Galaxy S26 Extremely vs Galaxy S23 Extremely: Here is why I am upgrading

[ad_1] Samsung’s Galaxy S sequence has undergone solely minimal adjustments with every technology lately. However if you happen to stack all these minor upgrades over a number of years, a three-year-old Galaxy S would appear like a completely completely different telephone. The Galaxy S23 Extremely, as an example, feels prefer it’s solely distantly associated to the freshly launched Galaxy S26 Extremely, a worthy contender for the highest spot among the many finest Android telephones for 2026.

The Galaxy S23 Extremely was, in some ways, a worthy improve to older telephones within the sequence. It introduced a 200MP digital camera with an improved digital camera algorithm, addressed the Galaxy S22 Extremely’s heating points, and featured a far much less mistouch-prone curved show. Nevertheless, it’s now reaching its closing phases of life, having already acquired three out of the 4 promised Android technology upgrades. The {hardware} might need additionally began to indicate indicators of age, particularly with Samsung’s rising emphasis on on-device AI purposes.

So, if you happen to’re seeking to transfer on, the Galaxy S26 Extremely makes good sense. On this article, I’ll take you thru all of the the reason why it's best to think about upgrading to it out of your trusty Galaxy S23 Extremely. Observe that whereas we've got but to overview the Galaxy S26 Extremely, the observations under are primarily based on our restricted hands-on time with the gadget and on our expertise with previous Extremely telephones.

Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. Galaxy S23 Extremely: Would you improve? 5 votes

Sure, undoubtedly

60%

No, I am proud of Galaxy S23 Extremely

20%

Is determined by the trade-in quantity

20%

Show will get a privateness improve

One of the thrilling and extremely marketed options of the Galaxy S26 Extremely is the brand new Privateness Show. It's designed to forestall shoulder surfers from seeing delicate info in your display screen. However in contrast to a privacy-centric display screen protector that's utilized over the display screen, the privateness options are baked into the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s show.

You possibly can activate Privateness Show with a software program change and use it to selectively prohibit components of the show. As an example, you should utilize Privateness Show to make sure sure apps, or their notifications, stay hidden from onlookers. Early leaks have additionally revealed the science behind this fascinating characteristic.

The Galaxy S26 Extremely's show repels prying eyes and exhibits extra vibrant colours than ever earlier than.

Apart from the privateness enhancement, the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s show additionally will get a coloration improve. With this technology, Samsung is lastly transferring to 10-bit shows, enabling a wider coloration gamut. With this improve, colours ought to seem punchier when in comparison with the Galaxy S23 Extremely on the facet.

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra screen up on couch" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, showing its home screen." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-screen-up-on-couch.jpg"/> Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

Whereas I anticipate that wider coloration help will make a distinction when watching movies or enjoying video games with vibrant visuals, I additionally hope the improve will lastly resolve a long-standing concern of “banding” on Samsung’s AMOLED shows. Banding is when rectangular artifacts seem on the display screen whereas displaying a coloration gradient.

Apart from these enhancements, the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s show is totally flat, in case you need a change from the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s curved edge. Moreover, the newer show achieves a a lot larger peak brightness of three,000 nits, in comparison with simply 1,750 nits on the Galaxy S23 Extremely.

One UI 8.5 brings massive upgrades With the Galaxy S26, Samsung is shifting to the brand new One UI 8.5 interface. Whereas it's nonetheless primarily based on Android 16, identical to One UI 8, One UI 8.5 brings a considerable improve.

However there’s much more Samsung has introduced with the Galaxy S26 sequence. For one more 12 months, AI takes heart stage in Samsung’s announcement, with a number of new additions and enhancements to present Galaxy AI options.

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy S26 Photo Assist Example Part 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Samsung Galaxy S26 Photo Assist Example Part 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Photo-Assist-Example-Part-1.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The brand new interface brings a slew of options to edit media on the go. These embody Picture Help, which helps you to edit photographs utilizing textual content prompts, identical to Google Images’ Assist Me Edit, and AI-enhanced doc scanning that removes palms and ugly corners. In the meantime, Artistic Studio enables you to create sticker cutouts out of your photographs and make them simply accessible through the Samsung Keyboard.

