To understand what real owners think of the Samsung Galaxy S23+, we analyzed 540 verified user reviews. Our method is straightforward: we identify the key aspects of the phone that people naturally talk about, such as its battery, screen, camera, and software performance.
For each of these aspects, we then analyze every mention and classify the sentiment as positive, negative, or neutral. This process gives us a simple percentage score, offering a data-driven look at where the Galaxy S23+ truly shines and where it falls short for actual users.
💰 Value for Money: Performance Delivered, Charger Missing
When evaluating the Value for Money of the Samsung Galaxy S23+, a complex picture emerges, one where a justifiable sense of finally receiving promised performance clashes with deep frustration over what’s missing from the box.
A Justifiable Upgrade
For many users, particularly those upgrading, the S23+ represents a significant and worthwhile investment. The feeling that this is a justifiable upgrade is exceptionally strong, earning a 70% positive sentiment—a full 11 points higher than the category average. This satisfaction isn’t just about a faster phone; for many international customers, it’s about Samsung finally delivering the high-performance Qualcomm processor globally, ending a long-standing frustration with the less powerful Exynos chips used in previous models.
One user captured this feeling of a promise kept:
a breath of fresh air to get from Samsung what I paid for – a proper, performant, and premium flagship handset not crippled by a Samsung EXYNOS processor.
For others, upgrading from older or mid-range devices, the leap in quality was immediately obvious, making the high cost feel warranted. As one new owner put it:
Best decision I’ve made in a long time.
Unexpected Costs & Missing Items
However, this feeling of premium value is severely undermined by what many perceive as nickel-and-diming. An overwhelmingly negative sentiment surrounds unexpected costs and missing items, with a dismal 10% positive score that falls 11 points below an already low category average.
The main source of this frustration is the now-common but still-resented exclusion of a charging adapter. For a device carrying a premium price tag, this omission feels unacceptable to buyers. As one user bluntly stated:
I was also rather surprised to find that the phone was supplied without a charger. This is the first rechargeable product of any kind I have ever bought which has no charger… Not what I would have expected after spending the best part of 1,000 on the new phone!
Competitive Context
This mixed experience becomes clearer when placed in context. The S23+’s 70% score for upgrade justification is a massive 17-point leap over its predecessor, the S22+ (53%), demonstrating how much the switch to a universally powerful processor mattered to consumers.
Yet, while its competitors like the Google Pixel 8 (13%) also fumble by not including chargers, the OnePlus 11 stands out with a 25% positive score in this area. That 15-point advantage over the S23+ suggests OnePlus buyers feel they receive a more complete package, a crucial differentiator for those weighing the total cost of ownership.
Trade-Off: The Galaxy S23+ offers a compelling performance leap that finally feels worth the flagship price, but this value is immediately undercut by the frustrating need to purchase essential accessories that were once standard.
📸 Camera: Stunning, But Not Always
Examining the camera of the Samsung Galaxy S23+, users overwhelmingly praise its core abilities, particularly its fundamental image and video quality, which earns a strong 87% positive sentiment—a full 9 points above the category average.
This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the camera’s ability to capture life in motion with breathtaking precision. One user was left “gobsmacked” by the performance, explaining:
even more impressive was that the sign we whizzed by at 80 mph was as clear as if we were standing still.
This capability translates into tangible, high-stakes moments, with another owner successfully using it for a professional-style shoot:
I used them to take gorgeous photos for my sister-in-law’s maternity Photoshoot and they came out stunning.
Low-Light Weakness
However, this glowing praise is tempered by a specific, recurring weakness: low-light performance. While its 75% positive score still outpaces the category average of 61%, it stands as the camera’s most significant vulnerability.
This inconsistency creates a frustrating experience for some, who find the results unpredictable after sunset. As one user detailed:
I love the camera but have noticed that video calls in low light are giving my skin a weird yellow tint.
This suggests that while the phone’s dedicated night modes can produce excellent stills, its automatic processing in less-than-ideal lighting can falter, leading another to conclude that “like all Samsung cameras it struggles in low light.”
Competitive Landscape
This duality is sharpened when placed in a competitive context. While the S23+ holds its own against its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S22+, by making a massive leap in camera features and modes (an 81% positive score versus the S22+’s 62%), it reveals a more complex picture against key rivals.
