The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra introduces us to the world of AI

Le Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra nous introduit dans le monde de l'IA

In recent years, many technology experts have wondered how far the reach of smartphone hardware will go. Although smartphone performance continues to advance, these improvements have slowed. It is therefore less and less interesting to update your device every year, with statistics showing that many users have extended the interval between two updates to three years. Samsung recently launched its Galaxy S23 series of smartphones, focused on next-generation photography. Having received the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra for review purposes, I couldn't wait to see what it looked like.

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The exponential rise of artificial intelligence is the main topic of discussion in all spheres of life. It is not a new technology, with the concept dating back decades, but global attention has only recently been drawn to its integration into everyday life. Smartphones have also been embracing AI for some time, with many features that help improve battery life and usage efficiency. Although it is technically AI, it is only this year that it has become the subject of significant debate, with Samsung interested in its use in the field of photography, not only for scene detection, but also for the way in which it produces images. This is a topic of great importance and I'm happy to be able to explore it with the S23 Ultra review.

Construction and design

Like the Galaxy S23 Plus presented last month, the Ultra does not stray far from what has proven itself. This is a Galaxy S smartphone par excellence, which is no exception to the rule. Given the successes and failures of other brands trying to refresh the design of their smartphones, I prefer the minimalist approach that Samsung has always adopted in its flagship range.

Unlike the S23 Plus, which moved from a protruding camera island to a sleeker design, the Ultra series has already made this change with the S22 Ultra. Also, you'll have a hard time spotting the differences when comparing the S22 and S23 Ultra.

There are changes, even if they seem minimal. Overall, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is 0.2mm thinner and 6g heavier. It's almost negligible. It's almost negligible. The most significant change between the two iterations of the flagship is that Samsung has moved from Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ to the new Gorilla Glass Victus 2. This applies to both the front and rear glass panels, increasing the level of protection for the owners.

Another small change has been made to the new range. These are the color options. Samsung is keeping the Phantom Black option, which is probably the most popular with most users. In addition, the colors are all new: green, cream, lavender, graphite, sky blue, lime, red and a one-of-a-kind BMW M edition.

Overall, there's not much to discuss design-wise from year to year. This is not a major problem. As the saying goes, it’s the inside that counts.

Screen and display

Samsung has always delivered great results on its displays, whether it's a smartphone or a range of TVs. The same is true in 2023 with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It continues to deliver exceptional images with vivid colors and crystal clarity.

That said, the display is another aspect that hasn't been upgraded when it comes to hardware specs. It still features a 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a frequency of 120 Hz, support for HDR10+ and a maximum brightness of 1,750 nits. As for the screen, it also maintains its resolution of 1440×3088 px with a pixel density of 500ppi.

The display achieved an impressive score in the DCI-P3 and Delta-E tests when it comes to visual qualities. It scored 112% on DCI-P3 tests (the higher the better), as well as a score of 0.3 on the Delta-E tests (the lower the better). East). Additionally, you can enhance your visual customizations with the Vision Booster feature. This allows users to adjust colors and contrast according to their preferences, while maintaining excellent image quality in various lighting conditions.

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Specifications

Samsung flagships always come with solid hardware specs. The same goes for the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Additionally, the smartphone receives slight updates compared to its predecessor.

Starting with the chipset, it is equipped with a Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) SoC. It has an octa-core processor (1×3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 ). It is also equipped with an Adreno 740 GPU.

The brand has ditched its 128GB variant for this year's model, which now comes in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. That's a lot of data storage capacity, which will come in handy if you're taking photos in high resolution with its 200MP camera.

As for memory options, the base 256GB model offers 8GB of RAM. The other options all include 12GB of RAM. This is ideal for multitasking or photo processing.

Samsung hasn't increased the Ultra's battery capacity, retaining a non-removable 5000mAh Li-Ion battery. However, its specifications have been slightly changed. It supports 45W wired fast charging, delivering 0-65% charge in 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for your Buds earbuds or other devices.

Finally, the device is equipped with Android 13 and Samsung's One UI 5.1 interface. Although the hardware hasn't changed drastically from year to year, its updated firmware has increased its capabilities, making it more powerful and efficient.

Performance and autonomy

The performance of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has been significantly improved. The reason is twofold. First of all, the processing power of the Qualcomm SoC has been improved. However, most of the gains come from the new One UI 5.1 interface. This also means that any older devices getting 5.1 updates will also see their power and efficiency improved by the firmware.

