Samsung Galaxy S23+ S23+ Black 512GB

A best-in-class build and 1750-nit 120Hz display headline a still-capable flagship. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance and strong battery life make the S23+ a smart buy, especially if you find it under $500. Camera and feature set are merely good, but the core experience is excellent.

The Galaxy S23+ lands in the 94th percentile for build quality, making it one of the sturdiest slabs you can buy. Its 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel hits 1750 nits and refreshes at 120Hz, scoring in the 91st percentile for display performance, so outdoor visibility is excellent. Under the hood, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 8GB of RAM pushes it to near-flagship speeds, so apps fly and multitasking feels snappy. The camera system, while competent, only reaches the 73rd percentile, so it's good but far from class-leading. Battery life from the 4700mAh cell is solid at the 80th percentile, and 45W charging is decent. At anywhere from $340 to $822 across retailers, your experience varies wildly based on price, but the core hardware holds up extremely well.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 clocked at 3.36GHz and paired with UFS 4.0 storage puts this phone near the top of our database for raw speed. Apps launch instantly, and the 120Hz panel makes everything feel fluid, with rarely a dropped frame. In graphics-heavy games like Genshin Impact, the Adreno 740 GPU keeps frame rates high even at max settings, matching what you'd expect from a current-generation flagship. Multitasking with 8GB of RAM is smooth, though power users might occasionally notice a reload. Compared to today's mid-rangers, it's a significant step up, and even next to some newer flagships, it holds its own.

Pricing is all over the map—we've seen it as low as $340 and as high as $822. At the low end, you're getting flagship build and display for mid-range money, which is a steal. At the high end, you'd be better off with a newer Pixel or OnePlus. Check Newegg for the best deals; some listings are refurbished but still warrantied, making the value proposition even stronger.

Against the Google Pixel 10a, the S23+ destroys it in processing and display brightness but trails in camera intelligence and software smarts. The OnePlus 15 offers faster charging and a fresher chipset, but the Samsung's build quality is a step above. Even next to the iPhone 17, the S23+ holds its own on display and connectivity, though Apple's ecosystem and longer support pull ahead. If photography is everything, skip this; otherwise, it's a better all-rounder than most phones at this price.

If you prioritize camera versatility and cutting-edge AI features, skip the S23+. Its above-average camera and middling feature set mean you'll be left wanting compared to a Pixel 10a or OnePlus 15. Also, if you prefer smaller phones, the large 6.6-inch body and disappointing compact score will feel cumbersome.

The Galaxy S23+ is a testament to how holding onto a recent flagship can be smarter than chasing the newest model. Its elite build quality and one of the best displays in our database make it feel premium every time you pick it up. Battery life is dependable, performance hasn't aged a day, and with prices dipping to $340, it's a killer value. Just don't expect camera magic or bleeding-edge features—this phone is about getting the fundamentals right.