Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date February 17, 2023 July 24, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 113.58 cm³ 113.98 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.91 "/g 3.18 "/g
Weight 234 g 239 g
Height 163.4 mm 153.5 mm
Width 78.1 mm 132.6 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 5.6 mm
Foldable Design No Yes
Available Colors
  • Red
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Sky Blue
  • Lime
  • BMW M Edition
  • Black
  • White
  • Navy
  • Pink
  • Silver Shadow

Display

Screen Size 6.8 " 7.6 "
Resolution 1440 x 3088 1856 x 2160
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.5 % 90.5 %
Pixel Density 500 PPI 374 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1200 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1750 nits 2600 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 108.13 mAh/in² 76.18 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.02 mAh/cm³ 38.6 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 4400 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) 8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 740 Adreno 750 (1 GHz)

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 17 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 (folded); 153.5 x 67.8 x 12.8 (unfolded)S23 Ultra is a traditional candybar design, thinner but taller. Fold6 offers a compact folded size and a large tablet-like unfolded experience.
Weight (g)234239Negligible weight difference in practical use.
FoldableNoYesFold6's foldable design allows for greater portability and a larger screen when needed.
Display
Display Size (inches)6.87.6 (main); 6.3 (cover)Fold6 offers a significantly larger main display for multitasking and media consumption.
Resolution (px)1440 x 30882176 x 1812 (main), 914 x 2316 (cover)Both offer high resolutions, resulting in sharp visuals. Fold6's cover display resolution is lower but still adequate.
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XDynamic AMOLED 2XBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both provide smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)17502600Fold6's higher peak brightness improves outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading EditionFold6 has a newer, more powerful processor, leading to faster performance and better efficiency.
CPUOcta-core (up to 3.36 GHz)Octa-core (up to 3.39 GHz)Fold6 has a slightly faster CPU clock speed and newer architecture.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 750Fold6's GPU provides improved graphics performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
RAM (GB)8/1212Fold6 offers more RAM in the presented configuration, enabling better multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)20050S23 Ultra boasts a higher resolution main sensor, potentially capturing more detail.
Telephoto Capabilities3x & 10x optical zoom3x optical zoomS23 Ultra offers superior optical zoom capabilities.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)50004400S23 Ultra has a larger battery capacity, likely resulting in longer battery life.
Fast Charging (W)4525S23 Ultra supports significantly faster charging.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Advantages:

  • Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor and more powerful zoom capabilities.
  • Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity.
  • Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired charging speeds.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Advantages:

  • Foldable Design: Offers a larger screen real estate and enhanced portability.
  • More Powerful Processor & GPU: Provides a smoother and faster user experience, especially for demanding tasks.
  • More RAM: Better multitasking capabilities

Trade-offs:

  • Fold6: Higher price, shorter battery life, slower charging speed, crease in the folding display.
  • S23 Ultra: Lacks the versatility of a foldable screen.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

S23 Ultra: Ideal for users who prioritize camera quality, battery life, and a traditional smartphone form factor. Excellent for photography enthusiasts, power users, and those who need all-day battery life.

Fold6: Best suited for users who value a large screen for multitasking, media consumption, and productivity on the go. Perfect for those who embrace new technology and want a device that can adapt to different usage scenarios.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is a foldable screen? Are you willing to pay a premium for the flexibility and larger screen real estate?
  2. What are your primary use cases? Photography, gaming, productivity, or media consumption?
  3. What is your budget? The Fold6 is significantly more expensive.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Photography Enthusiast: S23 Ultra
  • Business Professional: Fold6
  • Heavy Multitasker: Fold6
  • Budget-Conscious User: S23 Ultra

My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

While the Fold6 is undeniably innovative, the S23 Ultra better suits my needs. I prioritize camera quality and battery life, and the S23 Ultra excels in both areas. The significantly faster charging is also a major plus. While the foldable screen of the Fold6 is appealing, I am not willing to compromise on battery life and camera capabilities for the added functionality. The price difference also plays a role in my decision. The S23 Ultra offers excellent value for its price, providing a top-tier smartphone experience without the premium cost of a foldable device. The superior zoom capabilities of the S23 Ultra are crucial for my photography needs, making it the clear winner for me.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.