Samsung Galaxy S23+ Review: Gaming, Multitasking and Battery Life

Three years after launch, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ still gets asked about in the same breath as phones that cost far more. That is not nostalgia. It is what happens when a phone ships with a flagship chip, a bright 120Hz screen, and a battery that was sized for a full day rather than a spec sheet. I spent weeks using this phone as a daily driver in 2026, gaming on the commute, juggling work apps, and shooting photos in low light, and the experience held up better than I expected for a 2023 device.

This review focuses on the three things that matter most in everyday use: gaming, multitasking, and battery life. Those are the areas where a phone either earns its keep or falls apart, and they are also the areas where the S23+ has the clearest strengths and the most honest trade-offs. You will find real numbers where they matter, a comparison with its siblings, and a straight answer on who should still buy one now that newer Galaxy lines have moved on. The full hardware numbers sit in the specifications section further down, so every claim in the review can be checked against the sheet.

If you are weighing this phone against a newer Galaxy, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Review: Screen Quality, Cameras and Charging shows what the next generation changed, but the short version is this: the S23+ remains fast, its screen remains excellent, and its cameras remain dependable. The battery is the part you need to think about most, because 4,500 mAh is modest by 2026 standards. The rest of this review explains why that matters less than it sounds, and when it matters a lot.

Galaxy S23+ Gaming Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy in Real Games

Gaming is where the Galaxy S23+ still feels like a flagship. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a tuned version of Qualcomm’s 2023 flagship chip, with higher clock speeds than the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in rival phones of the same year. The prime Cortex-X3 core runs at up to 3.36 GHz instead of 3.2 GHz, and the Adreno 740 graphics core is clocked higher too. In practice that means demanding titles load quickly, frame rates stay stable, and the phone rarely stutters when the action gets busy.

What surprised me most was sustained performance. Many phones sprint for five minutes and then throttle hard. The S23+ does warm up during a long session, but the drop in frame rate is gradual rather than sudden, and the aluminium frame spreads heat well enough that the phone stays comfortable to hold. That is the difference a proper vapour chamber and a sensible thermal policy make, and Samsung got both right here.

How the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Handles Demanding Games

In Genshin Impact at high settings, the S23+ holds a smooth frame rate through open-world exploration and combat, with only brief dips in the busiest scenes. PUBG Mobile runs at its highest available frame rate option without the judder that cheaper phones show when smoke, explosions, and several players fill the screen at once. Call of Duty: Mobile is similarly comfortable, and the 120Hz display makes aiming and tracking feel responsive in a way a 60Hz panel never will.

The 8GB of RAM matters here too. Games stay in memory when you switch away to answer a message, so you come back to the match rather than a loading screen. That sounds minor until you lose a ranked game because your phone reloaded the app while you replied to a text. The chip also supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and a handful of titles on Android use it for more realistic reflections and lighting. The effect is visible in supported games, though the catalogue of ray-traced mobile games remains small, so treat this as a bonus rather than a reason to buy.

Ray Tracing and Sustained Frame Rates on the S23+

What matters more for everyday gaming than ray tracing is that the chip keeps frame rates steady over a 45-minute session, which is where cheaper chips usually fall apart. For competitive play, the phone’s touch sampling and the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate work together well. The screen drops to lower refresh rates when you are reading, then ramps up the moment you start a game, so you get responsiveness without wasting battery on a static screen.

Best Graphics Settings for Genshin Impact on Galaxy S23+

For Genshin Impact, I settled on high graphics with motion blur off and a 60 fps target, which gave the best balance of visual quality and stable frame rates. Pushing every setting to the maximum looks slightly better in screenshots, but the frame rate becomes less consistent during long boss fights. If you play for more than an hour at a time, the high preset with shadows one notch down is the setting I would recommend, because it keeps the phone cooler and the battery drain lower.

Heat Management During Long Gaming Sessions

After an hour of continuous gaming, the back of the phone is warm to the touch, typically around the camera area, but never uncomfortably hot. Samsung’s Game Booster helps here: it lets you cap performance to save battery, block notifications during play, and lock the brightness so the screen does not dim mid-match. Turn on the performance profile only when you need it, because the balanced profile is already fast enough for most titles and keeps the phone cooler.

