Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23
An honest, side-by-side look at the Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 decision — specs, camera, battery and refurbished price — so you can buy the right one with confidence.
This pits Samsung's do-everything flagship against its compact favourite. The Galaxy S24 Ultra brings a giant 6.8-inch screen, a built-in S Pen, a 200MP camera and a titanium frame. The Galaxy S23 is smaller, lighter and easier on both your hand and your wallet.
It's less an upgrade question and more a choice of two different phones — power-user maximalism versus compact practicality.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23: specs side by side
| Feature | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.1" AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Camera | 200MP main, 5× + 3× tele, ultrawide | 50MP main, 3× tele, 12MP ultrawide |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 3,900mAh |
| Standout | Built-in S Pen, titanium frame, Galaxy AI | Compact flagship, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Refurbished from | £460 | £240 |
The verdict
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the more powerful phone by a wide margin: a bigger, brighter screen, the 200MP camera, longer battery, the S Pen and Galaxy AI. If you want the best Samsung experience and don't mind the size, it's the clear choice.
The Galaxy S23 wins on portability and price. It's a proper flagship in a compact body — ideal if you find modern phones too big or want to spend less. Neither is 'better'; they suit different people.
Buy the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
You want the biggest screen, the S Pen, the best camera and the longest battery — a true flagship with no compromises on power.
Shop refurbished Galaxy S24 UltraBuy the Galaxy S23 if…
You want a premium phone that fits your hand and your budget, and don't need the S Pen or a huge screen.
Shop refurbished Galaxy S23Common questions
Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra worth it over the S23?+
If you want the biggest screen, the S Pen, a 200MP camera and the longest battery, yes — the Ultra is a far more capable phone. If you prefer a compact, one-hand-friendly phone or want to spend less, the S23 is the better fit.
Does the Galaxy S23 have an S Pen?+
No — the built-in S Pen is exclusive to the Ultra line. The S23 supports Bluetooth styluses as accessories but has no slot to store one.