Samsung Galaxy S23+ S23+ Green 512GB

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is a 2023 flagship that's now a mixed bag. You get a big 6.6" 120Hz screen, a generous 512GB of storage, and decent low-light photos with Night Mode. But it's stuck on 4G, its camera and performance fall behind modern mid-rangers, and the price has to drop below $400 to make any sense. If you need 5G or a top-notch camera, look elsewhere.

Here's the deal with the Samsung Galaxy S23+, this 2023 flagship is now drifting through the market at prices that are all over the map. You'll find it listed anywhere from $399 to an absurd $17,402, which tells you more about weird third-party sellers than the phone itself. What you get for the sensible end of that range is a big 6.6" 120Hz screen, a generous 512GB of storage, and Samsung's polished take on Android. But there's a catch, and it's a big one: this thing is 4G only in an era where even budget phones pack 5G. That alone steers the conversation about who this phone is actually for.

The S23+ makes the most sense for someone who just needs a reliable, large-screen phone for calls, texting, streaming, and the occasional nighttime photo. Samsung's Night Mode genuinely impresses in low light, and the 50MP main camera can grab decent shots when conditions are right. The 4,700mAh battery keeps you going through a day, even if it's not class-leading. If you're coming from a much older device, this will feel like a massive upgrade. But if you're even a little data-hungry or care about future-proofing, the lack of 5G will sting pretty quickly.

Our database paints a clear picture: this phone is solidly middle-of-the-pack or worse in almost every category. Battery life lands at the 63rd percentile, which is fine but nothing to brag about. Performance sits at the 43rd, so it's not going to set any speed records. Camera and display fall even lower, into the bottom third of the pack. The connectivity score is rock-bottom at the 11th percentile, and that's the 4G anchor weighing everything down. With a total score of just 21.1 out of 100, you can tell this is a phone that once had flagship ambitions but now feels like a budget contender, with the right price tag being the only thing that can save it.

We don't know the exact processor inside, but it's likely a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or equivalent Exynos chip from that generation. In our database, the S23+ lands at the 43rd percentile for performance. In plain English, that means it handles everyday tasks, social media, and video streaming without breaking a sweat, but you'll notice it chug when you push it. Multitasking between heavy apps or playing demanding games won't be as buttery smooth as on a brand-new flagship. The 8GB of RAM is competent, but it's the bare minimum for a phone trying to feel snappy in 2025.

The 120Hz display is a nice touch, but our display score puts it at just the 31st percentile. Colors are accurate enough, and brightness gets the job done indoors, but outdoors under direct sun, you might be squinting. It's not going to rival the latest OLED panels from the Pixel or iPhone lineups. And then there's the elephant in the room: connectivity. Scoring 11th percentile, it's stuck on 4G LTE. In areas with solid 4G coverage, you'll still load webpages and stream music, but file downloads, high-quality video, and online gaming will feel pokey compared to any 5G phone from the last two years. For a phone that Samsung marketed as having its "fastest mobile processor available," the real-world experience just doesn't live up to that headline anymore.

The pricing on this phone is a roller coaster. Listings range from $399 to a laughable $17,402, so clearly you need to ignore the extremes. At that $399 mark, which reputable retailers like Newegg might offer, it becomes a compelling value proposition just for the sheer storage capacity and big screen. You won't find many phones with 512GB at that price, and if you're someone who hoards photos, videos, and offline playlists, that's real money saved. But once you climb past $500, the value crumbles. At $600 or above, you're stepping into territory occupied by the Pixel 7a, OnePlus Nord series, or even a refurbished Galaxy S23 Ultra, all of which give you 5G, better cameras, and more modern performance. The sweet spot is that budget basement, and if you can't find it there, walk away.

Line the S23+ up against the Apple iPhone 17 and it's not even a fair fight. The iPhone has 5G, a much faster processor, a camera system that's in a different league, and years of software support ahead of it. But the iPhone costs significantly more. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is another competitor that outshines the Samsung with a superior camera, cleaner software experience, and, yes, 5G. If photography matters to you, the Pixel practically mops the floor with the S23+. Then there's the OnePlus 15, which brings faster charging and a snappier chipset, again with 5G onboard. All of these modern phones make the S23+ feel like a device from another era.

Where the S23+ can carve out a niche is against even cheaper alternatives. The Motorola G Stylus offers a similar big-screen experience with 5G and sometimes a lower price, but you sacrifice storage and that Samsung polish. If you are dead set on staying under $400 and want a large screen, loads of storage, and don't mind 4G, the S23+ is a decent pick. But as soon as speed, camera quality, or connectivity become priorities, any of those competitors send the S23+ straight to the bench.

If you rely on fast mobile data for streaming, work, or video calls on the go, this phone is not for you. The lack of 5G will drive you crazy as more towers transition away from beefing up 4G. Photography enthusiasts should also steer clear: the 29th percentile camera score means your shots will look dull compared to what a Pixel or iPhone can do. Power users who run demanding apps or games will feel the age of the processor. Instead, check out the Pixel 8a for a compact option with a brilliant camera and 5G, or the OnePlus 12R if you want a big screen and fast charging. Even a refurbished Galaxy S22 Ultra will give you a more complete package if you want to stay in the Samsung family.

Recommend this phone? Only if you stumble across it for around $400 and your needs are pretty simple. The big 512GB storage means you can download half your music library and never worry about space, and the screen is spacious for watching YouTube or Netflix. Night Mode photos genuinely impress, so if your phone camera mostly comes out at dimly lit restaurants or concerts, you'll be happy. But even then, you're accepting a phone that can't touch 5G networks, and that's a dealbreaker for many people.

If you rely on your phone for a lot of mobile data, video calls on the go, or you plan to keep it for two to three years, skip the S23+. The 4G limitation will only feel more restrictive as networks evolve. Instead, grab a Pixel 8a or a OnePlus 12R, both of which deliver better overall experiences without breaking the bank. And if you absolutely want a Samsung, a used S22 Ultra will give you 5G and a telephoto camera that actually holds up. The S23+ is a phone for a very specific, undemanding user, and that's about it.