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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is the superior option overall, especially with its expansive 7.6" display that transforms how you multitask and enjoy media. If you're considering an upgrade in 2026, the Z Fold6's flagship specs bring a level of versatility that the Galaxy S23's mid-range features can't match. The Z Fold6's 12GB of RAM ensures seamless performance for gaming and multitasking, while the S23’s 8GB may leave you wanting more during heavy usage.

📱 Display: 6.1" vs 7.6"🔋 Battery: 3900 mAh vs 4400 mAh⚖️ Weight: 5.93 oz vs 8.43 oz

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Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung Galaxy S23

4.4
(101)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Graphics:Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

4.3
(535)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
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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
6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" CoverWinner
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23
Adaptive 48–120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
12GB LPDDR5XWinner
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23
128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)Winner
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23
3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23
5.93 oz (168 g)Winner
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
8.43 oz (239 g)
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23
5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung Galaxy S23

4.4(101)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

4.3(535)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung Galaxy S23

Rating:4.4(101)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades (Android 14, 15, 16, 17); 5 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2028)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8GHz A715, 2x2.8GHz A710, 3x2.0GHz A510)
Graphics:Adreno 740 (719 MHz)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB (UFS 4.0) / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.1" (6.1" full rectangle; 5.9" accounting for rounded corners)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution:2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+, 425 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Adaptive 48–120 Hz
Peak Brightness:1200 nits (HBM); 1750 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.8), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Super Steady video
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (70 mm, f/2.4), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
Optical Zoom:3x optical zoom; 30x Space Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x
Video Recording:8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240/960 fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps
Battery:3900 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% in ~30 minutes with 25W adapter (sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s)
Durability:IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back
Dimensions:5.76" x 2.79" x 0.30" (146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm)
Weight:5.93 oz (168 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition
Extras:Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG; Dual eSIM support (varies by carrier)

✓ Pros:

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip outperforms standard version
  • Compact, lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
  • Bright 1750 nits display ensures excellent outdoor visibility
  • Versatile camera system with genuine 3x optical zoom
  • Solid battery life for its size class (3900 mAh)

✗ Cons:

  • Base 128GB model uses slower UFS 3.1 storage (256GB+ uses UFS 4.0)
  • Charging speed is limited to 25W (significantly slower than competitors)
  • Lacks UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support found in Plus/Ultra models
  • Refresh rate floor is 48Hz (not 1Hz like LTPO panels on Ultra)
  • Small screen size may be limiting for heavy media consumption

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Rating:4.3(535)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
RAM:12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover
Screen Type:Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover)
Resolution:Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+)
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover)
Peak Brightness:2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@30fps, 4K@60fps
Front Camera:Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8)
Battery:4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell)
Wired Charging:Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions:Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm)
Weight:8.43 oz (239 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX

✓ Pros:

  • Refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors
  • Both Main and Cover displays hit a massive 2,600 nits peak brightness
  • Galaxy AI features are deeply integrated for productivity and translation
  • Class-leading 7-year software update commitment
  • IP48 rating provides verified water resistance and limited solid object ingress protection

✗ Cons:

  • Charging speed remains capped at 25W wired / 15W wireless
  • Camera hardware is largely unchanged from previous generation
  • Under-display camera (4MP) quality is still noticeably inferior to standard selfies
  • No integrated slot for the S Pen
  • IP48 is not fully dust-tight (sand/fine dust can still damage the hinge)

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Which one is better?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is the better buy for most people - its massive 7.6" display crushes the Galaxy S23. That said, grab the Galaxy S23 if you prefer a lighter and more compact phone - it's lighter and easier to handle.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 if: you want a compact design for one-handed use, prefer a lighter phone for daily carry, or need strong performance for casual gaming. (6.1" display, 3900 mAh battery)
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 if: you love multitasking on a large screen, enjoy consuming media on a bright display, or need more RAM for demanding apps. (7.6" display, 4400 mAh battery)

Conclusion

There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Samsung Galaxy S23 excels if you value powerful snapdragon 8 gen 2 for galaxy chip outperforms standard version. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is better if you prioritize refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors. 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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