We put the Samsung Galaxy S23 through our rigorous DXOMARK Display test suite to measure its performance across six criteria. In this test results, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key display specifications:
- 6.1 inches 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 inches)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, (~425 ppi density)
- Aspect ratio: 19.5:9
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
149
display
146
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (164)
143
Google Pixel 8
Best: Google Pixel 8 (165)
163
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Best: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (165)
134
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best: Google Pixel 7 Pro (164)
Position in Global Ranking
21
st
5. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
155
6. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
154
6. Samsung Galaxy S24+ (Exynos)
154
6. Samsung Galaxy S24 (Exynos)
154
12. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
152
13. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
151
18. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
150
18. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
150
23. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
148
28. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
147
31. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
146
33. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
145
37. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
144
39. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
143
39. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
143
43. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
142
43. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
142
49. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
140
54. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
138
65. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
135
65. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G
135
70. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
134
73. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
133
73. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
133
73. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
73. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
133
78. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
132
83. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
131
83. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
131
87. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
130
87. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
130
87. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
98. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
129
102. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
127
106. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
126
123. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
123
127. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
122
127. Motorola Edge 40 Pro
122
131. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
120
137. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
114
139. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
113
142. Crosscall Stellar-X5
109
143. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
108
149. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
82
Position in Premium Ranking
4
th
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 (Exynos)
154
13. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
14. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
132
16. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
22. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
126
Pros
- Good readability in most lighting conditions
- Very good video experience overall
- Excellent uniformity
Cons
- Low flicker frequency and too-high brightness for night reading
- Under sunlight, colorful content lacks nuances
- Aliasing is visible when playing video games
The Samsung S23 series has some of the best-performing displays currently on the market. Regardless of which S23-series model you choose, the display experience will be quite similar and quite good, particularly in video, where every model achieved the same score. All models also exhibited “extra brightness” when “auto brightness” mode was deactivated on the device.
However, there were a few minor differences in the display performance of the S23 that were noted during testing, some related to the model’s different screen dimensions as well as to the design and tuning of the display.
The S23 is the smallest screen in the S23 series, but its powerful performance 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 just under the S23 Ultra’s 1,770 nits.
The S23’s touch score outperformed both the S23 Ultra and S23+, helped by its smaller screen, which better-managed corner touches.
The S23’s performance showed that it doesn’t always take a larger screen to have a great display experience.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings. (For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Readability
146
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
164
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
How Display Readability score is composed
Readability evaluates how easily and comfortably users can read still content (photos & web) on the display under different real-life conditions. DXOMARK 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 made in real-life environments.
Luminance under various lighting conditions
Contrast under various lighting conditions
Readability in an indoor (1000 lux) environment
From left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Readability in a sunlight (>90 000 lux) environment
From left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Luminance uniformity measurement
This graph shows the uniformity of the display with a 20% gray pattern. The more visible the green color, the more uniform the display.
Color
143
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
165
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8
How Display Color score is composed
The color attribute evaluates the capacity of the device to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken are for fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can manage color in the surrounding environment. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. Perceptual analysis of color rendering is against the reference pattern displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.
White point under D65 illuminant at 1000 lux
Color rendering indoors (1000 lux)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration 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 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 the Display-P3 color space
Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color pattern (base of the arrow) and its actual measurement (tip of the arrow). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference is. If the arrow stays within the circle, the color difference will be visible only to trained eyes.
Color behavior on angle
This graph shows the color shift when the screen is at an angle. Each dot represents a measurement at a particular angle. Dots inside the inner circle exhibit no color shift in angle; those between the inner and outer circle have shifts that only trained experts will see; but those falling outside the outer circle are noticeable.
Color shift on angle
From left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Video
163
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
165
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
How Display Video score is composed
Our video attribute evaluates the Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling of each device in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis against our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure that the rendering respects the artistic intent.
Video brightness at 10% APL in the dark ( < 5 lux)
Video rendering in a low-light (0 lux) environment
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos), Apple iPhone 14, Google Pixel 7 Pro
(Photos for illustration only)
Gamut coverage for video content
The primary colors are measured both in HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of the color area that the device can render. To respect the artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the master color space of each video.
Motion
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
How Display Motion score is composed
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic contents. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are scrutinized using games and videos.
Video frame drops
These long exposure photos present the number of frame irregularities in a 30-second video. A good performance shows a regular pattern (either a flat gray image or a pull-down pattern).
Touch
134
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
164
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
How Display Touch score is composed
To evaluate touch, DXOMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a set of scenarios for smoothness, accuracy and response-time evaluation.
Average Touch Response Time Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
This response time test precisely evaluates the time elapsed between a single touch of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require high reactivity, such as gaming.
Artifacts
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
How Display Artifacts score is composed
Evaluating artifacts means checking for the performance, image rendering and motion flaws that can affect the end-user experience. DXOMARK measures precisely the device’s reflectance and the presence of flicker, and assesses the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.
Average Reflectance (SCI) Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
SCI stands for Specular Component Included, which measures both the diffuse reflection and the specular reflection. Reflection from a simple glass sheet is around 4%, while it reaches about 6% for a plastic sheet. Although smartphones’ first surface is made of glass, their total reflection (without coating) is usually around 5% due to multiple reflections created by the complex optical stack.
Reflectance (SCI)
Measurements above show the reflection of the device within the visible spectrum range (400 nm to 700 nm). It includes both diffuse and specular reflection.
PWM Frequency Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
240 Hz
Bad
Good
Bad
Great
Displays flicker for 2 main reasons: refresh rate and Pulse Width Modulation. Pulse width modulation is a modulation technique that generates variable-width pulses to represent the amplitude of an analog input signal. This measurement is important for comfort because flickering at low frequencies can be perceived by some individuals, and in the most extreme cases, can induce seizures. Some experiments show that discomfort can appear at a higher frequency. A high PWM frequency (>1500 Hz) tends to be less disturbing for users.
Temporal Light Modulation
This graph represents the frequencies of lighting variation; the highest peak gives the main flicker frequency. The combination of a low frequency and a high peak is susceptible to inducing eye fatigue. Displays flicker for 2 main reasons: refresh rate and Pulse Width Modulation. This measurement is important for comfort because flickering at low frequencies can be perceived by some individuals, and in the most extreme cases, can induce seizures. Some experiments show that discomfort can appear at a higher frequency. A high PWM frequency (>1500 Hz) tends to be safer for users.
Aliasing (closeup)
Samsung Galaxy S23
(Photo for illustration only)
English
Camera
Audio
Battery
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