Samsung Galaxy S23+ vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung's flagship lineup presents a compelling choice between two excellent devices. Both leverage the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with 120Hz refresh rates, delivering exceptional performance and visuals. Camera quality differs significantly: the S23+ offers a solid 50 MP main sensor with 3x zoom, while the Ultra's 200 MP main combined with dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x) provides superior versatility for zoom and detail capture. Display resolution favors the Ultra at QHD+ versus FHD+ on the Plus model, though both brightness levels are excellent. Battery capacity edges toward the Ultra's 5000 mAh versus 4700 mAh, offering modestly longer endurance. Price differential of $200 makes the S23+ excellent value for most users prioritizing core performance. However, enthusiasts demanding professional-grade camera capabilities and premium display resolution should choose the S23 Ultra.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- →Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- →4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
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
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- 4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
- Four years of OS updates and five years of security patches
- Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM at the $999 price point
- FHD+ resolution instead of QHD+ on the 6.6-inch display
- 45W charging is slower than Chinese competitors
- No expandable storage or microSD slot
- Design is very similar to S22+ with minimal visual changes
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 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 195 g | 234 g |
| Material | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 10 MP 10x periscope + 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W, Wireless PowerShare | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.6 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1750 | 2200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | 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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