125 pay-monthly tariffs — filter and sort by what matters to you.
Galaxy S23 at a glance
7.5/10GetLow rating
Our take, in a number
Provisional · Specification-based
The smaller flagship format and three-camera package remain useful at a reduced price. It needs a worthwhile saving over the S24 and S25, with battery condition checked carefully on refurbished offers.
Why this rating?
GetLow editorial assessment, . We weigh the published features, practical compromises, intended buyer and value proposition described in this guide. This is a qualitative judgement, not a calculated benchmark or customer average.
9–10: exceptional on paper; 8–8.5: a strong shortlist choice; 7–7.5: good for the right buyer; 5–6.5: substantial compromises; 1–4.5: difficult to recommend.
We have not hands-on tested this phone. Real-world speed, photo quality and battery endurance are not proven by this score. Basic and accessibility phones are judged for their intended use, not as flagship substitutes. For refurbished phones, the score describes the model, not the condition or battery of an individual unit. A score is not a rating of every contract: compare the current total cost separately.
Start with the size, camera and storage you need. The lowest monthly price alone does not tell you whether this is the right phone.
What to weigh up
Check the exact storage, colour and condition on the retailer page. Refurbished grades, battery policies and warranties vary.
Worth the upgrade?
Compare it with the phone you already own. Pay for a useful improvement, not just a newer model name.
About this guide: GetLow explains published specifications and compares UK contract listings. It is not a hands-on laboratory test. Battery and charging figures depend on the manufacturer's test conditions; everyday results vary.
Is the Galaxy S23 worth buying?
A compact 2023 flagship with excellent cameras and a slightly bigger battery than the S22 it replaced.
Best bits
Compact, pocketable 6.1-inch size
Fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip
Genuine 3x optical zoom camera
Premium IP68 build with long updates
Watch-outs
3900mAh battery is still only average
25W charging is slow by 2026 standards
No expandable storage
Small screen won't suit media lovers
2026 buyer guide
Samsung Galaxy S23 in 2026
The Galaxy S23 keeps the pocketable size but upgrades to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and a larger battery, making it a strong compact refurbished pick.
Live price position
Judge the Galaxy S23 by today's whole-contract price
GetLow currently checks 125 Galaxy S23 contract offers across 5 retailers and 4 networks. The market starts at £15.00 a month, £0.00 upfront and £553.96 in total after currently stated promotional savings.
Those headline floors can come from different deals. Keep monthly price, upfront cost, data, storage, term and condition tied to one listing before deciding which offer is genuinely cheapest.
Monthly pricesFrom £15.00
Upfront pricesFrom £0.00
Total contract costFrom £553.96
Current conditionEvery current offer is listed as refurbished, so compare the stated condition, warranty and total cost.
Live model price comparison
How does the Samsung Galaxy S23 price compare with nearby phones?
This table uses the reviewed phone plus up to four nearby alternatives by current lowest total contract cost. Monthly price, data, total cost and condition remain attached to the same cheapest-total listing for each phone.
Read each difference against the bold Galaxy S23 baseline. A cheaper row shows the whole-contract saving; a dearer row shows the additional amount currently needed to step up.
Model
Monthly price
Data
Lowest total cost
Difference vs Galaxy S23
Cheapest listing
Galaxy A57 5G
£12.50/month
100MB
£462.00
£91.96 less
New
Galaxy S25 Edge
£6.95/month
15GB
£538.40
£15.56 less
Refurbished
Galaxy S23
£17.99/month
100GB
£553.96
Baseline
Refurbished
Galaxy S24 Ultra
£6.95/month
15GB
£568.40
£14.44 more
Refurbished
Galaxy S26 FE
£11.95/month
15GB
£631.80
£77.84 more
New
Build your own phone comparison
Select any three phones and compare them side by side
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is selected first. Change any selector to compare it with two other current phones from Samsung, or with the wider market when fewer than three Samsung models are available.
Every price card keeps monthly cost, upfront payment, total cost, data, contract length and condition attached to the same live listing. The specification table then shows the hardware differences that may justify paying more.
