Samsung has once again pushed the boundaries of its flagship smartphone lineup with the release of the Galaxy S23 Plus. While the company’s foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 have been stealing headlines, the more traditional Galaxy S23 series, particularly the S23 Plus, deserves attention for the significant improvements it brings over its predecessor.
Building upon the solid but flawed foundation of the Galaxy S22 Plus, Samsung has taken a clear step forward, addressing some of the key complaints users had about last year’s model. The result is a phone that feels more refined, more complete, and better positioned in the premium segment.
Evolution in Design and Display
One of the first things users will notice is the design refinement. The Galaxy S23 Plus introduces a sleeker and more unified look, contributing to a stronger sense of synergy across the S23 lineup. It’s not a dramatic overhaul, but the subtle changes add up to a more premium in-hand experience.
Samsung also upgraded the display, which is now brighter and offers a minimum brightness as low as 0.8 nits. This allows for better visibility in bright sunlight and a more comfortable experience in dark environments. The S23 Plus uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, an upgrade from the Gorilla Glass Victus found on the S22 Plus, improving durability and scratch resistance.
Performance Boost Across the Board
Under the hood, the Galaxy S23 Plus brings one of the most noticeable improvements—performance. Unlike the previous generation, which used either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 depending on the market, the S23 Plus is powered exclusively by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. This chip has already proven itself to be more efficient and reliable, resulting in better overall performance and thermal management.
Another area where Samsung listened to user feedback is battery capacity. The S23 Plus comes equipped with a 4,700mAh battery, a notable increase from the 4,500mAh unit in the S22 Plus. This change, coupled with the more efficient processor, helps extend battery life—a common criticism of the previous model.
Storage and Charging Changes
The Galaxy S23 Plus also doubles the baseline storage options, offering 256GB and 512GB models compared to the 128GB and 256GB variants of the S22 Plus. This move aligns with the growing demand for more onboard storage, especially with high-resolution photography and larger app sizes.
However, not all changes are upgrades. Wireless charging has seen a slight downgrade on the S23 Plus, dropping from 15W on the S22 Plus to 10W. While this might not be a dealbreaker for most users, it’s a curious decision for a phone marketed as a flagship.
Pricing Stays the Same
Despite the upgrades, Samsung has maintained the starting price at $999, keeping it competitive in the flagship space. For users looking for a high-end phone that doesn’t veer into ultra-premium territory like the S23 Ultra, the S23 Plus is a solid proposition.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy S23 Plus represents a thoughtful evolution rather than a radical reinvention. Samsung has clearly listened to user feedback, correcting past shortcomings and enhancing the user experience where it counts. While the Galaxy S22 Plus fell short in several key areas, the S23 Plus feels like a complete and polished product—one that could easily be a favorite among Android flagships this year.
With its brighter display, improved performance, better battery life, and more storage, the Galaxy S23 Plus sets a new standard for what a “plus” model should offer. It may not have the flashiness of the foldables or the headline-grabbing camera of the S23 Ultra, but in terms of balance and usability, it’s hard to beat.
