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 ($8.77/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Galaxy S23 67 · 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 $175

Buy with care$8.77/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 58Galaxy S26 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 3,900mAh — 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 67Galaxy 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)	$175	$1099
Display	6.1-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	128GB/256GB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	3,900 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	25W 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	146.3 × 70.9 × 7.6 mm	163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9 mm
Weight	168 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.