S23 Regrets

[monsieurms]

Well I have the phone, it's all set up, Smart switch is really great. (I wish it handled 2FA as well)

I would say, though, that I have one regret. I was very much on the fence about ditching my Note 20 and the SD card. All my nightmares have come true.

The free upgrade to 512gb kind of made me lean to the 23 ultra along with rumors that these phones would start getting a lot more expensive as carriers stopped financing them and so on. Plus, you can't keep one forever, they are only updated for four or five years. So, I figured, it has to happen sooner or later, this looks like an opportunity.

But everything I feared about losing the SD card has come true. It is taking me 2 days to set up the data that I had on the SD card. In particular, the cable transfer is slow, as compared to my speedy SD card and card reader way back when.

But that's not even the important point. I can't even get it started and walk away.

Mostly what I keep on the SD card is music, and every time the cable transfer sees something it doesn't like, it aborts. I have to sit there and pretty much watch it to see where the problems are. One thing I have found is that if there are shortcuts in the directory to some other directory on my hard drive it just aborts. If I was copying 20 folders and it sees a shortcut in the 21st, it aborts them all. It may still do the copy for the first 20, but it doesn't cut and paste, so I can't tell what's actually been done unless I sit there and watch. So I have to repeat all 21, a few at a time.

Then, it doesn't like other anomalies either. For example I was copying from my desktop hard drive (where I had copied my former SD card data in preparation for setting up the phone) Phil Collins "...but seriously" album.

I guess it decided it did not like those three dots. It got to Phil Collins and once again aborted. I had to rename the folder and take the three dots out. Start again.

On the classical stuff, which has lots of oddities at times, I am literally down to sometimes cutting the mp3s one at a time to get them to transfer.

Tomorrow will be Day two. I hope I can finish. It was only about 245 gigs. Of course, if they still had SD card slots, I could have popped my SD card in and I would have been done in about 90 seconds. But apparently that's too simple for Samsung.

Honestly, I am not so sure I would have bought this if I had known this was going to go down like this. It is exactly what I've been trying to avoid. I will do my best to make sure that I keep this phone for at least four cycles.

 

[gendo667]

Well I have the phone, it's all set up, Smart switch is really great. (I wish it handled 2FA as well)

I would say, though, that I have one regret. I was very much on the fence about ditching my Note 20 and the SD card. All my nightmares have come true.

The free upgrade to 512gb kind of made me lean to the 23 ultra along with rumors that these phones would start getting a lot more expensive as carriers stopped financing them and so on. Plus, you can't keep one forever, they are only updated for four or five years. So, I figured, it has to happen sooner or later, this looks like an opportunity.

But everything I feared about losing the SD card has come true. It is taking me 2 days to set up the data that I had on the SD card. In particular, the cable transfer is slow, as compared to my speedy SD card and card reader way back when.

But that's not even the important point. I can't even get it started and walk away.

Mostly what I keep on the SD card is music, and every time the cable transfer sees something it doesn't like, it aborts. I have to sit there and pretty much watch it to see where the problems are. One thing I have found is that if there are shortcuts in the directory to some other directory on my hard drive it just aborts. If I was copying 20 folders and it sees a shortcut in the 21st, it aborts them all. It may still do the copy for the first 20, but it doesn't cut and paste, so I can't tell what's actually been done unless I sit there and watch. So I have to repeat all 21, a few at a time.

Then, it doesn't like other anomalies either. For example I was copying from my desktop hard drive (where I had copied my former SD card data in preparation for setting up the phone) Phil Collins "...but seriously" album.

I guess it decided it did not like those three dots. It got to Phil Collins and once again aborted. I had to rename the folder and take the three dots out. Start again.

On the classical stuff, which has lots of oddities at times, I am literally down to sometimes cutting the mp3s one at a time to get them to transfer.

Tomorrow will be Day two. I hope I can finish. It was only about 245 gigs. Of course, if they still had SD card slots, I could have popped my SD card in and I would have been done in about 90 seconds. But apparently that's too simple for Samsung.

Honestly, I am not so sure I would have bought this if I had known this was going to go down like this. It is exactly what I've been trying to avoid. I will do my best to make sure that I keep this phone for at least four cycles.

Yeah, my SD card was for music, too. Now I just download/cache music via YouTube Music. It's actually pretty easy. I have a ton of music on my external hard drive for safe keeping.

