Poco F5 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra dominates across nearly every dimension, wielding a 200MP main camera with superior optics, dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x), and 8K video recording against the F5's capable but modest 64MP setup. Display superiority favors Samsung with 2200 nits peak brightness, 3088x1440 LTPO resolution, and Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology versus F5's 1000-nit AMOLED. Processing power strongly favors the S23 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 over the midrange 7+ Gen 2, delivering noticeably better sustained performance and gaming capability. Battery capacities match at 5000mAh, though Samsung's faster 45W charging and wireless support add convenience. Build quality clearly advantages Samsung with IP68 water resistance, premium Armor Aluminum, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 versus F5's IP53 rating and plastic back. Price reflects the gulf: $1200 versus $349. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing value, the F5 delivers impressive specs and capable performance. For premium features and longevity, Galaxy S23 Ultra justifies its premium positioning.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Poco F5 if…
- →Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 delivers near-flagship performance
- →Bright 1000-nit 120Hz AMOLED display
- →67W fast charging at a budget price
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if…
- →200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- →Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Poco F5
Pros
- Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 delivers near-flagship performance
- Bright 1000-nit 120Hz AMOLED display
- 67W fast charging at a budget price
- Lightweight and slim design
- Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
Cons
- Weak 8 MP ultrawide camera
- No wireless charging
- IP53 splash resistance is minimal
- MIUI heavy software experience
- No telephoto lens
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Pros
- 200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
- Bright 2200-nit display readable in direct sunlight
- IP68 dust and water resistance
Cons
- Very heavy at 234 g, tiring for extended use
- Thick 8.9 mm body compared to rivals
- 45W charging is slow for a $1199 flagship
- No significant camera hardware upgrade over S22 Ultra main sensor
Full Specifications
| Spec | Poco F5 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (MIUI 14 for POCO) | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 181 g | 234 g |
| Material | Plastic back, aluminum frame | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP53 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.79, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP 10x periscope + 10 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 67W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.67 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 2200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 725 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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