Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy S26

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy S26

Lifespan decides this one: the Galaxy S26 is supported until Mar 2033 at $9.90 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: Galaxy S23 Ultra 76 · Galaxy S26 75 — 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 Ultra $339

Buy with care$16.98/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Samsung Galaxy S26 $799

Safe to buy$9.90/mo

2026◆ Buy-by Mar 20312033

Category by category

Display

Galaxy S23 Ultra 90Galaxy S26 90

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance

Galaxy S23 Ultra 85Galaxy S26 100

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

Camera

Galaxy S23 Ultra 96Galaxy S26 79

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

Battery

Galaxy S23 Ultra 80Galaxy S26 66

5,000mAh vs 4,300mAh — the Galaxy S23 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Galaxy S23 Ultra 24Galaxy S26 96

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

Value

Galaxy S23 Ultra 76Galaxy S26 75

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy S23 Ultra	Galaxy S26
Price (street)	$339	$799
Display	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak	6.3-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB/12GB	12GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB/512GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,300 mAh
Charging	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless	25W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2.2 Ready)
Rear cameras	200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 10MP periscope 10x	50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x
Dimensions	163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm	149.6 × 71.7 × 7.2 mm
Weight	234 g	167 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Feb 2028	Mar 2033

Galaxy S23 Ultra full verdict →Galaxy S26 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.