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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Updated Apr 2026phones
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
$1,200
8.3/10
VS
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Xiaomi
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
$999
8.7/10
Winner

The Verdict

Both flagships deliver excellent performance, but they prioritize different strengths. Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra excels with its 200MP main camera and dual telephoto setup (3x and 10x), ideal for zoom enthusiasts, while Xiaomi's 15 Ultra counters with a larger 1-inch sensor on its 50MP main camera, superior 4K@120fps video capability, and a massive 200MP telephoto at 5x zoom. Display quality favors Xiaomi significantly: 3200 nits peak brightness versus Samsung's 2200 nits, plus higher resolution (3200x1440 vs 3088x1440) and Wi-Fi 7 support. Battery capacity decisively goes to Xiaomi with 5810mAh against 5000mAh, paired with transformative 90W wired and 50W wireless charging versus Samsung's 45W and 15W. Performance is virtually identical thanks to both using latest Snapdragon processors. Samsung retains advantages in ecosystem integration and software polish through One UI, plus proven reliability and faster update timelines in Western markets. Xiaomi offers substantially better value at $200 less, newer Android 15, and superior hardware across battery, display, and charging. For photography purists wanting extreme zoom, Samsung wins. For overall specs, charging speed, and value, Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the stronger choice, assuming availability in your region.

Value15 Ultra
CameraS23 Ultra
Battery15 Ultra
Display15 Ultra
Performance15 Ultra

Who Should Buy

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

Buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra if…

  • 200MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom rivals Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • 1-inch main sensor with Leica optics produces stunning photos
  • Titanium frame gives a premium, durable build

Category Scores

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Value
7.5
8.8
Camera
8.7
8.5
Battery
7.8
9.2
Display
8.2
9.1
Performance
8.5
8.6

Pros & Cons

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

Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Pros

  • 200MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom rivals Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • 1-inch main sensor with Leica optics produces stunning photos
  • Titanium frame gives a premium, durable build
  • 4K@120fps video recording is industry-leading
  • 90W fast charging and 50W wireless on a huge 5810 mAh battery

Cons

  • Heavy at 229 g and thick at 9.17 mm
  • Very expensive at $999 with limited global availability
  • HyperOS software experience lags behind iOS and One UI
  • Camera bump is extremely large

Full Specifications

SpecSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraXiaomi 15 Ultra
SoftwareAndroid 13, One UI 5.1Android 15 (HyperOS 2)
Body
Weight234 g229 g
MaterialArmor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
IP ratingIP68IP68
Dimensions163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm161.1 x 75.2 x 9.17 mm
Camera
Main camera200 MP, f/1.7, OIS50 MP, f/1.63, OIS (1-inch sensor)
Front camera12 MP, f/2.232 MP, f/2.0
Video8K@30fps, 4K@60fps8K@30fps, 4K@120fps
Telephoto10 MP 10x periscope + 10 MP 3x optical200 MP, f/2.6, 5x periscope optical zoom, OIS
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.250 MP, f/2.0, 128-degree
Memory
RAM12 GB16 GB
Storage options256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
Battery
Capacity5000 mAh5810 mAh
Charging45W wired90W wired
Wireless charging15W50W wireless
Display
Size6.8 inches6.73 inches
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X LTPOLTPO AMOLED
Resolution3088 x 14403200 x 1440
Refresh rate120Hz1-120Hz
Brightness (nits)22003200
Processor
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz)Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 830
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.35.4

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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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