Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S23 Ultra: So, you’ve been eyeing the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but you’re not sure if it’s worth the upgrade from your trusty S23 Ultra. While the two devices look similar, some key differences make the S24 Ultra a potential upgrade.
In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between the two devices, from design and display to camera, build, performance, and more. By the end, you should have a clear picture of whether the S24 Ultra is a worthy successor to the S23 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has just been released, and it’s creating quite a buzz. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra look almost identical, but there are differences worth pointing out. If you’re considering an upgrade from the S23 Ultra, here are some key differences to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Display
When it comes to design, the S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra are quite similar. They have almost identical dimensions, with a few subtle tweaks. One noticeable difference is that the display on the S24 Ultra is completely flat, while the S23 Ultra has a slight curvature.
The S24 Ultra also features a matte titanium frame, which is less prone to smudges and fingerprints compared to the glossy aluminum frame of the S23 Ultra. Both devices have an IP68 water and dust-resistant rating and are available in four default colors.
The display on the S24 Ultra is brighter and less reflective, making it easier to use outdoors. The flat display is more practical and better with the S Pen. The S24 Ultra also has slightly skinnier bezels. The S24 Ultra has a Gorilla Armor, which reduces reflections by up to 75% and provides better scratch resistance. However, the S24 Ultra’s display is not as vibrant as the S23 Ultra’s. Overall, the design changes are subtle, but the S24 Ultra does offer some improvements in terms of durability and display visibility.
Both the S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra phones have a 6.8-inch AMOLED display. They have a special feature called a variable refresh rate, which can change from 1 to 120Hz. This means that the screen can refresh faster or slower depending on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re playing a game with a lot of movement, the screen will refresh faster. But if you’re reading something, the screen will refresh more slowly.
Software and Features
Both the S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra run on Samsung’s One UI, with the S24 Ultra featuring the latest One UI 6.1. The software experience is largely similar on both devices, with a plethora of Samsung’s apps and services.
The S24 Ultra comes with various AI features and S Pen-related functionalities, which are also available on the S23 Ultra through a software upgrade. One significant difference is the level of software support, with Samsung committing to seven years of OS updates and security patching for the S24 Ultra, compared to four more years for the S23 Ultra.
Storage
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra offer different storage options to cater to various user needs. Here are the storage options for each model:
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra:
- 256GB storage with 8GB or 12GB RAM
- Upgrade options: 512GB or 1TB storage, both with 12GB of RAM
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- 256GB storage with 12GB RAM
- Upgrade options: 512GB or 1TB storage, both with 12GB of RAM
The S24 Ultra has eliminated the 8GB RAM option on its base model. The S24 and S24+ models have storage options of 128GB and 256GB, while the S24 Ultra has storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The 512GB model is a better choice if you plan to use your S24 Ultra for a longer time.
Camera and Imaging
The camera is an area where the S24 Ultra shows some notable improvements over its predecessor. The S24 Ultra features a 200MP main sensor, which, by default, captures 12MP images using 16-in-1 pixel binning. This results in sharper, more detailed images with less noise compared to the S23 Ultra.
The S24 Ultra also offers improved low-light performance and more natural-looking images. The telephoto capabilities have been enhanced, with a 50MP sensor and improved image clarity at higher zoom levels. The S24 Ultra’s Zoom camera performs better in low light conditions and has a wider range of focal lengths.
However, the S23 Ultra’s camera is still capable of taking excellent photos, and the differences may not be noticeable unless you compare them side by side. Both devices can shoot up to 8K resolution video, with the S24 Ultra offering improved stabilization and smoother zoom transitions.
Performance and Battery Life
In terms of performance, the S24 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering a significant boost in multicore processing compared to the S23 Ultra. The S24 Ultra has a 1.9 times larger vapor chamber for enhanced heat dissipation and 12 GB of RAM across the board. However, in everyday use, the difference may not be immediately noticeable.
The S24 Ultra can get warm during intense gaming sessions, but it still delivers a solid gaming experience. Both devices offer excellent battery life, with the S24 Ultra maintaining the same 5,000mAh capacity as the S23 Ultra. The S24 Ultra has a slightly better battery life due to the new chipset. The charging speeds, however, remain unchanged at 45W wired and 15W wireless.
Price and Upgrade
The S24 Ultra is priced similarly to the S23 Ultra in the UK, but there has been a price increase in the US. However, Samsung is offering pre-order deals, including double the storage, up to $150 of instant Samsung credit, and a 10% discount for students. If you trade in your S23 Ultra, you can get up to $750 off the S24 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S23 Ultra Specs
Feature | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
---|---|---|
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | 6.8-inch AMOLED; QHD+ resolution; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,088×1,440 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
Pixel density | 501ppi | 500 ppi |
Dimensions (inches) | 6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in | 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in |
Dimensions (millimeters) | 163 x 79 x 8.6 mm | 163.3 x 78 x 8.9 mm |
Weight (grams, ounces) | 233 g (8.22 oz) | 234 g (8.25 oz) |
Mobile software | Android 14 | Android 13 |
Camera | 200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto) | 200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 10-megapixel (10x telephoto) |
Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
Video capture | 8K | 8K |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
Storage and RAM | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 8GB RAM + 256GB; 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
Expandable storage | None | None |
Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
Fingerprint sensor | Under display | Under display |
Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
Headphone jack | None | None |
Special features | Titanium frame, 2,600-nit screen; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; integrated S Pen; UWB for finding other devices; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7 | 5G (Sub6, mmWave); IP68 water resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; integrated S Pen; 100x Space Zoom; 10x optical zoom; UWB for finding other devices; 45W wired charging |
US price starts at | $1,300 (256GB) | $1,200 (256GB) |
UK price starts at | £1,249 (256GB) | £1,249 (256GB) |
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Final Words: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra brings several improvements over the S23 Ultra, particularly in the camera department, display visibility, and software support. However, the differences in design, performance, and battery life may not be significant enough to warrant an immediate upgrade for S23 Ultra owners. The decision to upgrade ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities.
If you’re a photography enthusiast or value long-term software support, the S24 Ultra could be a compelling upgrade. Otherwise, the S23 Ultra remains a highly capable device that continues to hold its own in the smartphone landscape. In the end, whether you choose to stick with your S23 Ultra or make the leap to the S24 Ultra, both devices offer a wealth of features and capabilities that make them worthy contenders in the flagship smartphone arena.