Is the Galaxy S23 Worth the Upgrade? Check How It Compares to Your Samsung Phone

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 launched again in February, and you might be tempted to improve. But earlier than you do, contemplate the age and situation of your present cellphone, alongside together with your finances. You’ll additionally need to take note of whether or not your system will assist new variations of Android in the future. All of those components are necessary in figuring out whether or not it is the proper time to improve your cellphone.

The Galaxy S23, which begins at $800, has a 6.1-inch display and a 50-megapixel major digicam, similar to the Galaxy S22. But the S23 has a bigger battery, a brand new processor and barely up to date digicam algorithms that enhance the approach pictures are processed. While these modifications are appreciated, the Galaxy S23 is usually a minor enchancment over the Galaxy S22. The improve is value it in the event you’re trying to substitute a cellphone you’ve got had for a number of years, ideally one which’s greater than two years outdated. Even the Galaxy S21, which launched in 2021, probably nonetheless has sufficient life left to make it by one other 12 months. 

Buying choices will at all times differ relying in your wants and finances. But in the event you’re a present Samsung consumer contemplating making the leap, here is what to find out about how the Galaxy S23 compares to older gadgets.

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S22

With the Galaxy S23, Samsung addressed my greatest concern about the Galaxy S22: its brief battery life. The new cellphone has a bigger battery (3,900 mAh in contrast to 3,700), which has made a distinction in my testing.

Otherwise, in contrast to the Galaxy S22, you are getting a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that is been optimized for the new Galaxy lineup particularly, whereas the Galaxy S22 runs on final 12 months’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. Performance is quicker, particularly when exporting video. But you in all probability will not discover a lot of a leap in on a regular basis use, since most fashionable processors are well-equipped to deal with gaming, multitasking and different run-of-the-mill duties.

The Galaxy S23’s cameras are largely the identical as the Galaxy S22’s, besides the algorithms have been up to date to enhance processing in low gentle situations. The selfie digicam additionally has a barely larger decision (12 megapixels versus 10), though I did not discover a lot of a distinction. There’s nothing about the Galaxy S23’s digicam that feels vastly completely different from the earlier era, though I did discover that low-light portraits regarded higher.

The cellphone launches with Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI 5.1 software program, each of which can be found for the Galaxy S22 collection. 

The backside line: Don’t improve to the Galaxy S23 when you have a Galaxy S22. The modifications aren’t noticeable sufficient to warrant an improve. Battery life is the solely significant change you will discover between the two telephones, however I’d solely suggest upgrading if you may get the S23 without cost by a trade-in deal. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S21

The variations between the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S21 are extra noticeable, however you possibly can in all probability maintain onto your S21 for an additional 12 months earlier than upgrading. 

The Galaxy S23 has a noticeably improved digicam because it inherits the 50-megapixel sensor that debuted on the Galaxy S22. As I wrote in my evaluate, the Galaxy S22’s cameras supply higher coloration, distinction and low-light efficiency in contrast to the Galaxy S21. 

The Galaxy S21 additionally runs on a processor that is now two years outdated, in contrast to the brand-new chip in the Galaxy S23. That mentioned, in the event you’re simply utilizing your cellphone for easy duties like video calls, enjoying video games and checking social media, the older Snapdragon 888 chip might be holding up simply wonderful. 

The backside line: If your Galaxy S21 nonetheless feels quick and the battery life is passable, you possibly can wait one other 12 months earlier than upgrading. Samsung helps three generations of Android working system updates for the Galaxy S21, that means it should get new platform-wide software program updates till 2024. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S20

Whether it is best to improve from the Galaxy S20 is not as simple of a solution. There’s sufficient to achieve that may justify making the leap, however the Galaxy S20 additionally nonetheless has a lot to supply.

By upgrading, you will get a sooner chip, an improved digicam with considerably higher low-light efficiency and a contemporary design. Since the Galaxy S20 launched in 2020 with Android 10, it will not be eligible for brand new Android OS updates shifting ahead. 

Samsung dedicated to offering three generations of updates for the Galaxy S20 lineup, making Android 13 the final one. That means you will have to improve to get future variations of Android and the new options that come together with these updates. The firm does, nonetheless, nonetheless present month-to-month safety updates for the Galaxy S20. 

