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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
If you're looking for the ultimate flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the top contender with its jaw-dropping 200MP camera. However, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro offers impressive gaming features and a 165Hz refresh rate that may sway gamers. In real-world use, the Samsung delivers stunning photography with its 10x optical zoom, perfect for capturing distant subjects, while the ASUS excels in gaming visuals with its lightning-fast display. The S23 Ultra is heavier at 8.25 oz, making the ROG Phone's 7.94 oz weight feel more manageable for extended use.
📱 Display: 6.8" vs 6.78"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 165 Hz🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs 5500 mAh
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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
★4.4
(1,332)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
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ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
★4.7
(63)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:2 major OS updates and 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650)
Graphics:Adreno 750
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)Winner
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
6.78"
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
1–120Hz (Adaptive)
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
1Hz–120Hz (Adaptive); 165Hz (Gaming mode)Winner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
16GB LPDDR5X (Pro Edition: 24GB)Winner
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
512GB UFS 4.0 (Pro Edition: 1TB)Winner
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OISWinner
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.9, 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Free-form lens
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5,000 mAh (Typical)
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
5,500mAh (Dual-cell)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
15W Qi 1.3 Wireless Charging
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8.25 oz (234 g)
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
7.94 oz (225 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in (163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
★4.4(1,332)Best Buy
ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
★4.7(63)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(1,332)Best Buy | ★4.7(63)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates | 2 major OS updates and 4 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 740 | Adreno 750 |
RAM | 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5X (Pro Edition: 24GB) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 512GB UFS 4.0 (Pro Edition: 1TB) |
Display Size | 6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) | 6.78" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display | Samsung E6 Flexible AMOLED, LTPO, 1,600 nits (HBM) |
Resolution | 3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi | 2400 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz (Adaptive) | 1Hz–120Hz (Adaptive); 165Hz (Gaming mode) |
Peak Brightness | 1,750 nits (Peak) | 2,500 nits |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS | 50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.9, 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0 |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) | 13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Free-form lens |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS | 32MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom (Not periscope) |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 10x Optical Zoom | 3x Optical |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x Space Zoom | Up to 30x (Hyper Clarity AI up to 10x) |
Video Recording | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps | 8K UHD @ 24fps; 4K UHD @ 30/60fps; HDR10+ |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF | 32MP RGBW, f/2.5, 90-degree FOV (Bins to 8MP) |
Battery | 5,000 mAh (Typical) | 5,500mAh (Dual-cell) |
Wired Charging | Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately) | 65W HyperCharge (Adapter included) |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare | 15W Qi 1.3 Wireless Charging |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | Side: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4); Bottom: USB-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | IP68 (Dust/Water Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Front) |
Dimensions | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm) | 6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in (163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm) |
Weight | 8.25 oz (234 g) | 7.94 oz (225 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition | Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox | AniMe Vision (341 Mini-LEDs on back), AirTrigger buttons, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Dual USB-C ports |
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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Rating:★4.4(1,332)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
RAM:8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display
Resolution:3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,750 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS
Optical Zoom:3x, 10x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 100x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF
Battery:5,000 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions:6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:8.25 oz (234 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading 200MP main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom
- • Custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy provides top-tier performance
- • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
- • Integrated S Pen adds unique productivity features
- • Premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 rating
✗ Cons:
- • Slow charging speed (45W) compared to competitors
- • Large and heavy (8.25 oz) form factor is difficult for one-handed use
- • Expensive starting price
- • No microSD card slot for expandable storage
- • Included USB cable is only USB 2.0 despite port supporting 3.2
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
Rating:★4.7(63)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:2 major OS updates and 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650)
Graphics:Adreno 750
RAM:16GB LPDDR5X (Pro Edition: 24GB)
Storage:512GB UFS 4.0 (Pro Edition: 1TB)
Display Size:6.78"
Screen Type:Samsung E6 Flexible AMOLED, LTPO, 1,600 nits (HBM)
Resolution:2400 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:1Hz–120Hz (Adaptive); 165Hz (Gaming mode)
Peak Brightness:2,500 nits
Main Camera:50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.9, 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 3.0
Ultra-Wide Camera:13MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, Free-form lens
Telephoto Camera:32MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom (Not periscope)
Optical Zoom:3x Optical
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x (Hyper Clarity AI up to 10x)
Video Recording:8K UHD @ 24fps; 4K UHD @ 30/60fps; HDR10+
Front Camera:32MP RGBW, f/2.5, 90-degree FOV (Bins to 8MP)
Battery:5,500mAh (Dual-cell)
Wired Charging:65W HyperCharge (Adapter included)
Wireless Charging:15W Qi 1.3 Wireless Charging
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, NFC
USB:Side: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort 1.4); Bottom: USB-C 2.0
Durability:IP68 (Dust/Water Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Front)
Dimensions:6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in (163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:7.94 oz (225 g)
Biometrics:Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:AniMe Vision (341 Mini-LEDs on back), AirTrigger buttons, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Dual USB-C ports
✓ Pros:
- • First ROG phone with IP68 water/dust resistance and telephoto lens
- • Incredible performance with advanced thermal management features
- • Brightest-in-class 165Hz LTPO AMOLED display (2,500 nits peak)
- • Includes 65W charger, case, and braided cable in the box
- • Retains enthusiast features: 3.5mm jack, notification LEDs, and AirTriggers
✗ Cons:
- • Software support (2 OS updates) lags behind Samsung/Google flagships
- • Battery capacity reduced (5,500mAh) compared to previous generation (6,000mAh)
- • Cameras, while improved, still trail top-tier photography flagships
- • Thermal throttling can occur earlier than previous bulky models without the cooler
- • No dedicated macro mode (uses Ultrawide) unlike previous iterations
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro. That said, grab the ROG Phone if you want a lighter device with a faster refresh rate for gaming.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if: you love photography with its 200MP camera, appreciate top-notch performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, or want a premium build with an S Pen.
Choose the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro if: you prioritize gaming with its 165Hz display, need a longer battery life for gaming sessions, or prefer a lighter device for daily use.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels if you value class-leading 200mp main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom. ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro is better if you prioritize first rog phone with ip68 water/dust resistance and telephoto lens. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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