6.6-Inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display for Gaming and Video

The 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is one of the best reasons to pick the Plus model over the smaller Galaxy S23. It is large enough for comfortable gaming and split-screen work, yet the phone still fits in a pocket and can be used one-handed with a bit of a stretch. The FHD+ resolution of 2340 by 1080 works out to around 393 pixels per inch, which is sharp at this size, and the colours are rich without looking oversaturated once you switch the screen mode to Natural.

Peak brightness reaches around 1,750 nits, which means the screen stays readable in direct sunlight. That matters more than it sounds: a dim screen ruins outdoor gaming and makes photos hard to frame on a bright day. The S23+ handles both without a struggle, and the adaptive refresh rate, which scales from 48Hz to 120Hz, keeps motion smooth while saving power when nothing is moving. HDR10+ video adds deeper blacks and brighter highlights on supported streaming apps.

120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate in Daily Use

Scrolling through social feeds, web pages, and long articles feels fluid at 120Hz, and going back to a 60Hz phone afterwards feels sluggish by comparison. The adaptive part is the clever bit: the phone lowers the refresh rate for static content such as photos and e-books, which trims battery use without you noticing. Games that support high frame rates get the full 120Hz, while video playback settles at a rate that matches the content.

Brightness and Outdoor Visibility on the Galaxy S23+

Outdoors, the S23+ screen holds up well even under a harsh midday sun, thanks to that high peak brightness and the Vision Booster feature, which adjusts tone mapping based on ambient light. Watching video on the train or checking a map while walking is easy, and the in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor keeps working even when the screen is bright. If you spend a lot of time outside, this is a genuine advantage over phones with dimmer panels. The always-on display shows the time, date, battery level, and notification icons without waking the full screen, and Eye Comfort Shield reduces blue light in the evening for late-night reading.

Multitasking on One UI: Split Screen, Pop-Up View and DeX

Multitasking is where Samsung’s One UI earns its reputation. The Galaxy S23+ shipped with One UI 5.1 on Android 13 and has since received updates through One UI 6 and One UI 7, so the software feels current even though the hardware dates from 2023. Split screen, pop-up windows, and Samsung DeX are all here, and they work together in a way that stock Android still does not match.

The 6.6-inch screen is the sweet spot for two apps side by side. A browser and a notes app fit comfortably, and a video call next to a document is genuinely usable rather than a gimmick. The Edge Panel gives quick access to your most-used app pairs, and once you set up a pair you use every day, going back to a phone without it feels slow.

Split Screen and Pop-Up View That Actually Work

To open split screen, swipe up to the recent apps view, tap an app icon, and choose Open in split screen view. The second app goes below, and you can drag the divider to give one app more room. Pop-up view is better for quick tasks: a floating window for your calculator or messaging app that you can minimise to a small bubble and bring back with a tap. Both modes remember their layout, so your favourite pairing is one tap away from the Edge Panel.

In daily use I kept a browser and a notes app paired for research, and a maps app paired with a music player for driving. The 8GB of RAM keeps both apps alive, and switching between them is instant. Cheaper phones with the same RAM often kill the background app; the S23+ does not, because One UI’s memory management is tuned for exactly this kind of use.

Samsung DeX on the Galaxy S23+

Plug the S23+ into a monitor with a USB-C cable, or connect wirelessly to a compatible TV, and Samsung DeX turns the phone into a desktop-style workspace with windows, a taskbar, and a proper file manager. It is not a laptop replacement for heavy work, but for writing, email, spreadsheets, and presentations it is surprisingly capable. I used it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to draft articles, and the experience was close enough to a Chromebook that I stopped carrying a laptop for short trips. The USB-C 3.2 port also supports DisplayPort video output, which is what makes the wired DeX connection possible.

