Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26+
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $1199 and $999. Both devices score the same overall rating of 70/100. Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4900); the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is faster in AnTuTu (3,161,126 vs 1,684,869); the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is noticeably lighter (190g vs 234g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26+
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra better?
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4900 mAh
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Better camera (73/100 vs 40/100)
- Longer battery life (56/100 vs 54/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26+ better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3161126 vs 1684869
- Better Geekbench Single: 2900 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9200 vs 5311
- Lighter: 190g vs 234g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1199
- Higher performance (91/100 vs 75/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 88/100)
- Better portability (72/100 vs 29/100)
Comparison verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ received the same MobileRank rating — 70/100. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (91/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra leads (73/100 vs 40/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — 50/100, Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 50/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (91/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (73/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ are nearly equal (56/100 vs 54/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (72/100 vs 29/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S26+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 1684869 | 3161126 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2004 | 2900 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 5311 | 9200 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4900 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 45W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 140 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1750 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.1×8.9 mm | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 234 g | 190 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3088
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 4900 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26+, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by 46.7% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Samsung Galaxy S26+ was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (91/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (73/100 vs 40/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ are nearly equal (56/100 vs 54/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (72/100 vs 29/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
Both devices scored 70/100. The choice depends on your priorities: if performance matters more — go with the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (91/100 vs 75/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 70/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 70/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra leads on camera score (73/100 vs 40/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on performance (91/100 vs 75/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra over the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a better fit for active users. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.