Despite newer Galaxy models hitting the market, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus remains a top-tier smartphone in 2025 thanks to recent software upgrades, AI integration, and continued hardware relevance. With One UI 7 and Android 15 now available on the device, Samsung has breathed new life into the S23 Plus, giving it fresh capabilities that align with the latest tech trends—without the need to upgrade to the S24 or beyond.
Here’s a full breakdown of why the S23 Plus is still a smart choice this year.
📱 One UI 7 + Android 15: A Refined User Experience
Samsung has officially rolled out One UI 7, built on Android 15, for the Galaxy S23 Plus. This update brings a number of visual and functional improvements:
- Redesigned Quick Panel: Easier access to settings and toggles.
- “Now Bar”: A new task-switching feature that enhances multitasking on the fly.
- Updated Camera App: Improved layout, faster shot processing, and new Pro controls.
- Enhanced Privacy Dashboard: Lets users better control app access to sensitive data.
The integration of these updates gives the S23 Plus a UI experience on par with Samsung’s newest flagships.
🤖 Galaxy AI Brings Premium Smart Features
Perhaps the most exciting addition with One UI 7 is the full rollout of Galaxy AI. Initially exclusive to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, these AI features are now available on the S23 Plus:
- Live Translate: On-device real-time call translation without relying on the cloud.
- Generative Edit: Use AI to erase, move, or reframe objects in your photos.
- Note Assist: Summarize, auto-format, and translate notes.
- Browsing Assist: AI summarizes articles and websites in seconds.
Samsung is offering these AI tools for free on compatible devices through December 2025. After that, select features may shift to a subscription model.
🔋 Battery Life Concerns (And Fixes)
With the new software update, some Galaxy S23 Plus users have reported noticeable battery drain—especially during the first week after installation. This is due to background indexing, learning behavior, and new AI features calibrating to user patterns.
Samsung’s Recommendations:
- Clear system cache via recovery mode.
- Update all apps, including Google Play Services.
- Allow 7–14 days for post-update optimization.
- As a last resort, perform a factory reset to stabilize power usage.
While a temporary issue, these battery hiccups are relatively common with major OS upgrades and tend to smooth out over time.
🔐 Ongoing Security Support
Samsung continues to support the Galaxy S23 Plus with monthly security patches, keeping it protected from zero-day exploits and vulnerabilities. The April 2025 patch included dozens of fixes affecting both the system kernel and app-level permissions, ensuring the phone remains secure for years to come.
Samsung has committed to four major OS updates and five years of security patches for the S23 series—meaning it will remain supported through 2027.
📹 Standout Camera and Display Features Still Hold Up
The Galaxy S23 Plus still impresses with its 8K video recording at 30fps, giving creators more flexibility for ultra-high-resolution footage. It also features:
- 50MP main sensor with excellent dynamic range
- Adaptive Vision Booster, which adjusts brightness and contrast based on ambient lighting
- 120Hz AMOLED display with HDR10+ support for vivid visuals
These features ensure that the S23 Plus remains competitive against newer models, especially for photography, gaming, and media consumption.
🛒 Pricing and Availability
As of May 2025, the Galaxy S23 Plus (256GB) is still available via Samsung’s official site for $999.99 unlocked. While the price hasn’t dropped significantly, it frequently goes on promotion through carriers and often includes bundled Galaxy AI trials or trade-in offers.
If you’re not looking to splurge on the S24 Ultra or upcoming S25 lineup, the S23 Plus offers a balanced package of performance, software longevity, and cutting-edge features that still feel flagship-worthy in 2025.
Verdict:
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus isn’t just holding on in 2025—it’s thriving. With One UI 7 and Galaxy AI now part of its toolkit, it’s essentially a “smartphone 2.0” experience built on premium 2023 hardware. If you’re shopping for a high-end device that doesn’t require the latest release badge to shine, the S23 Plus remains a highly compelling option.
Key Takeaways
- The Galaxy S23 Plus features 8K video recording at 30fps and adaptive display technology for optimal viewing in any environment.
- Samsung’s ecosystem includes Bixby assistant, task automation, and entertainment options like free live TV with over 100 channels.
- The S23 Plus remains a competitive option in 2025 for users seeking premium features without purchasing the newest flagship model.
Design and Display
The Galaxy S23 Plus showcases Samsung’s refined design philosophy while offering a premium display experience. The device balances size and usability with high-end materials and screen technology that performs well in various lighting conditions.
Build Quality and Aesthetics
The Galaxy S23 Plus features a sleek, premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on both front and back panels. This provides enhanced durability against drops and scratches compared to previous generations. The aluminum frame adds structural integrity while maintaining a lightweight feel.
Available in four elegant colors—Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender—the S23 Plus offers options to suit different preferences. The device sports a cleaner look with individual camera lenses protruding from the back rather than using a camera island, creating a more minimalist aesthetic.
The button placement remains intuitive with volume and power controls on the right edge. Despite its large screen, the phone maintains comfortable ergonomics with balanced weight distribution and smooth curved edges that help with grip.