DeX is also the feature that makes the S23+ a better work phone than its size suggests. A phone that can drive a desktop session from your pocket is a different kind of device from a phone that only runs apps full-screen, and it is one of the strongest reasons to choose a Galaxy over a rival with similar hardware.

RAM Plus and Keeping Apps Alive in the Background

RAM Plus uses a slice of internal storage as virtual memory, and it is on by default. With 8GB of physical RAM, the extra virtual memory rarely matters for speed, but it helps when you have many apps open at once. If you notice apps reloading more than they should, check that RAM Plus is set to at least 4GB in Settings, under Battery and device care, then Memory. In my testing the default setting was fine, and turning it off made no visible difference for gaming, so leave it alone unless you have a specific problem.

Battery Life: What the 4,500 mAh Cell Really Delivers

The battery is the one part of the Galaxy S23+ that needs an honest discussion. The 4,500 mAh cell is larger than the 3,900 mAh battery in the smaller Galaxy S23, but it is smaller than the 5,000 mAh batteries in the Galaxy S23 Ultra and in many 2026 rivals. On paper that looks like a weakness. In daily use, the picture is more mixed, because the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and the adaptive 120Hz display stretch each charge further than the raw number suggests.

With mixed use, messaging, browsing, some video, an hour of gaming, and photos through the day, I regularly ended the day with 20 to 30 percent left. That is a full day, but not a comfortable two days, and heavy users who game for hours or stream video on mobile data will need a top-up before bedtime. The 4,500 mAh battery in the Galaxy S23+ is good enough for most people, but it is not the phone’s strongest feature, and anyone coming from a phone with a 5,000 mAh cell will notice the difference on long days away from a charger.

Screen-On Time in Mixed Use on the S23+

Screen-on time is the number that matters most, and the S23+ typically delivers between six and eight hours depending on brightness, network, and what you are doing. Wi-Fi browsing and video at moderate brightness sit at the top of that range; 5G gaming and camera use sit at the bottom. The adaptive refresh rate helps a lot here: reading and static screens sip power, while the 120Hz mode only kicks in when you are scrolling or playing.

One setting worth changing is the battery protection feature, which caps charging at 85 percent to slow long-term wear. If you keep the phone for years, that cap is worth using. If you need every bit of range for a travel day, turn it off for that day and charge to full. The choice is yours, and One UI makes it easy to switch.

45W Charging Speed and What Charger You Need

The S23+ supports 45W wired charging, which takes the battery from empty to roughly two-thirds full in about half an hour with a compatible 45W USB-C charger. Samsung does not include a charger in the box, so you need to buy one separately, and it must support USB Power Delivery PPS to reach the full 45W; a generic charger will charge more slowly. Wireless charging runs at 15W, and reverse wireless charging at 4.5W can top up earbuds or a watch from the back of the phone.

In practice, the 45W charging is fast enough that a short top-up during lunch covers an evening out. The phone does not get notably hot while charging at full speed, which is good for long-term battery health. Just remember that the fastest charging only happens when the battery is low; the last stretch from 80 to 100 percent is deliberately slower to protect the cell.

Cameras for Everyday Shooting: 50MP Main, 3x Telephoto, Ultrawide

The camera system on the Galaxy S23+ is a triple setup: a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide. That combination covers nearly everything most people photograph, landscapes, portraits, food, pets, and concerts, without the complexity of the Ultra model’s 200MP sensor and 10x zoom.

Daylight photos are detailed, with natural colours in the default mode and a punchier look if you enable scene optimisation. The 3x telephoto is the lens I used most after the main camera: it is ideal for portraits, for picking out a detail across the street, and for concerts where you cannot walk closer. Digital zoom extends to 30x, but quality drops noticeably beyond 10x, so treat 3x as the real zoom and anything beyond that as an emergency option. The main camera uses pixel binning, combining four pixels into one to produce brighter 12.5MP photos in low light, while a full 50MP mode is there for scenes where maximum detail matters.

