Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Compare Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra side by side: Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5…
Samsung
Galaxy S23 FE
$599
4categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1,299
16categories won
2 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. For battery longevity and charging speed, the Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the lead, while the Galaxy S23 FE is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S23 FE if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 60W charging.
Galaxy S23 FE leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) and 8GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes photography with 200MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S23 FE provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $599 vs $1299.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy S23 FE vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.4" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1440 x 3120Winner |
| Pixel density | 403 ppi | 498 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1450 nits | 2400 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 2,400,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800Winner | 8900 |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 5xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,500 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 60 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 209 gWinner | 214 g |
| Thickness | 8.2 mm | 7.9 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 (One UI 7) | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S23 FE | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $599Winner | $1,299 |
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE brings flagship camera performance, an aluminum frame, IP68 water resistance, wireless charging, and Galaxy AI productivity tools down to an accessible sub-flagship price.
- Display
- 6.4"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2200 (4 nm) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,500mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a premium 6.9-inch flagship built for power users and creators. Priced at $1299, it pairs a heavily upgraded Snapdragon processor and 60W charging with a versatile quad-camera array and the signature built-in S Pen stylus.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 200MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
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