Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $1199 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 70/100 (a 14-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 1,684,869); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 140); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably lighter (214g vs 234g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra better?
- Cheaper at launch: $1199 vs $1299
- Overall rating 70/100
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1684869
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 5311
- Faster charging: 60W vs 45W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Lighter: 214g vs 234g
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 56/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 29/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 14 points higher (84/100 vs 70/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 73/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — 50/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; 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 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (96/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 88/100. In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 56/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (51/100 vs 29/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1684869 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2004 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 5311 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 140 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| 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 | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 234 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3088
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" 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 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by 51.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $100. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra was $100 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (96/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 88/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 56/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (51/100 vs 29/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — the overall rating gap is 14 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 70/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 75/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a better fit for active users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.