Night Photography and Portrait Mode on the Galaxy S23+

Night mode on the S23+ is genuinely good. Hold the phone steady for a couple of seconds and the result is a bright, clean image with far less noise than older phones manage. Street scenes, restaurants, and evening portraits all come out usable, and the Nightography branding is not just marketing: the larger sensor and better processing do real work after dark. Portrait mode separates the subject from the background cleanly in most cases, though fine hair against a busy background can still confuse it, as it does on nearly every phone. The 12MP ultrawide also doubles as a macro camera for close-up shots of flowers, food, and small objects.

Video Recording and Stabilisation

Video recording goes up to 8K at 30 frames per second, though 4K at 60 frames per second is the setting most people should use, because it looks smoother and the files are far smaller. Super Steady stabilisation keeps walking footage smooth, and the phone handles the switch between lenses during recording better than many rivals. Audio quality from the stereo microphones is clear, and wind noise is handled reasonably well for a phone. If you record a lot of video, the 256GB base storage is the model to choose, since 8K clips fill storage fast.

Video Recording Specifications: 8K, 4K 60 and Slow Motion

The full video specification runs to 8K at 30 frames per second from the main camera, 4K at up to 60 frames per second across the rear cameras and the front camera, and slow motion up to 960 frames per second at 720p, or 240 frames per second at 1080p. HDR10+ video recording is supported for richer colours on compatible displays, and the 12MP front camera records 4K at 60 frames per second, which makes it strong for video calls and vlogging. Super Steady stabilisation uses the ultrawide lens to smooth out walking footage.

Full Specifications

The numbers below are the complete official specification of the Galaxy S23+, gathered in one reference table. They back up every claim in the review above, from the 3.36 GHz prime core to the 45W charging, and they are the details to check when you compare this phone with a rival or verify a used model before buying.

Two points in that table deserve emphasis for buyers: the 256GB minimum storage, since there is no card slot, and the regional differences in 5G bands and SIM support, since an imported model may miss bands your carrier uses. Check the model number against your carrier’s band list before buying from another region.

Dimensions and Build: 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm, 196 g

The Galaxy S23+ measures 157.8 mm tall, 76.2 mm wide, and 7.6 mm thick, and it weighs 196 grams. Those numbers put it squarely in the large-phone category without crossing into the heavy territory of the Ultra models. In the hand it feels solid and balanced, with the weight spread evenly, and the flat sides and slightly curved back make it easy to grip without a case.

The frame is made from Armor Aluminium, Samsung’s name for its strengthened aluminium alloy, and the front and back are covered in Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which resists scratches and drops better than the glass on the previous generation. The camera lenses sit individually on the back panel, with no raised camera island, which keeps the phone stable when it lies flat on a table. The matte finish on the back resists fingerprints far better than glossy glass, so the phone looks clean even after a day in your hand.

IP68 Rating Explained for the Galaxy S23+

The S23+ carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The “6” means it is fully protected against dust, and the “8” means it can survive immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 metres deep for up to 30 minutes under laboratory conditions. In practice that covers rain, splashes, and an accidental drop in a sink or puddle. It does not cover salt water, swimming pools, hot tubs, or soapy water, and Samsung’s warranty does not cover water damage, so the rating is best treated as insurance against accidents rather than a feature to test on purpose.

Galaxy S23+ Colours Available at Launch

At launch the Galaxy S23+ came in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender, with additional colours, Graphite and Lime, sold through Samsung’s own online store in many markets. Availability varied by region and carrier, so not every colour was sold everywhere. The Phantom Black model shows fingerprints least, while the Lavender and Lime finishes stand out most in a crowd.

Display Specifications: 6.6-Inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X

The display is a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 2340 by 1080 pixels, which works out to around 393 pixels per inch, sharp enough that individual pixels are invisible at normal viewing distance. The panel supports an adaptive refresh rate from 48Hz to 120Hz, HDR10+ video, and a peak brightness of around 1,750 nits. The FHD+ resolution is a deliberate trade-off: it is sharp at 6.6 inches while using less power than the QHD+ panel on the Ultra model, which helps battery life. Peak brightness of around 1,750 nits applies to small bright areas in HDR content; typical full-screen brightness outdoors is lower but still strong enough for direct sunlight.