For instance, the Google Pixel 8 outperforms the S23+ on low-light performance by 7 percentage points (82% vs 75%). This specific deficit means that while Samsung provides a versatile and feature-packed tool, a user prioritizing foolproof low-light shots might lean towards the Pixel.
For many, though, the S23+ package is more than enough to win them over from the competition, as one former iPhone user stated:
the photos are just as stunning – if not better – than the iPhone 14 Pros.
Trade-Off: You get a versatile and powerful camera that delivers exceptional clarity in good conditions and a wealth of creative features, but this comes at the cost of some reliability in low-light scenarios where key rivals are more consistent.
📱 Screen: Fast, Large, Frustrating
The screen on the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is a study in contrasts, delivering an experience that delights users in one moment and frustrates them in the next. While the overall visual quality is high, the deeper story is about a spectacular leap in one area and a persistent, though improved, annoyance in another.
Exceptional Smoothness
The most celebrated aspect of the display is its exceptional smoothness and refresh rate, which earns a stellar 92% positive sentiment—a full 17 points above the category average. This isn’t just a number on a spec sheet; it translates into a tangible feeling of speed and fluidity that users adore. One owner described the practical benefit perfectly, stating:
the new screens with their adaptive refresh rates make the whole experience feel snappy and responsive.
This buttery-smooth performance, combined with a 94% approval for its size and handling, creates a winning formula for comfortable, immersive viewing. Users feel the size is just right, with one noting:
The larger screen on the + model is helpful and the rounded corners feel comfortable in my hand.
Touchscreen Frustrations
However, this premium experience is undermined by significant issues with touchscreen responsiveness. With a positive score of only 53%, this factor is the screen’s undeniable weak point, even if it does outperform the category average by 10 points. For users, this translates into daily-use friction that mars an otherwise excellent device.
The problem isn’t just about occasional lag; it’s about unpredictability. As one frustrated user explains:
the touchscreen is inconsistent, (seldom responds on the first touch, but sometimes reacts to a finger hovering that hasn’t actually touched it).
This issue is often made worse by screen protectors, a near-necessity for modern phones, with another owner complaining:
finding some issues with my screen protector in terms of fingerprint sensor and touch screen.
Comparison to Predecessor
This mixed performance becomes clearer when compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S22+. Samsung clearly focused on improving a key weakness, as the S23+’s touch responsiveness score of 53% marks a significant 14-point jump over the S22+’s poor 39% rating. This shows a deliberate effort to fix what users disliked most.
Curiously, this seems to have come with a slight step back in another area, with the S23+’s display quality and vibrancy score of 84% falling 7 points short of the S22+’s 91%. For potential buyers, this means Samsung traded a small degree of best-in-class vibrancy for a much-needed, though still imperfect, improvement in fundamental usability.
Trade-Off: The Galaxy S23+ delivers a wonderfully large and exceptionally smooth display, but this comes at the cost of inconsistent touch responsiveness that, while much improved from its predecessor, remains a notable source of user frustration.
✨ Design: Beauty, No Brains
The design of the Samsung Galaxy S23+ presents a complex story of give-and-take. While users are broadly captivated by its physical beauty and robust construction, this praise is tempered by significant frustration over valuable features that have been stripped away.
Premium Feel and Build Quality
The phone’s premium feel is its strongest design asset, underpinned by an 84% positive sentiment for both its aesthetics and its build quality—the latter scoring a full 8 percentage points above the category average. This isn’t just about looks; it’s about the tangible, daily experience of holding the device.
One user captured this perfectly, stating:
The feel of the latest gorilla glass is super slick. It also cleans up easily from finger prints, and seems to actually resist prints and smudges.
This focus on a refined physical form resonates deeply, with another owner calling it a “gorgeous piece of technology” and praising how “the whole design is very sophisticated and elegant to look at, especially with the new floating lens design.”
Controversial Feature Removal
However, this appreciation for the physical form is sharply contrasted by dissatisfaction with key design features and changes, a factor that earned a low 34% positive score, falling 6 points below the category average. For many long-time users, the removal of standard features feels like a step backward and a genuine loss of utility.
