Galaxy S23 Vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23
Starting at

Refurbished price:249.00

Versus €959.00 new

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Galaxy S24 Ultra
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Starting at

Refurbished price:540.00

Versus €1,589.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23, released in February 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, represent different tiers within Samsung's flagship smartphone offerings. While both operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, the S24 Ultra distinguishes itself with a larger display, an integrated S Pen stylus, and a more extensive software update commitment. These differences cater to varying user preferences, from those seeking a compact device to those requiring advanced productivity and camera features.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its build quality and software support, areas where both devices offer robust foundations with some key distinctions.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S23 was launched with Android 13 and is promised four generations of OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until approximately Android 17 and security patches until 2028. In contrast, the newer Galaxy S24 Ultra, released with Android 14, benefits from an extended policy offering seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates, meaning support could last until Android 21 and security patches until 2031.
  • Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion. The Galaxy S23 utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its front and back, paired with an Armor Aluminum frame. The Galaxy S24 Ultra elevates this with a Titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor on the front, offering enhanced scratch resistance, while retaining Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back.
  • Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software longevity will find the Galaxy S24 Ultra's extended update policy a notable advantage, ensuring access to the latest features and security for a longer period.

Year of Release

2023

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in daily use is a critical factor, and both devices deliver a responsive experience, though the newer model incorporates more advanced internal components.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 is equipped with a powerful processor designed for the Galaxy series, providing smooth operation for demanding applications and gaming. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a newer generation processor, which translates to even faster app loading, more fluid multitasking, and enhanced capabilities for intensive tasks like advanced photo and video editing or running complex AI features.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S23 typically comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options up to 512GB. The Galaxy S24 Ultra generally offers 12GB of RAM and storage options extending up to 1TB, providing more headroom for multitasking and accommodating larger files and applications.
  • Battery Endurance: The Galaxy S23 houses a 3900 mAh battery, which users report can comfortably last a full day with moderate usage. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a larger 5000 mAh battery, often providing exceptional endurance that can extend to two full days for some users under typical conditions.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a highlight for both devices, with differences in size, brightness, and resolution catering to distinct user preferences.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S23 features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks in a compact form factor. The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, providing an expansive viewing area.
  • Brightness and Clarity: Both displays offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The Galaxy S23 achieves a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring good visibility outdoors. The Galaxy S24 Ultra surpasses this with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, enhancing outdoor readability and HDR content viewing. The S23 has a 2340x1080 resolution, while the S24 Ultra offers a higher 3088x1440 resolution, resulting in sharper details on its larger screen.
  • Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S23's flat display is favored by some for its ease of use and lack of accidental touches. The S24 Ultra features a less curved display compared to its predecessors, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and productivity tasks due to its size and higher resolution.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3120

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra introduces more advanced hardware and features for photography enthusiasts.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 includes a versatile triple-camera setup with a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a quad-camera system, upgrading to a 200 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide, a 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and an additional 50 MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, providing greater flexibility for distant subjects.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 delivers strong everyday photography with vibrant colors and good low-light performance, along with reliable video stabilization. The S24 Ultra offers enhanced detail capture with its higher megapixel main sensor and more versatile zoom capabilities, resulting in improved image quality across various lighting conditions and distances.
  • Front Camera and Video: Both devices feature a 12 MP front-facing camera for clear selfies and video calls. Both are capable of recording video up to 8K resolution, with the S23 offering good video stabilization for handheld shooting. The S24 Ultra also provides strong video recording capabilities, benefiting from its overall camera enhancements.

Main camera

50 megapixels

200 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements differentiate these two devices, impacting daily interaction and user experience.

  • Dimensions and Handling: The Galaxy S23 is a compact device, measuring 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and weighing 168g, making it comfortable for one-handed use and easy to carry. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a larger and heavier device at 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm and 232g, which may require two hands for comfortable operation, particularly for extended periods.
  • Connectivity and Ports: Both smartphones support modern connectivity standards, including 5G for fast mobile data, advanced Wi-Fi protocols, and Bluetooth. They both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Unique Features: A significant differentiator for the Galaxy S24 Ultra is its integrated S Pen stylus, which allows for precise note-taking, drawing, and navigation directly on the screen. The S24 Ultra also introduces a suite of Galaxy AI features, offering intelligent assistance for tasks like photo editing, live translation, and enhanced search functionalities. The S23 does not include an S Pen or the same advanced AI features.

Weight

167 g

232 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.8

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 Ultra cater to different user needs, each excelling in specific areas. User feedback for the Galaxy S23 often praises its compact size, making it easy to handle and pocket, alongside its strong performance for everyday tasks and a capable camera system that delivers vibrant photos. Some common observations include its charging speed being slower than its larger siblings and occasional inconsistencies with selfie processing.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra receives acclaim for its exceptional battery life, versatile camera system with impressive zoom capabilities, and its expansive, bright display. The integrated S Pen and the new Galaxy AI features are frequently highlighted as significant advantages for productivity and creative tasks. However, its larger size and weight are sometimes noted as a potential drawback for users preferring a more compact device.

Users prioritizing a compact form factor, comfortable one-handed use, and solid flagship performance for daily activities may find the Galaxy S23 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value a large display for media consumption and productivity, advanced camera capabilities with extensive zoom, the functionality of an integrated stylus, and the longest possible software support will likely lean towards the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Both devices offer a quality experience, and choosing a quality-assured refurbished option can be a sustainable choice for either model.

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