Is Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Worth the Upgrade? It Depends

This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 just launched in February, so you may be wondering: Is it worth the upgrade? Truth is, there isn’t one answer that can be applied to everyone. The age and condition of your current phone, your budget and whether your device will support new versions of Android should all factor into your decision. 

The Galaxy S23, which starts at $800, has a 6.1-inch screen and a 50-megapixel main camera, just like the Galaxy S22. But the S23 has a larger battery, a new processor and slightly updated camera algorithms that improve the way photos are processed. While these changes are appreciated, the Galaxy S23 is generally a minor improvement over the Galaxy S22. The upgrade is worth it if you’re looking to replace a phone you’ve had for several years, ideally one that’s more than two years old. Even the Galaxy S21, which launched in 2021, likely still has enough life left to make it through another year. 

Buying decisions will always vary depending on your needs and budget. But if you’re a current Samsung user considering making the jump, here’s what to know about how the Galaxy S23 compares to older devices.

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S22

With the Galaxy S23, Samsung addressed my biggest concern about the Galaxy S22: its short battery life. The new phone has a larger battery (3,900 mAh compared to 3,700), which has made a difference in my testing.

Otherwise, compared to the Galaxy S22, you’re getting a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that’s been optimized for the new Galaxy lineup specifically, while the Galaxy S22 runs on last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. Performance is faster, especially when exporting video. But you probably won’t notice much of a jump in everyday use, since most modern processors are well-equipped to handle gaming, multitasking and other run-of-the-mill tasks.

The Galaxy S23’s cameras are largely the same as the Galaxy S22’s, except the algorithms have been updated to improve processing in low light conditions. The selfie camera also has a slightly higher resolution (12 megapixels versus 10), although I didn’t notice much of a difference. There’s nothing about the Galaxy S23’s camera that feels hugely different from the previous generation, although I did notice that low-light portraits looked better.

The phone launches with Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI 5.1 software, both of which are available for the Galaxy S22 series. 

The bottom line: Don’t upgrade to the Galaxy S23 if you have a Galaxy S22. The changes aren’t noticeable enough to warrant an upgrade. Battery life is the only meaningful change you’ll notice between the two phones, but I’d only recommend upgrading if you can get the S23 for free through a trade-in deal. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S21

The differences between the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S21 are more noticeable, but you can probably hold onto your S21 for another year before upgrading. 

The Galaxy S23 has a noticeably improved camera since it inherits the 50-megapixel sensor that debuted on the Galaxy S22. As I wrote in my review, the Galaxy S22’s cameras offer better color, contrast and low-light performance compared to the Galaxy S21. 

The Galaxy S21 also runs on a processor that’s now two years old, compared to the brand-new chip in the Galaxy S23. That said, if you’re just using your phone for simple tasks like video calls, playing games and checking social media, the older Snapdragon 888 chip is probably holding up just fine. 

The bottom line: If your Galaxy S21 still feels fast and the battery life is satisfactory, you can wait another year before upgrading. Samsung supports three generations of Android operating system updates for the Galaxy S21, meaning it will get new platform-wide software updates until 2024. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S20

Whether you should upgrade from the Galaxy S20 isn’t as straightforward of an answer. There’s enough to gain that would justify making the jump, but the Galaxy S20 also still has plenty to offer.

By upgrading, you’ll get a faster chip, an improved camera with significantly better low-light performance and a fresh design. Since the Galaxy S20 launched in 2020 with Android 10, it’ll no longer be eligible for new Android OS updates moving forward. 

Samsung committed to providing three generations of updates for the Galaxy S20 lineup, making Android 13 the last one. That means you’ll have to upgrade to get future versions of Android and the new features that come along with these updates. The company does, however, still provide monthly security updates for the Galaxy S20. 

At the same time, the Galaxy S20 is still a very capable phone. Even though you won’t get the option to shoot photos at a 50-megapixel resolution like on the Galaxy S23, you’ll still get a triple-camera setup on the Galaxy S20. The Galaxy S20 also has a 30x digital zoom like the Galaxy S23, so you won’t miss out on getting close-up shots.

But keep in mind that the Galaxy S20 has a larger battery and a slightly bigger screen than the Galaxy S23. And most importantly, the Galaxy S20 has a microSD card slot for adding more storage, which the Galaxy S23 does not. 

The bottom line: The updates in the Galaxy S23 will feel significant enough to justify the upgrade, but you also don’t need to if you’re happy with your Galaxy S20. Hang onto the S20 if you’re happy with its performance, battery life and if you value keeping that microSD card slot over having a better camera. Just remember you won’t get the next version of Android. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S10

Galaxy S10 owners: it’s time to upgrade. Not only will the camera and processor feel like a huge step up, but you’ll get 5G and the latest version Android. 

If you purchased the Galaxy S10 at launch back in 2019, the processor and battery are now four years old. That means your phone may be starting to feel sluggish, and the battery probably struggles to get through a day. The Galaxy S10’s battery is also smaller than the Galaxy S23’s (3,400 mAh capacity versus 3,900) and the S23’s processor is more power efficient — so the battery gains should be meaningful. Your Galaxy S10 also doesn’t support 5G, unless you splurged on the 6.7-inch Galaxy S10 5G, which started at $1,300 when it launched.

But more importantly, the Galaxy S10 no longer receives Android version updates. Like the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S10 was eligible for three generations of new Android releases. That would make last year’s Android 12 update the last one since the Galaxy S10 launched with Android 9. (You will, however, still get quarterly security updates if you have the regular Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, S10E or S10 5G.)

