The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains one of Samsung’s most complete slab-style flagships, built around a large 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, an integrated S Pen, a 200 MP main camera, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy platform.
This article takes a specs-first look at where the Galaxy S23 Ultra still makes sense: not as a fresh launch story, but as a mature premium phone for buyers comparing camera flexibility, productivity tools, long battery life, and high-end Android value.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 – International |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 – USA | |
| 5G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 – International |
| 1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – USA | |
| Speed: | HSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G |
Launch
| Announced: | 2023, February 01 |
| Status: | Available. Released 2023, February 17 |
Body
| Dimensions: | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight: | 234 g (8.25 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
Display
| Type: | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak) |
| Size: | 6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
Platform
| OS: | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Chipset: | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| CPU: | Octa-core (1×3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU: | Adreno 740 |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 4.0 |
Main Camera
| Quad: | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3″, 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Features: | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Features: | HDR, HDR10+ |
| Video: | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | No |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning: | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | No |
| USB: | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Circle to Search |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Charging: | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
Misc
| Colors: | Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition |
| Models: | SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS |
| SAR: | 1.12 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU: | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| Price: | € 493.00 / $ 499.99 / £ 460.00 / ₹ 77,000 |
Our Tests
| Performance: | AnTuTu: 1241531 (v9) GeekBench: 4927 (v5.1) 3DMark: 3790 (Wild Life Extreme) |
| Display: | 1274 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera: | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker: | -25.6 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery: | Active use score 13:24h |
| Battery (old): | Endurance rating 126h |
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €493, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of September 14, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $572
- Japan: ¥87,832
- United Kingdom: £423
- Australia: A$799
- Canada: C$793
- Taiwan: NT$18,094
- Denmark: kr3.685
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼2,144
- South Korea: ₩768,304
- Germany: €493
- Brazil: R$2.927
- Vietnam: ₫14.787.867
- Kenya: KSh 74,081
- India: ₹54,582
- Indonesia: Rp 10.054.487
- Nigeria: ₦770,817
- Pakistan: ₨158,655
- Philippines: ₱35,779
- Bangladesh: ৳৭০,৫৩৬
Value Position
The Galaxy S23 Ultra sits in an interesting place for specification-focused buyers. It is no longer Samsung’s newest Ultra model, yet its hardware list still reads like a true flagship: 5G, a QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display, UFS 4.0 storage, a 5000 mAh battery, wireless charging, IP68 protection, stereo speakers, and a built-in stylus. That combination gives it a different appeal from newer mid-range phones that may advertise one or two headline features but compromise elsewhere.
The strongest value argument is balance. You are not only paying for a fast chip or a large camera sensor; you are getting a complete premium feature set that covers productivity, media, gaming, photography, and desktop-style use through Samsung DeX. Actual value will depend heavily on local pricing, warranty terms, storage variant, and battery condition if buying used or refurbished.
Design and Build
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a large, squared-off phone with a 234 g body, so it is best suited to users who are comfortable with a substantial device. Its aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back, and IP68 dust and water resistance give it the durability profile expected from a premium Samsung flagship. The boxy silhouette also helps create room for the integrated S Pen, which remains one of the clearest differences between the Ultra and most rival Android flagships.
The design is practical rather than minimal. The curved screen edges, large camera rings, and broad frame make it feel like a productivity-focused phone first, with media and photography added on top. Buyers who prefer compact phones should look elsewhere, but those who want a big display, stylus access, and a sturdy flagship body will understand the appeal quickly.
Display Experience
The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is one of the phone’s central strengths. Its 1440 x 3088 resolution gives it a very sharp pixel density, while the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate keeps scrolling and animations smooth. HDR10+ support and high brightness ratings make it well suited for video, photo review, navigation, and outdoor use.
For comparison shoppers, the important point is that this is not merely a large screen; it is a high-resolution flagship display with strong brightness and premium protection. The measured brightness figure from the test data also supports its real-world usability. It remains a strong panel for users who read, edit photos, watch video, or multitask with split-screen apps.
Performance and Storage
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy remains a capable flagship chipset, especially when paired with UFS 4.0 storage. The CPU layout, Adreno 740 GPU, and benchmark results point to a phone that can still handle demanding games, heavy multitasking, camera processing, and desktop-style workflows through DeX.
The storage options are also important. The Galaxy S23 Ultra does not include a microSD card slot, so choosing the right internal storage tier matters. The 256GB model is the baseline, while the 512GB and 1TB versions make more sense for users who shoot lots of 4K or 8K video, keep offline media libraries, or expect to hold onto the phone for several years.
Camera System
The camera setup is one of the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s defining features. The 200 MP main camera gives Samsung room for high-resolution capture and pixel-binned everyday photos, while the two telephoto cameras provide both 3x optical zoom and 10x optical zoom. That dual-telephoto approach is still valuable because it avoids relying only on digital cropping for distant subjects.
The ultrawide camera adds autofocus and Super Steady video support, making it more flexible than a basic wide-angle module. Video recording is similarly broad, with 8K capture, 4K at up to 60fps, high-frame-rate 1080p options, HDR10+ support, stereo sound recording, and gyro-EIS. The 12 MP front camera is also more serious than its resolution might suggest, offering dual pixel PDAF and 4K video recording.
Battery and Charging
The 5000 mAh battery is paired with 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. In practical terms, this is a strong all-day battery setup rather than a charging-speed showcase. The active use score and older endurance rating both indicate that the phone was built for long sessions of browsing, video, messaging, navigation, and camera use.
Charging is flexible, but not class-leading by the standards of brands that push very high wattage adapters. The trade-off is that Samsung leans on USB Power Delivery 3.0, wireless charging support, and ecosystem compatibility. For many buyers, the more meaningful feature is endurance: the Galaxy S23 Ultra has the battery capacity and efficiency to behave like a reliable daily flagship.
Software and Productivity
The phone launched with Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI, with support for up to four major Android upgrades listed in the source data. One UI 6.1.1 support and features such as Circle to Search add to its modern software profile, though update timing and availability can vary by model, carrier, and region.
The productivity story is stronger than on most phones because of the S Pen and Samsung DeX. The stylus supports Bluetooth integration along with motion sensors, making it useful for notes, document markup, quick sketches, camera controls, and precision input. DeX and Wireless DeX extend the phone into a more desktop-like environment when connected to a larger screen.
Connectivity and Everyday Features
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is well equipped for global connectivity, with broad LTE and 5G support that differs between international and USA variants. The USA model includes mmWave 5G bands, while the international model focuses on Sub6 5G. Buyers importing a device should pay attention to the exact model number and supported bands before purchase.
Other everyday features are equally complete: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, multi-system positioning, Ultra Wideband support, USB Type-C 3.2 with OTG, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader, stereo speakers, and AKG-tuned audio. The missing pieces are predictable for a modern premium flagship: there is no 3.5mm headphone jack and no FM radio.
Who Should Buy It
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is best for users who want a premium Android phone with a large screen, strong cameras, long battery life, and productivity features that go beyond normal app multitasking. It is especially appealing to note-takers, mobile photographers, frequent travelers, and people who want one phone that can handle work, media, and creative tasks.
It is less ideal for buyers who want a lightweight phone, expandable storage, ultra-fast wired charging, or the newest Samsung camera hardware. Still, for shoppers comparing older flagships against newer mid-range models, the Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a serious benchmark because its feature set is deep rather than narrow.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a powerful, feature-rich flagship with a sharp AMOLED display, versatile zoom cameras, strong battery life, S Pen support, DeX, and broad connectivity. Choose it if you want a premium Android phone with mature hardware and productivity depth at a potentially better price than the newest Ultra models.
References
- Samsung Mobile Press – Galaxy S23 Ultra Specs – Primary Samsung spec sheet for display, dimensions, cameras, processor, memory, battery, charging, connectivity, software, IP rating, and market-variation notes.
- Samsung Global Newsroom – Galaxy S23 Series Launch – Official launch article with Galaxy S23 Ultra specifications and explanatory footnotes for claims such as Snapdragon for Galaxy, battery capacity, camera features, and S Pen support.
- Samsung Philippines – Galaxy S23 Ultra Product Specifications – Official Samsung product page with a detailed consumer-facing specifications table, useful for cross-checking display resolution, sensors, video recording, connectivity, and physical specs.
- Qualcomm – Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Device Finder – Primary chipset vendor reference confirming the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform used in the Galaxy S23 Ultra and related connectivity platform details.
- Samsung Mobile Software Update – Galaxy S23 Ultra SM-S918B – Official Samsung update log for the SM-S918B model, useful only if the article mentions current Android version, security patch, or software-update status; note that updates vary by region and carrier.
