The main topic is the camera improvements brought by the August 2023 patch for the Samsung Galaxy S23 series.
Key points:
1. The update introduces a new 2x zoom option for photos and videos, providing optical lens-level image quality.
2. The zoom quality has been optimized for the Galaxy S23 devices, resulting in cleaner and better-quality pictures when zoomed in.
3. The update also includes improvements such as optimized file sizes for motion photos and reduced peripheral image blur when shooting close-up subjects.
Samsung is rumored to begin production of larger ISOCELL sensors, including 200MP, 50MP, and 440MP sensors. A 320MP sensor may also be in the works for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The HP7 sensor was originally planned for the S25 Ultra but was canceled due to its high cost.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to have a titanium design and a 50MP sensor, among other specifications, which are generally in line with previous claims.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is expected to feature new cameras, more powerful chipsets, a refreshed design, and longer software support, making it a worthy successor to the Galaxy S21 FE, although pricing will ultimately determine its success in the mid-range phone market.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces a new 5x optical zoom lens, providing improved zoom capabilities compared to previous iPhone models, although still lower than competing phones like Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series has received its 3C certification, indicating support for fast charging and 5G connectivity, with possible variations in chipsets, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to feature a 200MP primary camera and an improved display brightness.
The leaked design of the Samsung Galaxy S24 reveals a phone with flat sides, a 6.1-inch screen, and minor changes compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S23.
Samsung's Galaxy S24 lineup is rumored to feature a flat frame design with rounded edges, potentially resembling the iPhone 15 Pro, and may include a cutout on the right side for an Ultra Wideband antenna, along with faster processors, improved image quality, brighter displays, and slightly larger batteries.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to have a slightly brighter display compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in almost every aspect of its camera system, except for zoom and portrait photos.
Samsung has announced the Exynos 2400 chip, which is expected to address the camera shutter lag issue on Samsung smartphones, with its AI-based Zoom Anyplace technology allowing for close-ups of moving objects without image degradation, initially available on the upcoming Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max were compared in a camera shootout, with CNET's professional photographer concluding that while both cameras are excellent, the iPhone 15 Pro Max ultimately wins due to more accurate colors and better zoom capabilities.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus are rumored to use either an Exynos 2400 CPU or a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, depending on the region, while the S24 Ultra will exclusively feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra may have a titanium frame, but it is uncertain if this will be exclusive to the top-of-the-line model or available for all versions, offering better durability but potentially increasing the weight and price of the phone.
Samsung is reportedly planning to use its own Exynos chips for the upcoming Galaxy S24 smartphones, except for the flagship S24 Ultra which will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, suggesting a tacit acknowledgment that Samsung's chips aren't as good as its rival's, although the difference between the two chipsets is not always obvious in day-to-day use.
Samsung's Galaxy S24 smartphones, set to launch in Q1 2024, will feature the Exynos 2400 system on chip, potentially leading to a divisive decision that may anger users, as they may not have a choice between Samsung's own chip and Qualcomm's Snapdragon.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung's flagship phone, is currently on sale on Amazon, offering a 12% discount on the black variant and a 14% discount on the Cream variant, saving customers $165 or $190 respectively, and with its powerful performance, incredible cameras, and built-in S Pen, it is an irresistible option for smartphone enthusiasts.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to have upgrades in its design, display brightness, processor performance, camera capabilities, and AI features, making it a worthwhile upgrade from the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Samsung is offering a time-limited enhanced trade-in deal for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, cutting its price by $900 when trading in a select device such as the Galaxy S22 Ultra or iPhone 14 Pro Max.
The benchmark scores for the European Galaxy S24 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip are lower than expected, indicating that the device is still in the pre-release stage and not fully optimized yet.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to have some notable improvements compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, including a potentially lighter titanium frame, a similar design, a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with a super-high peak brightness of >2,500 nits, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset, and a camera configuration that may feature a new and improved 50MP 5X optical zoom telephoto. However, current Galaxy S23 Ultra users may not find significant reasons to upgrade to the new model.
The Galaxy S24 series from Samsung shares a striking similarity to the previous Galaxy S23 and S22 designs, following a trend reminiscent of Apple's consistent iPhone design updates.
The Galaxy S24 flagship series is set to be unveiled in January 2024, featuring the Exynos 2400 SoC, potential improvements in screen resolution and camera capabilities, and a possible inclusion of two-way satellite communication for emergencies.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 series is expected to bring faster performance, longer battery life, and brighter OLED screens, with the top models reaching 2,500 nits of brightness.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to have a significant performance boost with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as benchmark leaks indicate almost double the graphics performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
