Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Is It Still Worth Buying in 2024?

If you are considering investing over ₹70,000 in a smartphone, particularly for AI-powered features, you might want to think twice before going for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. With the upcoming launch of the S25 Ultra, is this device still worth the investment? Let’s dive into its build, design, performance, camera, and AI capabilities to help you make an informed decision.

Build, Design & Comfort

The S23 Ultra is a robustly built device, featuring an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on both the front and back. While this makes the phone highly durable, it also makes it prone to scratches. So, getting a good screen protector and back cover is a must from day one.

However, one major downside is its large size. The phone is not handy at all, making single-handed use quite difficult. Its weight is also on the heavier side, which can make it uncomfortable to carry in your pocket. It has an IP68 rating, meaning it is water and dust-resistant.

Display & Multimedia Experience

The S23 Ultra sports a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO 2X AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR10+ and offers an excellent viewing experience, especially for watching YouTube videos in 4K HDR. The colors are vibrant, the display is sharp, and the brightness levels are impressive.

For audio, the phone features dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support, delivering loud and clear sound with a good amount of bass. Whether you’re watching movies or gaming, the audio-visual experience is top-notch.

Performance & Gaming

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the S23 Ultra offers a smooth and powerful performance. It comes with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, making app loading and multitasking seamless.

For gaming, it can run BGMI at 90FPS smoothly. However, it’s not an ideal gaming phone since prolonged sessions can lead to heating issues, sometimes crossing 40 degrees Celsius.

Software & AI Features

Initially launched with One UI 5.1 based on Android 13, the S23 Ultra has now received the latest Android 14 update. Samsung has also promised software updates till 2028, making it a future-proof device.

The phone includes several AI-driven features, such as:

• Live Translate: Supports 13 languages for real-time text and voice translation.
• Circle to Search: Allows users to search for objects in photos or videos instantly.
• Generative AI Tools: Remove or replace objects in photos, enhance image details, and generate AI wallpapers.

These features enhance usability, making the phone feel more advanced and futuristic.

S-Pen: Is It Really Useful?

The S-Pen is a signature feature of the Ultra series, but is it practical for daily use? While it’s useful for taking notes, signing documents, or remote photography, most users, including myself, find it to be more of a novelty than a necessity.

Battery Life & Charging

The phone houses a 5000mAh battery, supporting 45W fast charging. While casual users can get a full day's battery life, heavy users might need a mid-day top-up. One downside is that the charger is not included in the box, so you’ll need to purchase it separately.

It also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge accessories like Galaxy Buds.

Camera Performance

The S23 Ultra boasts a 200MP main sensor, 10MP telephoto lens, 10MP periscope lens, and 12MP ultra-wide lens, with a 12MP selfie camera.

• Daylight Performance: Exceptional color accuracy and dynamic range.
• Low-light Performance: Good but slightly lacking in ultra-wide and telephoto lenses.
• Zoom: 10x optical zoom is excellent, while 100x Space Zoom is AI-enhanced and not always reliable.
• Video Recording: Supports 8K at 30FPS and 4K at 60FPS, delivering super stable and detailed footage. The selfie camera also records in 4K at 60FPS, making it a great option for vloggers.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the S23 Ultra in 2024?

Currently, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is available at around ₹90,000, but during special sales, it has dropped to as low as ₹65,000-₹70,000. If you can grab it in this price range, it’s a fantastic deal. However, if you’re considering paying more, it might be worth waiting for the S24 Ultra or S25 Ultra since price drops are expected soon.

Would you still consider buying the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2024? Let us know in the comments!

---

If you liked this review, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on the latest tech reviews. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!