Samsung has always excelled in offering multitasking features and has taken it to new heights with the firmware update on the S23 series. Switching between apps and leaving apps open in memory does not reduce device performance. In fact, you can use multiple apps simultaneously with the “dual screen” feature and copy text and other items between the two apps.

One of the big advancements is battery life. Although the device has the same 5,000 mAh battery, its battery life is much better. In my testing, I was able to use the device effectively for a full day and still have enough battery for gaming or editing. Under normal conditions of use, it is possible to go up to two days between charges, which is impressive. Even with the more powerful camera, you'll have no problem running around all day taking photos and worrying about whether you'll need to recharge.

This quadruple-lens camera with artificial intelligence

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

It's a strange concept that we keep looking to improve our smartphones from year to year by adding more and more hardware. However, in many cases, quality software and effective features can make a difference in performance. When it comes to the camera, the same goes for hardware and software.

The quad-lens camera has the following features:

  • 200MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3″, 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
  • 10MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscopic telephoto lens), 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, 10x optical zoom
  • 10MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, 3x optical zoom
  • 12MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultra-wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, Super Steady video

Samsung has packed a lot of hardware into its quad-lens camera setup to provide the best results for your imaging needs. Additionally, the brand has done a lot of work on the software behind the scenes to further improve the results.

To begin with, the device offers RAW image files. This allows advanced users to enhance the image in post-production after copying it to their PC. 200MP RAW files allow you to make edits and enhancements to get the perfectly colorized image you're looking for. Additionally, the image scales well, allowing it to be used for large posters and prints. It's ideal for professionals who don't have time to take out their DSLR.

The second software improvement comes from the use of artificial intelligence. Samsung has integrated AI to improve the image, its configuration and the processing of the result. Some of the functions used include scene optimization, object recognition, brightness and contrast control, and management of image stabilization techniques. This last point is useful when taking photos using the 100x zoom capabilities.

These techniques are still very controversial, as many suggest that Samsung uses AI to imitate better shots of the moon, for example, and superimpose them on your image. The brand has published a lengthy behind-the-scenes explanation of its AI technology regarding images of the moon. You can view it here.

It was the night and moon photos that impressed me the most. Knowing the claims of some, I made sure to take as many different photos of the moon, even with foreground interference and cloud cover, to make sure my image was correct. In most cases, I could zoom in and align the photo, and it represented what I saw with my eyes (even if they are imperfect). However, I noticed that in photos of the crescent moon, the camera had difficulty adjusting accordingly. This is because the moonlight in these phases is not enough to be captured by the camera. To get a better shot attempt in this case, you have to play with the professional settings.

The device still managed to produce a decent image. It was clear to me that the camera wasn't just detecting the scene and searching its data source for results to reproduce once you hit the “snap” button.

I had a lot of fun taking photos with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. In recent weeks, I've taken more images than most of 2022, trying to make the most of my time with the smartphone and perfecting each shot.

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Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra worth it?

As with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, the Ultra doesn't have many changes on the surface. However, the brand has spent quite a bit of time researching and developing its software and support services to ensure that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is seen as a device light years ahead of its predecessor. It is therefore more powerful, more efficient and more pleasant to use for daily tasks.

If there is one element that stands out from other Galaxy smartphones, it is the camera. Samsung has made significant strides in pushing the boundaries of what's possible on a device that fits in your pocket. Not only has it added more powerful hardware, but it has also significantly improved image quality and results through the use of AI. It may still be controversial, but comparing the images will make you appreciate its performance in all conditions.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is available for around R24,999, depending on location. Compared to many other smartphones in a similar or higher price range, the device offers a lot more and is arguably the best smartphone on the market today. So it is worth buying and highly recommended.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best smartphone I have ever had. It may not offer the massive leap of some predecessors for their respective eras, but it provides excellent improvements thanks to improved firmware. Its 200-megapixel camera, which supports AI enhancements and RAW images, allows for fun in all lighting conditions. This is an excellent smartphone that is worth the price.

Review

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

BENEFITS

  • Next-generation photos with AI support
  • 200 MP camera and raw images
  • One UI 5.1: an improved experience
  • GPU finally competes with industry leaders
  • Great battery life

CONS

  • A little expensive for most users
  • Fast charging does not live up to expectations

Exam Breakdown

  • Ease of learning
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  • Ease of use
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  • Design
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  • Performance
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  • Enjoyment
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  • Value for money
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