v. 1.1
Update: haven’t seen much reason to switch to this over note 8 but I am able to create 4k videos.
Update: Battery life is very good, photos are much better obviously
Original
I picked up the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 512GB on T-Mobile.
First time I’ve ever got the “best” top phone. Typically I’m way behind. I was on a Note 8 when I upgraded. We got it super cheap like $350 for (2) due to some deal. I had picked it up when I was the height of cash and before some financial setbacks. Oh well.
I’ve never got a new phone like the Samsung S23 Ultra and been so pissed off to set it up and use it. I honestly want to go back to my Note 8 after half a day. As I set it up further, that will probably change.
Never be the first people to get new technology. Wait it out when the bugs/issues are worked out.
So Heavy
This thing is a f-ing brick. 11.7 ounces. The Note 8 was 9 ounces. I tested a Iphone 13 and it was 7.5 ounces. My son said he went with the smaller phone because it hurts your hands holding these giant phones and I definitely agree there.
Thumb Print Spot
They moved the thumb print (least from my ancient phone) from the back to the bottom middle of the phone screen. But that creates some new problems. I chose the top screen protector and once you put it on there, the thumb recognization is absolutely horrible. It’s always saying thumb print not recognized. Their instructions say to push the bubbles out away from it or it won’t recognize but it still doesn’t work well at all. But you need a screen protector. Additionally, I’m always putting my thumb in the wrong spot because the screen seems to be showing a slightly off spot than the physical round. It’s super annoying to see the thumbspot on your screen as well.
The fix seems to be: PRESS HARDER
No more SD Card Slots
They’re such fucks. They won’t let you use SD cards anymore because they want you to have to purchase the largest size or be stuck at the sizes they provide you. As the phones go on, they become bigger assholes. So people have to use standalone HD
Worst Setup Ever
T-Mobile. It wants wifi to do anything. So that part is easy but then it wants you to login to T-Mobile user/pass. But it wants to send you a text message number to confirm your account only you can’t fucking do that because it’s your new phone and it’s not at the stage where it can even receive text messages. Catch 22. So you have to use your old phone and sim in the old phone to get the message before switching the sim over or switching to an esim. They also don’t give you a new sim card and want you to now use “esim cards” which is just a scam to stop anyone from ever removing their sim card and being untrackable. They don’t like you switching sims between phones or being at any point in your life untrackable to them. Spyware bullshit.
Transfer
Transfer is super easy. I just put two phones side by side and it slowly transferred it all. But make sure you don’t have any “special” files you don’t want transferred. First transfer those to your computer, then back to your new phone. Who knows if those are tracked. haha.
Apps
Also a nightmare. You have to relog into every damn app. One by one. Then on top of that, it they spam you a code via text/phone/email to confirm it’s you. They also think you’re a new user and many apps pop up this newb bullshit overlays and tips that you don’t care about. It needs a fuck-off button. You have to set aside HOURS to do this or at stop lights when you’re bored (5 min stop lights). Or any other downtime. I still have tons to relog into.
Last Pass
Last Pass was the best place to store passwords until they got hacked. But unless you have the same password for every app or site you’ll need some sort of password manager which will allow you to get up and running faster.
T-Mobile’s Horrible Apps/Forced Notifications
These f-ers put this notification that is STUCK on there. It requires you to go to their dumb personal app store for T-Mobile where they default click about (9) apps they want you to install. You have to unclick all those, and continue to the VERY END. If you do not, the notification STICKS on your list with like 72% complete. They also ask you personal questions like “what is your gender.” and other questions they sure as fuck shouldn’t be asking you. They try to install more and more bs stuff you have to unclick until you finally complete and can clear the notifications. FUCKING INFURIATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Samsung Password Manager
Not to be outdone by T-Mobile’s bullshit, Samsung keeps popping up over your apps and screen an offer to store passwords. You go into the settings for it and you can’t easily turn it off with more research. That’s super annoying as well.
Keyboard Setup
That is also bad. It’s putting this tiny half sized keyboard up when you entre things. It doesn’t suggest word replacements until you set that up. Also due to the screen protector you have to super press hard to type.
Text Messages (annoying Samsung forced Message Choice)
It won’t let you use messages until you set Samsung Messages as the default app. It pops up a screen offering to do so but what’s confusing is every damn icon for chat apps is a BLUE icon with a comment like icon. Yuu don’t even know which one it’s asking you to set as default. The secret answer was the 2nd one on the list or match the icon in the top left with the one it wants you to pick.
So someone send’s you a message and you go to type and it prevents you from responding to anyone. But you have no idea why. And the reason is they want you to first make it the default text app.
Requires more charging
This requires better chargers to keep up. You’ll want 100w chargers which are about $80 such as https://amzn.to/3M4KKAs
Strange
All of the buttons are on the right this time instead of left. It almost seems themed or geared toward left hand users (which I am).
Pros
Hopefully I’ll find more to like about it as the days go on.
Speed
Seems somewhat faster than my Note 8 but I don’t play games / 5g vs. 4g as well.
Pen
Almost never use it but it’s cool it still has a pen
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