Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy S23
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy S23, open Settings > Battery and device care > Storage to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Device care: Storage, then empty Gallery's Recycle bin. A default 12 MP photo is about 3.6 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 18 GB of the 128 GB base model.
Last updated
Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy S23?
The Galaxy S23 launched in February 2023 with Android 13 and One UI 5.1. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Battery and device care > Storage. Samsung promises 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates, so menu names can change after updates.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy S23?
On the Galaxy S23, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 13, so it also has Android's system trash.
What is specific to the Galaxy S23?
The 128 GB version uses slower UFS 3.1 storage; 256 GB uses UFS 4.0. No microSD slot.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy S23 ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 5.1, the Galaxy S23 has Device care: Storage (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage), Recycle bin cleanup (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage > Recycle bin) and My Files Recycle bin (My Files > Recycle bin). How each works is in the Samsung guide.
How much space do Galaxy S23 photos take?
Galaxy S23: 50 MP main sensor, 12 MP by default, plus 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3x telephoto. 1,000 default Galaxy S23 shots take about 3.6 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12 MP) | about 3.6 MB | about 2,778 |
| Full-resolution mode (50 MP) | about 12 MB | about 833 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 8K 30fps | about 600 MB | about 17 minutes |
Switching the Galaxy S23 to its 50 MP mode makes each shot about 12 MB, roughly 3 times a default photo, so 200 of them use 2.4 GB. RAW files from the Galaxy S23 run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 8K 30fps, the Galaxy S23 writes about 600 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 6.0 GB, the same as 1,667 default photos. Selfies from the 12 MP front camera are about 3.6 MB each.
How much of each Galaxy S23 storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 18 GB (14%) | 18 GB (14%) |
| 256 GB | 18 GB (7%) | 18 GB (7%) |
On the 128 GB Galaxy S23, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 56% of it. On the 256 GB Galaxy S23, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 28% of it.
Can you add a memory card to the Galaxy S23?
No, the Galaxy S23 has no microSD slot, so its 128 GB and 256 GB is all the space there is.
How does the Galaxy S23 compare with other Galaxy S phones?
Against the Galaxy S21 FE (January 2022), the Galaxy S23 has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 50 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S21 FE has 12 MP. Against the Galaxy S22 (February 2022), the Galaxy S23 has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy S22+ (February 2022), the Galaxy S23 has the same 128 GB starting storage.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S23 | February 2023 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S21 FE | January 2022 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S22 | February 2022 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S22+ | February 2022 | 128 GB, 256 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy S23?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later, will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy S23 photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 18 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 256 GB Galaxy S23?
In theory about 71,111 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the Galaxy S23 have?
It was sold with 128 GB and 256 GB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy S23 (SM-S911BLGDEUB) specifications (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to clear up storage space on your smartphone (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to delete or restore files in the recycle bin in My Files (checked 31 October 2026)
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GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.