Flagship power in a small body
At 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6mm and 168g the Galaxy S23 is refreshingly compact in a world of giant phones, with a premium glass and aluminium build and IP68 protection. The 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X runs at 120Hz and looks superb.
Samsung's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip with 8GB of RAM keeps everything fast, and the phone's long update commitment makes a refurbished S23 a smart, future-proof buy.
Strong cameras, a slightly bigger battery
The camera trio — a 50MP main, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 12MP ultrawide, plus a 12MP selfie — beats most mid-range phones, especially for zoomed shots and portraits.
The 3900mAh battery is a small step up from the S22 and comfortably lasts a day of moderate use, though heavy users may still want a top-up. Charging is a modest 25W wired and 15W wireless.
Who should buy it on contract?
The Galaxy S23 is for anyone who wants flagship cameras and a genuinely compact phone without the latest price. Bought refurbished or Like New on a UK contract it is excellent value; compare total cost on GetLow.
New and refurbished buying checks
Protect the saving before you order
Every current offer is listed as refurbished, so compare the stated condition, warranty and total cost. A low price is only good value when the condition, storage, warranty, returns terms and battery policy suit what you expect to receive.
Use total contract cost after any stated code as the first comparison, then check data and storage on the same basis. Availability can change as retailers update stock.
Confirm whether the selected listing is new or refurbished.
Check the exact storage and colour before leaving GetLow.
Read the warranty, returns and refurbished battery terms.
Compare the total contract cost rather than monthly price alone.
Who it suits
Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 right for you?
Buy the Galaxy S23 if
Buy it if you want a compact flagship with a 3x zoom camera at a bargain refurbished price.
Choose another phone if
Skip it if you want a big screen or the longest battery life.
Colours and images
Galaxy S23 is available in Cream, Green, Lavender, Phantom Black. Pick the colour you can live with for the full contract, not just the launch-week favourite.
Cream
Cream gives the Galaxy S23 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Green
Green gives the Galaxy S23 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Lavender
Lavender gives the Galaxy S23 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Phantom Black
Phantom Black gives the Galaxy S23 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Which storage should you buy?
Samsung Galaxy S23 storage options include 128GB. The live cards show capacities currently found in GetLow deals. Start with the smallest suitable option for lighter use, then step up if you keep lots of photos, video, games or offline apps.
128GBAvailable from £15.00/mo256GBAvailable from £34.28/mo
Full Galaxy S23 specs
These are the buyer-facing specs that matter most when comparing contract deals.
Display
6.1 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340
Refresh rate
Up to 120Hz
Chip
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Rear camera
50MP wide + 10MP telephoto (3x) + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera
12MP
Operating system
Android (One UI)
Storage
128GB
Colours
Cream, Green, Lavender, Phantom Black
Battery
3,900mAh battery
Charging
25W wired / 15W wireless
Size
146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm
Weight
168g
Durability
IP68
Specifications are manufacturer or catalogue claims, not GetLow laboratory measurements. Missing information is not a zero or proof that a feature is absent. Retailer stock and delivery can change before checkout.
Yes. Samsung's long update promise means the S23 stays secure and supported for years, so a refurbished model is viable well beyond a 24-month contract.
How big is the Galaxy S23?
It has a compact 6.1-inch screen and weighs just 168g — genuinely pocketable and easy to use one-handed, unlike most modern flagships.
Does the S23 have a zoom camera?
Yes, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, alongside a 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide — a strong camera system for its size.
How is the battery life?
The 3900mAh battery comfortably lasts a day of moderate use. Charging is a modest 25W wired and 15W wireless.
Does it support UK 5G?
Yes, the Galaxy S23 works on all major UK 5G networks for the fastest available data.
The verdict
The Galaxy S23 is a rare compact flagship: fast, well-built and armed with a proper 3x zoom camera, in a body that fits your hand. The battery and charging are its compromises, but bought refurbished it is superb value. Compare it on GetLow by total contract cost.
