The technical specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S23 highlight their different approaches to flagship smartphone design. The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a larger QHD+ display, 200MP quad-camera system, S Pen support, larger battery and up to 1TB storage. The Galaxy S23 offers a compact 6.1-inch design, 50MP triple-camera system and 3,900 mAh battery while retaining the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset.
General
The general specifications cover the launch date, operating system, processor, SIM support and network compatibility of the two smartphones. Both models run Android 13 with Samsung One UI 5.1 and use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. The Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S23 support 5G connectivity and dual-SIM functionality.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|
| Launch date | 17 February 2023 | 17 February 2023 |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Operating system | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 |
| SIM slots | Dual SIM | Dual SIM |
| SIM support | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Network | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
Performance and hardware
The performance and hardware specifications determine how efficiently the smartphones handle applications, gaming and multitasking. Both models use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor and Adreno 740 GPU. The S23 Ultra is available with up to 12GB RAM and 1TB storage, while the S23 offers up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| CPU | Octa-core, up to 3.36GHz | Octa-core, up to 3.36GHz |
| Fabrication | 4nm | 4nm |
| Graphics | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB |
| RAM type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| AnTuTu score | Around 1,226,598* | Around 1,207,652* |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Storage type | UFS 4.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| Security | Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor | Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, compass, Hall sensor | Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, compass |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos |
Display
The display specifications show a clear difference in size and resolution. The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution, while the Galaxy S23 has a more compact 6.1-inch FHD+ panel. Both displays support a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|
| Screen size | 6.8-inch | 6.1-inch |
| Screen resolution | 3088 x 1440 pixels | 2340 x 1080 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 19.3:9 | 19.5:9 |
| Pixel density | 500 ppi | 425 ppi |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | Up to 1,750 nits | Up to 1,750 nits |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| HDR | HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| S Pen support | Yes | No |
Camera
The camera hardware is one of the biggest differences between the two models. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 200MP primary camera with two telephoto cameras, including a 10MP periscope telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom. The Galaxy S23 uses a 50MP primary camera with a 10MP telephoto and 12MP ultra-wide camera.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|
| Camera setup | Quad camera: 200MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 10MP telephoto + 10MP periscope telephoto | Triple camera: 50MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 10MP telephoto |
| Primary camera | 200MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto camera | 10MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom | 10MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Periscope telephoto | 10MP, f/4.9, 10x optical zoom | Not available |
| Digital zoom | Up to 100x | Up to 30x |
| Front camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 |
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Video recording | Up to 8K at 30fps | Up to 8K at 30fps |
| Pro mode | Yes | Yes |
| Night mode | Yes | Yes |
| HDR | Yes | Yes |
| Portrait mode | Yes | Yes |
Connectivity and network compatibility
Both smartphones support 5G and 4G networks and offer dual-SIM functionality. They also support Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and USB Type-C connectivity. The Galaxy S23 Ultra additionally supports Ultra Wideband (UWB), which enables compatible device-finding and proximity-based features.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|
| SIM support | Dual SIM, Nano-SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM, Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Network support | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| UWB | Yes | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
Battery
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S23 has a 3,900 mAh battery. The Ultra model supports 45W wired charging, compared with 25W charging on the S23. Both smartphones support 15W wireless charging and 4.5W Wireless PowerShare for charging compatible devices.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 3,900 mAh |
| Battery type | Li-ion | Li-ion |
| Wired charging | 45W | 25W |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W |
| Reverse wireless charging | 4.5W Wireless PowerShare | 4.5W Wireless PowerShare |
| USB port | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
