← Back to Smartphones
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs TCL 50 XL 5G

If you're after the best, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the flagship option that crushes the TCL 50 XL 5G in camera quality and performance. With a stunning 200MP camera and a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, it's designed for those who want top-tier functionality. So what does this mean for you? If you're considering an upgrade or just a new phone in 2026, let's break down the key differences and see which fits your needs best.

📱 Display: 6.8" vs 6.78"🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs 5010 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.25 oz vs 6.88 oz

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

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
Check Amazon Price
TCL 50 XL 5G

TCL 50 XL 5G

4.1
(19)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 15) and 2 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
Check Amazon Price
Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)Winner
TCL 50 XL 5G
6.78"
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
1–120Hz (Adaptive)
TCL 50 XL 5G
120Hz (Adaptive)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
TCL 50 XL 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5XWinner
TCL 50 XL 5G
6GB (Plus up to 6GB Virtual RAM Expansion)
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)Winner
TCL 50 XL 5G
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 2TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OISWinner
TCL 50 XL 5G
50MP, f/1.8, PDAF (1/2.76" sensor)
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
TCL 50 XL 5G
5MP, f/2.2, 115-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5,000 mAh (Typical)
TCL 50 XL 5G
5,010mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
TCL 50 XL 5G
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8.25 oz (234 g)
TCL 50 XL 5G
6.88 oz (195 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
TCL 50 XL 5G
6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in (167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
TCL 50 XL 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.

Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs TCL 50 XL 5G

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

4.4(1,332)Best Buy
TCL 50 XL 5G

TCL 50 XL 5G

4.1(19)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

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.

Check Price on Amazon
TCL 50 XL 5G

TCL 50 XL 5G

Rating:4.1(19)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:1 Android OS upgrade (to Android 15) and 2 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
RAM:6GB (Plus up to 6GB Virtual RAM Expansion)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 2TB)
Display Size:6.78"
Screen Type:IPS LCD, 120Hz, NXTVISION Technology
Resolution:2460 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:500 nits (Typical) / 550 nits (HBM)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, PDAF (1/2.76" sensor)
Ultra-Wide Camera:5MP, f/2.2, 115-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Depth Sensor f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:1080p @ 30fps
Front Camera:8MP, f/2.0, 1080p @ 30fps
Battery:5,010mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:18W Fast Charging (Charger included in box)
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
Dimensions:6.60 x 2.97 x 0.32 in (167.6 x 75.5 x 8.2 mm)
Weight:6.88 oz (195 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo speakers (DTS Sound), 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, 18W Charger included

✓ Pros:

  • Huge 6.78-inch FHD+ 120Hz display is rare for this price
  • Includes 18W charger, cable, and sometimes a case in the box
  • 6GB real RAM + 128GB storage is generous for the budget tier
  • Features NFC for contactless payments (often cut in budget phones)
  • Retains user-favorite 3.5mm jack and microSD expansion

✗ Cons:

  • Ultrawide camera is low resolution (5MP) and muddy
  • No official IP rating for water or dust resistance
  • Software support is minimal (only 1 OS update guaranteed)
  • Display brightness struggles in direct sunlight (~500 nits)
  • Video recording capped at 1080p (No 4K support)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Price on Amazon

Which one is better?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the TCL 50 XL 5G's 50MP. That said, grab the TCL 50 XL 5G if you want to save money - it's significantly lighter at 6.88oz and offers excellent value for casual users.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if: you want the best camera for photography, need top performance for gaming, or appreciate premium build quality. (6.8" display, 5000 mAh battery)
Choose the TCL 50 XL 5G if: you need a massive display for media consumption, prefer a budget-friendly option, or want expandable storage with a microSD card. (6.78" display, 5010 mAh battery)

Conclusion

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and TCL 50 XL 5G are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.

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. TCL 50 XL 5G is better if you prioritize huge 6.78-inch fhd+ 120hz display is rare for this price. 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.

Affiliate disclosure

PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.