 

[Katrina White1]

Despite the noticeable differences with the S22U and S23U (from what my wife and I have found), she still has no desire to upgrade since most of what she uses her phone for, the added benefits from the upgrade would not make much of a difference in her daily usage.

You really should look at everything and decide if it's really worth it.

Maybe in a couple more years, she will want to upgrade, but for now, she is happy with what she has now. Upgrading to the latest is not for everyone.

I'm of the same opinion as your wife. I've used the S23U exclusively since Tues. and I don't feel it's enough to keep it. The battery and speakers are lots better, the camera a lil better for my particular use. I was so excited for it, and now I'm just meh. I'm just not dazzled, so I'm leaning towards the return, but I'll hang on and use it through the weekend to be sure. It'll be the 1st time since the Note 3 I skip a Note/S Ultra.

 

[buzzy3970]

I know that technically the S23 Ultra is heavier than the S22 Ultra, but due to the slight design change it feels lighter and nicer on the hand to me. Still not as manageable as my flip 4 but I also don't mind the weight or size for the time being .

Sent from my SM-S918U1 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[monsieurms]

I'm of the same opinion as your wife. I've used the S23U exclusively since Tues. and I don't feel it's enough to keep it. The battery and speakers are lots better, the camera a lil better for my particular use. I was so excited for it, and now I'm just meh. I'm just not dazzled, so I'm leaning towards the return, but I'll hang on and use it through the weekend to be sure. It'll be the 1st time since the Note 3 I skip a Note/S Ultra.

Is it possible to be dazzled any more unless your other phone is really older? I came from a 20 Note Ultra, which is a couple of cycles older than your 22. Honestly, there are some 23 upgrades (battery, camera), but it is hardly a life altering experience. In most respects as I use the programs I normally use, there's no real difference at all. I haven't had a chance to play with the camera much, but for what I do, I am not expecting maximum amazement! Unless I go to something like a fold, I give up on being dazzled. It is not happening any more. Or, maybe if I finally avoid upgrade-itis and let this 23 Ultra become really old before the next upgrade.

 

[Joshua Luther1]

I traded in my Z Fold 3 that I still owe a couple hundred on. There wasn't an issue as the payment plan isn't tied to the phone being used and active. Just keep making payments.

If you bought through a carrier, then you might want to ask them.

edit: During the trade-in process, they ask for the IMEI, so if there is an issue, it will be flagged then.

Agreed. I am still paying on my Samsung account for the S22+ that I traded in to Google for my Pixel 7 Pro. For Verizon, you have to pay off the balance of the phone in order to upgrade through Verizon.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

I know that technically the S23 Ultra is heavier than the S22 Ultra, but due to the slight design change it feels lighter and nicer on the hand to me. Still not as manageable as my flip 4 but I also don't mind the weight or size for the time being .

Sent from my SM-S918U1 using AC Forums mobile app

This is actually a big thing I've noticed from the S21 Ultra, the balance.

It almost seems silly to mention, like I'm justifying the phone lol, but the S21U with it's massive camera plateau always felt like it was trying to jump out of my hand (I hold it in my left aned the plateau is top right). The S23U is heavier, but feels better balanced.

 

[Joshua Luther1]

This is actually a big thing I've noticed from the S21 Ultra, the balance.

It almost seems silly to mention, like I'm justifying the phone lol, but the S21U with it's massive camera plateau always felt like it was trying to jump out of my hand (I hold it in my left aned the plateau is top right). The S23U is heavier, but feels better balanced.

I felt like the S21 ultra was so top heavy when I had it.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[Katrina White1]

Is it possible to be dazzled any more unless your other phone is really older? I came from a 20 Note Ultra, which is a couple of cycles older than your 22. Honestly, there are some 23 upgrades (battery, camera), but it is hardly a life altering experience. In most respects as I use the programs I normally use, there's no real difference at all. I haven't had a chance to play with the camera much, but for what I do, I am not expecting maximum amazement! Unless I go to something like a fold, I give up on being dazzled. It is not happening any more. Or, maybe if I finally avoid upgrade-itis and let this 23 Ultra become really old before the next upgrade.

Yep. Exactly that. "In most respects as I use the programs I normally use, there's no real difference at all." Honestly, annual upgrades are just a habit. I was already perturbed by the trade in values, which made me feel the S23 wasn't worth it, especially coming from S22. I love the graphite color so I gave it a try anyway. I may just find a silver case and call it a day. Lol

 

[Laura Knotek]

This is actually a big thing I've noticed from the S21 Ultra, the balance.

