I didn’t expect a 2-year-old phone to still feel this fast.
But last weekend, while waiting at an airport gate, I played Call of Duty Mobile on my Galaxy S23+—high settings, 120Hz refresh, HDR on. It ran flawlessly. Zero lag. That moment got me thinking…
Is the Galaxy S23+ still worth buying (or holding onto) in 2025?
Let me walk you through what it’s like using this phone today — especially if you care about gaming, performance, and battery life.
🎮 Still a Gaming Beast? Yes.
Let’s get right to it: The S23+ is still one of the best mid-priced gaming phones you can buy — even in 2025.
It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and Adreno 740 GPU, which were flagship-level back in 2023. Guess what? They’re still holding their own.
Tested Games on Max Settings:
- Genshin Impact
- Call of Duty: Mobile
- PUBG Mobile
- Asphalt 9
Everything ran smooth, with no frame drops or overheating issues in casual gaming sessions (even after 1 hour).
🧠 Pro Tip: If you play long sessions, use a slim cooling case — it helps with sustained performance.
Gaming Highlights:
- 🔋 120Hz AMOLED screen = buttery smooth visuals
- 🧠 Game Booster mode = battery + performance tweaks
- 🎧 Stereo speakers = loud, immersive sound
- 📱 8GB RAM = no app reloads mid-game
🔋 Battery: Solid, But Not “Wow”
The 4,700 mAh battery has aged well. I can still get:
- ✅ 1 full day of heavy use
- ✅ 10+ hours of non-stop gaming
- ✅ 1.5 days on light social/media usage
Charging:
- 🔌 Wired: ~80–85 mins (45W fast charging)
- 🌀 Wireless: Slower (~10W only)
- ⚡ No reverse wireless (for accessories)
⚠️ Not the fastest charger in 2025, but good enough for overnight or desk charging.
💼 Still Smooth for Daily Use
Beyond gaming, the S23+ is still a solid daily driver. It runs Android 14, is getting Android 15 later this year, and Samsung has committed updates till 2027.
Real-world perks:
- 📸 50MP main camera still takes sharp, clean photos
- 🌙 Night mode has improved since launch
- 🎥 Shoots up to 8K video
- 🔐 In-screen fingerprint scanner works reliably
- 📶 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Samsung Pay — all still relevant
The build quality is premium (Gorilla Glass Victus 2 + IP68 rating), and the screen brightness holds up well even in sunlight.
📦 Downsides?
- ❌ No headphone jack
- ❌ No SD card slot
- ❌ Pre-installed bloatware (but removable)
💰 Is It Worth Buying in 2025?
If you can get it under $550, the Galaxy S23+ is still a smart buy for:
- 🎮 Gamers who don’t want to spend $1,000+
- 📱 Users looking for a powerful secondary phone
- 📷 Anyone who wants flagship-level photos without flagship pricing
✅ Yes, I’d still recommend it.
It’s aged gracefully and performs better than many 2024 mid-rangers. If you already own one, don’t rush to upgrade.
🧠 Final Verdict
The Galaxy S23+ in 2025 is proof that not all tech gets old fast. If you care about gaming, daily speed, or just want a premium feel without breaking the bank, this phone still holds strong.
Would I daily-drive this phone in 2025?
Yes. And I still do.
