Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Vivo X100 Ultra

Verdict

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Vivo X100 Ultra tie on the OH Rank at a score of 72. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra wins on Software and Desktop Replacement; Vivo X100 Ultra wins on Performance and Battery. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 2.5mm wider than Vivo X100 Ultra. Vivo X100 Ultra is the more recent release, from May 28, 2024.

Score Breakdown

Category

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

78.1mm (3.07in) · Feb 2023 · Rank #74

Vivo X100 Ultra

75.6mm (2.98in) · May 28, 2024 · Rank #68
Performance /15
7
9
Battery /15
8
9
Screen /15
13
15
IP Protection /15
12
12
Main Camera /15
12
14
Selfie /5
5
5
Video /5
5
5
SD Memory /5
0
0
Software /5
5
3
Desktop Replacement /5
5
0
TOTAL
72
72
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
78.1mm (3.07in) · Feb 2023 · Rank #74
7+8+13+12+12+5+5+0+5+5 = 72
* BEST phone Spring Summer 2023

EDITORIAL: A fantastic value considering that it differs from S24 Ultra by a small, incremental downgrade in processing speed, screen reflection and minor photo deficiencies. And it is smaller (easier to use) than the S24 Ultra. Samsung still promises 4 more years of OS updates making this one of the best options if you don’t want to spend much.

PROs
fast SD 8 Gen 2 with UFS4.0 performance, 500ppi screen, great cameras: 200MP main + 2 x 10MP tele + 12MP ultrawide all with PDAF and a 12MP selfie with PDAF too!, Samsung’s mature and feature rich software and a full-blown best-on-the-market desktop replacement functionality
CONs
big 234gr phone, less than 24-hour battery life, no memory expansion and Samsung’s persistent effort to lock you into their ecosystem (updated Apr 13, 2025)
Vivo X100 Ultra
75.6mm (2.98in) · May 28, 2024 · Rank #68
9+9+15+12+14+5+5+0+3+0 = 72
* TOP Screen* TOP Selfie* TOP Video Recording

EDITORIAL: Released in May of 2024 and topped by Vivo X200 Pro phone, Vivo X100 Ultra set a new camera phone standard with its 200MP telephoto camera and a top all-around hardware and software imaging setup. This is one of the best 2024 phones for photography. It has an outstanding screen too but Vivo left room to improve by excluding a memory card slot and missing the 4 or more years of OS software updates that Apple, Samsung, Google and others offer.

PROs
very good SD 8 Gen 3 with UFS 4.0 performance, sub-30min fast 80W (30W wireless) charging, 1800nits bright >500ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, top imaging from a OIS PDAF 50MP main + 200MP tele + a 50MP AF ultrawide, 50MP AF Selfie, light and fast Funtouch OS with 3 years of updates
CONs
<24-hour battery endurance, lack of expandable storage, only 3 year OS update policy, no desktop replacement software

Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.

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