Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are closely matched overall (within 1 points).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus stands out on Weight: 196 g, Miscellaneous SAR (Head): 0.95 W/kg, Miscellaneous SAR (Body): 1.04 W/kg.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra counters with Memory RAM capacity: 16 GB, Storage capacity: 1,024 GB, Display Size: 6.9 in.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are closely matched
$999 at launch
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
77
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
77
Where Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus stands out
- Weight: 196 g
- Miscellaneous SAR (Head): 0.95 W/kg
- Miscellaneous SAR (Body): 1.04 W/kg
Where Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 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
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