Panasonic Eluga I7 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: A Tale of Two Android Eras

Comparing the Panasonic Eluga I7, released in 2019, to the 2023 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is akin to contrasting a bicycle with a Formula 1 car. This isn't a head-to-head competition; it's an illustration of the rapid advancements in smartphone technology over just four years. We'll explore the vast differences in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery life to determine where each device stands.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra unequivocally wins this comparison. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, superior display, and significantly longer battery life offer a user experience light years ahead of the Panasonic Eluga I7. While the Eluga I7 may suffice for basic tasks, the S23 Ultra is the clear choice for anyone demanding performance and features.

PHONES
Phone Names Panasonic Eluga I7 (2019) Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2019, June. Released 2019, July2023, February 01
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, February 17
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions148.8 x 70.9 x 9.3 mm (5.86 x 2.79 x 0.37 in)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Micro-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)234 g (8.25 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.5 GHzOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset-Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU-Adreno 740
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal16GB 2GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm, AF12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flashHDR, HDR10+
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video-4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radio with RDSNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging-45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, BluePhantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition
Models-SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS
PriceAbout 9990 INR€ 549.90 / $ 454.99 / £ 433.00
SAR-1.12 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.96 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 126h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1241531 (v9) GeekBench: 4927 (v5.1) GFXBench: 67fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Panasonic Eluga I7 (2019)

  • Extremely affordable
  • Simple and easy to use
  • Lightweight and compact

  • Outdated processor
  • Poor camera quality
  • Short battery life
  • Low display brightness

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

  • Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Stunning and bright display
  • Long-lasting battery life with fast charging
  • Advanced camera system

  • High price point
  • Large and heavy design
  • Complex feature set may be overwhelming for some

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1274 nits, compared to the Eluga I7’s unspecified brightness. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While the Eluga I7’s display technology isn’t detailed, it’s likely a standard LCD panel, whereas the S23 Ultra likely utilizes a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with an infinite contrast ratio, delivering richer colors and deeper blacks. The S23 Ultra’s likely higher resolution and refresh rate (not specified, but standard for flagships) further enhance the viewing experience. The S23 Ultra’s display is geared towards immersive content consumption, while the Eluga I7’s is purely functional.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the implementation differs drastically. The S23 Ultra’s camera system, while details are limited in the provided data, is expected to include advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and a high-resolution main sensor (likely 200MP). The Eluga I7’s camera is likely a basic setup, lacking the sophisticated image processing and features found in the S23 Ultra. The S23 Ultra’s camera is designed for professional-quality photos and videos, while the Eluga I7’s is suitable for casual snapshots.

Performance

The performance gap is immense. The Panasonic Eluga I7’s quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU is dwarfed by the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Octa-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architecture – featuring Cortex-X3, A715, A710, and A510 cores – provides a massive leap in processing power and efficiency. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 translates to better thermal management and reduced power consumption compared to the likely older, larger process node used in the Eluga I7’s chipset. This means the S23 Ultra can sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. The Eluga I7 will struggle with even moderately intensive tasks.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s battery life is a standout feature, achieving an endurance rating of 126 hours and 13:24 hours of active use. This is likely due to the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and optimized software. The Eluga I7’s battery capacity is unknown, but given its older hardware, it’s unlikely to match the S23 Ultra’s endurance. The S23 Ultra also supports 45W wired charging with PD3.0, achieving 65% charge in 30 minutes, 15W wireless charging, and even 4.5W reverse wireless charging – features absent in the Eluga I7.

Buying Guide

Buy the Panasonic Eluga I7 (2019) if you need a very basic, affordable smartphone for essential communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing – and are unwilling to spend more than a minimal amount. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if you prioritize performance for gaming and demanding applications, a stunning display for media consumption, a versatile camera system, and all-day battery life, and are willing to invest in a premium device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 45W charging really that much faster than older phones?
Yes, 45W charging significantly reduces charging times. The S23 Ultra can reach 65% charge in just 30 minutes, a substantial improvement over the slower charging speeds typically found in older devices like the Eluga I7. This is particularly useful for users who need a quick power boost before heading out.
❓ Given the price difference, is the S23 Ultra worth it for someone who only uses their phone for basic tasks like calls and texts?
For basic usage, the S23 Ultra is likely overkill. The Eluga I7 will adequately handle calls, texts, and light web browsing. However, if there's any possibility of future needs evolving – such as using navigation apps, taking photos, or playing simple games – the S23 Ultra’s longevity and capabilities make it a worthwhile investment.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the S23 Ultra prevent noticeable lag when multitasking?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s powerful CPU and ample RAM (likely 8GB or 12GB) ensure smooth multitasking. You can switch between apps, run multiple processes simultaneously, and experience minimal lag, a stark contrast to the Eluga I7’s limited processing power.