Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which One is Right for You?

Choosing a new flagship smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with top models like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the recently released Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Both phones are packed with advanced features and impressive specs, but they cater to different needs and preferences. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

Performance Upgrade: The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a more powerful chipset and enhanced graphics performance.
Display Brilliance: The S24 Ultra offers a brighter and sharper screen compared to the S23 Ultra.
Camera Improvements: The S24 Ultra features advanced zoom capabilities and upgraded camera sensors.
Battery Life: Both models have similar battery life, with slight improvements in the S24 Ultra.
Price Difference: The S24 Ultra is more expensive than the S23 Ultra.

Design and Build Quality

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm
Weight: 234 g
Build Materials: The S23 Ultra has a sleek design with a glass front and back protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and an aluminum frame.
SIM Options: Supports Nano-SIM and eSIM, or dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM).
Water Resistance: IP68 rating, meaning it’s dust and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Stylus: Includes a stylus with Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, and gyro.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Dimensions: 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm
Weight: 232-233 g
Build Materials: This model features a more premium feel with a glass front and back protected by Corning Gorilla Armor, and a titanium frame.
SIM Options: Offers Nano-SIM and eSIM, or dual eSIM options.
Water Resistance: Also IP68 certified for dust and water resistance.
Stylus: Similar to the S23 Ultra, it includes a stylus with Bluetooth and other advanced features.

Summary: Both models are robust and stylish, but the S24 Ultra’s use of a titanium frame gives it a slightly more premium feel.

Display Quality

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support.
Brightness: Up to 1750 nits peak brightness.
Size: 6.8 inches with a screen-to-body ratio of about 89.9%.
Resolution: 1440 x 3088 pixels, offering sharp and vibrant visuals.
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Type: Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.
Brightness: Impressive 2600 nits peak brightness.
Size: 6.8 inches with a slightly lower screen-to-body ratio of 88.5%.
Resolution: 1440 x 3120 pixels, delivering even clearer images.
Protection: Corning Gorilla Armor for enhanced durability.

Summary: The S24 Ultra’s display is brighter and offers slightly better resolution, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.

Performance

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Operating System: Android 13, upgradeable to Android 14 with One UI 6.1.
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
CPU: Octa-core (1×3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510).
GPU: Adreno 740.
Memory: Options include 256GB with 8GB RAM, 256GB with 12GB RAM, 512GB with 12GB RAM, and 1TB with 12GB RAM.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Operating System: Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1.
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
CPU: 8-core (1×3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2×2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2×2.2GHz Cortex-A520).
GPU: Adreno 750.
Memory: Similar storage options as the S23 Ultra with up to 1TB of storage and 12GB of RAM.

Summary: The S24 Ultra has a more powerful processor and improved GPU, which means better overall performance and graphics capabilities.

Camera Systems

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Main Camera:
200 MP wide lens, 10 MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 10 MP periscope telephoto (10x optical zoom), 12 MP ultrawide.
Video Recording: Up to 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, and 1080p at 960fps.
Selfie Camera: 12 MP wide lens.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Main Camera:
200 MP wide lens, 10 MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 50 MP periscope telephoto (5x optical zoom), 12 MP ultrawide.
Video Recording: Enhanced with 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps, and 1080p at 240fps.
Selfie Camera: 12 MP wide lens.

Summary: The S24 Ultra’s camera system offers improved zoom capabilities and higher quality video recording.

Battery Life and Charging

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh.
Wired Charging: 45W with 65% charge in 30 minutes (advertised).
Wireless Charging: 15W (Qi/PMA).
Reverse Wireless Charging: 4.5W.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh.
Wired Charging: Similar 45W with 65% charge in 30 minutes.
Wireless Charging: 15W (Qi/PMA).
Reverse Wireless Charging: 4.5W.

Summary: Both models have the same battery capacity and charging speeds, offering solid performance throughout the day.

Connectivity and Features

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2.
Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer.
Special Features: Samsung DeX, Wireless DeX.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Connectivity: Enhanced with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2 with DisplayPort 1.2.
Sensors: Similar to the S23 Ultra.
Special Features: Samsung DeX, Wireless DeX, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) support.

Summary: The S24 Ultra includes a few extra features like UWB support and the latest Wi-Fi technology.

Pricing

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Priced around ₹82,163 ($659.80 / £530.00 / €698.86).
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Priced around ₹111,990 ($784.67 / £840.00 / €1,044.74).

Summary: The S24 Ultra comes with a higher price tag, reflecting its improved features and performance.

Conclusion

Both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra are outstanding smartphones, but they cater to slightly different needs. The S24 Ultra provides enhanced performance, a brighter display, and better camera capabilities, making it a top choice if you want the latest and greatest tech. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much in terms of features, the S23 Ultra remains a strong contender.

Choose based on what matters most to you—whether it’s the cutting-edge performance of the S24 Ultra or the solid all-around features of the S23 Ultra. Either way, you’ll be getting a top-tier smartphone that won’t disappoint.