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; estimated prices are $229 and $1230. 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 (3,515,964 vs 1,660,456); 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).
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Lighter: 168g vs 214g
- Cheaper: $229 vs $1230
- Better portability (83/100 vs 51/100)
- Better value for money (90/100 vs 78/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 1660456
- 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)
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). In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 leads (90/100 vs 78/100). 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). In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is a bit better (90/100 vs 78/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1660456 | 3515964 | |
| 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 | |
| Price | $229 | $1230 |
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
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
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
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 52.8% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $1001. Samsung Galaxy S23 is cheaper by $1001.
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).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is a bit better (90/100 vs 78/100).
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, budget-conscious buyers. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.