Galaxy S23 Ultra 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 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 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 Ultra $339

Buy with care$16.98/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 Ultra 90Galaxy 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 Ultra 85Galaxy S26 Ultra 100

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

Camera

Galaxy S23 Ultra 96Galaxy S26 Ultra 96

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery

Galaxy S23 Ultra 80Galaxy S26 Ultra 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Galaxy S23 Ultra 24Galaxy S26 Ultra 96

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

Value

Galaxy S23 Ultra 76Galaxy S26 Ultra 77

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy S23 Ultra	Galaxy S26 Ultra
Price (street)	$339	$1099
Display	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak	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	12GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless	60W wired, 25W wireless
Rear cameras	200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 10MP periscope 10x	200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 50MP telephoto 5x periscope
Dimensions	163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm	163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9 mm
Weight	234 g	214 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Feb 2028	Mar 2033

Galaxy S23 Ultra 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.