Buying Guide
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to S25 Ultra: Should You Upgrade in 2026?
Galaxy S25 Ultra was runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards. If you bought the S23 Ultra in 2023, this is the upgrade decision in 2026.
Updated · By SmartphoneAwards Editorial
What you'd gain by upgrading
**Performance**: Snapdragon 8 Elite is roughly 60% faster than 8 Gen 2 in the S23 Ultra, with dramatically better thermals. **Display**: Anti-reflective coating and ~30% higher peak brightness make outdoor visibility meaningfully better. **Galaxy AI**: S25 Ultra has the full Galaxy AI suite. S23 Ultra has limited AI support — many features don't work or run poorly. **Camera**: Same 200MP main hardware, but processing pipeline is meaningfully improved. Side-by-side stills are noticeably better in low light and dynamic range. **Battery**: S25 Ultra: 8+ hours screen-on. S23 Ultra on 3-year battery: 4–5 hours typical. **Software runway**: S25 Ultra has 7 years of updates remaining; S23 Ultra has roughly 1.5 years remaining (4-year update commitment from 2023).
What you'd lose
**$1,299** out of pocket. Samsung trade-in is typically $300–$400 for the S23 Ultra, netting roughly $899–$999. **Wait period**: S26 launches early 2026 — wait 4–6 months if you can. **The S23 Ultra is still very capable** for everyday use. The biggest practical downside is the limited update runway (1.5 years vs S25 Ultra's 7).
Decision framework
**Upgrade now if**: - Your S23 Ultra battery is degrading (below 85% health) - Galaxy AI features are decisive for you - You'll keep the S25 Ultra 4+ years **Don't upgrade if**: - Your S23 Ultra is in good shape - You can wait until 2026 for the S26 line - Battery isn't a problem and you don't care about Galaxy AI **Consider the discounted S24 Ultra at $899–$999** — won MKBHD's 2024 Phone of the Year, same camera array and S Pen, with the full 7-year update commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth upgrading from S23 Ultra?
Yes if you want Galaxy AI and longer update support. The S23 Ultra is still capable for everyday use but its 1.5-year update runway is the main reason to consider upgrading.
Should I wait for the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
If you can wait until early 2026, yes — Samsung's typical S-line launch cycle. Otherwise, S24 Ultra (discounted) or S25 Ultra are strong picks today.
Discounted S24 Ultra vs new S25 Ultra?
S24 Ultra at $899–$999 — won MKBHD's 2024 Phone of the Year, same camera/S Pen as S25 Ultra at $300+ less. Strong value pick.