The S23 is a properly small flagship — 6.1 inches, full flagship internals, and genuinely usable in one hand. That combination has become rare, and it is the main reason to seek this model out rather than a newer, larger one.
Three years on it prices well below current flagships. What you give up against an Ultra is the S Pen, the extended zoom and the larger screen. What you give up against a newer standard S-series is remaining update life — which is the check to do before anything else.
Brand or model deal overview
| What defines this handset | Detail |
|---|---|
| 6.1-inch screen | One of the smallest full flagships still in circulation |
| Flat display | The standard S-series has used flat panels since this generation |
| Flagship internals | Same processor family as the S23 Ultra of the same year |
| No S Pen | Stylus support is an Ultra-only feature |
| 2023 launch | Part of the committed update window has elapsed |
| Battery | Smaller than larger models — the practical cost of the size |
| Storage | Fixed at purchase — no microSD on S-series |
| Charging | USB-C; no charger supplied |
Pricing, bundles and stock change regularly. Confirm the current deal and the total contract cost with the provider before applying.
Compare by network
Network options
Carried across all four networks, with the mix shifting toward certified pre-owned as the model ages. Ask which you are being offered and what warranty applies.
Coverage first. Check it at the addresses you actually use.
Ask about upgrade pricing. Older flagships often carry better upgrade rates than current models.
Compare by budget
Budget options
A three-year-old flagship sits well below current pricing. See deals under R500 and deals under R1000.
Against the Ultra of the same year. Considerably more per month, and adds the S Pen. See Samsung S23 Ultra contract deals.
Against newer standard models. More remaining support, higher monthly cost. See Samsung S24 contract deals and Samsung S25 contract deals.
Current and older alternatives
Alternative models
- Samsung S23 contract deals — the same handset under its fuller URL form.
- Samsung S23 Ultra contract deals — the full flagship of the same generation.
- Samsung S24 contract deals — the next compact flagship.
- Samsung contract deals — the full range.
What to check before applying
- The remaining software update window — the first check on any three-year-old handset.
- Whether it is new or certified pre-owned, and the warranty term.
- Battery health, if it is not new. Small-battery phones show age sooner.
- Storage size — fixed at purchase, no microSD.
- Whether a charger is included — it is not.
- The total contract cost — monthly × term, plus upfront.
- Coverage at your addresses.
- Upgrade pricing, if you are an existing customer.
- Whether a current mid-range phone costs less for a longer support window.
Contract applications are subject to the credit provider’s checks and generally involve a credit and affordability assessment. Approval is not guaranteed.
FAQs
How small is the S23?
6.1 inches, which makes it one of the smallest full flagships still available. If a manageable one-handed phone is what you want, handle one before assuming a newer model will do.
Does it support the S Pen?
No. The built-in stylus is exclusive to Ultra models, and the standard S-series lacks the screen layer that supports it.
How is the battery on a phone this small?
Smaller than on larger models, which is the practical cost of the size. On a three-year-old handset, ask for the battery health figure before agreeing to anything.
How much update life remains?
Samsung committed to a long window for this generation, but part of it has elapsed. Confirm the remaining term before signing a 24-month contract.
Can I expand the storage?
No. Galaxy S handsets do not take microSD cards.
Is a charger included?
No. Samsung ships a USB-C cable only.
Would a current mid-range phone be better?
On software life, probably. On screen, camera and sustained performance, no. It depends on which you weight more over a 24-month term.
Is it worth waiting for a newer compact flagship?
Samsung has continued the compact size in later generations, so newer options exist at higher monthly cost. If budget is the constraint, this is the cheapest route into that size class.
Can I trade in my current phone?
Trade-in is widely offered on Samsung handsets and can reduce the monthly figure meaningfully. Get the quote in writing before comparing deals, because it often changes which offer is cheapest.
What happens at the end of the contract?
The handset is paid off but the plan generally continues at its stated rate until you change it. On a phone that will be five years old by then, moving to SIM-only is usually the sensible step. See SIM-only deals.
Does it support 5G?
Yes — S-series flagships from this generation support 5G. Whether you see the benefit depends on your plan and on coverage where you actually use the phone.
Is the screen good enough at this size?
The panel quality is flagship-grade — bright, high refresh rate, accurate. The limitation is physical size rather than quality, which matters most for video and split-screen use.
How does it compare with the S24?
Very closely in daily use. The S24 has a newer processor and the Galaxy AI features, plus more remaining update life. If the monthly difference is small, the newer model is the better buy.
Compare your options: browse Samsung contract deals, or narrow by budget with deals under R500.
Last updated: August 2026 — pricing, availability and terms can change.