Galaxy S23+ vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Lifespan decides this one: the Galaxy S26 Ultra is supported until Mar 2033 at $13.62 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23+ runs out in Feb 2028 ($10.32/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Galaxy S23+ 69 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 77 — methodology

The lifespan decider

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

Samsung Galaxy S23+ $206

Buy with care$10.32/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra $1099

Safe to buy$13.62/mo

2026◆ Buy-by Mar 20312033

Category by category

Display

Galaxy S23+ 70Galaxy S26 Ultra 100

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch dynamic ltpo amoled 2x, qhd+, 1–120hz, up to 2600 nits, with anti-reflective privacy display.

Performance

Galaxy S23+ 85Galaxy S26 Ultra 100

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Galaxy S23+ 79Galaxy S26 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 3).

Battery

Galaxy S23+ 74Galaxy S26 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 4,700mAh — the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Galaxy S23+ 24Galaxy S26 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is supported until Mar 2033 — 61 months longer than the Galaxy S23+.

Value

Galaxy S23+ 69Galaxy S26 Ultra 77

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $13.62 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy S23+	Galaxy S26 Ultra
Price (street)	$206	$1099
Display	6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 120Hz	6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits, with anti-reflective Privacy Display
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB	12GB
Storage	256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	4,700 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless	60W wired, 25W wireless
Rear cameras	50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x	200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 50MP telephoto 5x periscope
Dimensions	157.8 × 76.2 × 7.6 mm	163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9 mm
Weight	196 g	214 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Feb 2028	Mar 2033

Galaxy S23+ full verdict →Galaxy S26 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.