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 $11.14 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+ 76 — 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+ $899

Safe to buy$11.14/mo

2026◆ Buy-by Mar 20312033

Category by category

Display

Galaxy S23 Ultra 90Galaxy S26+ 100

The Galaxy S26+'s screen is the better one — 6.7-inch dynamic ltpo amoled 2x, qhd+, 1–120hz, up to 2600 nits.

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+ 78

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

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+ 76

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy S23 Ultra	Galaxy S26+
Price (street)	$339	$899
Display	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak	6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 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	4,900 mAh
Charging	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless	45W 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	158.4 × 75.8 × 7.3 mm
Weight	234 g	190 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.