Phone (3a) vs Galaxy S23 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

Lifespan decides this one: the Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.18 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra runs out in Feb 2028 ($16.98/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · 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.

Nothing Phone (3a) $349

Safe to buy$6.18/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra $339

Buy with care$16.98/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 80Galaxy 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

Phone (3a) 64Galaxy S23 Ultra 85

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Phone (3a) 79Galaxy S23 Ultra 96

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

Battery

Phone (3a) 80Galaxy S23 Ultra 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 67Galaxy S23 Ultra 24

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 37 months longer than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Value

Phone (3a) 75Galaxy S23 Ultra 76

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (street)	$349	$339
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB/12GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	50W wired, no wireless	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide	200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 10MP periscope 10x
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm
Weight	201 g	234 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP68
Supported until	Mar 2031	Feb 2028

Phone (3a) 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.