Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold5

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Galaxy S23 Ultra wins this one, taking display and camera decisively. Against the Galaxy Z Fold5 it's also the sounder buy at $16.93 per month of safe use.

Value Score: Galaxy S23 Ultra 76 · Galaxy Z Fold5 54 — 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$16.93/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 $750

Buy with care$29.06/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Aug 20262028

Category by category

Display

Galaxy S23 Ultra 90Galaxy Z Fold5 70

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.8-inch dynamic amoled 2x, qhd+, ltpo 1–120hz, 1750 nits peak.

Performance

Galaxy S23 Ultra 85Galaxy Z Fold5 85

Performance is a wash — same chip tier.

Camera

Galaxy S23 Ultra 96Galaxy Z Fold5 79

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

Battery

Galaxy S23 Ultra 80Galaxy Z Fold5 68

5,000mAh vs 4,400mAh — the Galaxy S23 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Galaxy S23 Ultra 24Galaxy Z Fold5 31

The Galaxy Z Fold5 is supported until Aug 2028 — 6 months longer than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Value

Galaxy S23 Ultra 76Galaxy Z Fold5 54

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S23 Ultra at $16.93 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy S23 Ultra	Galaxy Z Fold5
Price (street)	$339	$750
Display	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak	7.6-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1812x2176, 120Hz + 6.2-inch cover Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 904x2316, 120Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB/12GB	12GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,400 mAh
Charging	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless	25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
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	154.9 × 67.1 × 13.4 mm folded / 154.9 × 129.9 × 6.1 mm unfolded
Weight	234 g	253 g
Water resistance	IP68	IPX8
Supported until	Feb 2028	Aug 2028

Galaxy S23 Ultra full verdict →Galaxy Z Fold5 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.