They are closely matched: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra scores 78/100 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 77/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. 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 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra overall by 15 points (87 vs 72 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.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads overall
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
87
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
72
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 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is an S-Series flagship smartphone from Samsung Electronics, released in February 2023. It features improvements over previous models and includes support for a bundled stylus (1).
Best for photographyBest for productivityBest for flagship users
Pros
- Features a high-resolution main camera of 200 megapixels, which allows for better low-light photos and cropping without loss of resolution (4).
- Supports pressure sensitive stylus use, and the stylus tucks into the phone (2).
- Has an IP68 rating for water and dust protection (2).
- Includes multiple telephoto lenses: 3x, ultra-wide, and a 10x optical telephoto lens (4).
Cons
- The camera array design has visible rings that may collect dust (3).
- The performance of the 10x zoom varies, and close-up images or videos might not be as sharp as anticipated (4).
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 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Performance
Higher benchmark score = faster
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra1,287,951
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 Ultra5,000 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 UltraSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 19 g (9%) heavier than Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
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 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 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 78/100 for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and 77/100 for Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
At launch, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra was the more affordable option ($1199) versus Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra ($1300). Weigh that against the overall scores (78/100 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 Ultra (78/100) 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.