T-Mobile REVVL 4+ vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: A David vs. Goliath Battle

The smartphone landscape is vast, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we're pitting two very different contenders against each other: the affordable T-Mobile REVVL 4+ and the powerhouse Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Can a budget phone truly compete with a flagship?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra utterly dominates in almost every category. Its superior performance, stunning display, exceptional camera system, and long-lasting battery make it the clear winner. The REVVL 4+ offers basic functionality at a significantly lower price point, appealing to those on a tight budget.

PHONES
Phone Names T-Mobile REVVL 4+ Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 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, LTEHSPA, 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
Announced2020, August 27. Released 2020, September 042023, February 01
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, February 17
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions165.4 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.51 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight180 g (6.35 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 (~247 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~88.2% 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
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 740
OSAndroid 10Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, PDAF 5 MP-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone 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
Single-12 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
Features-HDR, HDR10+
Single16 MP12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (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 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSteel GrayPhantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition
Models5062W, 5062ZSM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS
PriceAbout 160 EUR€ 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)

T-Mobile REVVL 4+

  • Affordable
  • Decent battery life for basic use
  • Compact size

  • Slow performance
  • Basic camera
  • Low-resolution display
  • Limited features

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

  • Exceptional performance
  • Stunning display
  • Versatile and powerful camera
  • Long battery life
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Fast charging

  • Expensive
  • Large size
  • Can be overwhelming for casual users

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a breathtaking 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1274 nits. Its infinite contrast ratio delivers stunning visuals. The REVVL 4+ features a smaller 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While adequate, it lacks the vibrancy and smoothness of the S23 Ultra's screen.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's camera system is a marvel, featuring a 200MP main sensor, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. It captures incredible detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The REVVL 4+ has a basic dual-camera setup that produces acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, but falls far short of the S23 Ultra's capabilities.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Galaxy S23 Ultra provides blistering performance, effortlessly handling demanding games and multitasking. The REVVL 4+'s Snapdragon 665 is sufficient for everyday tasks but struggles with more intensive applications. Expect noticeable lag and slower loading times on the REVVL 4+.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers exceptional battery life, easily lasting a full day with heavy use and boasting an endurance rating of 126 hours. It also supports 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. The REVVL 4+ has a decent battery, but its smaller capacity and less efficient processor mean it won't last as long as the S23 Ultra.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the T-Mobile REVVL 4+? Users seeking a basic, affordable smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use. Those prioritizing budget over premium features. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra? Power users, photography enthusiasts, and anyone wanting the best possible smartphone experience with top-tier performance and features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the REVVL 4+ good for gaming?
The REVVL 4+ can handle basic games, but it will struggle with demanding titles. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a much better choice for gamers.
❓ How much does the REVVL 4+ cost?
The T-Mobile REVVL 4+ is typically priced under $200, making it one of the most affordable smartphones on the market.
❓ Is the Galaxy S23 Ultra worth the price?
If you want the best possible smartphone experience and are willing to pay a premium, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is definitely worth the investment.