The S23 Ultra is the generation that introduced Samsung’s 200-megapixel main camera, and — more usefully — it is the last Ultra with a 10x optical telephoto. Every Ultra since has used 5x.
That single specification is why this handset is still worth comparing against newer models rather than dismissing. For distant subjects it reaches further than anything Samsung has made since. For everything else the newer Ultras process images better, so the advantage is narrow but real.
Three years on, it is also the cheapest Ultra with the 200MP sensor. The trades are the curved display, a partly consumed update window, and a battery with years behind it if the handset is not new.
Brand or model deal overview
| What defines this generation | Detail |
|---|---|
| 10x optical telephoto | The longest optical reach on any Samsung Ultra — not carried forward |
| 200MP main camera | Introduced here, carried through later Ultras |
| Curved display | The last curved Ultra; the S24 Ultra moved to flat |
| Built-in S Pen | Stored in the handset, as on every Ultra |
| 2023 launch | Part of the committed update window has elapsed |
| Condition | Expect a mix of remaining new and certified pre-owned |
| Storage | Fixed at purchase — no microSD on S-series |
| Charging | USB-C; no charger supplied in the box |
Pricing, bundles and stock change regularly. Confirm the current deal and the total contract cost with the provider before applying.
Compare by network
Network options
Carried across all four networks, though as a three-year-old flagship the mix shifts toward certified pre-owned. Ask what you are being offered and what warranty applies.
Coverage first. Check it at the addresses you actually use before comparing monthly figures.
Ask about upgrade pricing. Older flagships often sit on better upgrade rates than current models, and on an Ultra that gap can be worth several hundred rand a month.
Compare by budget
Budget options
Older Ultras are the cheap route into the S Pen. See deals under R1000 for the surrounding market.
Against newer Ultras. See Samsung S24 Ultra contract deals and Samsung S25 Ultra contract deals. Both cost more and both have shorter zoom reach.
Against a standard S-series. Much cheaper without the S Pen. See Samsung S23 contract deals.
Current and older alternatives
Alternative models
- Samsung S23 Ultra contract deals — the same handset under its fuller URL form.
- Samsung S24 Ultra contract deals — the next generation, flat display, shorter zoom.
- Samsung S23 contract deals — the compact standard model of the same generation.
- Samsung contract deals — the full range.
What to check before applying
- The remaining software update window, and how much has elapsed.
- Whether the handset is new or certified pre-owned, and the warranty term.
- Battery health, if it is not new.
- Screen condition — curved displays cost more to replace.
- Whether the S Pen is present and the silo works, on pre-owned stock.
- Storage size — fixed at purchase, no microSD.
- Whether a charger is included — it is not.
- The total contract cost — monthly × term, plus upfront.
- Coverage at your addresses, and upgrade pricing if you are an existing customer.
Contract applications are subject to the credit provider’s checks and generally involve a credit and affordability assessment. Approval is not guaranteed.
FAQs
Does the S23 Ultra really have better zoom than newer Ultras?
Longer optical reach — 10x against the 5x on every Ultra since. Newer models process images better overall, so the advantage applies specifically to distant subjects rather than zoom generally.
Why did Samsung drop the 10x?
Samsung moved to a higher-resolution 5x sensor and relies on cropping for longer reach. That produces better results in the 3x to 5x range, at the cost of true long-distance detail.
Is the S Pen included?
Yes — it stores inside the handset. On pre-owned stock, confirm it is present and the silo mechanism is intact.
Is the curved display a problem?
Some find curved edges cause stray inputs when writing near the sides. Samsung moved to flat from the S24 Ultra partly for that reason. Whether it bothers you is personal — handle one if you can.
How much update life remains?
Samsung committed to a long window for this generation, but three years have elapsed. Confirm the remaining term before signing a 24-month contract.
Can I expand the storage?
No. Galaxy S handsets do not support microSD cards.
Is a charger included?
No. Samsung ships a USB-C cable only.
Is it worth taking over a newer Ultra?
If you photograph at distance and the monthly saving is real, yes. Otherwise a newer Ultra gives you a flat display, better processing and a longer support window.
Can I trade in my current phone against it?
Trade-in is widely offered. On an older flagship the trade-in you receive may be worth more relative to the handset price than it would be against a current model — get both figures in writing.
What happens at the end of the contract?
The handset is paid off but the plan generally continues at its stated rate. On a phone that will then be five years old, moving to SIM-only is usually the sensible next step. See SIM-only deals.
Is it water resistant?
Ultra models of this generation carry an ingress rating, but ratings cover fresh water only and degrade with age and damage. On a three-year-old handset, treat it as a design feature rather than a guarantee.
Compare your options: browse Samsung contract deals, or compare zoom reach against the Samsung S24 Ultra.
Last updated: August 2026 — pricing, availability and terms can change.