When Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon Satellite tech that will let Android phone makers compete with Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite, I was almost certain we'd see the feature on Samsung's then-upcoming S23 phones.

I mean, why wouldn't we? Qualcomm said the feature would be available this year for phones using its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and Samsung is launching the first big Android flagship of 2023 with that processor - surely, it'll build in this potentially life-saving functionality, like analysts have been predicting for months.

And then Samsung's Unpacked event came and went, with no mention of satellite messaging at all, …

Read the full story at The Verge.

It wasn’t just all about smartphones at today’s Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event. In addition to introducing the forthcoming Galaxy S23 series, Samsung took the stage to introduce a new line of laptops. The new Galaxy Book3 series starts at $1,449.99 and consists of three models: the clamshell Book3 Pro, the higher-end Galaxy Book3 Ultra, and the 2-in-1 convertible Book3 Pro 360. Both the Book3 Pro and Pro 360 will be available starting February 17th, while the Ultra will be available less than a week later, but you can preorder all three laptops starting today.

The new laptops are the successors of last year’s Galaxy Book2 line and look very similar, albeit with a few differences. Unlike their predecessor, they feature Intel’s 13th Gen Core processors. Each laptop also comes equipped with a 1800p OLED display that boasts a more spacious 16:10 aspect ratio as well as a fast 120Hz refresh rate. With the higher-end Galaxy Book3 Ultra, Samsung is also introducing a new MacBook Pro rival, one that boasts a 16-inch display and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU.

Of course, how the Ultra and its siblings perform in reality is something we’ve yet to fully test. We’ll publish full reviews soon, but in the meantime, take a look at our hands-on post for our first impressions.

How to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro

Samsung’s entry-level Galaxy Book3 Pro is a standard clamshell laptop. It’s available in both 14-inch and 16-inch configurations as well as in two different colors: graphite and beige.

Currently, you can purchase it with a 13th Gen Core i7 (Evo) processor and your choice of 16GB / 32GB of RAM and 512GB / 1TB of storage. The 14-inch model starts at $1,449.99 when you preorder it with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 from Samsung and Best Buy. Both retailers are also offering a few deals that can help you offset that price. Best Buy is throwing in a free storage upgrade for both the 14- and 16-inch models, for instance, which drops the price of the 14-inch model with 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM to $1,449.99 ($200 off). Meanwhile, the 16-inch model with the same amount of RAM and storage is on sale for $1,549.99 ($200 off) at Best Buy.

As for Samsung, it’s throwing in a free storage upgrade and up to $230 in trade-in credit with your preorder. You can also bundle the Book3 Pro with either a Galaxy Watch 5 or a pair of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and save 30 percent. In addition, if you’re looking to pick up a new Galaxy S23 phone and the Book3 Pro, you can use the $50 in Samsung credit you’ll get when you preorder a new S23 device on the laptop when you use this link. That’s in addition to an extra 10 percent off.

Lastly, you can also preorder the 16-inch model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage on Amazon for $1,749.99, though keep in mind that the e-commerce giant is not currently offering any discounts or promotions.

How to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360

The 16-inch Galaxy Book3 Pro 360 is a 2-in-1 convertible and the only model in the forthcoming Galaxy Book3 lineup that features a touchscreen that’s compatible with Samsung’s S Pen stylus. It also comes with a 13th Gen Core i7 (Evo) processor and either 16GB / 32GB of RAM or 512GB / 1TB of storage. It normally starts at $1,899.99 when you buy it with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 13th Gen Core i7 processor. It’s also available in two different color configurations — graphite and beige — with a 5G connectivity option.

Like the other laptops, Best Buy and Samsung are offering a free storage upgrade (a $200 value) when you preorder the device in advance of its February 17th release date, dropping the price of the 1TB model with 16GB of RAM to $1,699.99. Samsung is also throwing in up to $230 in trade-in credit with each preorder, and you save 30 percent when you bundle the laptop with either the Galaxy Watch 5 or Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Like with the Book3 Pro, you can also put the $50 credit Samsung is throwing in with S23 preorders toward the laptop when you use this link. That’s in addition to an extra 10 percent off.

How to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra

As a higher-end device, the 16-inch Galaxy Book3 Ultra is the most expensive model in Samsung’s forthcoming laptop lineup. It comes with either a 13th Gen Core i7 or Core i9 (Evo) processor, and you buy it with 16GB or 32GB of RAM, 512TB or 1TB of storage, and either an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 or 4070 GPU. However, the laptop is currently only available in the graphite colorway.

Although it won’t launch until February 22nd, you can currently preorder it at Samsung and Best Buy for $2,199 ($200 off) with 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, a 13th Gen Core i7 processor, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. In addition to the storage bump, Samsung is throwing in up to $300 in trade-in credit and will let you use the $50 in Samsung credit you’ll get when you preorder a new Galaxy S23 phone on the laptop when you use this link. That’s in addition to an extra 10 percent off.

