Not much has changed with the other cameras on the phone. The primary camera is joined by the distinctive dual 10-megapixel telephoto cameras with 3X and 10X optical zoom, as well as a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. Even though the hardware hasn’t changed much, Samsung claims you’ll get better photo results due to improvements in its image processing algorithms. Specifically, all the new S23 phones are treated to an “advanced object-based AI” scene analyzer that can automatically tweak the lighting in a scene, reduce noise, and detect other flaws that need improving.
The S23 and S23+ have a new 50-megapixel main camera, which supposedly offers four times more dynamic color range than the old one. All of these phones also have a new 12-megapixel selfie camera (up from 10 megapixels) with better autofocus too.
Two of the more exciting photo additions are, bizarrely, in Samsung’s Expert RAW app. This app enables granular control over the camera’s settings and still leverages some assistance from Samsung’s image processing models. It’s now easier to access directly in the camera app—Expert RAW was previously a completely separate app—and there are two new modes: Multiple Exposures and Astrophoto. The former lets you shoot multiple images and layer them over each other for a fun artistic effect. The latter lets you tweak the camera’s settings when you’re trying to capture the stars, like extending the long exposure time to 10 minutes. Working with RAW photos requires some more robust software, so Samsung says it’s partnering with Adobe to offer the professional app Lightroom as the default editing software on the phones.
All three phones will receive four Android OS upgrades (they launch with Android 13) and will get monthly security updates for five years, which remains one of the best software policies you’ll find in Android land. Pricing for the handsets hasn’t changed. The Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $1,200, the S23+ is $1,000, and the S23 costs $800. Both the S23+ and S23 Ultra now offer 256 gigabytes of internal storage for the base models—only the S23 sticks to 128 GB. They’re available for preorder now and go on sale on February 17.
New Laptops
Three new phones and … five new laptops. Samsung’s new Galaxy Book3 series of notebook PCs include 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 all have a 16:10 aspect ratio, and the Pro and Ultra models feature Samsung’s AMOLED display technology with a 3K resolution and 120-Hz refresh rates. They’re all up for preorder now, and they go on sale February 17.
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
The “Ultra” branding makes the leap to Samsung’s laptops. This new addition to the Galaxy Book lineup comes with 13th-gen Intel Core i7 and i9 chips (45 watts) and Nvidia’s new 40-series mobile graphics cards. Companies like Asus, Lenovo, and HP have been making these high-powered laptops aimed at content creators for some time, so it’s refreshing to see Samsung join the field. The Ultra smartly ditches the thin-and-light priorities that have defined the Galaxy Book range, measuring 16.5 mm thick and weighing 3.9 pounds. The new 16-inch 3K AMOLED 120-Hz screen supports HDR and isn’t a touchscreen. It’s Zoom-friendly too, with a 1080p webcam and “studio-quality dual mic” with active noise canceling.
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro
The rest of the Samsung laptop lineup remains largely the same as last year but with updated specs as well as some size switch-ups. The Galaxy Book3 Pro, sporting 28-watt Intel Core i5/i7 13th-gen chips, is now available in 14- and 16-inch 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 11.3 mm thick and 2.58 pounds. The looks haven’t changed all that much from the previous edition.
Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360
This year the Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 is available only in a large 16-inch size, and you can choose between a Wi-Fi or 5G model. You’ll find the same new 3K AMOLED display that’s on the other models, but this one’s a touchscreen. All of Samsung’s “360” versions of the Galaxy Book feature touchscreens with a hinge that enables you to flip the screen on its back to use the laptop like a tablet. Therefore, 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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