The world is full of rivalries, each side convinced that theirs is the best. In this semi-regular series, we pit two competitors against each other to see how they stack up.
It’s time for an old showdown between the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the S23 Ultra.
Although Samsung unveiled the new flagship phone at Unpacked, it’s difficult to discern the gen-over-gen enhancements — and whether an upgrade is worth it. Yes, Galaxy AI has made a splash with the new S24 line, but are there any other notable differences between the S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra?
Based on the specs we have so far, let’s get out.
Unveiled on February 1, 2023, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra had a starting price of $1,199 and came with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
However, at the time of writing, you can buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra for just $874 on Samsung’s official website.
The entry-level Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, has an MSRP of $1,299 — a $100 increase. It has more memory with 12GB of RAM, but you’re still getting 256GB of storage to start.
Galaxy S24 Ultra (current price): $1,299
Galaxy S23 Ultra (current price): $874
Don’t expect the gen-over-gen design changes to be “in your face” this year. The S24 Ultra, as tested during my hands-on experience, still has that tall rectangular aesthetic with rounded edges that fit ergonomically in your palm.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is slightly lighter and thinner this year with a weight of 8.22 ounces and a slimness of 0.34 inches. (The Galaxy S23 Ultra weighs 8.25 ounces and is 0.35 inches thin.)
The color combinations are also different this year and, in my opinion, more appealing. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is available in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender. However, the Lime, Graphite, Sky Blue, and Red models are sold exclusively through Samsung. com.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, is available in Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Purple, and Titanium Yellow. Titanium Green, Titanium Blue, and Titanium Orange are only available through Samsung. com.
As you can see from the shade names, which are similar to the iPhone 15 Pro models, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has titanium in its curtains, anything the Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t have.
Galaxy S24 Ultra weight and height: 8. 22 ounces, 0. 34 inches
Galaxy S23 Ultra weight and height: 8. 25 ounces, 0. 35 inches
Based on the specs we have so far, the S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra have edge-to-edge displays:
6. 8-inch display
QHD (3,088 x 1,440 pixel resolution)
Variable refresh rate
Samsung calls this panel “Dynamic AMOLED 2X,” which according to GSMArena is just a marketing pitch for an OLED display that supports HDR10 and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Both still feature that beloved punch-hole design on the screen, offering tons of screen for an expansive visual experience.
Samsung has upgraded the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s processor to a Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3, a step up from the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Snapdragon Gen 2.
Given that AI, especially Google’s Gemini AI model, is new to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, it’s no surprise that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 gets advanced AI processing for faster functionality with extended language models (LLMs), robust and generative streaming. AI apps and more.
In addition, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is designed to deliver better gaming graphics without affecting battery life. Overall, this chip is intended for AI, photography, gaming, audio, and more, but we’ll have to check it out ourselves to see. if there is any significant gain in functionality.
Galaxy S24 Ultra chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3
Galaxy S23 Ultra chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
One facet of the Galaxy S24 Ultra is that the S23 Ultra can’t beat the Galaxy AI, which provides users with useful AI-based features, adding the following:
Live Translate – Real-time on-screen translation for phone calls and text messages
Interpreter: Similar to Live Translate, but performed by the user and not over the phone.
Note Assist: AI-generated summaries and formatting your notes
Chat Assistance: Helps you find the right tone for your messages, whether you’re communicating with a colleague or looking to connect with your audience on social media.
Circle to Search: Draw a circle around anything on your display and Google will run a search for it
And much more where it comes from. Check out the segment below to see how Galaxy AI affects cameras.
As I hinted at in the previous section, one thing I miss about the S23 Ultra is the Galaxy AI. The Galaxy S24 Ultra will be packed with new AI features that will take the camera experience to new heights.
Some features of the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s AI-assisted camera include:
Edit tip: AI provides editing recommendations for minor photo edits.
Generative editing: fill parts of an image background with AI
Instant Slow Motion: Show action-packed moments with a matrix slow-motion effect
However, if you were to remove the Galaxy AI from the mix, the Samsung S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra feature the same specs for the following cameras:
200MP wide
12MP Ultra-Wide Angle
12MP selfie camera
10MP telephoto 3x optical zoom
However, the biggest change concerns the second telephoto. On the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the second telephoto is 10MP and has an optical zoom range of 10x. However, according to the spec sheet, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a resolution that’s five times better at 50MP, but the optical zoom range narrows to 5x.
There’s a chance that the 50MP resolution will make up for the narrowed optical zoom range, but I’ll have to take close-up shots and portraits with the Galaxy S24 Ultra to know for sure.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras: 200MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto (5x optical zoom), 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP selfie
Samsung Galaxy S3 Ultra Cameras: 200MP wide angle, 12MP ultra wide angle, 10MP telephoto (10x optical zoom), 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP selfie
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has the same battery as its predecessor: 5,000 mAh.
Like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung claims that the Galaxy S24 can charge up to 65% in 30 minutes with a 45W charger like this.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra will continue to feature Wireless PowerShare. For the uninitiated, Wireless PowerShare can qualify other Qi-enabled devices in the rear chassis.
It’s too early to tell how the new S24 Ultra fares in terms of battery life compared to the S23 Ultra, but we’ll update this matchup once we have the ranges.
So, do you deserve to upgrade to the Galaxy S24 Ultra? Truth be told, the differences between the two are so significant.
On paper, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra you get greater zoom capabilities, a lighter and thinner phone, a faster device, and a host of AI features. But the question is: does all this deserve an update? We will allow you. decide.
Kimberly Gedeon is a tech explorer who likes to delve into the most popular devices, from the newest iPhones to the most immersive VR headsets. He’s drawn to weird, cutting-edge technologies, whether it’s a 3D laptop, a gaming rig that can be turned into a briefcase, or smart glasses that can capture video. Her career as a journalist began a decade ago at MadameNoire, where she covered generation and business before landing as a technical editor at Laptop Mag in 2020.