Samsung announced a new batch of Galaxy S flagship phones at its Unpacked event this week, all of which are set to arrive soon. As expected, the new class to choose from this year includes the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus, and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung’s trio of flagships for 2023 offer some refined designs — which look a little iPhone-like, if I’m being candid — with some camera, battery, and processor improvements over last year’s S22 generation. But which one is the right one for you?

At its first in-person media event since the start of the pandemic, South Korea’s biggest company introduced three new handsets in San Francisco, pricing them at the same levels as last year: $799, $999 and $1,199. The Galaxy S series remains Samsung’s most direct challenger to Apple Inc. in the US, even while the device maker works to turn foldable Galaxy devices into its flagship lineup.

It may be a no-brainer if you don’t want a phone that’s too big (the S23 is the smallest of the three) or if you want a stylus (the S23 Ultra is your only option for S Pen use). But if you’re in the margins and need to contemplate which phone is the right one for your specific needs, let’s take a look at how they compare on paper. You can expect our detailed reviews soon, but, in the meantime, there are plenty of things you may be able to determine right now — especially if you’re in need of an overdue upgrade and want to take advantage of some juicy preorder promotions.

Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Plus vs. S23 Ultra

When looking at the specs, the biggest “wow” number is the megapixel count for the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Samsung’s Ultra model is always the one pushing the envelope with the most cameras, the largest amount of RAM and storage potential, and now, by far, the most megapixels. So for $1,199.99, you get that 200-megapixel main camera, the biggest battery of the S23 phones (5,000mAh), and a jumbo-size 6.8-inch screen. Last year’s S22 Ultra ended up being our favorite phone for photography when compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro, so it will be interesting to see what the Ultra’s new high-resolution sensor brings to the table.

The Ultra and its fancy camera sensor aside, the S23 and S23 Plus seem to offer a lot of great specs for $799.99 and $999.99, respectively. You get triple cameras in each model, albeit with a 50-megapixel main sensor for the S23 and its Plus counterpart. The S23 and S23 Plus also have bigger batteries (200mAh more each) than their 2022 predecessors, in addition to a revised camera lens bump that brings them more in line with the Ultra. Moreover, all three S23 phones have the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 120Hz OLED panels, and now feature Wi-Fi 6E radios for potentially faster speeds on less congested bands.

What do you think? Is a Galaxy S23 phone going to be your next smartphone? Are any of the specs above a major decider for your next phone purchase? Let us know in the comments.

The S23 Ultra, Samsung’s new top-tier model with a 6.8-inch screen, is built using more durable materials like upgraded Corning Inc. glass and features a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera, up from 108 megapixels. The camera also gets better video stabilization, and the phone’s design has new curves on the edges. Qualcomm Inc.’s latest Snapdragon Gen 2 processor powers the device, and Samsung promises better battery life with the help of dynamic display adjustments.

Samsung is looking to bounce back from a woeful year for smartphone makers, which culminated with the worst quarterly decline on record. In addition to competing with Apple, the world’s most prolific handset maker has to fight off a crowd of fast-improving rivals, including Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Xiaomi Corp., as well as Oppo Mobile and its OnePlus brand. Still, Samsung’s new models mark only marginal improvements from last year.

The Galaxy S23 and S23+ share features with the S23 Ultra, though have smaller displays — 6.1 inches and 6.6 inches — and lesser camera technology. Still, in a nod to more professionally inclined photographers, Samsung’s phones now support RAW image files for greater editing control.

Samsung has simplified its storage tiers and colors for the new models. The S23 continues to come in 128-gigabyte and 256GB storage options, while the S23+ will eliminate the lower storage tier and only come in 256GB and 512GB configurations. The S23 Ultra continues to come in a 1-terabyte option.

The three models also now come in the same colors — black, cream, green and lavender — a shift from when different screen sizes and configurations were offered in different colors. The phones can be preordered starting Wednesday and begin arriving on Feb. 17, Samsung said.

Samsung’s classic smartphones have taken a back seat in recent years to increased interest in the company’s foldable phones. Its Z Fold and Z Flip devices have grown in popularity in recent quarters, marking a rare spot of growth for the smartphone industry, and serve as a differentiator from the competition. Chinese rivals have largely limited their foldable offerings to the domestic market. Samsung’s foldables are typically updated later in the year. 

The Suwon-based technology giant also unveiled upgrades to its computer line and introduced its first Ultra-branded laptop. The high-end device will feature a 16-inch screen with OLED technology and 3K resolution. The company is also bringing improved Intel Corp. processors, more memory and improved batteries to its existing laptops.