Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Phantom Black 256GB

The Galaxy S23 Ultra still has an incredible camera, long battery life, and the handy S Pen, all for as low as $390. It's not the absolute fastest phone anymore, but for everyday use and photography, it's a slam dunk. If you're looking for a feature-packed flagship without the four-digit price, this is the one.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 8GB of RAM still gets the job done. Our database ranks it in the strong mid-range for raw speed—well above average, though not best-in-class anymore. Everyday swiping, multitasking, and even demanding games feel smooth, and the UFS 4 storage keeps app launches snappy. If you're coming from an S24 Ultra or a bleeding-edge 2025 phone, you might notice it's a half-step behind in sustained benchmarks, but for real-world use, it holds up without breaking a sweat.

Against the Pixel 10a, the S23 Ultra wins on zoom and all-around camera flexibility, but the Pixel gets you cleaner Android and faster updates. The iPhone 16 Pro Max trades blows in video quality but can't match the S Pen or that 10x reach. Samsung's own S26 Ultra outpaces it in raw speed and display tech, yet costs nearly three times as much. The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is a flip phone that folds in half, so it's a totally different beast: more pocketable, less camera power, and no stylus. For sheer photography and productivity at this price, the S23 Ultra still has a clear edge over its rivals.

At the original launch price, this phone was a tough sell. But now with prices spanning $390 to $649, it's an absolute steal. For under $400, you're getting a camera system that rivals devices twice the price, plus an S Pen and battery life that our tests put in the top few percent of all phones. Even at $649 it's a solid deal, though we'd nudge you toward the lower end of that range. From what we see, Newegg often has the best price among major vendors, so shop around before you buy.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra isn't the newest kid on the block, but it's still one of the most capable phones you can buy. Samsung stuffed it with a 200MP camera that handles low light like a champ, a built-in S Pen, and a massive 6.8-inch display that hits 1750 nits. It's big, sure, but for people who treat their phone like a pocket computer, that size buys you serious screen real estate and a battery that just won't quit.

Prices have dropped hard since launch, and that changes everything. We're seeing this thing go for as low as $390, which is wild for a phone that was originally well over a grand. Even at the higher end around $649, it undercuts most modern flagships while outshooting them with that 10x optical zoom. If you can live with a slightly older processor, there's an absurd amount of value here.

If you need a compact phone that fits easily in one pocket, the S23 Ultra's 6.8-inch frame and 234g weight will feel cumbersome. Heavy mobile gamers who demand the absolute latest chipset might also want to look at newer devices with faster sustained performance.

If you want a premium phone that doesn't cost premium money, the S23 Ultra is an easy pick. It's perfect for anyone who takes a ton of photos, relies on a stylus for work, or just wants a big screen and massive battery. At its current prices, it's one of the best bargains in the unlocked phone market.