How does the S23 Ultra's display brightness compare to other high-end smartphones

Brightness Specifications

- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Peak Brightness: Up to 1,750 nits in HDR content and around 1,200 nits in regular usage. In practical tests, it can reach 1,274 nits with adaptive brightness enabled for a standard screen area and 1,747 nits with a small patch of white covering 10% of the screen[5][2].
- Minimum Brightness: A record-low of 0.8 nits, which is significantly lower than most competitors[1].

- Apple iPhone 14 Pro
- Peak Brightness: Up to 2,000 nits in HDR content but caps at 1,050 nits for light-themed apps over larger areas[1][3].
- Minimum Brightness: Not specified but generally higher than the S23 Ultra.

- Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Peak Brightness: Approximately 1,000 nits, which is lower than both the S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro[3].

Performance Comparison

- The S23 Ultra excels in outdoor visibility due to its high peak brightness and effective auto-brightness adjustments, reaching maximum luminance under high ambient light conditions (20,000 lux) before direct sunlight (40,000 lux)[1].
- In terms of color reproduction and display uniformity, the S23 Ultra maintains strong performance but shows some limitations in very bright conditions compared to its predecessor and rivals like the iPhone 14 Pro[3][4].
- The S23 Ultra's brightness performance is similar to that of its predecessor, the S22 Ultra, but with minor improvements in efficiency and brightness distribution across different content types[1][3].

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's display brightness is among the best in the high-end smartphone market. It offers a superior minimum brightness level for comfortable night reading and robust peak brightness for outdoor use. While it trails slightly behind the iPhone 14 Pro in maximum brightness for HDR content, it outperforms many competitors like the Google Pixel 7 Pro in typical usage scenarios.