Samsung Galaxy S23 launch: 200MP cameras and bigger batteries
Samsung’s latest top-end Galaxy S23 Android phones hope to tempt users with larger batteries, faster chips and improved photography, including one of the first 200MP next-generation cameras.
Announced alongside a range of new Galaxy Book 3 Windows laptops on Wednesday, the Galaxy S23 Ultra superphone leads the line equipped with new camera technology and a stylus.
It is joined by the smaller S23 and S23+, all of which use the top Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip from Qualcomm in metal and glass designs with fast and bright screens. The phones run Android 13 with five years of support and are made of more of recycled materials than before, including 22% recycled glass in the new Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screens and backs that promise greater durability against drops.
Galaxy S23 Ultra
The S23 Ultra has a 6.8in screen with curved sides and is the most expensive non-folding Samsung phone of the year. It has a large battery and built-in S Pen stylus for advanced productivity features, building on last year’s model.
The quad-camera system on the back includes two zoom lenses and one of the first of a new generation of huge 200MP main cameras, offering significantly better low-light performance, faster focusing and other tricks, which is expected to prove popular.
Galaxy S23 and S23+
The S23 and S23+ have smaller 6.1in and 6.6in displays respectively. They have a simplified design with an upgraded triple camera system on the rear, featuring a 50MP main camera with astrophotography mode. Larger batteries hope to keep up better with competitors such as Apple’s iPhone.
Leo Gebbie, a principal analyst at CCS Insight, said consumers would welcome Samsung’s focus on the sustainability and durability of its devices. “Our research consistently shows that people want their smartphones to last for longer, and believe that this is the most significant thing that tech companies can do to reduce their environmental impact,” he said.
Galaxy Book 3 Pro and Ultra
Samsung’s new series of four premium Windows 11 laptops all ship with the latest 13th-generation Intel Core chips and crisp 3K Amoled screens with 120Hz refresh rates. They are made of aluminium and contain components made of recycled ocean-bound plastic.
The Galaxy Book 3 Pro comes with a 14in or 16in screen in a traditional clamshell design. It features 28W Intel Core i5 or i7 chips, a collection of USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, USB-A and HDMI ports and a microSD card slot.
The Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 is a two-in-one version with a 16in touchscreen that can fold over the back to turn it into a tablet. It has has an S Pen stylus for drawing and writing on the screen and the option of 5G connectivity.
The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is the largest and best performing of Samsung’s new laptops. It has a 16in screen, more powerful 45W Intel Core i7 or i9 chips and Nvidia RTX4050 or 4070 graphics cards, aimed at creatives and gamers.
