The Gaming Shortcomings of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung has recently launched its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra. This device is packed with features and boasts a sleek design, making it a top contender in the smartphone market. The S23 Ultra features a large display and excellent cameras, which make it a great choice for those who enjoy capturing photos and videos. Additionally, it comes with the S-Pen, making it a great choice for creative individuals who enjoy sketching and taking notes.
The S23 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, which is exclusive to Samsung. This chip provides fast performance and is designed to make the phone run smoothly. The S23 Ultra also has 5G capabilities, meaning you’ll be able to take advantage of fast download and upload speeds.
In this article, we will concentrate on the gaming capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. We will provide a detailed analysis of its performance, comparing it to other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones, and determine its suitability for gamers. So, let’s dive into the gaming capabilities of the S23 Ultra and see if it lives up to its hype.
Performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Chip
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip is a powerful and exclusive chip used in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. This chip provides fast performance and is designed to make the phone run smoothly. It is the latest offering from Qualcomm, and it has been optimized specifically for use in Samsung’s latest flagship device.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip offers a 5% boost in clock speeds for the big core and another 5% boost for the GPU. This means that the phone will perform faster and more efficiently than previous Snapdragon chips. However, it is important to note that the performance increase offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip is similar to other mid-cycle plus SOCs from Qualcomm.
When compared to other Snapdragon chips, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip performs well. The first round scores for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip are around 3750, which is higher than the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (3700), Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 (2800), and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (2550). The triple 8 and triple 8 Plus chips score around 1500.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip provides fast and efficient performance, making the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra a great choice for those who demand speed and power from their smartphone. While the performance increase offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip is similar to other mid-cycle plus SOCs from Qualcomm, it is still a powerful and efficient chip that provides smooth performance for the S23 Ultra.
Gaming Performance of the S23 Ultra
One of the key areas where the performance of a smartphone matters the most is in gaming. The difference between burst and sustained performance is crucial when it comes to gaming, and the S23 Ultra’s performance in this area has been a point of concern for some users.
To test the sustained performance of the S23 Ultra, the 3D Mark Vial F Extreme Stress Test was used. This test stresses the GPU of the phone for 20 minutes and gives an indication of how the phone would perform if you were to game on it for 20 minutes straight.
The results of this test showed that the S23 Ultra performs well in the first round of the test, with a score of around 3750, which is higher than other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones. However, by minute 7, its performance had dropped to a level lower than the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, and by minute 11, it was below the level of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The majority of the results from different sources showed a stability score of 55-65% for the S23 Ultra after 20 minutes, putting it in the D tier in terms of sustained gaming performance.
| Phone | Stability score after 20 minutes of gaming | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Red Magic 8 Pro | 99.6% | S |
| Vivo X90 Pro+ | 90+% | A |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | 79% | B |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | 55-65% | D |
Note: The stability score is determined by the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test.
When compared to other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones, the S23 Ultra fares worse than the Vivo X90 Pro+, which has a stability score of 90+% and is in the A tier, and the Xiaomi 13 Pro, which has a stability score of 79% and is in the B tier. The Red Magic 8 Pro, which is a gaming phone, has a stability score of 99.6% and is in the S tier.
In conclusion, while the S23 Ultra has fast performance and is a great choice for those who demand speed and power from their smartphone, it is not the best choice for gamers who require sustained performance for extended periods of time. The Vivo X90 Pro+ and Xiaomi 13 Pro offer better gaming performance, while the Red Magic 8 Pro is the best choice for those who demand the best gaming performance from their smartphone.
Summary
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a powerful and well-designed smartphone that offers great features and performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip provides fast and efficient performance, making the phone a great choice for those who demand speed and power from their smartphone. However, when it comes to gaming performance, the S23 Ultra is not the best choice for those who prioritize this aspect.
The results of the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test showed that the S23 Ultra’s performance drops significantly after just 7 minutes of gaming, with a stability score of 55-65% after 20 minutes. This puts the phone in the D tier in terms of sustained gaming performance, behind other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones such as the Vivo X90 Pro+, which has a stability score of 90+% and is in the A tier, and the Xiaomi 13 Pro, which has a stability score of 79% and is in the B tier. The Red Magic 8 Pro, a gaming phone, has a stability score of 99.6% and is in the S tier.
While the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a great choice for those who prioritize speed and power, it is not the best choice for those who prioritize gaming performance. If gaming is high on your list of priorities, you may want to consider other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones such as the Vivo X90 Pro+ or the Xiaomi 13 Pro, or a gaming phone such as the Red Magic 8 Pro.
