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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Get the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra unless you're really on a budget. The numbers: 200MP camera vs 50MP, and a 6.8" QHD+ display vs 6.5" FHD+. In real-world use, the S23 Ultra’s performance is unmatched, especially if you’re into photography or gaming. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the premium option here, costing more but giving you a class-leading 200MP camera and a vibrant 6.8" display.
📱 Display: 6.8" vs 6.5"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 90 Hz⚖️ Weight: 8.25 oz vs 7.05 oz
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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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Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
★4.4
(950)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
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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
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
6.5"
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
1–120Hz (Adaptive)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
90Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5XWinner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
4GB (Common US config)
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OISWinner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
50MP, f/1.8, AF
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5MP, f/2.2
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5,000 mAh (Typical)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5,000mAh (Typical)
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8.25 oz (234 g)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
7.05 oz (200 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
★4.4(1,332)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
★4.4(950)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(1,332)Best Buy | ★4.4(950)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates | 4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 740 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
RAM | 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X | 4GB (Common US config) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) |
Display Size | 6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) | 6.5" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
Resolution | 3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz (Adaptive) | 90Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1,750 nits (Peak) | 800 nits (High Brightness Mode) |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS | 50MP, f/1.8, AF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) | 5MP, f/2.2 |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4 |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 10x Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x Space Zoom | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF | 13MP, f/2.0 |
Battery | 5,000 mAh (Typical) | 5,000mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately) | 25W Super Fast Charging |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back) |
Dimensions | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm) | 6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm) |
Weight | 8.25 oz (234 g) | 7.05 oz (200 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox | 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Samsung Knox Vault, microSD slot |
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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
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Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Rating:★4.4(950)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
RAM:4GB (Common US config)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:90Hz
Peak Brightness:800 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, AF
Ultra-Wide Camera:5MP, f/2.2
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:1080p @ 30fps
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.0
Battery:5,000mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back)
Dimensions:6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm)
Weight:7.05 oz (200 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:3.5mm Headphone Jack, Samsung Knox Vault, microSD slot
✓ Pros:
- • Unmatched software support in budget class (4 OS updates)
- • Vibrant Super AMOLED display (rare at this price point)
- • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
- • Includes 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage
- • Solid 50MP main camera performance for the price
✗ Cons:
- • No official IP rating for water/dust resistance
- • Charging adapter not included in the box
- • Performance can be sluggish with only 4GB RAM (base US model)
- • Thick bezels and outdated U-shaped notch design
- • Video recording limited to 1080p (No 4K support)
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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 A15's 50MP.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if: you shoot a lot of photos, need high performance for gaming, or want a top-tier display. (6.8" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G if: you want a vibrant screen for streaming, need 4 years of OS updates, or prefer a lightweight device.
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. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is better if you prioritize unmatched software support in budget class (4 os updates). 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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