Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S23 Ultra: Should You Upgrade?

Samsung recently unveiled its flagship Galaxy S26 series, headlined by the Galaxy S26 Ultra. But if you’re still using the 2023 Galaxy S23 Ultra, is now the time to upgrade? We’ve compared the specifications of the Galaxy S26 Ultra to the Galaxy S23 Ultra to help you decide.

Price and Availability

As of March 9, 2026, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is available for pre-order and will officially launch on March 11, 2026. The 12GB/256GB model starts at £1279/$1299. PhoneArena provides a detailed price comparison.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra, being a three-year-old model, is no longer directly available from Samsung. However, it can be found on third-party retailers like Amazon, both new and refurbished, with prices varying significantly but starting around £500 at the time of writing.

Processor Performance

Both the Galaxy S26 Ultra and S23 Ultra utilize custom versions of Qualcomm processors. The S23 Ultra features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, although the S26 Ultra boasts the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is known for its speed and performance in tasks ranging from everyday use to demanding applications like photo/video editing and gaming. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was already “ultra rapid and responsive,” but the S26 Ultra offers a noticeable speed improvement.

The S26 Ultra also supports the full Galaxy AI toolkit, a feature not fully available on the S23 Ultra. While the S23 Ultra has some AI features like photo editing and Circle to Search, it misses out on features like Now Brief.

Software Updates

Samsung has committed to seven years of OS upgrades for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, extending support up to Android 22. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, initially promised four years of updates, now has only one full year of updates remaining since its 2023 launch.

Design and Display

While visually similar, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is 1mm thinner (7.9mm) than the S23 Ultra, making it the “thinnest Ultra ever.” It’s also lighter, weighing 214g compared to the S23 Ultra’s 233g. Reddit users have noted the lighter weight as a positive change.

The S26 Ultra features a slightly larger 6.9-inch display compared to the S23 Ultra’s 6.8-inch screen. The S26 Ultra has a flat display, allowing for easier use with tempered glass protectors, while the S23 Ultra’s display is curved. Both handsets have a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate, but the S26 Ultra introduces a built-in privacy display, making the screen unviewable from certain angles.

Battery Life

Both the Galaxy S26 Ultra and S23 Ultra are equipped with a 5000mAh battery. While the cell size remains the same, the S26 Ultra is projected to offer up to 31 hours of video playback on a single charge. Real-world battery performance is expected to be comparable to the S23 Ultra, providing a comfortable all-day battery life.

Camera Improvements

The Galaxy S26 Ultra features camera hardware upgrades. Both phones have a 200MP main lens, but the S26 Ultra’s sensor is designed to be brighter. The S26 Ultra also includes a 50MP ultrawide lens (compared to the S23 Ultra’s 12MP) and a 50MP 5x telephoto lens alongside a 10MP 3x lens, while the S23 Ultra has a 3x and 10x setup.

Early Verdict

With a newer processor, expanded Galaxy AI tools, and camera improvements, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be a compelling upgrade over the Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, if you currently own the S23 Ultra, you still have a year of software updates remaining. If you prioritize the latest technology, a lighter design, and a potentially stronger camera, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a promising choice.