how people interact with their device, eliminating the need for overnight charging and erasing low-battery anxiety.
the 45w superfast charger speeds will put me again ‘on the road’ in a matter of minutes!
This speed is coupled with outstanding daily endurance, which earns an 82% positive score. This translates into true confidence for many users.
the battery still lasts me 2 days without power saver mode.
For heavy users, this means going all day without worry.
never having to worry about my battery life while site-seeing and taking pics/vids for 12+ hours a day.
Battery Longevity Concerns
However, this impressive day-to-day performance is shadowed by user apprehension about how well the battery holds up over time. While the phone excels in daily use, sentiment around battery longevity and health features sits at a lukewarm 45%, just a single point above the category average.
This mediocrity on a flagship device manifests as a tangible frustration for some owners who feel the initial excellence fades.
after gradual OS updates or how time passes I feel like it’s reducing usage time per charge session.
Another expressed this disappointment more directly:
I have had my S23 Ultra for several months… I have to have my screen nearly dark at all times to keep it lasting most of the day.
This suggests that while the phone delivers on its initial promise, some users worry they are on a countdown timer to diminished capacity.
Competitive Comparison
This mixed experience becomes clearer when placed in a competitive context. The S23 Ultra represents a monumental leap forward from its predecessor, the S22 Ultra. Where the older model received a dismal 48% positive score for battery life, the S23 Ultra soars with an 82% rating.
The S22 Ultra… got really hot and the battery took a dump fast… Here we have a true replacement, all the things I have mentioned have been addressed, fixed, and improved.
Against its primary rivals, the S23 Ultra also holds a strong position, comfortably beating the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max on both battery life (82% vs. 76%) and especially charging speed (97% vs. 62%).
Yet, it’s not the absolute champion; the OnePlus 12 edges it out with 91% for battery life and an almost identical 99% for charging speed, proving there is still a higher peak to climb.
Trade-Off: Users gain exceptional day-to-day endurance and charging speeds that represent a massive improvement over its predecessor, but they must weigh this against concerns that this peak performance may not endure over the phone’s lifespan.
Bottom Line
- ✅ The camera is a standout star, with class-leading Zoom (90% positive) and unparalleled Night Photography (92% positive).
- ⚠️ Its premium price is undermined by frequent software crashes (stability is only 34% positive) and frustrating missing items like a charger (17% positive).
- 📉 The design feels stagnant and less durable than rivals, with users giving new design features a low 37% positive score.
- ✅ It’s a massive upgrade over the S22 Ultra, fixing key flaws with a 44-point leap in thermal performance and a 34-point jump in battery life satisfaction.
- 🏁 It decisively outperforms the iPhone 15 Pro Max in key areas, boasting a 37-point higher thermal score and users feeling a 15-point stronger “Upgrade Justification.”
- 💡 For users prioritizing a top-tier camera and raw performance on Android, this is a powerhouse that fixes its predecessor’s biggest flaws, but you must accept the buggy software.