Is the Galaxy S23 Camera Still Good in 2026?

The Galaxy S23 is still a good camera phone in 2026, particularly for well-lit shots and portraits. Its telephoto and ultrawide cameras aren’t as good in dim settings, but if you’re willing to make those concessions and don’t mind using a used phone, you can snag the Galaxy S23 for much less than the cost of this year’s flagship phones. Just keep in mind that One UI 9 will probably be the Galaxy S23’s last big software update.

While we haven’t tested an S23 ourselves, we’ve combined what we know about its hardware with info from Samsung and reputable sources like GSMArena and DXOMARK to put together a list of tweaks and settings you can try for yourself.

Galaxy S23 camera specs

The S23’s 50MP main camera uses a 1/1.56-inch sensor behind an f/1.8 lens, the same GSMArena lists for the S24 and S25. On paper, at least, the 3x telephoto and ultrawide don’t change either.

What the S23 lacks compared to the S24 and S25, besides a newer chip, is additional software updates down the road. In 2026, though, it could make sense to pick it up simply because it’s likely to be considerably cheaper.

What GSMArena and DXOMARK found

GSMArena’s verdict considered excellent overall photo and video quality to be one of the S23’s strengths. In particular, they found the main camera to be highly reliable, producing images with good detail and Samsung’s characteristic polished and punchy look. The 50MP mode (found in the aspect ratio menu) provided more accurate colours and extra detail but also more noise. Images from the 3x telephoto camera (which are upscaled from a 10MP sensor) had good detail and dynamic range in good light, while GSMArena described shots from the ultrawide camera as sharp and clean but a touch cool in terms of colour.

In low light, GSMArena found that Night processing was quicker than on the S22 and produced clean results from the main camera, but without this the images from the telephoto weren’t good and those from the ultrawide were particularly dark and noisy. Portrait mode worked well with separation between the subject and background using both the main and 3x telephoto cameras. All four cameras can record 4K60 video with good stabilisation, although GSMArena noted that telephoto video in dim conditions was on the soft and noisy side.

Testing the Snapdragon S23 under its (now dated) v5 protocol, DXOMARK gave it a Camera score of 133, complimenting it for accurate colours and fairly wide dynamic range but citing missed autofocus (particularly indoors and in low light), some lack of texture in bright conditions and noise as its main gripes.

Set up the S23 camera step by step

1. 1

   Open the camera with the side button

   On recent versions of One UI, head to Settings > Advanced features > Side button and make sure Double press is enabled and set to Camera. You can then use that feature to quickly snap photos straight from your pocket without even needing to unlock your phone.

2. 2

   Use 3x for portraits

   For head-and-shoulders shots, Portrait mode is best enabled on the 3x telephoto, where GSMArena felt that the subject separation was impressive, and faces are flattered more than at 1x.

3. 3

   Save 50MP for bright, static scenes

   If you're planning on cropping into your landscape shots later on, then opt for the 50MP option in the aspect ratio menu. GSMArena found that the 12MP images were cleaner though, so we'd recommend sticking with that option (which is the default) for most shots, particularly indoors and at night.

4. 4

   Stay on 1x when it's dark

   When shooting with the telephoto lens at night, keep in mind that it struggles without Night processing. For best results, take a 1x image with Night processing and crop later if necessary. With the main camera, the phone will automatically enable Night processing when necessary, so just try to keep the phone as still as possible during capture.

5. 5

   Install Expert RAW for editing

   Download Expert RAW from the Galaxy Store. This app is available on select Samsung Galaxy devices including the S23. According to Samsung, if you want to use Expert RAW for Astrophoto or Multiple exposure, you need to use 12MP and enable Special photo options in its settings.

6. 6

   Record video at 4K60 on the main camera

   For the most part, stick with 4K60 for super smooth footage and universal camera compatibility. You can use 8K30 for stills/frame grabs every now and then. Make sure to leave Video stabilisation turned on when shooting handheld.

The table’s suggestion is to lower the portrait blur level, as GSMArena felt that the default level was too high. Our portrait mode guide covers distance and blur strength, and our Expert RAW guide explains the RAW workflow.

Galaxy AI and editing on the S23

In spring 2024, Samsung included Galaxy AI features from the S24 line of devices with its One UI 6.1 update for the Galaxy S23 line. One of those features was Generative Edit in Gallery’s photo editor. If you’re looking for more info on using image editing tools in Gallery on the Galaxy S23, Samsung has a support page explaining how to use Object Eraser. That page also explains the Erase shadow and Erase reflection buttons, which are quick and easy ways to remove certain blemishes from photos.

When Samsung posted details about the Galaxy AI-powered image editing tools coming to the rebuilt Photo Assist editor with One UI 8.5 on 6 May 2026, the Galaxy S23 wasn’t among the mentioned devices. Since then, however, SamMobile reported that the Galaxy S23 got One UI 8.5 and then One UI 9 starting in October 2026. Samsung hasn’t said exactly which Galaxy AI-powered image editing tools will be included in Photo Assist on the Galaxy S23, so you’ll have to see what’s available in Gallery once you update. Our One UI 9 camera guide lists the photo changes by model.

How long the S23 will be supported

When it launched in February 2023 with Android 13, Samsung pledged four major Android updates and five years of security updates for the Galaxy S23 series. According to SamMobile, in August 2026, a tipster shared a response from Samsung confirming One UI 9 based on Android 17 (its fourth upgrade) will be the final major update for the Galaxy S23 line-up. The Galaxy S23 series will likely continue to receive security updates until around early 2028.

If you’re considering buying a used Galaxy S23, this is worth bearing in mind, as it’s the main reason it should be significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S24.

Who should buy an S23 in 2026

If you’re looking for a smaller phone with a legit 3x telephoto and RAW capture support that won’t break the bank, don’t mind upgrading your phone in the next year or two, and you don’t do a ton of night shooting or need a phone to last until 2030, then a used S23 could be worth a look.

• On paper, the Galaxy S24 has the same camera hardware. Updates are promised for seven years, starting in 2024.
• The Galaxy S25 adds 10-bit HDR video recording and Galaxy Log on a faster processor, with software updates promised into the 2030s.
• The Galaxy S24 FE is your cheaper ticket to shooting at 3x, though Expert RAW isn’t available for FE phones.
• For more zoom, there’s the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which comes with a 200MP main camera and a 10x periscope.