The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is for those who need the absolute best from their smartphones or for those who want something that will be able to provide an exceptional experience for years to come. Thanks to its combination of performance, versatility, and feature set, the S23 Ultra is easily one of the best Android phones currently on the market. In addition to the pure power of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, you can expect this device to last years with Samsung's promised four years of OS updates and five years of security updates.

This longevity makes getting the right Galaxy S23 Ultra color that much more important. Samsung has opted to give eight different color options this year. Four of those colors are regularly available at your favorite carrier or retailer, and the other four are exclusive to Samsung. Colorways range from subtle darker colors to pastel blues and purples. With such great color options, there is surely one to suit your needs.

Phantom Black Galaxy S23 Ultra

Phantom Black is the only color from Samsung's "phantom" collection to make a return in this year's Galaxy S23 Ultra, and there's a good reason for that. Not everybody needs a splash of color, and if there's one thing that Phantom Black is guaranteed to be great at, it's not clashing with any of your cases, accessories, or even your wardrobe.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the most versatile flagship phones on the market thanks to its expansive screen, outstanding camera system, and included S Pen. This makes it a top pick for professionals who prefer a more subtle and understated look, and the Phantom Black colorway certainly delivers in that area.

Green Galaxy S23 Ultra

If you prefer a darker finish on your Galaxy S23 Ultra but find Phantom Black too Goth for your tastes, then this year's green may be more your cup of tea. However, we'd recommend taking a closer look before you jump on this one. The Galaxy S23 Ultra's green isn't the punchier green color that Samsung used in last year's Galaxy S22 series. Instead, it's a more muted, drab green reminiscent of the Olive version of the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy Buds 2.

This one leans more toward the Graygreen of the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but without the additional blue to offset it. It's a rather uninspired color option, but it should fit in perfectly if you plan on taking your Galaxy S23 Ultra out on a military field exercise.

Lavender Galaxy S23 Ultra

Lavender is probably the showiest option for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but it's also a color that's difficult to pin down. It's one of those finishes that plays with the lighting, so depending on where you're using your phone, it may appear more like a dusty pink.

At best, this is a soft, pastel lavender without any real depth or richness to it. It's a stark contrast from the gorgeous burgundy finish that adorned last year's Galaxy S22 Ultra. Nevertheless, it's about the only non-Samsung-exclusive option for folks who want a real splash of color on their Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Cream Galaxy S23 Ultra

At the opposite end of the spectrum from Phantom Black is Samsung's Cream, an off-white finish that seems like a nice balance between the stark Phantom White of the Galaxy S22 Ultra and very similar to the beige of the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

It's mostly what we'd expect from the name, and it's a nice option for those looking for a bright neutral color. It stands out without clashing with anything while still offering style.

Graphite Galaxy S23 Ultra

The exclusive Graphite color makes a return from last year, providing a nice alternative for folks who want a basic finish that's not as dark as Phantom Black. Samsung has darkened this one ever so slightly into more of a gunmetal, which feels perilously close to Samsung's drabber Green for the S23 lineup. In fact, depending on the lighting you may be hard-pressed to tell the two apart.

Sky Blue Galaxy S23 Ultra

Sky Blue is one of the few colors that Samsung has carried over from the Galaxy S22 Ultra and is a Samsung exclusive. While the company has kept its name and general hue, it looks like it may have toned down the more metallic look from last year. The Sky Blue Galaxy S23 Ultra appears as more of a matte finish, which actually makes the blue pop out more nicely. It's arguably the most attractive of the lighter colors, and it definitely makes a statement.

Red Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung's exclusive Red for the Galaxy S23 Ultra is another one that the company has carried over from last year, and like Sky Blue it appears to have had its metallic gloss toned down a bit, resulting in a richer and deeper presentation. While we'd call it more of an "off-red" — it leans a bit more toward a coral or orange hue — it's a very nice dark counterpoint to the Sky Blue.

Lime Galaxy S23 Ultra

Lime is a new exclusive color that's effectively the opposite counterpart to the standard Green, but it feels just as uninspired and lacking in depth or saturation. Rather than a vibrant green or even a softer pastel, it's a pale tea green that leans a bit too far into the yellow side of the spectrum. As with the red, it feels like Samsung was trying too hard to avoid color shades that correspond too closely to those found on apples.

Options for everyone

With eight different colorways, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a color for just about everyone, with the exception for those who love bright and bold colors. The darker color options may match your various accessories a bit more than the pastel color offerings. The Galaxy S23 Ultra in Graphite or Lavender comes pretty close to the Graphite and Lavender options on the Galaxy Buds2.

Even if there isn't a color that jumps out at you or gets you particularly excited, there are plenty of great Galaxy S23 Ultra cases that can add that bit of style you may be looking for. If you plan on throwing a case on your device, then the colorway may not matter much for you. Either way, you have plenty of options to choose from. After all, getting the right colorway is an important decision, and is likely to be your last hurdle before pulling the trigger on this awesome device.