The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may have an annoying camera stabilization problem

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review top down laptop tea
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is undoubtedly one of the best phones money can buy in 2023, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the newly released device is completely free of bugs. 

Indeed, a Galaxy S23 Ultra owner has reportedly told SamMobile that the phone’s supposedly excellent camera stabilization isn’t working as expected, with video footage and, in some cases, landscape photos appearing shaky. 

While testing the device for our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review, we found that Samsung’s latest flagship offered a consistent and impressive photography experience, so we’re a little surprised to hear that this user’s unit isn’t performing equally well. There’s a chance, though, that the issue is actually a bug that’s currently affecting multiple Galaxy S23 Ultra owners.

As SamMobile reports, this user's particular stabilization problem hasn’t arisen as a result of any physical damage to the S23 Ultra in question, and they're also reporting that their device is getting noticeably hotter each time they open the camera app. 

Comments made below SamMobile’s report from fellow S23 Ultra owners suggest the issue isn’t necessarily widespread – but a couple of users have nonetheless called for Samsung to update the camera app for other reasons. 

“My [S23 Ultra] doesn’t have stabilization issues,” reads one comment. “On 12MP pictures there is a lot of noise, though. The camera app needs an update, badly!”

So, even if the aforementioned stabilization issue is related to a single unit’s faulty camera sensor, rather than a software bug, we’d still expect Samsung to roll out a software update to smoothen out the S23 Ultra’s camera app experience across the board. 


A Galaxy of bugs?

If, however, this S23 Ultra stabilization problem does turn out to be a bug, its arrival follows another recent Galaxy-based bug brought about by One UI 5.1.

Several Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 owners have reported (via Samsung forums) that One UI 5.1 has tanked the battery life on their devices. One Galaxy S22 Ultra user, in particular, claims that their phone’s battery life was reduced to just 3.5 hours following the update. 

Eagle-eyed forum users have pointed out that Samsung Keyboard’s battery usage seems to have skyrocketed since One UI 5.1, which is likely to be the cause of the issue. 

As SamMobile reports, Samsung’s live chat support suggests clearing the cache and data for Samsung Keyboard and restarting any affected devices. In all likelihood, though, Samsung is preparing to roll out an automatic fix for the bug. 

For more on the latest Samsung phones, check out our full Samsung Galaxy S23 review, as all as our Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus review

Axel Metz
Phones Editor

Axel is TechRadar's UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.  Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra versus iPhone 16 Pro Max night photography
My Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max night photography shootout revealed a big Galaxy issue – but a fix is on the way
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on an orange background
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is still full price and I don't know what Samsung's playing at
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra charging
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus have a charging issue – here’s the solution
Samsung Galaxy S25 in every color corner to corner touching near the cameras
Samsung Galaxy S25 cameras: every lens on every model
Google Pixel 8 review Pixel 8 Pro cameras
Is your Google Pixel 9 screen flickering or are the haptics a lot more intense? You aren't alone, and thankfully there's a fix
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra brings in the camera upgrade I’ve been waiting for – Apple should be taking notes
Latest in Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung Galaxy S25 on a blue deals background
Bored with your iPhone? The ‘incredible’ Samsung Galaxy S25 just hit a record-low price in the Amazon Spring Sale
Samsung Galaxy S25 from the front
The Now Bar on Samsung One UI 7 is about to get a lot more useful – and could soon match Live Activities on iOS
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
A fresh Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge leak hints at a 2K display and a titanium frame
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Paris in front of the Louvre pyramid
I switched to a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 five months ago and I haven’t looked back – here are five things you need to know before buying a foldable phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Paris in front of the Louvre pyramid
5 things I want from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series of phones lying face down.
Samsung announces One UI 7 is coming to older phones after all, but the launch is still a mess
Latest in News
A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.
I’ll admit, Microsoft’s new Windows 11 update surprised me with its usefulness, providing accessibility fixes, a gamepad keyboard layout, and PC spec cards
inZOI promotional material.
inZOI has become the most wishlisted game on Steam, but I wouldn't get too caught up in the hype
Xbox Series X and Xbox wireless controller set to a green background
Xbox Insiders are currently testing a new Game Hub feature that looks useful, but I've got mixed feelings about it
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Nespresso Vertuo Pop machine in Candy Pink with coffee drinks and capsules
My favorite Nespresso coffee maker just got a fresh new makeover, and now I love it even more
Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.
Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC