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The Galaxy S24 Ultra upgrades the screen brightness, processor generation and 5x telephoto camera, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra retains a dedicated 10x optical telephoto lens. Both are 6.8-inch S Pen phones with 200MP main cameras. Samsung set the S24 Ultra’s US launch price at $1,299.99 in 2024; that is historical MSRP, not a current price comparison.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs S24 Ultra at a glance
| Specification | Galaxy S23 Ultra | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 3088 x 1440; adaptive 1–120Hz | 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 3120 x 1440; adaptive 1–120Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1,750 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Main rear camera | 200MP | 200MP |
| Ultrawide rear camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Telephoto cameras | 10MP 3x optical and 10MP 10x optical | 10MP 3x optical and 50MP 5x optical; Samsung also describes 10x as “optical quality” |
| S Pen | Supported | Supported |
Samsung’s US comparison supplies the brightness figures, while its UK comparison lists the resolutions and camera specifications. Samsung cautions that specifications can vary by country, so confirm the exact regional model before buying. Samsung US comparison; Samsung UK specifications comparison.
What changed in the display and performance?
Brighter screen, similar size and refresh rate
Both phones have a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with adaptive refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz and S Pen support. Samsung lists 2,600 nits peak brightness for the S24 Ultra and 1,750 nits for the S23 Ultra. The S24 Ultra’s listed resolution is 3120 x 1440, compared with 3088 x 1440 for the S23 Ultra. Peak brightness is a specification, not a guarantee of the brightness you will see in every setting.
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A newer Snapdragon generation
The S24 Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy; the S23 Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. This establishes a newer processor generation, but the specifications alone do not establish a particular real-world speed increase or longer battery life. No comparative benchmark or endurance result is stated here.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Which phone has the better zoom camera?
It depends on the focal length you use. The S23 Ultra has a dedicated 10MP 10x optical telephoto camera as well as a 10MP 3x camera. The S24 Ultra replaces that dedicated 10x unit with a 50MP 5x optical telephoto camera, alongside a 10MP 3x camera. Samsung describes the S24 Ultra’s 10x reach as “optical quality”; that wording does not mean it has a dedicated 10x optical lens.
For a dedicated 10x optical camera, the S23 Ultra has the specification advantage. The S24 Ultra offers a higher-resolution 5x optical camera. Both share a 200MP main camera and 12MP ultrawide, but megapixel counts alone do not establish which phone takes better photos. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra product information describes its hardware and zoom terminology.
Rank #2
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
What is the S24 Ultra price difference?
Samsung announced a US starting launch price of $1,299.99 for the Galaxy S24 Ultra in 2024, with 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options. Samsung said US availability began January 31, 2024. These are launch details, not current prices. Samsung’s US launch announcement.
A current price difference cannot be established from launch MSRP alone. Prices vary with region, storage, condition, seller and date, particularly when comparing a new phone with a used or refurbished one. Compare offers for the same storage capacity, condition and warranty in your market rather than calculating a present-day gap from the S24 Ultra’s launch price.
Rank #3
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Galaxy AI and software considerations
Samsung’s comparison says Galaxy AI features are available on S24 and S23 devices and names capabilities including Live Translate and Chat Assist. That does not establish that every feature is identical or available to every owner: availability can depend on region, language, software version and the specific feature. Check Samsung’s current feature details for your country and device before treating an AI feature as a deciding factor.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you choose?
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if
- You want the brighter screen specification and newer Snapdragon generation.
- You prefer a 50MP 5x optical telephoto camera over a dedicated 10x optical lens.
- You are comparing current offers and its price premium, if any, makes sense for your budget and needs.
Choose the Galaxy S23 Ultra if
- A dedicated 10x optical telephoto camera is more useful to you than a higher-resolution 5x camera.
- You find a suitable offer that makes its older processor and lower listed peak brightness acceptable trade-offs.
Check these details before purchasing either phone
- Exact model number and local carrier compatibility.
- Storage capacity, device condition, seller and warranty.
- Current price in your region, compared on an equivalent basis.
- Availability of the software and AI features you plan to use in your country and language.
Samsung’s official comparisons are useful for the listed specifications, but Samsung notes that models may vary by country. See its regional comparison and model information when checking a local variant.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Rank #4
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