It almost seems silly to mention, like I'm justifying the phone lol, but the S21U with it's massive camera plateau always felt like it was trying to jump out of my hand (I hold it in my left aned the plateau is top right). The S23U is heavier, but feels better balanced.

I felt like the S21 ultra was so top heavy when I had it.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

I never played with the S21 Ultra, since I was using the S10+ at the time and wasn't interested in an Ultra device without an inbuilt S Pen silo and with more bulk. I also wasn't interested in the Note, since I didn't see a use for the S Pen. Getting an S Pen with a tablet changed my opinion of the Note/Ultra line, so I opted for the S22 Ultra.

I played with the S23 Ultra yesterday but found it to feel too bulky in my hand. I'm sure I'd adapt to it and like if I were to get it. However, the S22 Ultra feels better to me in my hand. That's going to be different for each person, but I'll revisit a new device next year and see what I'll do. For now I'm keeping the S22 Ultra.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Laura Knotek]

Agreed. I am still paying on my Samsung account for the S22+ that I traded in to Google for my Pixel 7 Pro. For Verizon, you have to pay off the balance of the phone in order to upgrade through Verizon.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

I could see someone being more excited about getting a different brand or line of device like you did or like I did last year. Going from an S22 Ultra to a Pixel 7 Pro would seem more of a new experience than going from an S22 Ultra to an S23 Ultra. My experience of going from the S10+ to the S22 Ultra felt a lot different.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

I never played with the S21 Ultra, since I was using the S10+ at the time and wasn't interested in an Ultra device without an inbuilt S Pen silo and with more bulk. I also wasn't interested in the Note, since I didn't see a use for the S Pen. Getting an S Pen with a tablet changed my opinion of the Note/Ultra line, so I opted for the S22 Ultra.

I played with the S23 Ultra yesterday but found it to feel too bulky in my hand. I'm sure I'd adapt to it and like if I were to get it. However, the S22 Ultra feels better to me in my hand. That's going to be different for each person, but I'll revisit a new device next year and see what I'll do. For now I'm keeping the S22 Ultra.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

Is it the size, weight or both? I wouldn't expect the extra bulk to be that noticeable between the two.?

 

[Laura Knotek]

Is it the size, weight or both? I wouldn't expect the extra bulk to be that noticeable between the two.?

It was the thickness. It does seem like much, but I suspect it would be too thick with a case. But that's just me. I'm sure most people won't notice.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

 

[f1nzup]

Is it the size, weight or both? I wouldn't expect the extra bulk to be that noticeable between the two.?

I went from the Note 20U to the S22U and it was a very noticeable weight difference, but I ultimately got used to it. In going from the S22U to the S23U I can't tell any difference, even though technically the S23U weighs a tad more. Of course this is just one man's opinion. Lol

 

[buzzy3970]

I went from the Note 20U to the S22U and it was a very noticeable weight difference, but I ultimately got used to it. In going from the S22U to the S23U I can't tell any difference, even though technically the S23U weighs a tad more. Of course this is just one man's opinion. Lol

Yes the Note 20 Ultra was the perfect weight and thinness. I know due to the zoom lens I know they're probably not able to achieve that level of thinness.

Sent from my SM-S918U1 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[o4liberty]

I am coming from the ultra to the plus and it's great so far and yes very little difference.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

 

[srgonu]

Well I have the phone, it's all set up, Smart switch is really great. (I wish it handled 2FA as well)

I would say, though, that I have one regret. I was very much on the fence about ditching my Note 20 and the SD card. All my nightmares have come true.

The free upgrade to 512gb kind of made me lean to the 23 ultra along with rumors that these phones would start getting a lot more expensive as carriers stopped financing them and so on. Plus, you can't keep one forever, they are only updated for four or five years. So, I figured, it has to happen sooner or later, this looks like an opportunity.

But everything I feared about losing the SD card has come true. It is taking me 2 days to set up the data that I had on the SD card. In particular, the cable transfer is slow, as compared to my speedy SD card and card reader way back when.

But that's not even the important point. I can't even get it started and walk away.

