Galaxy S23 + 512GB-Black-Unlocked

Samsung released the S23 series in 2023, and three years on the S23+ still feels quick. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip handles social apps, navigation, video calls and games without the stutter you see on older mid-range phones. The screen is the other draw, since a 6.6-inch AMOLED panel looks sharp outdoors and in dark rooms alike. Buying refurbished brings the price well below a new phone, and the 512GB model means you won't be clearing space every month. You also avoid the guesswork of a private sale, because the phone has been tested and graded before it reaches you. The main trade-off is age: newer models have better cameras and bigger batteries. If you want a large Samsung with plenty of room and don't need the latest hardware, the S23+ is a sound pick. That balance suits students, commuters and anyone upgrading from an older phone.

The S23+ has three cameras on the back: a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP wide-angle and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. In daylight the main camera gives clean, detailed shots with natural skin tones, and it copes well with moving subjects like pets and children. Night photos are brighter and less grainy than on many phones from the same period, although very dark scenes can still look soft. The 3x lens is handy for portraits and street shots, and it keeps detail better than digital cropping. Up front, the 12MP selfie camera is sharp enough for video calls and social posts. Video can be recorded up to 8K, and 4K at 60fps looks smoother for everyday clips. Portrait mode separates faces from busy backgrounds quite cleanly. Colours lean slightly vivid and punchy, which many people like straight out of the camera.

The S23+ carries a 4,700mAh battery, which is a sensible size for a phone with a 6.6-inch screen. Most people get through a full normal day of messaging, maps, music and photos, and lighter users may reach a second morning. Before we list a handset, we check how much capacity the battery still holds and reject units that fall below our standard. Charging is quick when you use a compatible 45W adapter, though Samsung doesn't include one in the box. Wireless charging is supported too, which suits a bedside pad or a desk stand. Standby drain is low, so the phone loses very little charge overnight. To keep battery wear low over the years, avoid leaving the phone at 100% in hot places and turn on Samsung's protect-battery option in settings. If a fault appears in the first year, your 1-year warranty applies.

A few checks save trouble when you buy any used or refurbished phone. Start with battery health: ask what the capacity is and avoid anything vague. Look at the screen for burn-in, green or pink lines and dead patches, because AMOLED panels can show wear. Plug in a cable and check that charging starts straight away, then press every button and test the speakers and microphone with a call, as these faults rarely appear on a spec sheet. Confirm the phone is unlocked and not reported lost or blocked, and make sure Samsung and Google accounts have been removed from it. Our engineers run all these checks on every Galaxy S23+ before it is listed, and the grade on the listing shows the cosmetic condition. Reviewing the Samsung Galaxy S23+ hardware specifications can help users understand its capabilities and identify potential limitations.