Chipset, RAM and Storage Specifications Explained

The Galaxy S23+ runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a tuned version of Qualcomm’s flagship chip built on a 4-nanometre process. The “for Galaxy” version runs its prime Cortex-X3 core at up to 3.36 GHz, higher than the 3.2 GHz of the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and its Adreno 740 graphics core is also clocked higher. The chip supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing in supported games, Wi-Fi 6E, and 5G across sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands depending on region. It is paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which is fast and efficient, and the combination keeps apps in memory and switching instant.

The S23+ ships with 8GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, using fast UFS 4.0 storage. There is no 128GB model of the Plus, which is good news, because 128GB fills up quickly with photos, video, and large games. The 256GB model suits most people, while the 512GB model is the right choice if you record a lot of 4K video or keep a large offline music and game library. Like the rest of the S23 series, the S23+ has no microSD card slot, so storage cannot be expanded after purchase. A minute of 4K video at 60 frames per second uses roughly 400MB, so an hour of footage alone takes around 24GB, which makes the storage choice at buying time important.

Connectivity, Sensors and Security Specifications

Connectivity on the Galaxy S23+ is comprehensive. It supports 5G on sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands, with the exact bands varying by region and carrier model, so check the carrier version before importing a phone from another market. Wi-Fi 6E covers the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, Bluetooth is version 5.3, and NFC is included for contactless payments and pairing. Ultra-wideband (UWB) is also present, which enables precise finding of compatible tags and devices through SmartThings Find. Location services use GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS for accurate positioning.

The sensor list covers everything a modern flagship needs: an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, compass, and geomagnetic sensor. The fingerprint sensor is ultrasonic and sits under the display, which makes it faster and more reliable than optical sensors, and it works even with slightly wet fingers. It reads the ridges of your finger with sound waves rather than light, so it works through screen protectors that block optical sensors. You can register up to four fingerprints. Face recognition uses the front camera and works well in good light, though the fingerprint sensor remains the more secure option for payments, and Samsung itself recommends it for banking apps and Secure Folder.

Software and Update Promise

The Galaxy S23+ launched with Android 13 and One UI 5.1, and Samsung promised four years of operating system updates and five years of security updates from launch. The phone has since received One UI 6 on Android 14 and One UI 7 on Android 15, so a buyer in 2026 gets a current-feeling interface with modern features rather than the software the phone shipped with. One UI 6 refined the quick panel and added new camera widgets, while One UI 7 introduced a redesigned interface and the Galaxy AI features that Samsung rolled out across its flagship range, such as Circle to Search and live translation in supported apps.

One UI includes Samsung’s own apps and features on top of Android: split-screen multitasking, Edge Panel, Samsung DeX, Secure Folder, and the Galaxy AI features that arrived with later updates. The phone also supports Samsung’s Knox security platform, which protects the device at the hardware level. Security patches continue monthly for the first years of the phone’s life, then move to a quarterly schedule as the device ages. Each major update arrived over the air and preserved user data, though a backup before any major update is always sensible.

Pros and Cons of the Galaxy S23+ in 2026

No phone is perfect, and the S23+ is no exception. Its strengths are real, speed, screen, cameras, and software support, and its weaknesses are easy to name. Here is the honest balance after weeks of daily use.

Pros of the Samsung Galaxy S23+

• Flagship speed that still feels fast: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy handles games, multitasking, and heavy apps without stutter, even three years after launch.
• Excellent 6.6-inch 120Hz AMOLED display: bright outdoors, smooth in use, and large enough for split-screen work without making the phone unwieldy.
• Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom: the telephoto lens is genuinely useful every day, and night photos are strong for the price the phone now sells at.
• Long software support: four years of operating system updates and five years of security updates from launch, with One UI 6 and One UI 7 already delivered.
• IP68 water and dust resistance plus wireless charging: features that cheaper phones still skip, and that matter the first time the phone meets rain or a spilled drink.

