Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are closely matched overall (within 1 points).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra stands out on Display Pixel density: 501 PPI, Rear Camera Optical zoom: 10, Miscellaneous SAR (Body): 0.98 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 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are closely matched
$1,199 at launch
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
77
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
77
Where Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra stands out
- Display Pixel density: 501 PPI
- Rear Camera Optical zoom: 10
- Miscellaneous SAR (Body): 0.98 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 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
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