Chapter 1: My Experience with the Samsung S23 Ultra

Recently, I made the decision to purchase the S23 Ultra, only to return it shortly after. Some might wonder why I would make such a choice, and frankly, I questioned it myself. Was it a case of creator FOMO? Perhaps, but I was genuinely curious about the buzz surrounding this device on social media. Let's delve into the positive aspects before discussing my reasons for returning it.

Design

The design felt familiar yet distinctive (I know that sounds contradictory, but hear me out). At first glance, the S23 Ultra might seem identical to the S22 Ultra, but there are subtle differences.

#### Less Curved

This year's model has a more boxy aesthetic compared to its predecessor. While it still features a curved screen, the curve is less pronounced than that of the S22 Ultra, which I found made it more comfortable to hold. It feels more secure in hand, which is important since larger phones can often be slippery.

#### Camera System

In this iteration, the camera lenses are slightly larger, likely due to the impressive 200MP sensor included this year.

#### Performance

Finally, the UK version now comes equipped with the Snapdragon chip, which has been praised globally. I was eager to see if it truly lived up to the hype, and it absolutely did. From the moment I powered it on, the phone was responsive and quick. Unlike the Exynos chip we're accustomed to, there was no lag; apps opened as promptly as they do on my iPhone, making it suitable for power users and gamers alike.

#### The Display

Samsung's flagship phones have consistently impressed me with their displays. The S23 Ultra features a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen that delivers sharp, vibrant visuals, perfect for streaming content. Additionally, it maintains a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a smooth scrolling experience on social media.

Chapter 2: Why I Chose to Return It

You may be asking why I decided to send it back. That's a fair question. The simple truth is that it did not compel me to reach for it over my iPhone 14 Pro Max. In fact, I found myself forcing the effort to use it. There was nothing about it that significantly outshone my iPhone, in my view.

#### Shutter Lag

This is where the iPhone truly excels over the S23 Ultra. Capturing images of moving subjects, like my child or pet, proved challenging, often resulting in blurry photos. I took a picture of my daughter in good lighting, and yet it came out unclear. With my iPhone 14 Pro Max, I can count on reliable quality, even in less-than-ideal conditions. While Samsung may shine in other camera aspects, for overall photo and video quality, the iPhone takes the crown.

#### App Performance

Most applications function well, but I noticed that some aren't as optimized or fluid as their iOS counterparts. For instance, tapping the time in an app to return to the top enhances the overall user experience. I recognize that developers must account for numerous Android devices, leading to a less refined experience than on Apple devices.

#### Customization

This aspect is both a strength and a weakness. I installed Good Lock to personalize my phone, but my interest waned over time. Additionally, I find that having too many choices can be overwhelming, as it requires too much time and effort. I would appreciate the option to adjust app sizes and placement on my iPhone, but beyond that, I don't find it to be a major concern.

#### Ecosystem

Of course, I have to mention the Apple ecosystem. I'm deeply integrated into it, as all my devices—from my phone to my watch—are Apple products. My main SIM card was always going to stay in the iPhone 14 Pro Max, given my fondness for the Apple Watch Ultra. I have yet to discover an Android smartwatch that matches it.

There are also small conveniences, like copying and pasting between devices and using AirDrop, which I find increasingly useful. Plus, Apple CarPlay continues to be a surprising reason for my reluctance to switch to Android.

#### Price Consideration

With flagship phones come high price tags. I struggled to justify spending so much on a device that would mostly sit unused on my desk. While I could have used it occasionally, it wasn’t enough to warrant the cost. Realistically, even though I earn some income from my blogs, it’s nowhere near sufficient to spend extravagantly on phones that I wouldn’t use regularly.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, I returned the S23 Ultra and have reverted to being solely an iPhone user, which I’m quite content with. Some may view the iPhone as mundane, but for me, it remains a beautiful and highly functional device. It meets my needs effortlessly, and despite reports of bugs in iOS 16, I have not encountered any issues, reinforcing my decision to continue using it as my primary device.

This is not to say that the S23 Ultra isn’t an exceptional phone; it truly is. However, it simply didn’t provide enough excitement for me to keep it.

The first video details the reasons behind my decision to return the Galaxy S23 Ultra, providing insights into my experience.

The second video discusses my reasons for opting to return the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra while choosing to keep my S23 Ultra instead.