Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Ultra: Is the Ultra Worth the Price?

In February of 2023, Samsung released another iteration of its flagship S-series smartphones. The lineup includes the very high-end Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the base S23, and the S23+ (the slightly larger version of the base S23). 

There's no doubt that the S23 Ultra is worth the price if you want a top-of-the-line device. But is it really that much better than the S23 at almost double the price?

We'll take a close look at the S23 and S23 Ultra and compare their specs to help you find out which one is right for you.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Ultra: Specs compared

---

The S23 Ultra offers the best specs among this Samsung flagship series. You’ll get a larger internal storage, more RAM, and an improved camera system.

Take a look at some of the key S23 and S23 Ultra specs:

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Ultra: Price

---

The base S23 model is ideal for budget-conscious users who still want an innovative phone, while the S23 Ultra boasts more power at a higher pricepoint. Since its debut in 2023, you can find the Samsung Galaxy S23 series at a much cheaper price today.

Starting at $799 when it was first released, the base model Samsung Galaxy S23 was the most affordable device of the lineup. The S23 is the one you get if you are more concerned about saving money than having the higher-end tech. 

Meanwhile, the Samsung S23 Ultra initially cost $1,199, almost double the price of the base S23 model. You get what you pay for with the S23 Ultra, including better quality camera systems, a larger display, and plentiful internal memory. . If you want the best of the S-series, the Ultra is the way to go.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Size

---

Size matters when comparing the Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra. The base model fits in your pocket perfectly, while the S23 Ultra is much larger and almost too big to comfortably carry. 

With its 6.8" display the S23 Ultra has plenty of screen while walking right up to the line of being cumbersome. You’ll be able to enjoy streaming videos or chatting on video calls with its larger display, but an average user might prefer the easy maneuverability of the base model’s compact size. 

The S23 is the smaller of the set with its 6.1" display. You're not going to get the most screen space with the S23, but it will fit nicely in your pocket. 

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Camera quality compared

---

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has one of the most impressive camera systems we've seen on a smartphone—it's a big part of what makes the device "ultra.” The Samsung Galaxy S23's camera system isn't too shabby either. 

Here's how the two different camera systems stack up against each other: 

• Samsung Galaxy S23 rear cameras:
  • 50MP wide (main)
  • 12MP ultra wide
  • 10MP telephoto
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra rear cameras
  • 200MP wide (main)
  • 12MP ultra wide
  • 10MP telephoto

While an average user who takes an occasional image might not need the camera quality of the S23 Ultra, photo aficionados will definitely appreciate having a device with a powerful camera on-hand at all times. 

This phone has one of the best camera setups around, with four different lenses to cover all kinds of shots. The S23 Ultra's main camera and its whopping 200 megapixels capture crystal clear images with a simple tap, while the ultra-wide lens lets you fit more into the frame. For zooming, there’s a 3x lens for closer shots and a 10x lens for things that are really far away. All of that extra information allows for things like clearer details, better color, and more light.

The S23’s camera system takes decent pictures by today’s standard, and is perfect for those who don’t need professional-grade imaging. In fact, in his testing of the S23, our expert Max McCaskill loved “The S23’s phenomenal job of capturing all the little details that might usually be compressed or blurry.” If you want to save money and go for the less expensive phone, you will not be disappointed with the S23.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Battery life

---

Each of the new Galaxy S-series models has enough battery power to get you through the day. But once you add in your online habits that drain your battery life, which device actually has more battery life?

The S23 Ultra and its bigger 5,000 mAh battery can stretch that day much further than the S23 and its 3,900 mAh battery, making it ideal if you spend lots of time on your phone. 

Whether you’re browsing the web, checking your feed, or playing a game, you’re using up battery life. So, if you constantly use your phone throughout the day, consider choosing the Ultra’s longer lasting battery.

The opposite can also be said: The S23 is great for light data users that don’t work on their phones all day long or simply don’t need to spend more for a bigger battery.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Screen and display

---

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s screen size is a whopping 6.8”, with a bright display making every color pop. Mobile gamers will certainly appreciate its quality and size, allowing you to clearly see every small detail in the graphics. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's 6.8" display definitely beats out the S23's 6.1" display. 

One other major difference between the displays is that while both feature a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, the S23 Ultra will adapt down to 1Hz when the screen is static to save battery. The S23 only goes down to 48Hz. 

If you value size and adaptive refresh rate, the Samsung Galaxy 23 Ultra is the clear winner.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Ultra: Internal storage and memory

---

The S23 Ultra . The S23 Ultra’s storage options start at 256GB compared to the S23's 128GB base model. 

If that's not high enough for you the Ultra also comes in 512GB and 1TB options. Nowadays, device storage is key. You won’t need to eliminate apps or invest in cloud capacity with the storage and memory offered by the S23 Ultra.

The S23 Ultra’s 512GB and 1TB options also come with 12GB of RAM to boot. The rest of the models in the series top out at 8GB of RAM. So, if you want the absolute best performance, you'll want to look at the S23 Ultra 512MB or 1TB options.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Ultra recap

---

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is leaps and bounds better than the base S23 model. It has a bigger, better display, way more storage and memory options, an incredible camera system, and superior battery life. It's all wrapped up into one impressive package that you'll have to pay for, but it will be worth it.  

If you’re looking for a cheaper phone, the S23 is still an impressive phone and a great value. However, if you're looking for the absolute best, the S23 Ultra is the way to go.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. S23 Ultra: FAQs

---

Does the S23 Ultra have an SD card slot?

The S23 Ultra does not have an SD card slot. If you are worried about storage on your phone, know that it comes in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options.

Is Samsung S23 waterproof?

Yes. All of the Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra models are waterproof. The S23 series models have an IP68 rating, which means:

• They're protected from dust; and
• Can be submerged in water up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes.

However, you shouldn't try to test this out for yourself with those price tags.

Is the S23 Ultra worth the price?

Whether or not the S23 Ultra's high price is worth it is entirely up to you.

If you want one of the best Android phones available today, and you have the money to spare, you really can't go wrong with the S23 Ultra. However, the S23 is cheaper and still stands as a solid phone.

If you want the phone at a discounted price, check out our guide to the best Samsung deals and see if you can take advantage of any available S23 Ultra promotions.