While software support and battery life are among the biggest reasons to upgrade, you’ll also get a much better camera on the Galaxy S23. Samsung’s camera has come a long way over the last four years, now offering a higher resolution main sensor (50 megapixels versus 12 megapixels on the Galaxy S10), enhanced performance in low light and a closer digital zoom (up to 30x on the Galaxy S23 compared to 10x on the Galaxy S10). 

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that you’ll lose the beloved microSD card slot by upgrading to the Galaxy S23. So be sure to pick a storage capacity that makes sense for your needs since you won’t be able to expand it. 

The bottom line: Yes, if you have a Galaxy S10 it’s worth upgrading to the Galaxy S23. You’ll get 5G support, access to new versions of Android, longer battery life, a faster new processor and a much-improved camera. But be prepared to say goodbye to the microSD card slot. 

Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S9

There are many reasons to upgrade from the Galaxy S9 — so many, in fact, it’s hard to know where to start. All of the points mentioned above for the Galaxy S10 also apply to the Galaxy S9. Samsung’s five-year-old phone lacks 5G, and its processor and battery have likely started to show their age. You’ll also no longer receive Android version updates. 

But there are plenty of other benefits to be had from upgrading. The camera is among the biggest changes; the Galaxy S9 only has one rear 12-megapixel camera, and the Galaxy S9 Plus has an additional 12-megapixel telephoto camera. The Galaxy S23 has a higher resolution 50-megapixel main camera, along with a 10-megapixel telephoto camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens for capturing a wider field of view. The Galaxy S23’s selfie camera also has a higher resolution (12 megapixels versus the S9’s 8), along with other improvements like better low-light capture. 

If you have the standard 5.8-inch Galaxy S9, you’ll also get a larger screen since the Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch display. The Galaxy S23 also has twice the storage in the base model compared to the Galaxy S9, but there’s no microSD card slot in Samsung’s new phone for adding more storage. 

The bottom line: There are a bunch of reasons to upgrade if you have a Galaxy S9. You’ll get a significantly improved camera with multiple lenses, much faster performance, longer battery life, new versions of Android and 5G support. 

Overall, it’s worth upgrading if you have a phone that’s more than two years old. Galaxy S20 owners can probably get another year out of their device if it’s in good condition, but the Galaxy S23 also offers enough improvements to justify the upgrade. If you have a Galaxy S10 or earlier, the answer to whether you should upgrade is a resounding yes. 

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. older Galaxy phones

	Galaxy S23	Galaxy S22	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S20	Galaxy S10	Galaxy S9
Display	6.1-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 resolution; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate	6.1-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 resolution; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate	6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,400×1,080 resolution; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate	6.2-inch AMOLED; 3,200×1,440 resolution; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate	6.1-inch AMOLED; 3,040×1,440 resolution	5.8-inch AMOLED; 2,960×1,440 resolution
Pixel density	425 pixels per inch	425 pixels per inch	421 pixels per inch	563 pixels per inch	550 pixels per inch	570 pixels per inch
Dimensions (inches)	2.79 x 5.76 x 0.3 in	2.78 x 5.74 x 0.3 in	2.80 x 5.97 x 0.31 in	2.72 x 5.97 x 0.311 in	5.9 x 2.77 x 0.31 in	5.81 x 2.70 x 0.33 in
Dimensions (millimeters)	70.9 x 146.3 x 7.6 mm	70.6 x 146 x 7.6 mm	71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9mm	69.1 x 151.7 x 7.9 mm	149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8 mm	147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	168 g (5.93 oz)	167 g (5.93 oz)	171 g (6.03 oz)	5.75 oz (163 g)	5.53 oz (157 g)	5.75 oz (163 g)
Mobile software	Android 13	Android 12	Android 11	Android 10	Android 9	Android 8
Camera	50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)	50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)	64-megapixel (telephoto), 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)	12-megapixel (wide-angle), 64-megapixel (telephoto), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)	12-megapixel (wide-angle), 16-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (telephoto)	12-megapixel
Front-facing camera	12-megapixel	10-megapixel	10-megapixel	10-megapixel	10-megapixel	8-megapixel
Video capture	8K at 30fps	8K at 24 fps	8K at 24fps	8K at 24fps	4K at 60fps	4K at 60 fps
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM/storage	8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 256GB	8GB RAM + 128GB 8GB RAM + 256GB	8GB RAM + 128GB	8GB RAM + 128GB	8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 512GB	4GB RAM + 64GB; 4GB RAM + 128GB; 4GB RAM + 256GB
Expandable storage	None	None	None	Yes (Up to 1TB)	Yes (Up to 512GB)	Yes (Up to 400GB)
Battery	3,900 mAh	3,700 mAh	4,000 mAh	4,000mAh	3,400mAh	3,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	In-display	In-display	In-display	In-display	In-display	Back
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Special features	5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 rating, wireless PowerShare to charge other devices	5G (mmw/Sub6), 120Hz display, IP68 rating, 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging	IP68 rating, 5G-enabled, 30x Space Zoom, 10W wireless charging, 120Hz display	5G enabled; 120Hz refresh rate; water resistant (IP68)	Wireless PowerShare; hole punch screen notch; water resistant (IP68); Fast Wireless Charging 2.0	Dual-aperture camera, water-resistant (IP68); super slo-mo video; wireless charging; iris scanning