One UI 8.5 will get an enormous AI improve, and the Galaxy S26 will get it earlier than different Samsung units.

Moreover, Samsung’s Now Bar and Now Transient are lastly gaining helpful methods, resembling remembering key occasions for you even when they’re not in your calendar. These are being accompanied by one other characteristic, referred to as Now Nudge, which works equally to Pixel’s Magic Cue and suggests responses to queries by robotically fetching info from different apps.

Apart from these new options, One UI 8.5 brings a brand new search interface that's accessible by a shortcut proper above the pinned apps on your own home display screen, considerably just like the iPhone’s finder, which helps you to carry out a deep system-level search together with an enhanced Circle to Search that may now seek for a number of objects directly. An identical search characteristic additionally enables you to discover particular screenshots contained in the Gallery app.

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy S26 Finder Shortcut" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Samsung Galaxy S26 Finder Shortcut" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Finder-Shortcut.jpg"/> C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Whereas the Galaxy S23 Extremely will even ultimately obtain One UI 8.5, it is going to be months behind the Galaxy S26 Extremely. Moreover, it stays to be seen which of those new options come to older units and which of them keep restricted to the brand new ones.

The digital camera’s obtained some good bits too Of late, Samsung has been criticised a lot for minimal upgrades to its flagship cameras. Should you take the first 200MP into consideration solely, you'd most likely take the identical stance. However, in comparison with the Galaxy S23 Extremely, there are some cheap upgrades throughout different cameras.

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 Extremely, it switched from a 10MP 10x telephoto to a 50MP one however with a shorter 5x optical zoom. This resolution, as we additionally examined again then, allowed the telephones to seize richer particulars on photos, particularly photographs between 3x and 10x zoom, with some trade-offs at larger ranges.

Through the years, Samsung has made efforts to plug these gaps by software program optimization, AI, and higher {hardware} that enables extra gentle to succeed in the sensor.

Whereas the Galaxy S26 Extremely makes use of the identical 5x telephoto setup because the Galaxy S24 Extremely, it's now paired with a wider f/2.9 aperture lens in comparison with the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s f/3.4 aperture.

Greater digital camera apertures ought to abate considerations about minimal digital camera upgrades.

In the meantime, the first digital camera’s lens has additionally been upgraded to a a lot wider f/1.4 aperture, and Samsung claims it leads to 47% extra gentle. Along with permitting sharper photographs throughout the day, the broader aperture additionally helps considerably with extra gentle for night time pictures.

Moreover, Samsung claims enhancements to video efficiency, together with higher stabilization and AI-enhanced framing for 4K movies (by cropping into the 8K sensor), and we’ll take a look at these out over the subsequent few weeks.

Leaps forward in efficiency

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 logo on desk" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 logo on desk" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Snapdragon-8-Elite-Gen-5-logo-on-desk.jpg"/> Robert Triggs / Android Authority

One clear benefit the Galaxy S26 Extremely has over the Galaxy S23 Extremely is efficiency. Not like the bottom and Plus variants, which include Exynos 2600 in sure markets, the most recent Extremely packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 globally, marking a three-generation leap in chipset efficiency. Along with a extra environment friendly 3nm structure, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 additionally options Qualcomm’s customized Oryon massive and center cores and considerably larger clock speeds throughout all of them.

As we’ve famous whereas testing different units operating the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the quantity of uncooked energy it gives might be overkill. Notably, all that energy has additionally raised considerations about heating, which Samsung claims to deal with by reconfiguring the warmth sink for higher thermal dissipation. As soon as once more, we’ll take a look at the effectiveness of those options over the approaching days.

Samsung lastly upgrades charging For a number of generations now, Samsung’s Extremely telephones have been caught at 45W wired charging, and the Galaxy S23 Extremely was no exception. Nevertheless, with the Galaxy S26 Extremely, Samsung is lastly stepping up by enabling 60W wired charging.