Cons of the Samsung Galaxy S23+

• Battery capacity is modest for 2026: 4,500 mAh gets through a normal day, but heavy gaming or a long day on 5G will need a top-up.
• Charging is slower than newer rivals: 45W wired is decent, but some competitors now charge twice as fast, and there is no charger in the box.
• No microSD card slot: you cannot expand storage later, so the 256GB model is the safer buy if you shoot a lot of video.
• Selfie camera is good rather than great: the 12MP front camera is fine for calls and social posts, but it does not match the best selfie cameras in low light.

Galaxy S23+ vs Galaxy S23 vs Galaxy S23 Ultra Comparison

The table shows why the Plus model is the balanced choice. It shares the S23’s camera system and chip, adds a bigger screen and battery, and costs far less than the Ultra while skipping only the features most people rarely use, the 10x zoom, the S Pen, and the QHD+ display. If you want the full Ultra picture, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: Camera Quality, Battery and Value covers the 200MP camera and the 5,000 mAh battery in the same depth as this review, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Review: Display, Audio and Overall Experience covers the smaller sibling for readers who value a compact phone above all else.

Who Should Buy the Galaxy S23+ in 2026?

The S23+ makes the most sense for three groups. First, gamers on a budget who want a flagship chip and a 120Hz screen without paying flagship prices, because this phone still runs every major title well. Second, people who want a big-screen Samsung with a good camera and long update support, but who do not need the Ultra’s zoom or stylus. Third, anyone upgrading from a Galaxy S20 or S21 who wants a familiar experience with a big step up in speed and battery life.

It makes less sense if you need two-day battery life, the fastest possible charging, or the very best zoom camera. In those cases, look at the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Review: Display Quality, Speed and Daily Use for a newer and more affordable option with a fresh battery, or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Review: Strengths, Trade-Offs and Everyday Use if a lower price matters more than flagship speed. Both are newer, and both trade a little performance for a lower price or a fresher battery.

After weeks of daily use, my view of the Galaxy S23+ is simple: it is a balanced flagship that has aged well. Gaming is fast and stable, multitasking is the best in its class thanks to One UI and DeX, and the cameras deliver reliable results day and night. The battery is the only real compromise, and it is a manageable one: charge to full in the morning, top up on heavy days, and the phone will not let you down. If you find one at a good price, buy it with confidence, and spend the money you save on a proper 45W PPS charger and a case. Start by checking the storage option, 256GB is the minimum I would recommend, then set up split screen for the two apps you use together most, and turn on battery protection to keep the cell healthy for years. The S23+ may be a 2023 phone, but for gaming, multitasking, and everyday battery life, it still earns its place in your pocket.

Galaxy S23+ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S23+ still good for gaming in 2026?

Yes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy still runs major titles such as Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. The 120Hz AMOLED display and the vapour chamber cooling help it hold performance during long sessions, and the 8GB of RAM keeps games in memory when you switch apps. Newer chips are faster on paper, but in real games the difference is small, and the S23+ remains a strong gaming phone at its current price.

How long does the Galaxy S23+ battery last?

Expect a full day of mixed use, with roughly six to eight hours of screen-on time depending on brightness and network. Light days end with plenty left, while heavy gaming days or long 5G sessions may need a top-up before bedtime. The 45W wired charging fills the battery to around two-thirds in about 30 minutes with a compatible charger, so a short charge during a break covers most evenings.

Does the Galaxy S23+ still get software updates?

Yes. Samsung promised four years of operating system updates and five years of security updates from the 2023 launch, and the phone has already received One UI 6 and One UI 7. That means it stays current on features and security well into its life, which is one of the strongest reasons to choose it over a cheaper phone with a shorter update promise.

Is the Galaxy S23+ waterproof?

The S23+ carries an IP68 rating, which means it is protected against dust and can survive immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes under lab conditions. In real life that covers rain, splashes, and an accidental drop in a sink. It does not cover salt water, chlorinated pools, or soapy water, and water damage is not covered by the standard warranty, so treat the rating as protection against accidents rather than an invitation to swim with the phone.

Should I buy the Galaxy S23+ or the smaller Galaxy S23?

