Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 (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 $799 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 66/100 (a 18-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3900); the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 1,656,761); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 133); the Samsung Galaxy S23 is noticeably lighter (168g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 better?
- Lighter: 168g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299
- Better portability (83/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1656761
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 2004
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 5311
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3900 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 75/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 67/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 29/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 82/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 18 points higher (84/100 vs 66/100). 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 67/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 29/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 — 46/100, 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 (96/100 vs 75/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (86/100 vs 67/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (61/100 vs 29/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (83/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1656761 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2004 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 5311 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.1" AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3900 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 133 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1750 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 157.8×76.2×7.6 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 168 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- 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
- 6.1" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- 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
- 3900 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- 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 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S23 by 52.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $500. Samsung Galaxy S23 was $500 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (96/100 vs 75/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (86/100 vs 67/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 (61/100 vs 29/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (83/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S23 — the overall rating gap is 18 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has a MobileRank rating of 66/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S23 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 67/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S23 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 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 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.