Related:

Update February 14th, 11:45AM ET: Samsung’s Galaxy Book3 Ultra will be available starting February 22nd, not February 24th, as previously indicated on Samsung’s website. We’ve updated this post to reflect the change.

Another year, another round of flagship Samsung phones. This time around, Samsung used its Unpacked event to announce a new line of Galaxy Books, in addition to the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra. The latter probably feels familiar to last year’s S22 generation, as there are once again three models to choose from: a big-ish one, a bigger one, and the biggest one. That last one, the S23 Ultra, features souped-up specs, a stylus, and some big megapixel gains. However, each member of the S23 family is promising faster performance than last year’s model thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors.

The S23 flock starts at $799.99 and goes up to $1,199.99 (unless you opt for pricey storage upgrades), and all three models are set to arrive on February 17th. That gives you plenty of time to mull over your purchase decision, especially if you don’t feel obligated to be an early adopter. That said, Samsung is once again getting out of the gate early with some promos for those tempted to spring for a new smartphone right away.

We fully support anyone who wants to wait for our full reviews (which are in the works) to make a buying decision. But in the meantime, we’ve compiled a list of where you can preorder (and where you can get the best value) for those who are less patient.

Samsung Galaxy S23 preorders and offers

The base Galaxy S23 starts at $799.99 with 128GB of storage and comes in cream, lavender, green, and black. However, if you’re preordering before the phone’s launch on February 17th, you can take advantage of a free 256GB storage upgrade — which normally costs an additional $60. The entry-level phone of the 2023 Galaxy S lineup is available to preorder at Amazon, Best Buy, and direct from Samsung. Both Amazon and Best Buy will give you a $50 credit/gift card that’s good toward a future purchase, while Samsung offers $80 in credit. Samsung is also offering exclusive color options of graphite and lime, though they arrive later on February 28th.

The S23 may be the smallest and cheapest of this new class, but its larger battery and new processor are hoping to quell the power-hungry habits of last year’s S22. If you don’t want a phone that’s way too big (but, like, a little big is okay), then this is likely the one to choose.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus preorders and offers

The jumbo-size Galaxy S23 Plus starts at $999.99 with 256GB of storage, and it comes in all of the same colors as its counterparts. Like the standard S23, preordering the larger 6.6-inch Plus model before it launches on the 17th will get you a free storage upgrade, allowing you to make the jump to the 512GB model (which is the highest-end configuration of the S23 Plus). It’s currently available for preorder at Best Buy, Amazon (with a $100 gift card), and direct from Samsung (with $150 in Samsung credit).

The S23 Plus may look a little like the awkward middle child between the base S23 and the Ultra, but it may be just right if you don’t care about using a stylus on your big-screened Galaxy flagship.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra preorders and offers

The Galaxy S23 Ultra, the ultra-flagship of the S23 line, starts with 256GB of storage for a hefty $1,199.99. The current preorder promo means you can get the 512GB model for the same price, which saves $180. The Ultra is also available in the same four colors as its lesser S23 compatriots at Amazon, Best Buy, and direct from Samsung. Ordering the stylus-equipped 6.8-inch chonker of a smartphone will also net you a $100 gift card from Amazon and Best Buy, while Samsung ups it to $150. If you want some extra-special colors for your Ultra, Samsung offers it in graphite, sky blue, red, and lime.

The S23 Ultra is as flagship-y as Samsung gets when it comes to non-folding phones. Last year’s S22 Ultra shocked us a bit with how competitive its photos looked compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro, so the promise of a new sensor with even more pixels is certainly intriguing.

As for the US carrier deals

• In addition to the free storage upgrade, Verizon is offering a “free” Galaxy S23 or $800 off an S23 Plus or Ultra to new customers who switch or current customers who upgrade their existing phone with a qualifying trade-in. You can also get a “free” Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G with your purchase. These deals require you to be on a qualifying 5G Unlimited plan, and you get the money back for those “free” items as monthly bill credits over time. Those who switch to Verizon are also incentivized with a $200 Verizon e-gift card after signing up.
• AT&T is offering the same free storage upgrade for preorders and is offering new and existing customers $1,000 off a Galaxy S23 series phone with an eligible trade-in. So the S23 and S23 Plus can be had for $0 and the S23 Ultra for $199.99 (after those monthly bill credits finish rolling in).
• T-Mobile has also comped the storage upgrades on Samsung’s S23 phones and is offering new and existing customers $800 off the Galaxy S23 or $1,000 off the S23 Plus or S23 Ultra when you add a line on its Magenta Max plan. That makes either phone “free” at the conclusion of 24 months of parsed-out bill credits.

Update February 1st, 5:38PM ET: This post has been updated to reflect that Samsung is now offering additional credit when you purchase a Galaxy S23 device direct from Samsung — $80 on the S23, $150 on the S23 Plus, and $150 on the S23 Ultra.