Samsung S25 Ultra vs. Samsung S23 Ultra: Is it worth it to upgrade?

The latest addition to the Samsung Galaxy S Ultra line was available starting on February 7th in 2025. Of course, this new device has all the latest features, upgrades, and hardware you’d expect in a newly released Ultra device.

While comparisons to other top-tier smartphones like the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max are inevitable, for many, the key question is: how does the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stack up against the phone they might be replacing? That’s why we think the most insightful comparison is with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

So, the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra; we’re going to compare everything from specs, camera, display, battery, etc.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Specifications

Specs	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Weight	218 g	234 g
Display	6.9 inches, 1440 x 3120 pixels, Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), Corning Gorilla Armor 2.	6.8 inches, 1440 x 3088 pixels, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak), Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Processor Chipset	Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy (3 nm)	Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy (4 nm)
Internal memory	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Rear camera	200 MP main 50 MP periscope telephoto 10 MP telephoto 50 MP (Ultra-wide)	200MP main 10MP periscope telephoto 10MP telephoto 12MP (Ultra-wide)
Front Camera	12MP	12MP
Battery capacity	5000mAh	5000mAh
Charging speed	45W wired 15W wireless (Qi 2.1) 4.5W reverse wireless	45W wired 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Release date	2025, January 22	2023, February 01
Price	$1300	$600

Design and Build

Starting with the overall design. The S23 Ultra and the S25 Ultra look very different yet so similar. The newer Galaxy S25 Ultra features flatter sides, with more curvature on the corners, making the device more comfortable to handle. The camera bump looks very similar, the only difference is the S25 Ultra having thicker rings around the camera.

The most obvious design difference is the display. The S25 Ultra has a flat screen, while the S23 Ultra features a curved one, giving it a more futuristic look.

Despite looking so similar, the build quality on the two devices are levels apart in favor of the new Samsung S25 Ultra. The new Galaxy S25 Ultra features a grade 5 titanium frame compared to the aluminum on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. On the front and back, the Samsung S23 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the S25 Ultra upgrades to Gorilla Glass Armor 2. And the difference in durability is significant, especially in drop and scratch resistance.

For reference in Jerry Rig Everything’s durability test on the S24 Ultra last year, the phone’s screen didn’t scratch at a level 6, which almost every phone does, including the brand-new iPhone 16 Pro Max. Although as of the time of writing this, he hasn’t released a durability review of the S25 Ultra, Samsung and Corning promised big improvements on the new Armor 2. So we can at least be sure that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is levels ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in durability.

Display

Compared to the S23 Ultra, the S25 Ultra’s display is a lot better. For starters, just the sheer quality of the panel is better. As Ice Universe shared on X (post 1 and post 2), even when set to 720p, the S25 Ultra’s clarity is comparable to 1080p on older Samsung devices, including the S23 Ultra.

Also, the new Galaxy S25 Ultra has a higher peak brightness at 2600 nits compared to 1700 on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. And it doesn’t end there. One of the perks of Corning’s Gorilla Armor panel is its anti-reflective coating, which we first saw in last year’s S24 Ultra. This coating significantly reduces reflections on a display. And that coating was significantly improved on the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. So under bright sunlight, the S25 Ultra will be much easier to use.

To cap it off, the bezels on the new device are significantly thinner. Around 35-50% thinner.

Battery and Charging

As expected, battery life on the new Galaxy S25 Ultra is better than the older Galaxy S23 Ultra. But by how much?

With what we have on paper, the battery capacities on both phones are exactly the same. What makes the new Samsung S25 Ultra last much longer than the S23 Ultra is the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip and Samsung’s overall system optimization that uses less power.

The new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is 75% more efficient than the 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. And there’s also a bigger cooling chamber on the new S25 Ultra, which we’ll talk about later.

All these add up to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra lasting over 2-3 hours longer than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra on heavy usage. Want to know how processors like the 8 Elite work? Read more on what phone processors do.

Charging

There isn’t much to say here; both phones only support 45 watts of fast charging. This translates into both phones charging from 0-100% in just over an hour.

Software and AI

Software and AI are a big deal on the new Samsung S25 Ultra; in fact, it’s one of the major selling points of the new phone over the old Samsung S24 Ultra. So here are some cool new Galaxy AI software features:

AI Select

This feature simplifies content extraction from videos, text, and QR codes. Users circle the desired element to easily save, share, or search it. The feature also enables effortless GIF creation.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) in Settings and Gallery Search

Natural language processing (NLP) enhances search functionality within the Gallery and Settings app. In Settings, it allows you to find settings more easily by using natural language terms instead of the exact term or parts of it. For example, instead of searching for “display brightness,” you could search for “make screen brighter.” And it will pull up the brightness controls.

In the Gallery, NLP improves search accuracy by understanding the content of your photos. Although Samsung phones can already do this to an extent, NLP makes them much better at understanding what you’re looking for.

Improved Object Eraser

Removes unwanted objects or distractions from photos. The AI intelligently fills in the space left behind, creating a seamless and natural-looking result.

Audio Eraser

Isolates and removes unwanted sounds from audio recordings. This could be used to reduce background noise in a recording or remove a specific sound from a conversation.

Record and Transcribe Calls

Records phone calls and automatically transcribes them into text. This feature could be useful for taking notes during important calls or creating a record of conversations.

Now Bar

One UI 7’s Now Bar is a Dynamic Island-like feature on the lock screen. It provides quick access to information and controls for ongoing activities, like navigation in Google Maps. It’s designed to be personalized, adapting to your routines and working with the Always-on Display.

Which New Galaxy Features Will Be Available on Older Phones?

Currently, we don’t know which new software features, especially the Galaxy AI ones, are going to get ported to the older phone via update. As was mentioned earlier, software and AI are the major selling points of the new Samsung S25 Ultra. And we don’t know how willing Samsung is to give those selling point features to older flagships. Last year, Samsung passed on most of the major AI features that debuted on the S24 Ultra to older devices like the S23 Ultra and Z Fold 5. This year, we’re honestly not sure what to expect because, on one hand, restricting the features to just the new Samsung S25 Ultra would incentivize more people to upgrade, but on the other hand, customers would lose trust in the longevity of their phone because spending over $1200 on a phone just a year or two ago only to not get new features is a really bad look on Samsung.

With so much uncertainty, we can’t accurately predict the status of the features that will be coming to the older Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. We’ll just have to wait and see.

AI to Become Paid Soon

Another big uncertainty regarding Galaxy AI is how much it’s going to cost. If you don’t know, Samsung announced last year that Galaxy AI is only free until the end of 2025. After that, it will be a paid subscription.

We’re already into the second month of 2025, and Samsung hasn’t said anything about how much exactly it will cost.

Longer Software Support

Another key software difference between the Samsung S25 Ultra and Samsung S23 Ultra is software longevity. Of course, the newer Galaxy S25 will be up to date for longer, but in this case, it’s much longer. The Samsung S25 Ultra is getting 7 years of major updates, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is only getting 4 years of major updates, and the current Android 15 will be its second. So only 2 major updates are left.

Performance

Benchmark Tool

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Geekbench 6

Single-core: 3122

Multi-core: 9946

Single-core: 2056

Multi-core: 5261

Antutu

2207809

1241531

Performance is really straightforward; the benchmark says it all. A 89.05% difference between the S25 Ultra and S23 Ultra in multi-core and 51.85% in single-core. The results are conclusive. The only question is, do you need this much power?

If we’re honest, put the Galaxy S25 and S23 Ultra side by side in everyday tasks, and most people won’t even notice that the S25 Ultra has double the power. What they will notice, though, is how much cooler the Samsung S25 Ultra is, thanks to its larger cooling chamber. So if performance is a priority, the Samsung S25 Ultra is well worth the upgrade; just make sure you have something to take advantage of that power.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Samsung S25 Ultra feature a 200 MP wide + 10 MP 3x Telephoto + 10 MP 10x Periscope + 12 MP Ultrawide and 200 MP wide + 10 MP 3x Telephoto + 50 MP 5x Periscope + 50 MP Ultrawide, respectively.

Side by side, the cameras of the S25 Ultra are definitely better especially at things like dynamic range in scenes with tricky lighting, low light, and in both image and video quality. But does that make the cameras of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra bad and unusable? Definitely not. The cameras on the older phone still perform pretty well.

Camera Software

The camera software has definitely improved a lot on the new phone. But the most noticeable improvement is the shutter lag. In the Samsung S25 Ultra, it’s practically gone now.

Also, social media optimization for the cameras is a lot better on the new phone. In the MrWhosetheboss test, the quality loss was not as severe as in previous generations. It’s now very close to iPhone quality on social media apps.

S Pen

Interestingly, the older Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a better S Pen than the new Samsung S25 Ultra. This year, Samsung removed Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen. You can no longer use the S Pen to control your phone remotely. This means features like air gestures for taking pictures and navigating menus are gone. So, if this is an important feature to you, stick with the S23 Ultra.

Should You Upgrade From The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to the Samsung S25 Ultra?

This is the million-dollar question. The short answer is: It depends. Here’s a break down for you:

Upgrade to the Samsung S25 Ultra if:

You need the latest and greatest: If you’re an early adopter who always wants the newest technology, the S25 Ultra is the obvious choice.
You’re a power user: The S25 Ultra’s significantly improved performance and AI capabilities will be a noticeable upgrade for demanding users.
Camera quality is crucial: The S25 Ultra offers a significant improvement in camera performance, especially in low light and challenging conditions.
You prioritize durability: The stronger titanium frame and improved Gorilla Glass make the S25 Ultra more resistant to drops and scratches.
You want the best display: The S25 Ultra boasts a superior display with thinner bezels, higher brightness, and better anti-reflective coating.

Don’t Upgrade From the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if:

The S23 Ultra still meets your needs: If you’re happy with the S23 Ultra’s performance and camera, there’s no need to upgrade. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side especially for the extra cost.
You’re on a budget: The S25 Ultra is a premium device with a premium price tag. Although you can trade in your S23 Ultra to SmartphonesPLUS to reduce that price.
You’re concerned about AI costs: The future cost of Galaxy AI is uncertain and can significantly impact the value proposition of the S25 Ultra.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a clear upgrade over the S23 Ultra, with improvements in display, build, performance, camera, and software, including Galaxy AI. However, the S23 Ultra remains a powerful phone. Upgrading depends on your needs and budget. The Samsung S25 Ultra is ideal for those who want the latest tech and prioritize performance and camera quality. If your Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra suffices, holding off makes sense. Both are top-tier Android phones; choose based on your priorities.

Wondering if the S23 Ultra is still worth it in 2025? Read our blog: Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Still Worth Buying Today?