BeastCompare - Independent Smartphone Battles & Specifications
Home/Battles/Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
Lab Benchmark Battle

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄
Galaxy S23 Ultra
· 2023

Galaxy S23 Ultra

$1199
87.8/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
87.8
Benchmark
Performance90/100
Camera100/100
Battery86/100
Galaxy S26 Ultra
· 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1299
88.2/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
88.2
Benchmark
Performance90/100
Camera100/100
Battery86/100

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

Swipe across ⇄
Reasons to buy Galaxy S23 Ultra:
  • ✓$100 lower launch MSRP ($1199 vs $1299)
  • ✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
  • ✓6.8" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate
Reasons to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:
  • ✓20g lighter chassis (214g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
  • ✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
  • ✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

Swipe across ⇄
SpecificationGalaxy S23 UltraGalaxy S26 Ultra
1. Display & Screen
Screen Type & TechDynamic AMOLED 2XDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)
Screen Size6.8"6.9"
Resolution & Density3088x1440 (500 ppi)3120x1440 (501 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness2,200 nits peak2,600 nits peak
Screen ProtectionScratch-resistant glassScratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / ProcessorHigh performance SoC High performance SoC
CPU CoresMulti-core high performanceMulti-core high performance
GPU GraphicsIntegrated GraphicsIntegrated Graphics
Operating SystemAndroid 13Android 16
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12 GB12 GB
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1024GB256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage SpeedHigh-speed flashHigh-speed flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics
Primary Camera200 MP, f/1.7, OIS, Samsung HP2200 MP, f/1.4, OIS, Samsung HP2
Telephoto Zoom10 MP (10x optical zoom), f/4.9, OIS10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 50 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.9, OIS
Ultrawide Camera12 MP, f/2.250 MP, f/2
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens12 MP, f/2.212 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions
Dimensions163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight234 g214 g
Build MaterialsGlass front, metal/glass frameGlass front, metal/glass frame
SIM TypeNano-SIM / eSIM supportNano-SIM / eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68IP68
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity5,000 mAh5,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging45W wired fast charging60W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging15W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingReverse wireless chargingReverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerStereo speakersStereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.36.0
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compassBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS via satellite (select markets)Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsStandard finishesStandard finishes
Launch Price$1199$1299
Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S26 Ultra edges ahead with a BeastScore of 88.2/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S26 Ultra ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its advanced processor architecture and verified 100/100 camera rating.

When to buy Galaxy S23 Ultra:
Lower launch price: $1199 (save $100)
When to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:
Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 87.8 · Significantly faster wired charging: 60W vs max 45W
Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Which phone is better: Galaxy S23 Ultra or Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 88.2/100 compared to Galaxy S23 Ultra (87.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 87.8 and Significantly faster wired charging: 60W vs max 45W.

What are the primary battery and display differences between Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Galaxy S23 Ultra is equipped with a 6.8-inch display and 5000 mAh battery, while Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch display and 5000 mAh battery.

How do the camera capabilities compare between Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra?

In lab hardware evaluations, Galaxy S23 Ultra scores 100/100 in camera performance, while Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 100/100.

Similar Hardware Tier

Related Smartphones (Based on Benchmark Scores)

Galaxy S25 Ultra
samsung · 2025

Galaxy S25 Ultra

Score: 88/100
Pixel 10 Pro XL
google · 2025

Pixel 10 Pro XL

Score: 87/100
OnePlus 13s
oneplus · 2025

OnePlus 13s

Score: 89/100
Mi 12T Pro
xiaomi · 2022

Mi 12T Pro

Score: 88/100
vivo X100
vivo · 2023

vivo X100

Score: 88/100
Oppo Find N5
oppo · 2025

Oppo Find N5

Score: 88/100
ASUS ROG Phone 9
asus · 2024

ASUS ROG Phone 9

Score: 90/100
realme 12 Pro+
realme · 2024

realme 12 Pro+

Score: 89/100
Trending Matchups

Related Smartphone Battles & Comparisons

Battle #188 vs 88

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S22 Ultra

Galaxy S23 Ultra
Galaxy S23 Ultra
V/S
Galaxy S22 Ultra
Galaxy S22 Ultra
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #288 vs 88

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #388 vs 87

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Pixel 10 Pro XL

Galaxy S23 Ultra
Galaxy S23 Ultra
V/S
Pixel 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 Pro XL
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #488 vs 87

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Pixel 10 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
Pixel 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 Pro XL
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #588 vs 89

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs OnePlus 13s

Galaxy S23 Ultra
Galaxy S23 Ultra
V/S
OnePlus 13s
OnePlus 13s
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #688 vs 89

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs OnePlus 13s

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
OnePlus 13s
OnePlus 13s
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #788 vs 88

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs POCO F6

Galaxy S23 Ultra
Galaxy S23 Ultra
V/S
POCO F6
POCO F6
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #888 vs 88

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Mi 12T Pro

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
Mi 12T Pro
Mi 12T Pro
Compare Both Phones→