Screen Technology and Experience
The 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the S23 Plus delivers impressive visual performance. With FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), content appears sharp and detailed for daily use. The screen supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that switches between 48-120Hz depending on the content, balancing smoothness and battery efficiency.
Brightness is a standout feature, with peak levels that make outdoor visibility excellent even in direct sunlight. The display also offers exceptional contrast with deep blacks and vibrant colors, making it ideal for media consumption.
Color accuracy is another strength, with support for HDR10+ content and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Viewing angles remain consistent with minimal color shifting when viewing the screen from different positions. Samsung has also improved the anti-glare properties, reducing reflections in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance and Software
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus continues to deliver reliable performance in 2025, powered by optimized hardware and Samsung’s commitment to long-term software support. The device is still set to receive updates until 2027, making it a viable option for users seeking longevity in their smartphone investment.
Processing Power and Hardware
The Galaxy S23 Plus features the custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, which offers significant improvements over previous generations. This specialized version runs at higher clock speeds than the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, providing enhanced performance across all tasks. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM, which remains sufficient for multitasking even by 2025 standards.
Storage options include 256GB and 512GB variants utilizing UFS 4.0 technology, delivering faster read and write speeds than previous storage standards. This translates to quicker app launches and file transfers in everyday use.
The device’s connectivity options also remain competitive with 5G capabilities, Wi-Fi 6E support, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring reliable connections across various networks and peripherals.
Operating System and User Interface
Originally shipped with Android 13 and One UI 5.1, the Galaxy S23 Plus has seen several major updates since its release. Samsung’s commitment to providing updates until 2027 means the device will continue receiving new features and security patches for the foreseeable future.
One UI offers a clean, customizable interface with useful features like:
- Edge panels for quick access to apps and tools
- Smart widgets that adapt to usage patterns
- Robust theme options for personalization
The software experience remains smooth and responsive in 2025, with Samsung’s optimization keeping the phone feeling relatively modern despite newer models being available. Security updates continue to arrive monthly, maintaining protection against emerging threats.
Gaming and Application Use
The Galaxy S23 Plus holds up well for gaming and demanding applications. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor handles titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact with consistent framerates at high settings.
Heat management during extended gaming sessions is effective, with the phone maintaining performance without significant throttling. Most modern games released in early 2025 still run without major issues, though some may require graphics settings adjustments.
Day-to-day applications launch quickly and run smoothly. Multi-tasking between resource-intensive apps shows minimal slowdown, with the 8GB RAM providing adequate memory for most usage scenarios.
Benchmark tests from recent comparisons show the S23 Plus still performs admirably against mid-range 2025 devices, though it naturally falls behind the latest flagship models in pure processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus offers impressive features and capabilities that many users are curious about. Below are answers to common questions about this popular smartphone model.
What are the key features and specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It comes equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
The device includes 8GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB or 512GB. Its camera system features a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
Battery capacity stands at 4,700mAh with 45W fast charging support. The phone is also IP68 water and dust resistant, making it durable for everyday use.
Can you provide an overview of reviews and user feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
Reviews of the Galaxy S23 Plus have generally been positive, highlighting its excellent performance and improved battery life compared to previous models. The camera system receives particular praise for quality photos in various lighting conditions.
Some users have reported issues with vibration strength, describing it as weak even at maximum settings. Others have mentioned occasional charging problems.
The Circle to Search feature and lock screen widgets are frequently mentioned as standout features, though some users note bugs after recent updates that can cause slow charging.
When was the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus officially released?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus was officially released on February 17, 2023. It was announced earlier that month during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event.
The phone launched alongside the standard Galaxy S23 and the premium Galaxy S23 Ultra models. By March 2025, the device has been on the market for just over two years.
What is the current price range for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
As of March 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus typically retails between $800-$900 for the 256GB model, representing a significant price drop from its launch price.
The 512GB variant generally costs $100-$150 more. Carriers and retailers frequently offer trade-in deals and promotions that can reduce these prices substantially.
During major sales events, discounts of $200-$300 are common, making it more affordable for consumers looking to upgrade their devices.
How does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus compare to its predecessor in terms of performance and improvements?
The S23 Plus offers approximately 30% better performance than the S22 Plus, thanks to the enhanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Battery efficiency has also improved, with users reporting longer usage time between charges.
Camera improvements include better low-light photography and more natural color reproduction. The design remains similar, though with slightly refined edges and improved durability.
Heat management is notably better on the S23 Plus, with less throttling during intensive tasks like gaming or video recording compared to its predecessor.
What is the projected software support lifecycle for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus?
Samsung has committed to providing four years of major Android updates for the Galaxy S23 Plus. This means the device should receive updates through Android 17, expected in 2027.
Security updates will continue for an additional year beyond the OS updates, extending to five years total from release. This places the end of security support around February 2028.
As of March 2025, the S23 Plus has already received two major Android updates and remains in the middle of its supported lifecycle.