Mostly what I keep on the SD card is music, and every time the cable transfer sees something it doesn't like, it aborts. I have to sit there and pretty much watch it to see where the problems are. One thing I have found is that if there are shortcuts in the directory to some other directory on my hard drive it just aborts. If I was copying 20 folders and it sees a shortcut in the 21st, it aborts them all. It may still do the copy for the first 20, but it doesn't cut and paste, so I can't tell what's actually been done unless I sit there and watch. So I have to repeat all 21, a few at a time.

Then, it doesn't like other anomalies either. For example I was copying from my desktop hard drive (where I had copied my former SD card data in preparation for setting up the phone) Phil Collins "...but seriously" album.

I guess it decided it did not like those three dots. It got to Phil Collins and once again aborted. I had to rename the folder and take the three dots out. Start again.

On the classical stuff, which has lots of oddities at times, I am literally down to sometimes cutting the mp3s one at a time to get them to transfer.

Tomorrow will be Day two. I hope I can finish. It was only about 245 gigs. Of course, if they still had SD card slots, I could have popped my SD card in and I would have been done in about 90 seconds. But apparently that's too simple for Samsung.

Honestly, I am not so sure I would have bought this if I had known this was going to go down like this. It is exactly what I've been trying to avoid. I will do my best to make sure that I keep this phone for at least four cycles.

I guess Synology or any NAS solution is the way going forward for photos, music or any other documents if you don't want your stuff on the cloud and still access it from anywhere. After I setup my NAS (4 years ago), am fine with a phone which has 128GB storage too.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using AC Forums mobile app

 

[Emig5m]

Well I have the phone, it's all set up, Smart switch is really great. (I wish it handled 2FA as well)

I would say, though, that I have one regret. I was very much on the fence about ditching my Note 20 and the SD card. All my nightmares have come true.

The free upgrade to 512gb kind of made me lean to the 23 ultra along with rumors that these phones would start getting a lot more expensive as carriers stopped financing them and so on. Plus, you can't keep one forever, they are only updated for four or five years. So, I figured, it has to happen sooner or later, this looks like an opportunity.

But everything I feared about losing the SD card has come true. It is taking me 2 days to set up the data that I had on the SD card. In particular, the cable transfer is slow, as compared to my speedy SD card and card reader way back when.

But that's not even the important point. I can't even get it started and walk away.

Mostly what I keep on the SD card is music, and every time the cable transfer sees something it doesn't like, it aborts. I have to sit there and pretty much watch it to see where the problems are. One thing I have found is that if there are shortcuts in the directory to some other directory on my hard drive it just aborts. If I was copying 20 folders and it sees a shortcut in the 21st, it aborts them all. It may still do the copy for the first 20, but it doesn't cut and paste, so I can't tell what's actually been done unless I sit there and watch. So I have to repeat all 21, a few at a time.

Then, it doesn't like other anomalies either. For example I was copying from my desktop hard drive (where I had copied my former SD card data in preparation for setting up the phone) Phil Collins "...but seriously" album.

I guess it decided it did not like those three dots. It got to Phil Collins and once again aborted. I had to rename the folder and take the three dots out. Start again.

On the classical stuff, which has lots of oddities at times, I am literally down to sometimes cutting the mp3s one at a time to get them to transfer.

Tomorrow will be Day two. I hope I can finish. It was only about 245 gigs. Of course, if they still had SD card slots, I could have popped my SD card in and I would have been done in about 90 seconds. But apparently that's too simple for Samsung.

Honestly, I am not so sure I would have bought this if I had known this was going to go down like this. It is exactly what I've been trying to avoid. I will do my best to make sure that I keep this phone for at least four cycles.

Why not just subscribe to a streaming service like Youtube Music? I gave up ripping CDs and copying MP3s to my phones back after the S7 and just stream everything now.

 

[Emig5m]

I know that technically the S23 Ultra is heavier than the S22 Ultra, but due to the slight design change it feels lighter and nicer on the hand to me. Still not as manageable as my flip 4 but I also don't mind the weight or size for the time being .

Sent from my SM-S918U1 using AC Forums mobile app

I 100% agree! Feels much better in the hand than my S22Ultra...both with the Samsung Leather case.

 

[Emig5m]

It was the thickness. It does seem like much, but I suspect it would be too thick with a case. But that's just me. I'm sure most people won't notice.

Sent from my SM-S908U1 using Tapatalk

Just get the Samsung Leather case...it's very slim and doesn't add much to the thickness and makes it feel better in hand. I hated the S20Ultra with a Otterbox Symmetry...bulky and hard. You get used to the size and a slim case like the Samsung Leather makes all the difference.