Galaxy S23 vs Galaxy S26

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2023

Galaxy S23

79/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

Samsung · 2026

Galaxy S26

84/ 100

Launch MSRP$899 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S26 BETTER THAN Galaxy S23?

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Galaxy S23

Galaxy S26Winner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S23	Galaxy S26	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	3,900 mAh	4,300 mAh	+4,300 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	25W	25W
Main Camera Sensor	50 MP	50 MP	50 MP
Screen Display Size	6.1"	6.3"	6.3"
Chassis Weight	168g	167g	167g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S23:

✓$100 lower launch MSRP ($799 vs $899)
✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.1" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy Galaxy S26:

✓1g lighter chassis (167g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓Larger 4,300 mAh battery capacity (+400 mAh more capacity)
✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S23	Galaxy S26
1. Display & Screen🏆 Galaxy S26 Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Screen Size	6.1"	6.3"
Resolution & Density	2340x1080 (425 ppi)	2340x1080 (409 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,750 nits peak	2,600 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S26 Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 13	Android 16
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	256GB / 512GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S23 Wins Camera
Primary Camera	50 MP, f/1.8, OIS, Samsung GN3	50 MP, f/1.8, OIS
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
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 Lens	12 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S26 Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm	149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm
Weight	168 g	167 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Galaxy S26 Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	3,900 mAh	4,300 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	25W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	15W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.3	6.0
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.2
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$799	$899

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S26 edges ahead with a BeastScore of 84.0/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S26 ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S23:

Lower launch price: $799 (save $100)

When to choose Galaxy S26:

Higher overall BeastScore: 84.0 vs top rival 78.8 · Larger battery capacity: 4,300 mAh (+400 mAh more)

Upgrade GuideOwn the Galaxy S23? See if upgrading to the Galaxy S26 is worth it

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Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S23 vs Galaxy S26

Which is better: Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S26?

Galaxy S26 leads with an overall BeastScore of 84.0/100 compared to Galaxy S23 (78.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 84.0 vs top rival 78.8 and Larger battery capacity: 4,300 mAh (+400 mAh more).