Choose the S23+ if you want the larger 6.6-inch screen, the bigger 4,500 mAh battery, and faster 45W charging. Choose the smaller S23 only if a compact phone that fits easily in one hand matters more to you than screen size and battery life. Both phones share the same chip and cameras, so performance and photo quality are essentially identical; the Plus model simply gives you more screen and more battery for the extra size. Before buying a used unit, check the battery health, the model number against your carrier’s 5G bands, and whether the 256GB or 512GB storage matches how much video you shoot.

What are the S23+ specs?

The S23+ specs start with the S23+ display, a 6.7-inch panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, so most buyers can pick a size that fits without paying for more than they need. The S23+ RAM is 8GB, and the S23+ storage comes in 256GB or 512GB. The S23+ screen size is 6.7-inch, the S23+ weight is 196g, and the S23+ colors vary by region, with black and grey finishes in most stores and extra shades in Samsung’s online store. The S23+ performance comes from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, and the S23+ WiFi 6E support keeps downloads fast. The S23+ Galaxy AI tools cover photo edits, live translation and writing help. The S23+ release date was February 2023.

When was Samsung Galaxy S23+ released?

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ was released in February 2023. That date matters when you compare prices, because the S23+ price has fallen since launch and newer models have taken the top spot in Samsung’s range.

Is Samsung Galaxy S23+ worth buying, and will S23+ price drop further?

Yes, if the price is right. The S23+ price in USA started at $999 at launch, and the S23+ price has fallen since then, so the value case is much stronger now than it was on day one. Look for S23+ deals around sales events, and check the S23+ trade in value of your current phone, because a good trade in can cut the cost further. On that basis, the S23+ worth buying case is simple: it is a good buy for anyone who wants a flagship camera and a big screen without paying the newest model’s price.

How does the S23+ vs S22+ comparison look?

The S23+ runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, while the S22+ runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, so the newer phone is faster in heavy games and AI tasks, but the gap in everyday apps is small. The S23+ also gets a longer remaining update window, while the S22+ is now the cheaper buy and still covers the basics well. Buy the S23+ if you want the newest cameras and the longest support; buy the S22+ if the discount is large and you are happy with last year’s speed.

How good is the Samsung Galaxy S23+ camera?

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ camera is led by a 50MP main sensor, and the S23+ best camera settings for most people are the default Photo mode with scene optimisation on and HDR set to auto. A Samsung Galaxy S23+ camera test in everyday use shows sharp daylight shots, clean night photos and steady video, with the long zoom best kept to its optical range for the cleanest results.

Is S23+ waterproof?

Yes. The S23+ IP68 rating means it can handle dust and a dip in fresh water, so rain and splashes are nothing to worry about. Rinse it with clean water if it goes in the sea or a pool, and do not charge it until the port is dry.

How long does S23+ battery last?

In normal use the S23+ battery lasts a full day, and the S23+ battery life is helped by the 4,700mAh battery and the efficient chip. The S23+ screen on time usually lands between six to seven hours, and in a S23+ battery life test with maps, photos, video and messaging, the phone still had charge left at bedtime.

Does S23+ have wireless charging?

Yes. The S23+ wireless charging watts rating is 15W, so a compatible pad or stand tops the phone up slowly overnight, while the 45W wired charging is the faster option when you are in a hurry. The S23+ charging speed is 45W wired and 15W wireless, which is slower than some rivals but fast enough for an overnight charge.

Why is S23+ fast charging not working?

Check the charger and cable first: the S23+ needs a USB-C PD charger rated for 45W and a 5A cable to reach full speed, and a weak charger or a dirty port slows it down. Clean the port gently, try another cable, and restart the phone before you assume the battery is at fault.

Why does my S23+ lose battery overnight?

The simplest S23+ battery drain overnight fix is to open Settings, check Battery usage for the app draining power, and put that app to sleep. The S23+ always on display settings sit under Lock screen and AOD, so turning that display off at night also helps the battery hold its charge.

How to take screenshot on S23+?

