5 reasons I won’t upgrade from my Galaxy S23 Ultra this holiday season

The holiday season always brings a wave of tempting new tech, and this year is no different, with the flagships from OnePlus, Samsung, Apple, Vivo, and Oppo hitting the shelves.

However, before you put your hard-earned cash down for an upgrade, let’s talk about the phone you already have: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

For many power users, myself included, the conversation around upgrading isn’t about if the new device is good, but whether it’s good enough to justify leaving behind a true champion.

I spent the last couple of years pushing the S23 Ultra to its absolute limits, and here are the reasons why this proven powerhouse is staying firmly in my pocket through the end of the year and beyond.

Galaxy S23 Ultra is a performance champ

My primary reason for sticking with the Galaxy S23 Ultra is, without a doubt, the silicon under the hood: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. Samsung made a massive pivot here, and it paid off huge.

For years, some of us felt the Exynos/Snapdragon split was holding the global performance back, but with this generation, we finally got the unified, absolute best chip.

This wasn’t just a minor speed bump; it was a complete overhaul in thermal efficiency.

I can hammer this phone with intense tasks — long 4K video edits, heavy multitasking, extended gaming sessions — and while it gets warm, it doesn’t thermal throttle like some past flagships.

Frankly, the performance difference with the very latest chipsets is starting to hit the point of diminishing returns for 90% of my usage.

I would rather keep this proven, cool-running powerhouse than pay a premium for a fraction of a percentage point improvement that I will never actually feel day-to-day.

This phone is built to last, performance-wise, for the next couple of years.

The design still screams premium

When I pick up my Galaxy S23 Ultra, I’m reminded daily that this is a truly premium device, and the latest models haven’t necessarily improved on its physical perfection.

First, let’s talk materials. The Armor Aluminum frame feels cool to touch. Paired with the matte Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back, which resists fingerprints like a champ, the whole package feels durable and high-end.

While new phones might change the finish slightly, they surpass this specific combination of tactile luxury and real-world usability.

Then there is the display. Yes, the curve is more subdued than in generations past, but the subtle curvature on the 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is still what sets it apart.

It melts into the frame beautifully, offering an immersive viewing experience that makes content pop.

But the secret sauce, the thing many often overlook, is the weight distribution. Samsung nailed the ergonomics on this one.

It’s a heavy phone, yes, because it packs a massive battery, but the weight is perfectly balanced across the body.

S Pen is more than a novelty

If you still think the S Pen is just for doodling or signing the occasional PDF, you haven’t truly experienced the Galaxy S23 Ultra workflow.

For me, this integrated stylus is critical. It’s less of an accessory and more of a third hand that speeds up every task.

The magic starts instantly: Screen-Off Memo. I can be in a meeting, hear a critical detail, pull out the S Pen, and jot down a note on the black screen before anyone else has even found a pen.

Whether I’m marking up a client’s PDF contract, circling key data points on a complex spreadsheet screenshot, or quickly sketching out a diagram idea, the precision is miles beyond my finger.

Using the S Pen as a remote control is another neat feature. When setting up a group shot with the phone on a tripod or holding it, clicking the S Pen button acts as a shutter release.

Overall, the S Pen isn’t a novelty. It’s a feature that bridges the gap between a phone and a true mobile workstation. It’s my essential productivity tool.

The camera setup is good enough for my needs

Let’s be honest: every new flagship phone review focuses almost entirely on the camera and hypes up minor software tweaks or a slightly larger sensor.

While a part of me would love to play with the absolute latest computational photography tricks, the truth is, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera setup is still excellent and perfectly suited for my life.

My main camera needs are simple: capturing sharp memories during occasional travel and, more importantly, getting those shots of my little one.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a champion here. The 200MP main sensor might default to 12MP photos, but those results are bright, crisp, and vibrant. Exactly what I want for sharing family moments.

When we travel, the dual telephoto lens system (3x and 10x optical zoom) is the killer feature that remains relevant. I can zoom in on a distant landmark or quickly crop out distracting background elements without losing photo quality.

In short, the S23 Ultra delivers professional-grade quality in its standard point-and-shoot mode. Any marginal gains in a newer phone’s camera are simply not worth the hefty upgrade cost. I will stick with the photos I already love.

The software update situation is still strong

The hidden gem of owning a flagship like the Galaxy S23 Ultra isn’t just its current performance. It’s the guarantee of longevity provided by Samsung’s update policy. This is a major reason to avoid upgrading right now.

When the S23 Ultra launched on Android 13, Samsung committed to four major OS upgrades. That means this phone is officially scheduled to run on Android 17.

This isn’t just about the base OS, either. Samsung is clearly focused on refining its interface with One UI 8.5, which is already in the pipeline. And since the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is powerful and robust, I’m not worried about the future software burden.

When One UI 8.5 arrives — bringing those slick new animations, smarter AI features, and UI overhauls — my S23 Ultra will have the raw horsepower to run it all smoothly, handle new animations, and integrate new features without breaking a sweat.

Even after Android 17, I’m scheduled to receive one more year of security updates. Overall, I’m future-proofed by great hardware and locked into a long-term software contract.

Why upgrade when the next major software experience is still coming to the phone I already own?

Besides, Samsung is cooking up the Galaxy S26 Ultra for the first quarter of 2026. Based on the rumors, it is set to receive major upgrades, while still keeping the S Pen slot.

I’m surely skipping the holiday season and waiting for the next-gen S-series that the Korean giant is prepping.

Don’t upgrade yet

Ultimately, the decision to keep a device comes down to value, and for me, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is still delivering flagship performance without breaking the sweat.

While new models will offer speed bumps and minor camera tweaks, they don’t present a compelling reason to ditch this current powerhouse.

For anyone sitting on an S23 Ultra, I suggest holding strong. This phone has plenty of life left, and you are not missing out on anything essential this holiday season.

Galaxy S23 Ultra is eligible for the One UI 8 update. When it lands on your device, make sure to check out these hidden settings to get the best out of it.