Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Samsung Galaxy S23 colors: here’s every style you can get

Samsung has announced its brand new flagship smartphone lineup with the Galaxy S23 series. With this lineup, we get the S23, S23 Plus, and the behemoth Galaxy S23 Ultra. Though the previous generation of Galaxy S22 phones had some colors that were only available on the Ultra, Samsung has made the color lineup across all three S23 devices the same, at least with the standard colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender.

There are some exclusive colors for the S23/S23 Plus and S23 Ultra when you buy them directly from Samsung. Let’s take a closer look.

Galaxy S23 in Phantom Black

A black Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra standing up against a row of books.
Andrew Martonik/Digital Trends

Phantom Black is a fancy name for, well, black. This is your typical black-colored Android smartphone, which is a perfectly classic and professional-looking shade that goes well with anything. And we’re not just talking about a dark gray either, but a pure black. While the back is a matte finish, the frame is glossy (this applies to all of the colors). This means if you don’t have a case around the frame, then be prepared to see fingerprints and smudges.

Someone who wants a color that just goes with everything can’t go wrong with Phantom Black. It’s timeless, elegant, and just looks good no matter where you are.

Galaxy S23 in Cream

The Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra all next to each other.
Andrew Martonik/Digital Trends

The opposite of Phantom Black is Cream. But don’t confuse Cream with pure white, because it’s not. Think of Cream as a bit of an off-white color. Similar to Phantom Black, this is an elegant and classic color that also goes well with anything.

The Galaxy S23 in Cream is a gorgeous color, especially if you prefer brighter, lighter hues. Cases with certain designs and patterns may stand out more with the Cream shade, as it acts like an art canvas. It’s also neutral and looks good for casual and professional settings.

Galaxy S23 in Green

The Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra all next to each other.
Joe Maring/Digital Trends

Green comes in many shades and variations, but Samsung went with a more military, olive green-like with this one. The Green color for the S23 can shift and look a different shade though, depending on the angle and lighting of the current environment. So while it may not look great from one angle, it can subtly or drastically shift when viewed from a different perspective. In other words, it can go from a dull, muted olive green to a rich emerald.

This green color reminds us of Apple’s Midnight Green on the iPhone 11 Pro and the Alpine Green on the iPhone 13 Pro. Like those colors, the shade can shift depending on the light and angle. This color may not suit everyone, though, and it’s harder to match with everyday outfits since it’s not as neutral.

Galaxy S23 in Lavender

The Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra all next to each other.
Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra Joe Maring/Digital Trends

This year, Samsung decided to ditch pink and go with Lavender instead. This year’s Lavender color is very subtle and muted, and it may even look like a very light pink or white from a distance. But it’s definitely a cooler color than pink, and if you have it next to an actual pink phone, then you can clearly tell this is in the purple family. However, similar to Apple’s purple iPhone 14, the Lavender color for the S23 lineup is very faint. Like Cream, it’s definitely a more feminine color.

While some people may like the S23 in Lavender, it’s not our favorite. It’s just too light, and you can barely tell that it’s actually Lavender unless you put it next to a white or pink phone.

Samsung’s exclusive Galaxy S23 colors

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in Sky Blue, Lime, red, and graphite
Samsung

Lime

This is an exclusive color only available directly from Samsung. It’s a bright green hue with a tint of yellow — you know, like a refreshing and juicy fresh-cut lime. You don’t see a lot of phones in this color, so it’s definitely one of the more unique options out there. Lime is available on the S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra.

If you like fun colors, Lime is a fun one to consider. Again, it’s a very distinctive and fresh color, perfect for spring and summer. It may be a little hard to find a good Galaxy S23 case that matches up with it, but you could always go for a clear case to show it off in all its citrusy glory.

Graphite

If Phantom Black is too dark, then you can opt for Graphite, which is another Samsung-exclusive color that is available for the S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra. This color is a dark gray, so it’s not completely black like the regular Phantom Black colorway, though the difference really is negligible. It’s a great neutral color, though, so if you want something that’s elegant and classy, but also exclusive to Samsung, then Graphite is the way to go.

Red

Those who prefer fun, bold colors should take a look at the new red color, exclusive to Samsung. This is a rich and vibrant red hue, with a hint of orange, to give it a unique color that’s bound to stand out from the crowd. It has a metallic finish to it with the matte, and it’s just a distinctive color. If you enjoy colors that deviate from the norm, then red is the way to go. This shade is exclusive to the S23 Ultra only.

Sky Blue

Lastly, the final Samsung exclusive color is Sky Blue, which is also only available on the S23 Ultra. This is a light blue color, reminiscent of clear skies on a sunny day. If you’re a blue fan, then this is one to consider. Sky Blue looks great, though it’s a little less saturated than some other blue phones. It’s more like an icy blue, but done in a better way than Apple and Sierra Blue on the iPhone 13 Pro. It’s a nice shade that will look great in good lighting.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 have a headphone jack?
Timer running on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is here, and it's flippin' marvelous. It's largely just Samsung that has defined the nascent flip smartphone market, and while flipping and folding phones haven't quite broken into the mainstream yet, the Z Flip 5 is sure to tempt more and more people into buying into the future of smartphone design. The biggest new addition to the Z Flip 5 is the larger outer screen, which is a big upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4's much smaller display and worthy of rivaling the Motorola Razr Plus's impressively large outer display.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a fantastic piece of tech, packed with the latest and most powerful hardware Samsung can get its hands on. But what about a piece of very old tech? What about the humble 3.5mm headphone jack? Does Samsung's latest flip phone have room for a headphone jack, or does the Z Flip 5 follow the same trend of the last few years in omitting the venerable port?

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: how to run any app on the cover screen
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen showing Good Lock apps launcher.

Samsung recently revealed a slew of new foldables, tablets, and wearables — including the next-generation Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 — at its Galaxy Unpacked July 2023 event in Seoul, South Korea.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is launching hot on the heels of the Motorola Razr Plus, which has been one of the best folding phones this year. A major perk of the Motorola Razr Plus is the fact that the large 3.6-inch cover screen acts like a regular display, complete with a home screen, quick settings, panels, and the ability to run any Android app.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cases: 8 best ones right now
Photo of official Samsung cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 5.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 was revealed at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023, and it shows that Samsung is still serious about a foldable future. Brand new to the Flip range this year is a revamped outer screen, with a big 3.4-inch size and the ability to do even more than it could before. While you're still going to want to open the phone to do most of your business (or just scroll through Instagram), the new outer screen means you can stay on top of your notifications while keeping your phone folded and safe.

But as cool as all that is, accidents still happen, and even the best smartphones can't withstand a drop onto concrete without at least some damage. While keeping your phone folded and using the outer screen can help to keep it safe from hazards, the outside can still be chipped, cracked, or even shattered. That's where cases come in. Here are the best Galaxy Z Flip 5 cases you can buy right now.

Read more