At the identical time, the Galaxy S20 remains to be a really succesful cellphone. Even although you will not get the possibility to shoot pictures at a 50-megapixel decision like on the Galaxy S23, you will nonetheless get a triple-camera setup on the Galaxy S20. The Galaxy S20 additionally has a 30x digital zoom like the Galaxy S23, so you will not miss out on getting close-up pictures.

But needless to say the Galaxy S20 has a bigger battery and a barely larger display than the Galaxy S23. And most significantly, the Galaxy S20 has a microSD card slot for including extra storage, which the Galaxy S23 doesn’t. 

The backside line: The updates in the Galaxy S23 will really feel vital sufficient to justify the improve, however you additionally do not want to in the event you’re pleased together with your Galaxy S20. Hang onto the S20 in the event you’re proud of its efficiency, battery life and in the event you worth protecting that microSD card slot over having a greater digicam. Just keep in mind you will not get the subsequent model of Android. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S10

Galaxy S10 house owners: it is time to improve. Not solely will the digicam and processor really feel like an enormous step up, however you will get 5G and the newest model Android. 

If you bought the Galaxy S10 at launch again in 2019, the processor and battery are actually 4 years outdated. That means your cellphone could also be beginning to really feel sluggish, and the battery in all probability struggles to get by a day. The Galaxy S10’s battery can also be smaller than the Galaxy S23’s (3,400 mAh capability versus 3,900) and the S23’s processor is extra energy environment friendly — so the battery positive aspects must be significant. Your Galaxy S10 additionally would not assist 5G, until you splurged on the 6.7-inch Galaxy S10 5G, which began at $1,300 when it launched.

But extra importantly, the Galaxy S10 not receives Android model updates. Like the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S10 was eligible for 3 generations of recent Android releases. That would make final 12 months’s Android 12 replace the final one since the Galaxy S10 launched with Android 9. (You will, nonetheless, nonetheless get quarterly safety updates when you have the common Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, S10E or S10 5G.)

While software program assist and battery life are amongst the greatest causes to improve, you will additionally get a significantly better digicam on the Galaxy S23. Samsung’s digicam has come a good distance over the final 4 years, now providing a better decision major sensor (50 megapixels versus 12 megapixels on the Galaxy S10), enhanced efficiency in low gentle and a more in-depth digital zoom (up to 30x on the Galaxy S23 in contrast to 10x on the Galaxy S10). 

One factor to take into accout, nonetheless, is that you’re going to lose the beloved microSD card slot by upgrading to the Galaxy S23. So be certain to choose a storage capability that is sensible in your wants since you will not give you the option to broaden it. 

The backside line: Yes, when you have a Galaxy S10 it is value upgrading to the Galaxy S23. You’ll get 5G assist, entry to new variations of Android, longer battery life, a sooner new processor and a much-improved digicam. But be ready to say goodbye to the microSD card slot. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S9

There are many causes to improve from the Galaxy S9 — so many, in actual fact, it is exhausting to know the place to begin. All of the factors talked about above for the Galaxy S10 additionally apply to the Galaxy S9. Samsung’s five-year-old cellphone lacks 5G, and its processor and battery have probably began to present their age. You’ll additionally not obtain Android model updates. 

But there are many different advantages to be had from upgrading. The digicam is amongst the greatest modifications; the Galaxy S9 solely has one rear 12-megapixel digicam, and the Galaxy S9 Plus has an extra 12-megapixel telephoto digicam. The Galaxy S23 has a better decision 50-megapixel major digicam, together with a 10-megapixel telephoto digicam and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens for capturing a wider discipline of view. The Galaxy S23’s selfie digicam additionally has a better decision (12 megapixels versus the S9’s 8), together with different enhancements like higher low-light seize. 

If you have got the commonplace 5.8-inch Galaxy S9, you will additionally get a bigger display since the Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch show. The Galaxy S23 additionally has twice the storage in the base mannequin in contrast to the Galaxy S9, however there isn’t any microSD card slot in Samsung’s new cellphone for including extra storage. 

The backside line: There are a bunch of causes to improve when you have a Galaxy S9. You’ll get a considerably improved digicam with a number of lenses, a lot sooner efficiency, longer battery life, new variations of Android and 5G assist. 

Overall, it is value upgrading when you have a cellphone that is greater than two years outdated. Galaxy S20 house owners can in all probability get one other 12 months out of their system if it is in good situation, however the Galaxy S23 additionally gives sufficient enhancements to justify the improve. If you have got a Galaxy S10 or earlier, the reply to whether or not it is best to improve is a powerful sure.