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 $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 74/100 vs 70/100 (a 4-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,827,538 vs 1,684,869); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 has the stronger camera (146 vs 140); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 234g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra better?
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 45W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Longer battery life (56/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 81/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2827538 vs 1684869
- Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 5311
- Lighter: 162g vs 234g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1199
- Higher performance (89/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (77/100 vs 73/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 29/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 4 points higher (74/100 vs 70/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (89/100 vs 75/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra leads (56/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — 50/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 — 62/100; 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 is a bit better (89/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are nearly equal (77/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (56/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (89/100 vs 29/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 1684869 | 2827538 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2004 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 5311 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 140 | 146 | |
| 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 | 128GB / 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 | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $799 |
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
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- 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 40.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $400. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $400 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (89/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are nearly equal (77/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (56/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (89/100 vs 29/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 edges out the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by just 4 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
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 — 74/100.
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (89/100 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.