Press the Side key and Volume Down together for a quick screenshot, or swipe the edge of your palm across the screen if that gesture is turned on. After the capture, tap Scroll capture to save a long page as one image.

How to restart S23+?

Hold the Side key and Volume Down together until the power menu appears, then tap Restart. If the phone is frozen, hold both keys for about seven seconds to force a restart.

How to transfer data to S23+?

Use Smart Switch: install it on both phones, connect them by cable or Wi-Fi, and pick the photos, messages, apps and settings to move. Keep both phones charged and on the same Wi-Fi network until the transfer finishes.

How to turn off 5G on S23+?

Open Settings, go to Connections, then Mobile networks, then Network mode, and pick a mode without 5G. Turning 5G off can help the battery in weak-signal areas, and you can turn it back on the same way.

Why is 5G not working on S23+?

Turn airplane mode on and off, check that the SIM is seated properly, and confirm that your plan and area both support 5G. If it still fails, reset the network settings in Settings under General management, then restart the phone.

How to free up storage on S23+?

Open Settings, go to Battery and device care, then Storage, and delete the large videos and unused apps it lists. The S23+ storage is fixed, with no microSD slot, so back photos up to the cloud and clear the Gallery recycle bin to win space back.

How to use S23+ with one hand?

Turn on one-handed mode in Settings under Advanced features, then swipe down on the bottom edge to shrink the screen. It makes the top of the display easy to reach on a big phone like this one.

How to record calls on S23+?

Call recording on the S23+ depends on your region: where it is allowed, open the Phone app, go to Settings, then Record calls, and turn it on. Where it is not offered, the option simply does not appear, and recording laws vary, so check the rules where you live before you record anyone.

Does S23+ overheat?

In normal use the S23+ stays cool, and it only gets warm during long gaming sessions, 4K recording or charging in a hot car. That warmth is normal; if the phone ever shows a heat warning, close the heavy app, move it out of the sun and let it cool before you charge it.

What S23+ hidden features are worth trying?

The S23+ hidden features worth trying first are Modes and Routines, which change settings automatically, and Secure Folder, which keeps private apps and files behind a lock. Good Lock in the Galaxy Store adds more tweaks, and the Edge panel puts your favourite apps and tools one swipe away.

What S23+ problems do owners report most?

The most talked-about S23+ problems are small ones: charging feels slow next to rivals, no charger comes in the box, and there is no microSD slot. Software quirks after big updates are usually fixed by a restart or a later patch, so keep the phone updated.

Which S23+ cases and accessories are worth buying?

Good S23+ cases range from slim clear shells to rugged cases with a kickstand, and a S23+ screen protector is worth adding on a phone with a screen this size. The wider S23+ accessories range covers chargers, car mounts and Galaxy Buds, so buy the case first and add the rest as you need them.

S23+ fingerprint sensor not working: what should I do?

Clean the screen and your finger, then delete the old fingerprint and register it again, pressing firmly at different angles. The S23+ fingerprint sensor is an ultrasonic reader under the display, and a thick screen protector can confuse it, so register the fingerprint after you fit the protector.

What if the S23+ Bluetooth keeps disconnecting?

If your S23+ Bluetooth keeps disconnecting, forget the device in Bluetooth settings and pair it again. Update the phone, restart both devices, and check that no battery optimisation is putting the Bluetooth app to sleep.

Why are notifications delayed on the S23+?

A common S23+ notification delay fix is to turn off battery optimisation for the app in Settings, so the phone does not put it to sleep. Also check that notifications are allowed for the app and that Do Not Disturb or a sleeping-apps rule is not holding them back.

What should I know about S23+ software updates?

Most S23+ software update problems clear after a restart and a retry on Wi-Fi, with the phone charged and enough free space. The S23+ software update promise is four generations of Android updates and five years of security patches, so the phone keeps getting new features and security patches for years.

Does the S23+ support dual SIM and eSIM?

Yes. The S23+ dual SIM eSIM setup pairs one physical nano-SIM with one eSIM in most regions, so you can keep a work number and a personal number on one phone. The S23+ eSIM is added in Settings under Connections, then SIM manager.