The brand new protocol , referred to as Samsung Quick Charging 3.0, is anticipated to depend on USB PD 3.1 and PPS, and it costs the Galaxy S26 Extremely from 0 to 75% in simply half-hour. Whereas we've got but to check the real-world impression of the sooner charging pace, we anticipate the improve to be particularly useful when your telephone is low on battery and desires a fast increase.

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<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> Along with sooner wired charging, the Galaxy S26 Extremely additionally brings sooner wi-fi charging at 25W, a step up from the 15W on the Galaxy S23 Extremely.

Sadly, if you happen to, like me, had been hoping for magnets contained in the physique, the Galaxy S26 Extremely will disappoint you. It lacks built-in magnets for latching onto chargers or supporting magnetic equipment, and Samsung as an alternative gives an array of magnetic instances as an alternative.

Galaxy S26 Extremely additionally feels sleeker

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra lay down next to S25 Ultra" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra lay down next to S25 Ultra" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-lay-down-next-to-S25-Ultra.jpg"/> Paul Jones / Android Authority

Whereas preferences for aesthetics could also be subjective, Samsung has been working over the previous generations to chisel away further bulk from its Extremely flagships. Because of this, the Galaxy S26 Extremely now weighs solely 215 grams, about 20 grams lower than the Galaxy S23 Extremely. And the distinction is instantly perceivable.

In Samsung’s phrases, the Galaxy S26 Extremely can be the “slimmest Extremely” it has launched so far. It measures solely 7.9mm, which can look like a small change from the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s 8.2mm-thick chassis, however it's a entire millimeter slimmer than the Galaxy S23 Extremely.

That is the slimmest, lightest Galaxy Extremely but.

With the Galaxy S26 Extremely, Samsung can be removing the design side I dislike essentially the most: its sharp corners. The Galaxy S26 Extremely now options curved corners, lowering the biting results of earlier Extremely telephones over extended use. With these adjustments, I anticipate the Galaxy S26 Extremely to really feel far simpler to grip and use over longer durations.

The protecting glass on the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s entrance is upgraded, too, with Gorilla Glass Armor 2. On the again, you’ll discover Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which, curiously, was used to guard the show on the Galaxy S23 Extremely. That ought to let you know concerning the upgrades on that entrance.

What concerning the worth?

<img class="e_Gh" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Galaxy S26 Ultra Colors" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Galaxy S26 Ultra Colors" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Galaxy-S26-Ultra-Colors-scaled.jpg"/> Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority

Samsung jacked the costs for the Galaxy S sequence with the S24 two years in the past. On the time of its launch, the Galaxy S24 Extremely price $1,299 for the bottom 256GB storage variant, a $100 enhance over the Galaxy S23 Extremely.

Fortunately, costs within the US have remained secure since then. Regardless of headwinds and a part provide crunch, the Galaxy S26 Extremely nonetheless begins at $1,299 within the US. Samsung has provided free storage upgrades to those that pre-order flagships previously years, and we anticipate the identical this 12 months as effectively.

With the Galaxy S26 Extremely, you get an enormous improve in show, privateness options, a extra ergonomic design, sooner charging, and considerably higher efficiency than the Galaxy S23 Extremely. Along with the {hardware} enhancements, the Galaxy S26 Extremely can be the primary to get new software program options with One UI 8.5.

All these upgrades stacked collectively make the Galaxy S26 Extremely a straightforward alternative if you happen to’re seeking to improve out of your Galaxy S23 Extremely. Should you do, you may also commerce within the Galaxy S23 Extremely at Samsung for one of the best worth.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely Privateness show • Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy • Energy AI options •

Highly effective flagship with top-tier cameras, AI, and privateness options.

The Galaxy S26 Extremely is Samsung's slimmest and lightest Extremely but, pairing a 6.9-inch 10-bit show with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and a redesigned cooling system. It doubles down on imaging with a brighter 200MP primary digital camera, upgraded zoom, superior 8K video options, and Extremely-exclusive privateness and Galaxy AI instruments.