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With the Samsung Galaxy S23 range just weeks away from release, a near-constant flow of rumours and leaks have been flooding the market. Many have been focussed on the top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, as it attempts to ward off competition for the crown of best Android phone 2023.
But now, notorious tech tipster, Roland Quandt, has released a full spec sheet for the base model S23 and the S23 Plus. Quandt has a great track record for leaking this kind of information, making his word is as good as gospel.
The results are slightly underwhelming. There are a few changes to the spec sheet, but the majority is identical to what we saw in last years Samsung Galaxy S22 and Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus. That's not necessarily the end of the world – we had a similar scenario with the Google Pixel 7 range, which ended up delivering a host of software-based goodness.
There are a handful of notable changes though. First and foremost is that new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It should provide a marked boost in performance for these handsets – especially in Europe, where previous generations were plagued with a subpar Exynos chip.
The front camera gets a small bump from 10MP up to 12MP. It's a welcome addition for TikTokers and selfie-lovers, though far from the highest resolution we've seen on a front-facing camera. Bluetooth connectivity is also marginally improved. These devices come with Bluetooth 5.3 as standard, instead of the Bluetooth 5.2 which was found on the S22. The batteries are a smidge bigger as well, with an extra 200mAh on offer over the previous generation.
Interestingly, there's still no ultrawide band (UWB) connectivity on the base model S23. The functionality, which is used for things like keyless entry and location tracking, has been notably absent from the base model in the last few generations of Samsung Galaxy phones.
As ever, this looks like an incremental step rather than a giant leap. We'll have to wait until the Galaxy Unpacked event on the 1st of February to see what software changes are in store, and get a clearer idea of what these phones can do.
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Sam Cross is an award-winning journalist, with nine years of experience in the media industry. His work can be found in publications as diverse as Oracle Time, Metro and Last Word on Sports.
Here at T3, Sam is best known as the brand’s go-to guy for all things luxurious – from exquisite watches to fine fragrances; the latest performance vehicles to intricate audio equipment, and more.
He’s often found travelling around the world to test new launches, complete with high-end backpacks and suitcases in tow. And when he’s not adding to his air miles, Sam can be found in front of a video camera, bringing his distinctive brand of storytelling to T3’s social media channels.
Sam also loves all things analogue including listening to music on vinyl or cassette, and photography on vintage film cameras.