The absence of expandable storage is a recurring sore point, with one simply stating:
Only disappointment is not having an external memory card.
For others, the frustration is more pronounced, centering on small but crucial functionalities. As one user passionately explained:
THE WORST THING ABOUT THIS PHONE IS THE LACK OF AN LED NOTIFICATION LIGHT… I miss my LED notification light. I want that little blinker telling me ‘hey there’s something here you should look at’ without me having to wake my screen.
Comparison to Predecessor
Yet, when comparing the S23+ to its predecessor, it’s clear Samsung has made some positive functional tweaks. While users are still critical, the S23+’s 34% positive score for feature changes is a significant 13-point improvement over the S22+’s 21%.
This jump suggests that some aiterations are genuinely valued, even if others are missed. For example, a user upgrading from the previous model observed that “The power button being slightly higher than its predecessor makes it super ergonomic to hold aswell,” highlighting a subtle but meaningful improvement in day-to-day handling that makes this version a more refined, if still imperfect, device.
Trade-Off: Users receive a beautifully constructed and elegant device but must sacrifice beloved functional conveniences like the SD card slot and a dedicated notification light.
🥵 Performance: Heat vs. Power
When it comes to the Performance of the Samsung Galaxy S23+, its ability to juggle demanding tasks is where it truly shines. Excelling far beyond the category average of 83%, the phone’s multitasking capability earns a remarkable 90% positive rating from users.
This isn’t just a number; it translates into a feeling of effortless power in the real world. For power users, this capability is a game-changer, with one owner explaining:
I use it as a hotspot to run all my internet on my computer, my laptop, and my TV; it does a great job on this.
Another user confirms this sentiment, stating satisfaction that the phone can handle everything and still have battery life when the workday is over.
Thermal Management Woes
However, this impressive power reveals a significant weakness when the phone is pushed hard: how it handles heat. While its 50% positive score for thermal management is a substantial 17 points above the dismal category average of 33%, the figure still means that for half of the users discussing it, the phone simply gets too hot.
This creates a tangible, physical frustration that interrupts daily use and undermines the phone’s premium feel. As one user bluntly described:
It overheats enough to where I have to put it down so that it may cool off.
Competitive Landscape
This mixed experience becomes clearer when viewed against its predecessor and key competitors. The S23+’s improvement in thermal control is a massive leap from the previous Galaxy S22+ 5G, which scored an abysmal 13% in the same area.
For many upgrading owners, this difference is a profound relief, with one explaining it was like getting:
a breath of fresh air… a proper, performant, and premium flagship handset not crippled by a Samsung EXYNOS processor.
Yet, for those seeking the absolute best performance, the OnePlus 11 sets a higher bar, boasting 95% satisfaction for processing speed and 89% for gaming. This makes the S23+’s 73% positive score for gaming feel merely adequate, especially when compared to a peer that delivers a truly lag-free gaming experience.
Trade-Off: Users gain blistering multitasking speed and a huge improvement over the prior model, but must accept persistent thermal issues and a performance level that doesn’t quite match the top gaming competitors.
📲 Software & OS: Smooth UI, Unstable Core
When it comes to the Software & Operating System on the Samsung Galaxy S23+, users are met with a tale of two very different experiences. The phone’s greatest strength lies in its exceptional user experience and UI smoothness, which scores a 75% positive rating, slightly besting the category average of 74%.
This translates into a feeling of premium refinement and intuitive control that users deeply appreciate. They praise how day-to-day operations are a delight:
Samsung has just refined their OS and everything about their phones to near perfection.
For those upgrading or switching brands, this polish is immediately apparent. A user upgrading from an older S8 found the switch to be painless, creating a powerful first impression of a mature, well-designed system.
A System with Unsettling Flaws
However, this smooth veneer hides significant cracks in the foundation. The experience is dramatically undermined by severe software stability issues, a factor that received a dismal 18% positive score, falling a considerable 9 points below the 27% category average.
These aren’t minor annoyances; they’re core functionality failures that leave users deeply frustrated. One long-time Samsung loyalist reported a known dialing error, while another user explained that after an update, basic phone calls failed completely:
we can’t even make or receive a phone call in our house, because we hear about 2 seconds of talking then nothing.
