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You may be wondering what’s the difference between the Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S22 and you’d certainly not be alone.
The Samsung Galaxy S23, the follow up to the popular Galaxy S22, was announced on February 1st 2023. Though still sharing a number of similarities with the S22, Samsung’s latest smartphone stands out with a number of key differences that are worth getting excited about.
The Samsung S22 was released only last year and has been a popular premium phone ever since. Now that the S23 has been announced, the S22’s popularity has only climbed thanks to a price drop in response to Samsung’s latest generation of smartphones.
You may be weighing up which phone to go for, and how it matches up to what your main usage will be – whether that be for everyday browsing, watching content, or even gaming. It might also be worth checking our chosen alternatives to the S23 that can also help you decide.
So, we’re going to make things a little easier by comparing what we think are the key comparison areas between the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S22. We’ll look at everything from specs to features, and even design and value for money so you can make an informed choice.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S22 – specs
| Spec | S22 | S23 |
| Size | 6.1″ | 6.1″ |
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2240 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Battery | 3700mAh | 3900mAh |
| Charger | 25W (wired), 15W (wireless) | 25W (wired), 15W (wireless) |
| Cellular | 5G | 5G |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Touch sampling rate | 240Hz | 960Hz |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Main Camera | 3 lens (50MP, 10MP, 12MP) | 3 lens (50MP, 12MP, 10MP) |
| Selfie Lens | 10MP | 12MP |
As can see from the table, you’ll notice a number of key similarities between the S22 and S23. Both share a refresh rate of 120Hz, 8GB of RAM, and the same stunning AMOLED display. Though the S23 has the edge in performance, we’re impressed by the number of similarities shared between the S22 and S23.
If you’re leaning towards the S22, you’ll be happy to learn that the cameras between the S22 and S23 are not particularly different. Both feature a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, and 10MP 3x telephoto camera. The major camera upgrades are unfortunately reserved for the S23 Ultra, so whilst the selfie camera might be marginally better on the S23, both phones are largely similar.
Read More: iPhone 14 vs Samsung S22 – which one should you go for?
That being said, a major difference between the two phones is their chipsets. The S23 has the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a substantial upgrade that increases the overall performance of the S23 while keeping the thermals in check.
This, combined with the S23’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and larger battery, means the S23 is definitely better suited for gaming.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S22 – battery life
Battery life is an important consideration, especially if you’re out a lot, or else like to use your phone for taking photos which tend to sap a lot of battery.
Read More: Best gaming phones – our top picks
The S23 has a slightly larger battery at 3,900mAh versus the 3,700mAh of the Galaxy S22. The S23’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is partly responsible here, delivering almost 25% better performance and is 10% more power efficient than its predecessor.
So, the S23 comes out on top in terms of battery life. If battery life is a dealbreaker for you, you should probably opt for the Galaxy S23.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S22 – design
It looks like there are no dramatic changes in design between the S23 and S22, though there are still some worthy differences to be aware of.
Instead of a unified “Contour Cut” camera block, the S23 lenses are fitted separately on the back of the phone which resembles the S22 Ultra design. Other than this change, the overall look of the S22 and S23 remains fairly similar.
Read More: Best Samsung S22 Ultra phone cases – our top picks
Overall, Samsung has saved major design changes for its flagship model.
Samsung Galaxy S23 vs S22 – value for money
Samsung has managed to keep the release day price the same for S23 as it was for the S22, at $799. This is no small feat considering global costs rising. However, a new release generally brings discounts to older models, so if you’re slightly strapped for cash, the S22 is your best bet.
The S23 is a fantastic phone, but it’s not worth the upgrade if you have a Galaxy S22 or S22 Ultra. If it is time for an upgrade though, you should consider Samsung’s flagship S23 Ultra which potentially offers the most bang for your buck with a whole host of new features.
Price Check: Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB via Samsung
Pre-order: Samsung Galaxy S23
Which should you go for?
The S22 should definitely be your first choice if your budget is slightly less forgiving towards chasing the latest smartphones. That said the S23 of course has a host of impressive specs and improvements over the S22 and is now available for pre-order for the exact same cost the S22 went for this time last year.
If you have an older Samsung, then the new features of the S23 will be seriously noticeable and probably worth your money. Or if you want to be able to make use of its updated chip and camera technology.
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