Magic 5 vs Galaxy S23 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Galaxy S23 Ultra wins this one, taking display and camera decisively. Against the Magic 5 it's also the sounder buy at $16.95 per month of safe use.

Value Score: Magic 5 66 · Galaxy S23 Ultra 76 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Honor Magic 5 $420

Buy with care$19.62/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Mar 20262028

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra $339

Buy with care$16.95/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Category by category

Display

Magic 5 70Galaxy S23 Ultra 90

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.8-inch dynamic amoled 2x, qhd+, ltpo 1–120hz, 1750 nits peak.

Performance

Magic 5 85Galaxy S23 Ultra 85

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera

Magic 5 79Galaxy S23 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 3).

Battery

Magic 5 82Galaxy S23 Ultra 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Magic 5 25Galaxy S23 Ultra 24

Both phones' support windows end around the same time.

Value

Magic 5 66Galaxy S23 Ultra 76

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S23 Ultra at $16.95 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Magic 5	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (street)	$420	$339
Display	6.73-inch OLED, 120Hz, 1600 nits peak	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB/12GB/16GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	5,100 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	66W wired	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras	54MP main, 32MP telephoto 2.5x, 50MP ultra-wide	200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 10MP periscope 10x
Dimensions	161.4 x 75.5 x 7.8 mm	163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm
Weight	191 g	234 g
Water resistance	None	IP68
Supported until	Mar 2028	Feb 2028

Magic 5 full verdict →Galaxy S23 Ultra full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.