Galaxy S22 vs Galaxy S23: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Should the Galaxy S22 still be on your shortlist now that the Galaxy S23 has replaced it? Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The Galaxy S23 takes 3 of 6 areas against the Galaxy S22, starting with display.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S23 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S23 wins
- Battery & Charging Galaxy S23 wins
- Software & Updates Tie
- Price Tie
- Display5.1
- Performance1.9
- Camera1.3
- Battery & Charging0.3
- Display5.4
- Performance1.9
- Camera1.4
- Battery & Charging0.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy S23 has 35% higher peak brightness
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy S23 lists 1,750 nits for peak brightness, while the Galaxy S22 lists 1,300 nits. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S23’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
-
The Galaxy S23 has 5.4% more battery capacity
It’s a small lead (3,900 mAh versus 3,700 mAh), but it’s real, and it goes to the Galaxy S23. Capacity isn’t everything, but when two phones are otherwise close, more milliamp-hours is the simplest endurance advantage there is.
-
The Galaxy S23 has a sharper 12 MP selfie camera
The Galaxy S22 isn’t far behind at 10 MP, but the Galaxy S23’s 12 MP still comes out ahead. Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the Galaxy S23.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S22 5.75 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
- Galaxy S23 5.76 in × 2.79 in × 0.30 in
The Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S23 take up almost exactly the same space. The Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S23 weigh almost the same.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.75 in | 5.76 in |
| Width | 2.78 in | 2.79 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 5.89 oz | 5.93 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Galaxy S23 leads
The Galaxy S22 is outclassed on display; the Galaxy S23 leads by a clear margin. On the Galaxy S23, you get 35% higher peak brightness. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility. For anyone who cares most about display, the Galaxy S23 is the safer choice.
Peak brightness
Galaxy S22: 1,300 nits Galaxy S23: 1,750 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Performance
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the performance section; the two are too close to separate. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
The memory & storage section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Camera
Galaxy S23 leads
Call it a small but real win for the Galaxy S23 in this area. Choose the Galaxy S23 and you get a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies. Weighing only camera, the Galaxy S23 comes out ahead.
Front camera
Galaxy S22: 10 MP Galaxy S23: 12 MP If you mainly use the front camera for calls, the gap is minor; if you post selfies often, the Galaxy S23’s extra resolution helps.
Battery & Charging
Galaxy S23 leads
On balance, the Galaxy S23 leads the battery & charging section, just not by much. The Galaxy S23 answers with 5.4% more battery capacity. Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the Galaxy S23 has more headroom left. Prioritize battery & charging, and the Galaxy S23 is where you should land.
Battery capacity
Galaxy S22: 3,700 mAh Galaxy S23: 3,900 mAh A bigger battery usually means longer days between charges, although chip efficiency and screen size also shape real endurance.
Software & Updates
Too close to call
Both the Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S23 cover software & updates equally well on paper. On software & updates alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 425 ppi | 425 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,300 nits | 1,750 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 10 MP | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 12 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 8K24 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 3,700 mAh Smallest battery in class | 3,900 mAh (winner) |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 4 years | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.75 in | 5.76 in |
| Width | 2.78 in | 2.79 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 5.89 oz | 5.93 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $800 | $800 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Equal launch prices put the focus squarely on the spec sheet.
Based on US launch pricing as of February 2023. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S23 if…
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (1,750 nits vs 1,300 nits peak brightness)
- you want the bigger battery (3,900 mAh vs 3,700 mAh)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (12 MP vs 10 MP front camera)
- you want the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Galaxy S22 or the Galaxy S23?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy S23. The main exception is if you already own the Galaxy S22.
Should I upgrade from the Galaxy S22 to the Galaxy S23?
For most owners, it’s a meaningful step. The Galaxy S23 brings 35% higher peak brightness, 5.4% more battery capacity and a sharper 12 MP selfie camera over the Galaxy S22.
Does the Galaxy S22 last longer on a charge than the Galaxy S23?
On paper, the Galaxy S23 has the edge: 3,900 mAh of battery capacity against 3,700 mAh for the Galaxy S22. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Galaxy S22 bigger than the Galaxy S23?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S23 differ only marginally.
Which has the better camera, the Galaxy S22 or the Galaxy S23?
The Galaxy S23 leads on camera specs thanks to a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the Galaxy S22 or the Galaxy S23?
The Galaxy S23 has the stronger display on paper, with 35% higher peak brightness.
Executive Summary
When I line up the Galaxy S23 against the Galaxy S22, I’m looking for changes you’d feel, not just changes you can count. What I like most about the Galaxy S23 here is 35% higher peak brightness. I also like that the Galaxy S23 brings 5.4% more battery capacity.
Choose by what you’d use most: the things a spec sheet can’t capture leads to the Galaxy S22, display leads to the Galaxy S23.
My pick: the Galaxy S23. If you own the Galaxy S22, only upgrade if one of the changes above really speaks to you.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.