They are closely matched: Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus scores 77/100 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 77/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 points. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus overall by 12 points (83 vs 71 out of 100).
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra stands out on Memory RAM capacity: 16 GB, Storage capacity: 1,024 GB, Display Size: 6.9 in.
- Best value: Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (from $999) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads overall
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
83
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
71
Why it stands out
- Memory RAM capacity: 16 GB
- Storage capacity: 1,024 GB
- Display Size: 6.9 in
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jul 2026.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is an older generation flagship smartphone series released in 2023. It features a large display and was known for being relatively comfortable to hold compared to some other models.
Best for general useBest for media consumption
Pros
- Features a dynamic AMOLED display that gets up to 1750 nits of brightness
- Possesses wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities
- Includes a triple camera setup
- Offers 8K video capability on the back camera and 4K at 60fps on both front and back cameras
Cons
- Peak brightness (1750 nits) may be less than newer phones offering up to 3,000 nits
- The device's zoom capability is noted to only do 3x zoom compared to competitors with higher zoom ranges
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a flagship smartphone engineered for high-end productivity and premium performance. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor and comes equipped with an integrated S Pen stylus. Key features include a robust 5000 mAh battery, fast 60W wired charging, and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.
Best for Mobile productivity and document editing with an integrated stylusBest for High-performance tasks and gaming that demand the latest hardware
Pros
- Equipped with the top-tier 3 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
- Built-in S Pen stylus enables precise drawing and handwriting input
- Supports faster 60W wired and 25W wireless charging compared to standard models
- Generous internal storage options scaling up to 1TB
Cons
- High premium pricing makes it a very expensive investment
- Heavy slate design weighing in at 214 grams
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus1,223,018
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra3,800,000
Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.
Battery capacity
Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus4,700 mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra5,000 mAh
Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Samsung Galaxy S23 PlusSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is 18 g (9%) heavier than Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are compared side by side above across every spec in the smartphones category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 77/100 for Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and 77/100 for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
At launch, Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus was the more affordable option ($999) versus Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra ($1300). Weigh that against the overall scores (77/100 vs 77/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.
It's close — Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (77/100) and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (77/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.