Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Vivo iQOO 15
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, while the Vivo iQOO 15 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite; launch prices were $1199 and $599. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads — 86/100 vs 70/100 (a 16-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 15 has the bigger battery (7000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo iQOO 15 is faster in AnTuTu (3,758,268 vs 1,684,869); the Vivo iQOO 15 is noticeably lighter (215g vs 234g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Vivo iQOO 15
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Overall rating 70/100
What makes Vivo iQOO 15 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3758268 vs 1684869
- Better Geekbench Single: 3013 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9287 vs 5311
- Bigger battery: 7000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 45W
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 15W
- Lighter: 215g vs 234g
- Cheaper at launch: $599 vs $1199
- Higher performance (94/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (85/100 vs 56/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 88/100)
- Better portability (48/100 vs 29/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs the Vivo iQOO 15, the Vivo iQOO 15 scores 16 points higher (86/100 vs 70/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (94/100 vs 75/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (85/100 vs 56/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — 50/100, Vivo iQOO 15 — 86/100; 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 Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (94/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 is a bit better (99/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 is a bit better (78/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (85/100 vs 56/100). In the "portability" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (48/100 vs 29/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Vivo iQOO 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | |
| AnTuTu | 1684869 | 3758268 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2004 | 3013 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 5311 | 9287 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 40W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 140 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 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 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1750 nits | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.1×8.9 mm | 163.7×76.8×8.1 mm | |
| Weight | 234 g | 215 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $599 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Vivo iQOO 15
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3088
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 15
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Vivo iQOO 15
- 7000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 18:52 hrs, total 39:26 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Vivo iQOO 15, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 15 leads Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by 55.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $600. Vivo iQOO 15 was $600 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (94/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 is a bit better (99/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 is a bit better (78/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (85/100 vs 56/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (48/100 vs 29/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — the overall rating gap is 16 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 70/100, the Vivo iQOO 15 — 86/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 leads on performance (94/100 vs 75/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra over the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a better fit for active users. The Vivo iQOO 15 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.