Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Compare Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos…
Samsung
Galaxy S23
$699
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
10categories won
10 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S23, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. In camera testing, the two devices offer similar flexibility, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26. Choose the Galaxy S26 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S23 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 takes battery honors offering 4,300 mAh alongside 25W charging.
Galaxy S26 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 and 12GB RAM.
Both camera setups are closely matched for daily street photography and low-light shooting.
Galaxy S23 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $790.
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 vs Galaxy S26: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S23 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 422 ppiWinner | 409 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1750 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S23 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,480,000 | 3,064,672Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 5280 | 10824Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S23 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S23 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,900 mAh | 4,300 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S23 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 168 g | 167 g |
| Thickness | 7.6 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Armor Aluminum frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S23 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 13 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S23 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $790 |
Samsung Galaxy S23
The Galaxy S23 combines the custom 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy with a 6.1-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, dedicated 3x telephoto camera, and 3900mAh battery inside a featherweight 168-gram frame.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 3,900mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh