Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Is It Worth Buying Still?
A few years ago, Samsung was gearing up to release the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and boy, did it set the benchmark for what an Ultra phone should be, delivering one of the world’s first high-resolution 200 MP mobile cameras, a refined design, ultra-long-lasting battery life, and so much more.
Now, with the rapid advancements in mobile tech in recent years, is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra still worthy of being called an Ultra phone? Moreover, is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra still worth buying today?
First, let’s take a look at the spec sheet of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Even years later, the spec sheet of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is still fairly impressive:
Specs table
| Specs | Samsung S23 Ultra |
| Weight | 234g |
| Display | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak) |
| Processor Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| Internal memory | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Rear camera | 200MP main
10MP periscope telephoto 10MP telephoto 12MP (Ultra wide) |
| Front Camera | 12MP |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| Battery capacity | 5000mAh |
| Charging speed | 45W wired
15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Release date | 2023, February 01 |
| Release Price | $1200 |
Strengths of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Camera
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is still capable of producing excellent images with impeccable quality in various lighting conditions. In fact, the camera system of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra can closely match and even surpass many newer devices. It’s really that good. In terms of image quality, video quality, zoom quality, etc., the camera system of the S23 Ultra still lives up to its Ultra title.
Also, let’s not forget the camera system of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra packs a feature most of its competitors have tried and failed to match: the super-detailed, high-resolution 200 MP main camera. This sensor is capable of producing shots with extreme details never before seen on a mobile phone, and with Samsung’s excellent software optimization, this incredible image system has actually improved over the years.
Performance
| Benchmark Tool | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Samsung S24 Ultra |
| Geekbench 6 | Single-core: 1,921
Multi-core: 5,115 |
Single-core: 2,133
Multi-core: 6,666 |
As you can see from the table above, although it isn’t quite at the level of the S24 Ultra, the performance of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra still holds up, mostly thanks to the Samsung-exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and Samsung’s excellent optimization. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is still an Ultra powerhouse with more than enough power to carry out resource-intensive tasks like gaming at the highest setting, rendering, and app switching with ease. In fact, for most tasks, most people won’t even notice the performance difference between the current Ultra.
Gamers and power users, you can rest assured that the S23 Ultra can run your big apps, games, and heavy resource-intensive apps pretty much perfectly. Samsung’s deep understanding of how customers use their phones allows them to optimize their smartphone processors to meet real-world needs and expectations.
Display
The display of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is still absolutely beautiful. Despite being a few years old now, the screen of the Galaxy S23 Ultra is still on par with a number of current-gen flagships.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra was the last true curved screen in the Samsung S series. The current-gen S24 Ultra has a flat screen, as does the S25 Ultra. Depending on your own personal opinion, this could be a plus or minus for the S23 Ultra.
With its 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, future-proof resolution not forgetting its high 1750 nits peak brightness, the S23 Ultra’s display holds up exceptionally well.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra shipped with a 5000 mAh cell that outlasted both its predecessor and the competition. Now, a couple years later, the battery of the S23 Ultra still performs pretty well. Of course, battery life can vary depending on how you use your S23 Ultra or whether yours is new or refurbished. Batteries naturally lose some capacity over time, and how you use and charge your phone can affect how quickly that happens.
Knowing the keys to extending your battery life can help a lot. The best you can do is buy your S23 Ultra from reliable refurbished vendors. That way you get a perfectly working Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with good battery life at a cheaper price.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra still holds up pretty well. Paired up with the fact that even the S25 Ultra is using a similar design.
As with every recent S series flagship phone, the build quality (Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and rear) of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is solid and even on par with a number of flagships today and better than most phones in its current price range. Obviously that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a screen protector and case for your Samsung S23 Ultra.
S Pen Integration
Another clear strength of having the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra this year is the inbuilt S Pen. This tool positions the Galaxy S23 Ultra as one of the best devices for artists and business professionals who deal with a lot of online paperwork, especially if you’re on a budget.
Longevity and Sustainability:
One of the biggest strengths of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra that’s rarely talked about is how much better it is for sustainability and the environment. By buying an old flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in the current year, you not only get a premium phone at a cheap price, you also contribute positively to the environment by extending the lifespan of the device. The S23 Ultra is future-proofed with guaranteed major updates through Android 17, so it’ll be usable with the latest features for years to come.
Samsung S23 Ultra Price
According to camelcamel.com, which tracks current Amazon pricing, at the beginning of 2025 the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra was selling for around $600 in renewed condition from 3rd party sellers. However, you can get one for hundreds less if you go for a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. And once more Samsung Galaxy devices are released, previous-gen phones become even cheaper. In other words, the Samsung Galaxy S23 price will go down even more.
Weaknesses of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Software Aging
There’s no dodging the fact that in a few years, the S23 Ultra will have received its last major Android update, and just a year after that, security updates will also stop coming. Hopefully Samsung will end up extending their 7-year policy to the S23 Ultra because it can clearly take it. We’ll have to wait and see. There’s also the fact that as the Samsung S23 Ultra gets older and new devices are released, it’ll go down in Samsung’s priority list, meaning new updates will take longer to arrive.
Resale Value
As the S23 Ultra gets older, the more its value will drop. And there’s no escaping that. After the device receives its last major OS update, its value will plunge even faster. But you can do something to slow this value depreciation down. Take care of your device properly, keep it looking as flawless as possible. This way if you end up wanting to sell later on, your phone’s value would still be substantial. Doing the simple things to take care of your phone can make your phone last longer and boost its resale value. If you plan on reselling your Samsung later on, you should keep this in mind.
Conclusion
Even after a couple years, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra holds its “Ultra” title with its stellar camera, powerhouse performance, stunning display, and solid battery life. While newer models like the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra bring improvements, the S23 Ultra still offers exceptional value, especially at its reduced price.
Its durability, S Pen integration, and continued software support make it a great choice for premium features on a budget. However, consider its aging software support and potential depreciation. If you want top-tier features at a lower cost, the Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a smart buy and is a great way to save more money when looking to buy a refurbished phone—just ensure you purchase from a trusted phone source.
Still not sure about the S23 Ultra being the right phone for you? Read our article on how to pick the perfect phone for you. If you’re making the switch from an iPhone to Android we recommend doing your research to make the process as smooth as possible.
