Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsSamsung support nightmare, Amazon service great, phone scratches easily, great battery, camera, cpu
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023
Update: (3 stars still). Replacement arrived, screens felt slightly different. Placed carefully in pocket every time, and checked the phone after each withdrawal. For the first few times all seemed well; however, a few micro and I mean micro scratches appeared. You can't see them in standard light but if you look at it like a crazy person like I did (after the first phone's issues) you can see them. There is no way this phone would last a long time on it's own. Either samsung has some really bad quality control or I have to say the new glass is definitely a flop. I gave a family member my old s21 ultra already but I kind of wishing I had it as I really dislike the screen protector feel, but I don't think you can safely own this phone without one (or get lucky with quality control).
The phone's battery has been fantastic though, much more efficient power wise. The photos are naturally very good as well (not that s21's were bad though). The phone is slim, the pen is nice (I used a phone case with a pen attached to it for my old 21 so I was excited to get it internal). The phone seems to process things quite quickly and things look as good and as smooth as you'd expect for the price (good).
The material that seemed to cause the scratch was a synthetic like material that lined the pocket on some icebreaker shorts (merino wool company). Both my s21 ultras have been stored in this pocket before (which I've owned for multiple years). The previous phone I'm not sure which material caused it but it had many scratches that were visible from different angles. I don't wear blue jeans which have those metal buttons, I only wear slacks, cotton, and merino. I don't work in a sand pit either, so whatever scratched these phones was simply in the pocket out of the pocket (was never dropped). I even have my Note 10s, zero scratches.
There is definitely something disappointing with their new glass. I've read some people say its because it's more shatter resistant so it's softer.. so I suppose if you're a phone dropper that might be good news, but I've never dropped my phone.. I'd rather be able to enjoy the premium screen feel with a scratch free screen.
One note is the s21 ultra screens feel MUCH harder / smoother than the s23 ultra, which has a sort of soft squish and very very slight resistance.
Amazon's customer service has been great and I would recommend buying phones from them- whichever phone you choose.
If you were fine with your battery and camera, didn't need an upgrade, and had a sturdy phone then I'm not sure I'd suggest buying this as it's very expensive yet fairly fragile phone as it defeat's it's own luxury feel by requiring a screen protector (or luck of QC).
If you're a screen protector free type person, then I don't recommend the phone, unless you're also into some gambling in which case buy the phone from Amazon so you can at least potentially replace it without a nightmare.
Working with samsung on this is just an exercise in pain, though if they turn around somehow I'll update the review again.
Previous Update: 3 stars- After talking to support for a third time they suggested to have Amazon replace it so I'm not out of a phone (and it's under the 15 day warranty). Amazon customer service was very quick and easy. Will update again for better or worse. Old review below.
Old review 1 Star:
Phone screen scratches easily, like put in and take our of your pocket. I've had a s21 ultra for multiple years and the screen looks brand new- not a single scratch at /any/ angle of light, there is no screen protector. The s23 ultra after a few /days/ has multiple micro abrasions that you can see at certain angles (like tiny scratches). I'm not one to put the phone in the same pocket as keys or just toss it in the bag either. Potentially a manufacturing defect, but Samsung support has been bad. Couldn't make a service request through their members system so I contacted chat who made it for me, arrived at the center they told me to go, they said they can't do anything for me because they don't have the screen and even if they did they wouldn't help because it's common scratching (... No way that is true, unless the glass is worse than s21..??).
It's certainly a fast phone and the pen is neat, the functionality of the phone is great, I assume it's a good batch bad batch thing. Otherwise If the screen is actually weaker then the older phone then.. don't upgrade. If you're lucky it's probably great. :/