by Not much has changed for the phone’s other cameras. The main camera is joined by the distinctive dual 10-megapixel telephoto cameras with 3x and 10x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. While not much has changed in terms of hardware, Samsung claims you’ll get better photo results due to improvements in image processing algorithms. Notably, all new S23 phones are treated with an “advanced object-based AI” scene analyzer that can automatically optimize the lighting in a scene, reduce noise and detect other flaws that need improvement.
The S23 and S23+ have a new 50-megapixel main camera that’s said to offer four times more dynamic color gamut than the old one. All of these phones also have a new 12-megapixel selfie camera (previously 10-megapixel) with better autofocus.
Bizarrely, two of the more exciting photo add-ons are in Samsung’s Expert RAW app. This app allows for granular control over camera settings while still leveraging some support from Samsung’s imaging models. It’s now easier to access right in the camera app – Expert RAW was previously an entirely separate app – and there are two new modes: Multiple Exposures and Astro Photo. With the former, you can take multiple pictures and overlay them for a fun artistic effect. The latter allows you to adjust camera settings when trying to capture the stars, e.g. B. the extension of the long exposure time to 10 minutes. Working with RAW photos requires more robust software. Samsung says it’s partnering with Adobe to offer professional app Lightroom as the default editing software on the phones.
All three phones get four Android OS upgrades (they start with Android 13) and receive monthly security updates for five years, which remains one of the best software policies you’ll find in Android land. Cell phone prices have not changed. The Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $1,200, the S23+ is $1,000, and the S23 is $800. Both the S23+ and S23 Ultra now offer 256 gigabytes of internal storage for the base models – only the S23 remains at 128GB. They are available to pre-order now and will go on sale on February 17th.
New laptops
Three new phones and… five new laptops. Samsung’s new line of notebook PCs, the Galaxy Book3, includes the Book3 ($1,000), Book3 Pro ($1,450), Book3 360 ($1,300), Book3 Pro360 ($1,900) and Book3 Ultra ($2,400). All of these laptops are powered by the latest 13th generation Intel processors. The screens are all 16:10 aspect ratios, and the Pro and Ultra models feature Samsung’s AMOLED display technology with a 3K resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. They are all available for pre-order now and will go on sale on February 17th.
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
The “Ultra” branding makes the leap to Samsung’s laptops. This new addition to the Galaxy Book range is equipped with 13th generation Intel Core i7 and i9 chips (45 watts) and the new Nvidia 40 series mobile graphics cards. Companies like Asus, Lenovo and HP have been making these powerful laptops aimed at content creators for a while, so it’s refreshing to see Samsung joining the field. Smartly dropping the thin-and-light priorities that defined the Galaxy Book range, the Ultra is 16.5mm thick and weighs 3.9 pounds. The new 16-inch 3K AMOLED 120Hz screen supports HDR and is not a touchscreen. It’s also Zoom-friendly, with a 1080p webcam and “dual studio-quality microphone” with active noise cancellation.
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro
The rest of the Samsung laptop lineup remains largely the same as last year, albeit with updated specs as well as some size changes. The Galaxy Book3 Pro with 28-watt 13th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 chips is now available in 14″ and 16″ display sizes. Both screen sizes still offer 3K resolution and feature the same AMOLED panel as the Ultra. These are the thinnest and lightest models in the range – the 14-inch model is just 11.3mm thick and weighs 2.58 pounds. The look hasn’t changed all that much from the previous edition.
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360
This year, the Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 is only available in a large 16-inch format, and you can choose between a Wi-Fi or 5G model. You’ll find the same new 3K AMOLED display as the other models, but this one is touchscreen. All of Samsung’s “360” versions of the Galaxy Book have touchscreens with a hinge that allows you to fold the screen onto the back to use the laptop like a tablet. So it makes sense that the S Pen stylus is included with this model; it magnetically sticks to the front of the laptop. The rest of the specs are similar to the regular Pro, with 13th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 processors under the hood.
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