These bugs create a sense of unreliability that tarnishes the otherwise positive interface.
Competitive Context
This weakness becomes even more pronounced when compared to the competition. While the S23+’s UI is a strength, its stability is a liability next to the Google Pixel 8, a direct competitor that boasts a stability score of 42%—a staggering 24 points higher.
This vast gap means a Pixel 8 user is far less likely to encounter such frustrating daily-use bugs. The problem also appears to be a regression, as its predecessor, the S22+, had a low stability score of 20%, yet the S23+ has managed to decline even further.
This forces potential buyers into a difficult compromise, as one user lamented about their previous phone, an s21:
My old s21 worked more reliably than the s23+ does.
Trade-Off: Users get a beautifully fluid and highly customizable interface but, in exchange, must tolerate a significant risk of core software instability that is far less common on competing devices.
🔋 Battery: Lasts Forever, Charges Forever
For the Samsung Galaxy S23+, its battery performance is a tale of two starkly different experiences. On one hand, the phone delivers remarkable endurance that frees users from their chargers. This is driven by its most praised attribute, raw battery life, which earns a strong 75% positive sentiment score, just edging out the category average of 74%.
Users consistently report that this endurance is a game-changing feature, providing a deep sense of reliability. One heavy user was “blown away,” stating:
to be getting 2 days of use per charge as opposed to needing to top up the previous phone at least once per day is incredible!
Another echoed this freedom, noting:
Heavy use one day, nowhere near a charger, and I went to bed at 11pm with 29% left.
This lasting power is the phone’s single greatest strength, giving users confidence that it can handle anything they throw at it all day and then some.
Frustrating Charging Speeds
However, this confidence is severely undermined by a significant point of frustration: charging speed. With a positive sentiment score of just 40%, this factor falls a staggering 29 points below the category average of 69%. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; for many, it’s a daily drag that feels like a step backward.
The frustration is compounded by inconsistent drain patterns, which only 10% of users mention positively. When the battery does run down, users find themselves tethered to the wall for far longer than they expect. As one owner put it:
It does charge slower than I would appreciate.
Another user, who was forced to buy a new charging brick because their old one was incompatible, added another layer of frustration:
My major complaint is that I have to spend an extra $40 to buy a charging brick… I have tried to use my old charger and cord but it gets hot.
Competitive Context
This feeling of being let down by the charging experience is amplified when looking at the competition and even Samsung’s own lineup. The S23+’s impressive 75% battery life score is a massive upgrade over its predecessor, the S22+ 5G, which scored a dismal 38% in the same category.
Yet, in a baffling reversal, its charging speed (40%) is a significant downgrade from the S22+’s 73% positive rating. The disparity is even more glaring compared to rivals like the OnePlus 11, which boasts an almost perfect 94% positive sentiment for its lightning-fast charging.
Perhaps most tellingly, both the step-up S23 Ultra (97%) and the more affordable base S23 (65%) offer vastly superior charging speeds, leaving S23+ owners caught in a strange middle ground where they get the endurance but not the convenience of a quick top-up.
Trade-Off: Users must decide if a battery that lasts for days is worth the frustration of a device that can take an agonizingly long time to recharge.
Bottom Line
- ✅ A Stunning Screen: The display is a clear winner, earning a stellar 92% positive sentiment for its exceptional smoothness and refresh rate.
- ⚠️ Unstable Software is the Core Flaw: With a dismal 18% positive score for stability, users report critical bugs like failing to make or receive phone calls.
- 📉 Feels Like a Regression: Loyal users feel it’s a step backward, with the removal of features like the SD card and notification light earning a low 34% positive score for design changes.
- 🔻 Worse Than its Predecessor: Charging speed is a baffling downgrade, with a positive score a massive 33 points lower than the S22+ it replaced.
- 🏁 Outmatched by Competition: The phone is a liability on reliability, with a software stability score a staggering 24 points lower than the Google Pixel 8.
- 💡 The Bottom Line: You get a brilliant screen and all-day battery, but must accept major regressions in software stability and charging speed that make it a frustrating upgrade.