We subjected the Samsung Galaxy S23 to our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance Cons six criteria. In the results of this test, we’ll analyze how it performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Main specifications of the display:
- 6.1-inch AMOLED, (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
- Dimensions: 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 inch)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, (~425 ppi density)
- Aspect Ratio: 19.5:9
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
Pros
- Good readability in most lighting conditions
- Great video experience overall
- Excellent uniformity
Against
- Low flicker frequency and brightness too high for night reading
- Under bright sunlight, colorful content lacks nuance
- Aliasing is visible when playing video games
The Samsung S23 series has some of the best performing displays currently on the market. Whichever model of the S23 series you choose, the viewing experience will be quite similar and quite good, particularly in videos, where each model scored equally. All models also showed “extra brightness” when the “auto brightness” mode was turned off on the device.
However, there were some minor differences in the S23’s display performance that were noted during testing, some relating to the model’s different screen sizes as well as display design and tuning.
The S23 is the smallest screen in the S23 series, but its powerful performance has earned it the same score as the S23 Ultra. The S23 showed a good brightness of 1,600 nits under 20,000 lux, outperforming the S23+ by 100 nits and coming in just below the S23 Ultra’s 1,770 nits.
The S23’s touch score surpassed both the S23 Ultra and S23+, helped by its smaller screen, which handled corner taps better.
The performance of the S23 has shown that you don’t always need a bigger screen to have a great viewing experience.
Trial summary
Learn about SBMARK display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective and perceptual tests under real-life and controlled laboratory conditions. Please note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still images (gallery) and video apps with default settings. (For in-depth information on how we rate smartphones and other displays, check out our articles, “How SBMARK Tests Display Quality” and “A Closer Look at SBMARK Display Tests.”
The following section compiles the key elements of our extensive testing and analysis performed in the SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
How the display readability score is composed
Readability evaluates the ease and comfort with which users can read the still content (photos and web) on the display under various real-life conditions. SBMARK uses its Display Bench to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also performed in real-life environments.
Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).
From left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Readability in a sunlight environment (>90,000 lux).
From left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Measurement of luminance uniformity
This graph shows display smoothness with a 20% gray pattern. The more visible the green color, the smoother the display.
How the Display Color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the device’s ability to faithfully reproduce colors. Measurements taken include fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color assessments for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can handle color in its surroundings. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. The perceptual analysis of the color rendering compares with the reference model displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
White point with illuminant D65 at 1000 lux
Indoor color rendering (1000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Color rendering in sunlight (>90,000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Color fidelity measurements
Samsung Galaxy S23, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the sRGB color space
Samsung Galaxy S23, color fidelity at 1000 lux in Display-P3 color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color pattern (arrow base) and its actual measurement (arrow tip). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference. If the arrow stays inside the circle, the color difference will only be visible to trained eyes.
Color behavior on the corner
This graph shows the color shift when the screen is tilted. Each point represents a measurement at a particular angle. The dots within the inner circle show no color change in the corner; those between the inner and outer circle have shifts that only trained experts will see; but those which fall outside the outer circle are evident.
Color shift on the corner
From left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
How the soundtrack of the Display Video is composed
Our video attribute evaluates each device’s Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure the tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis Cons our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure rendering respects artistic intent.
Video rendering in a low light environment (0 lux).
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
Gamut coverage for video content
Primary colors are measured in both HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of color area that the device can render. To meet artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the primary color space of each video.
How the Display Motion score is composed
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic content. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are examined using games and videos.
The video frame drops
These long exposure photos feature the number of frame irregularities in a 30 second video. Good performance shows a regular pattern (a flat gray image or a pull-down pattern).
How the Display Touch score is composed
To evaluate touch, SBMARK uses a haptic robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a series of scenarios for fluency, accuracy, and response time evaluation.
This response time test accurately evaluates the time between a single tap of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require high responsiveness, such as gaming.
How the display artifact score is composed
Evaluating artifacts means checking performance, image rendering, and motion artifacts that can impact the end-user experience. SBMARK accurately measures device reflectance and flicker, and evaluates the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
Aliasing (foreground)
Samsung Galaxy S23
(Photos for illustration purposes only)
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