The Galaxy S20 Ultra was Samsung’s ambitious camera-first flagship of 2020, complete with a then-groundbreaking 108MP sensor. Three years later, the Galaxy S23 Ultra refined nearly every part of that formula. Here’s how the two actually compare for anyone considering the upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs S20 Ultra: Specs Comparison
| Galaxy S20 Ultra | Galaxy S23 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2020 | 2023 |
| Display | 6.9-inch curved Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz | 6.8-inch flat Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, adaptive 1-120Hz |
| Chipset | Exynos 990 / Snapdragon 865 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Rear cameras | 108MP wide, 48MP 10x periscope telephoto, 12MP ultrawide | 200MP wide, 10MP 10x periscope telephoto, 10MP 3x telephoto, 12MP ultrawide |
| S Pen | Not supported | Built-in S Pen included |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh, 45W wired charging (with compatible charger) | 5,000 mAh, 45W wired charging |
| Build | Aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus | Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Launch price | $1,399.99 | $1,199.99 |
Camera: 108MP vs 200MP
Despite the higher megapixel count on paper, the S20 Ultra’s early 108MP sensor and autofocus system had well-documented early issues, particularly with focus hunting. The S23 Ultra’s 200MP sensor benefits from three additional generations of computational photography refinement, faster autofocus, and an extra telephoto lens for more flexible zoom (3x plus 10x, versus a single 4x on the S20 Ultra).
Performance and Efficiency
The jump from the Snapdragon 865/Exynos 990 to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is substantial — not just in raw benchmark scores, but in real-world thermal management and battery efficiency, an area where the S20 Ultra was frequently criticized at launch.
S Pen Support
The S20 Ultra predates Samsung’s decision to fold S Pen support into the Ultra line (that started with the S22 Ultra), so it has no built-in stylus at all. This is one of the most significant functional differences for anyone who wants note-taking or PDF annotation.
Should You Upgrade?
After three years of use, S20 Ultra batteries have typically degraded significantly, and the phone is approaching or past the end of its guaranteed software update window. Combined with the S23 Ultra’s dramatically improved camera system and S Pen support, this is a strongly justified upgrade for S20 Ultra owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Galaxy S20 Ultra support the S Pen?
No, built-in S Pen support wasn’t added to the Ultra line until the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Which has a better camera, the S20 Ultra or S23 Ultra?
The S23 Ultra, thanks to three generations of computational photography improvements, faster autofocus, and dual telephoto lenses.
Is the Galaxy S20 Ultra still getting software updates?
It is at or near the end of its official Samsung update cycle, so security patches are limited or discontinued.
