Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the premium option here, but the S23 Ultra still holds its ground with impressive features. After testing both phones, it’s clear that the S24 Ultra’s camera capabilities and performance make it a serious contender for anyone looking to upgrade in 2026. The S24 Ultra sports a 5000mAh battery that lasts about 30 hours of video playback, perfect for long trips. Key specs: Weight: 8.18 oz vs 8.25 oz and Camera: 200MP vs 200MP, but S24 Ultra has a versatile 50MP 5x zoom vs S23 Ultra's 10x optical zoom.
Why compare these? Both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are premium flagship smartphones competing in the same market segment. This makes them direct rivals for buyers looking for premium flagship features and performance in 2026. Understanding their differences helps you choose the right one for your specific needs.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Samsung Galaxy | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.6★ (3,377 reviews) | 4.4★ (1,341 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections | Class-leading 200MP main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom |
| Main Drawback | Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms | Slow charging speed (45W) compared to competitors |
| Market Position | Flagship | Flagship |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Adreno 740
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+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 S24 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy | ★4.4(1,341)Amazon |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) | 4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
Graphics | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 740 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display |
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) | 3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 1–120 Hz | 1–120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) | 1,750 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS | 200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) |
Telephoto Camera | 50MP Telephoto (111 mm, f/3.4), periscope lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) | 3x, 10x Optical Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) | Up to 100x Space Zoom |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 12MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF |
Battery | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback | 5,000 mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately) | Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2 | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back | IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
Dimensions | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm) |
Weight | 8.18 oz (232 g) | 8.25 oz (234 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG | Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox |
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Android
7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
- Versatile quad-camera system with high-resolution 50MP 5x zoom
Cons
- Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms
- 45W charging speed has plateaued compared to competitors
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Qualcomm Adreno 740
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Pros
- Class-leading 200MP main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom
- Custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy provides top-tier performance
Cons
- Slow charging speed (45W) compared to competitors
- Large and heavy (8.25 oz) form factor is difficult for one-handed use
Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its versatile 50MP 5x zoom crushes the S23 Ultra's 10x optical zoom. That said, grab the S23 Ultra if you want to save some cash while still enjoying a flagship experience.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you want top-tier camera versatility with a 50MP 5x zoom, need a lighter device at 8.18 oz, or want longer software support with up to 7 years of updates.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if: you prioritize a larger optical zoom for photography, want to save money while still getting a 200MP camera, or need a slightly heavier phone with robust features.
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.6★ vs 4.4★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 3,377 reviews vs 1,341
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Exclusive Corning Gorilla Priority
Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Class-leading 200MP main Priority
Class-leading 200MP main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra edges ahead with a 4.6★ rating compared to 4.4★. However, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice if you prioritize exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra wins if you value class-leading 200mp main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom. Both are rated highly (4.6★ vs 4.4★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Key differences: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections, while Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra stands out with class-leading 200mp main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom. Consider that Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra slow charging speed (45w) compared to competitors. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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